The Pacific Northwest doesn't just have good muni golf, it's home to some of the best public golf in the entire country. From a former sand quarry that hosted a U.S. Open to a high desert layout carved out of lava rock, this region punches way above its weight when it comes to courses anyone can book a tee time on. We're narrowing it down to five: the tracks that define public golf in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Here's how we'd rank them, from great to the best of the best

Course Overview Location: Olympia, Washington (Thurston County) — tucked into the old-growth forest southeast of downtown Olympia, roughly 60 minutes from Seattle and easily reachable off I-5 via SeaTac (~1 hour). Course Type: Semi-private. Long a members-only country club, Indian Summer opened its doors to limited public play in 2021. Members and their guests still come first, so tee times for the public can be tight, call ahead and book early. Managed by Oki Golf. Par & Yar

Oregon has quietly built one of the richest golf histories in the country. From a two-time U.S. Amateur champion who helped define the region's courses, to a Portland native who became one of the most beloved figures in the game, the Beaver State has produced elite golfers across every era. Here's our take on the 10 best golfers ever from Oregon, ranked from 10 to 1. Pro success is the primary criterion, with recency used as a tiebreaker when careers are close. 10. Bob Duden