Course Review: The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge
- Northwest Links
- Jul 8
- 6 min read
Course Overview
Location: Redmond, WA
Course Type: Public
Par & Yardage: Par 70, 6,364 yards from the tips
Rating & Slope: 70.7 rating / 124 slope from the tips
Notable Features: Carved through a lush forest canopy, Redmond Ridge features tight tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, wetlands, and a front-nine layout that rewards accuracy over length. Managed by Oki Golf, it’s a well-conditioned, approachable course just 30 minutes outside Seattle.
Quick Take: Redmond Ridge isn’t trying to be flashy — and that’s exactly what makes it great. Nestled quietly in the woods of East King County, this course is the definition of Pacific Northwest golf: tree-lined fairways, misty morning tee times, and the feeling that you're a million miles from the city even though you’re just a few turns off the highway. It’s friendly enough for beginners but offers enough bite to keep experienced players dialed in. Plus, it’s one of the better-maintained daily-fee courses on the eastside.
Detailed Course Breakdown:
Course Difficulty – [Rating: 7/10]
Who’s it best for? Redmond Ridge is ideal for mid-handicappers who want a fair test with a touch of strategy. It's playable for beginners (especially from the forward tees), but even low handicaps will need to think their way around the tight landing zones and protected greens.
Key challenges: This is a course that rewards placement over power. The front nine is especially narrow, with tight doglegs and trees that love to block your second shot if you're even a little off-line. Wetland areas and bunkers are sneakily placed — not overwhelming, but enough to punish sloppy swings. The back nine opens up slightly, but water hazards and elevation changes keep things interesting.
Tee box breakdown: Four sets of tees make the course accessible for everyone. The tips play under 6,400 yards, so big hitters might want to club down and focus on precision. Redmond Ridge isn't about brute strength — it’s about shaping shots and playing smart.
Pro Tip: “Play conservative off the tee on the front. Driver isn't always the play. Get through the first six holes clean, and you'll have scoring chances late.”
Scenery – [Rating: 8/10]
Overall vibe: The course winds through towering evergreens and residential developments, but the homes are mostly tucked out of view. It feels peaceful and secluded — especially on early morning rounds when the fog still hangs over the forest.
Best holes for scenery: Hole 4 is a picturesque par 3 over the water framed by trees, with a sneaky breeze that plays with your club choice. Hole 17 offers a dog leg right with water all down the left side that will test your shot shaping ability if you pull more then iron.
Seasonal considerations: Summer is prime time here — firm fairways, bright greens, and not much wind. Spring and fall offer moody, misty mornings that give the course a more rugged PNW charm. In winter, drainage is decent, but it can get soggy — this is western Washington after all.
Walkability – [Rating: 5/10]
Can you walk it? Yes although carts are included in the overall greens fee. Given there are quite a few long stretches between holes we'd recommend taking a cart as the walks between holes coupled with elevation changes will leave you exhausted by the back 9.
Elevation changes: Present. Expect a handful of uphill approaches and one or two slightly hilly tee shots.
Course Conditions & Maintenance – [Rating: 7/10]
Fairway & rough condition: Fairways are well-maintained and usually in great shape through peak season. The rough is manageable — enough to cost you a stroke, but not thick enough to hide a ball forever.
Greens: Smooth, true, and mid-speed. Not lightning-fast, but quick enough to demand focus. Most greens have subtle breaks rather than wild undulations, which is refreshing.
Bunker upkeep: The bunkers are fine — not bad, but nothing to rave about. Sand tends to be on the thicker side in some spots and thinner in others, so consistency can be hit or miss. They're generally raked and playable, but don’t expect tour-level conditions. Still, they do their job and add some challenge around the greens.
Drainage in wet months: Drainage is solid during the summer and fall when conditions are dry, but the course does struggle in the winter. Expect soft fairways, occasional puddles, and slower greens if you’re teeing it up during a rainy stretch. It’s playable, but bring your expectations down a notch and maybe a towel or two.
Pro Shop & Food Availability – [Rating: 7.5/10]
Pro shop selection: It’s modest but well-stocked. You’ll find essentials, some Oki Golf-branded gear, and standard balls/gloves. Not a merch destination, but it gets the job done.
Food & Drinks: The Crooked Spoon is connected to the clubhouse and offers a decent menu — think hot dogs, burgers, wraps, and cold drinks. Solid pre- and post-round options, especially if you’re catching a game on the TVs inside.
Local food options nearby: You’re just minutes from downtown Redmond, which means a ton of good eats. Post up at Woodblock for a great sit-down meal, or grab tacos at Agave Cocina for something casual and quick.
Pro Tip: “The Crooked Spoon breakfast burrito hits the spot before a morning round. Fuel up and go chase that birdie on Hole 1.”
Practice Facilities – [Rating: 7/10]
Range: Outdoor and off mats — no cover and nothing flashy, but it gets the job done for a warm-up session. That said, the range balls are limited flight and often pretty beat up, which makes dialing in distances a challenge. Don’t come expecting a full practice grind — this is more of a “loosen up before the round” kind of spot.
Putting & chipping areas: Tucked behind the range is a surprisingly nice short game area. There’s a large, well-maintained putting green with a variety of elevation changes to help you get a feel for speed and slope. Adjacent to that is a bunker that feeds into a separate chipping green — perfect for working on sand saves or tight lies before you head to the first tee.
Overall vibe: Chill and approachable. Expect a mix of locals grinding on their swing and casual groups catching up before their round. No pressure, just good vibes.
Value for Money – [Rating: 6/10]
Greens Fee Range:
Peak Season: $100 – $150 (cheaper for Oki Golf cardholders)
Off-Peak: ~$70 – $100
Twilight: $60 and under most weekdays
How's the value? It’s not bad — but it’s not a steal either. Redmond Ridge can feel a bit pricey during peak times, and it’s hard to justify dropping $150 for a round here. That said, there are some solid deals to be found during off-peak hours or twilight, especially if you’re flexible. The course is in good shape and fun to play, but we’d recommend aiming for those discounted windows if you want the best bang for your buck.
Booking Difficulty: Tee times go quick on weekends in the summer, but weekday rounds and twilight slots are usually easy to grab. Plan ahead if you’re eyeing a Saturday morning.
Pro Tip: “Play it during twilight for the best mix of value, pace, and that golden-hour glow through the trees.”
Overall Rating: 7.4/10
Redmond Ridge is a solid, dependable public course that delivers classic Pacific Northwest golf vibes — tall evergreens, narrow corridors, and just enough challenge to keep things interesting. It’s not a showstopper or a destination round, but for locals looking to play a well-maintained track with a thoughtful layout, it checks a lot of boxes.
The strengths lie in its scenery, pace of play, and strategic design that favors smart golf over sheer distance. The short game area is a pleasant surprise, and the back nine opens up nicely for some scoring opportunities. That said, it’s not without flaws: walkability is tough, winter drainage can be a slog, and the value takes a hit during peak pricing. The range balls also leave a bit to be desired, which makes warm-ups feel more functional than fun.
Best For: Eastside golfers, players who prefer strategy over distance, weekday warriors, and anyone who doesn’t mind trading flash for consistency.
Would we recommend? Yes — with some caveats. Aim for twilight or shoulder season tee times to get the best value, and consider grabbing a cart unless you’re training for a hike. It’s not going to blow you away, but you’ll walk off 18 feeling like you got a good test in a beautiful part of the state.
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