Ranking the Top 5 Public Golf Courses in Washington State

Washington is loaded with incredible public golf — from coastal links and mountain layouts to desert-style courses that feel straight out of Arizona. Whether you’re a competitive player chasing championship conditions or just someone who loves a scenic walk, the state’s public golf scene punches way above its weight.

Here’s how we’d rank the top public courses in Washington, starting with the very best.

1. Chambers Bay (University Place): Chambers Bay is Washington’s crown jewel — a pure links course carved along the Puget Sound with rolling dunes, massive greens, and some of the best views in golf. It’s firm, fast, and demanding, but also endlessly fun. The 2015 U.S. Open put it on the map, but it’s the kind of course that still feels special every single time you play it.

2. Gamble Sands (Brewster): If Chambers is pure championship golf, Gamble Sands is pure joy. Designed for fun, it’s wide open off the tee, visually stunning, and plays beautifully on firm fescue turf. Every hole feels like a postcard overlooking the Columbia River. It’s one of the few courses that’s as playable for beginners as it is exciting for low-handicappers — and it might just be the most enjoyable round in the state.

   

3. Wine Valley Golf Club (Walla Walla): Wine Valley is Eastern Washington’s masterpiece — fast-running fairways, bold bunkering, and wide sightlines that reward creativity. It’s a true inland links course that balances strategy and freedom, and it’s consistently ranked among the top public tracks in the Pacific Northwest. Add in nearby wineries and sunny weather, and it’s a perfect weekend golf trip.

4. Palouse Ridge (Pullman): Built on the rolling farmland of Pullman, Palouse Ridge is both beautiful and challenging. The course flows across natural terrain with sweeping views in every direction, testing your distance control and creativity. It’s home to Washington State University’s golf team and easily one of the most scenic collegiate courses in the country.

5. Salish Cliffs (Shelton): Tucked into the forest near Shelton, Salish Cliffs combines championship-level design with pure Pacific Northwest scenery. The course is framed by evergreens and elevation changes on nearly every hole. It’s impeccably maintained, and each hole feels secluded — just you, the trees, and the sound of your golf ball echoing through the hills.

Final Thoughts: From links golf on the Sound to high-desert layouts and forest-lined fairways, Washington offers a bit of everything — and all of it’s accessible to the public.

These five represent the state’s best mix of scenery, challenge, and experience. Whether you’re chasing a bucket-list round at Chambers Bay or a relaxed weekend at Gamble Sands, you can’t go wrong with any of them.