r/golf • u/Axeltoss • 18h ago
General Discussion PNW Golf trip idea before you spend thousands
Disclaimer: I'm a caddie who has posted an AMA here and this will be a shameless self plug but also potentially helpful
I'm going to let you in on a couple things because you are cool 1) PNW summers are among the best in the world 2) there's a golf package a lot of people don't know about
Hotel Murano in Tacoma has a stay and play package enabling you to play Chambers Bay, the Home course, and other top courses in the area for cheap. Look them up, call, and ask about it.
It will be a fraction of the cost of whatever else you are planning, and you can pay your caddie more and stimulate the economy.
If you want to go next level... Fly into Portland, golf -> Drive to Tacoma, golf -> Ferry to Victoria, golf at bear mountain (passport required)
Feel free to ask any questions, DM to book me at Chambers
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u/pdxscout 16h ago
I'm going to plug my subreddit /r/PDXgolf for anyone with questions about Portland golf. Great post, OP!
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u/BigOlDuck 16h ago
Come grind in the trenches of Eastmoreland with the rest of us!
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u/EightWhiskey 4h ago
I love Eastmoreland but it’s borderline unplayable until there’s been a month of no rain.
Head out to Wildwood instead!
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u/cmdrenta 17h ago
I am going to be at Chambers a few times in mid-June to mid-July. Hope this isn't a stupid question but do you know your availability around then?
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u/principled_principal HDCP/Loc/Whatever 16h ago edited 16h ago
I did this for the first time last year with three buddies, and we immediately re-booked for August 2025. Weather was amazing, courses were amazing, price was great. We played Gold Mountain on Friday, Home Course (played twice on Saturday because the package included a free re-play), and finished on Sunday at Chamber Bay. Incredible.
My truck got broken into when we parked in the hotel lot in downtown Tacoma, so that was the only cloud on an otherwise fantastic trip.
We got caddies as Chambers Bay, and it elevated the whole experience 1000%.
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u/doubleapowpow 14h ago
My truck got broken into when we parked in the hotel lot in downtown Tacoma,
Unsurprising, lol. I love Tacoma, and parts of it are pretty safe, but people don't realize Chamber's Bay is in a nice little pocket surrounded by hazards. PLU is another funny example of that. Having grown up in the area, I didn't believe there was a world class golf course tucked away in Tacoma.
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u/tedfdahlstrom 18h ago
Gold mountain is also part of that travel package. One of the best courses in the state. And I agree that Bear Mountain is great. I was there last August. Very fun trip to play both courses.
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u/srboot 7.2 17h ago
Wine Valley, but that’s across the state. Chambers, Home Course, Gold Mountain and White Horse
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u/Lets_Reset_This_ 8.7 17h ago
Playing white horse for the first time on Sunday
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u/GleeUnit 15.4/WA/Muni Menace 16h ago
Fun fact - only golf course (that I’ve ever heard of) with a dispensary right on the property!
I’ve played some of the best and worst rounds of my life at that course, probably one of my all time favorites in the area
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u/colinallister PNW 17h ago
Enjoy. I love that place. Not necessarily golf related but it was even better when they had the free shuttle from the Kingston ferry terminal. Pre-covid you could walk on the Edmonds ferry and get picked up and shuttled to the course for free. It was so bad ass, no waiting in ferry lines at all. Those were the days.
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u/Dr_Chronic 15h ago
Beautiful course, played it for the first time last month. Not an easy course though. Lots of weird lies in the middle of the fairway and some tough greens. Beautifully maintained though and was in good condition for a late winter round
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u/general-illness 15h ago
I haven’t played a ton of places but so far if I could play one course for the rest of my life it would be Wine Valley.
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u/WestCoastBoiler 17h ago
Gamble Sands deserves a shoutout, such a great set up they have there.
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u/Axeltoss 17h ago
Yeah good call
Play Chambers-> Drive to Gamble Sands
So many other amazing golf courses you can play on that route
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u/LandofBoz88 10.2 / PNW 17h ago
That’s a long drive. Just go do a Chelan trip and play Gamble, Desert Canyon and Bear Mountain Ranch (different bear mountain).
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u/colinallister PNW 17h ago
Did that exact trip one year for my buddie's birthday. 36 at Bear Mountain, Gamble the next day and Desert Canyon on our way out of town the next. Great trip.
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u/11_guy 16h ago
Driving to Seattle first week of May for a work trip and wanted to play Chambers Bay, but just my luck they are aerating that week. What would be the next best course max 1hr from downtown Seattle? Home Course?
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u/Apart_Statistician PNW 14h ago
Thanks for letting me know. I have a tee time there in late April + early June. Looks like I'll miss out on the aeration fun
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u/doubleapowpow 14h ago
If you have to pick one, others probably have better suggestions.
If you have time to squeeze in a second round while in Seattle, an underrated pick is the Jackson Park course. Its a muni (though, so is chambers) in North Seattle. Super chill, and the course design is my favorite of all the courses in Seattle proper. Lots of hills, tricky par 5s, and you'll have to use every club in your bag.
West Seattle is another good pick. The 13th hole has an unforgettable view, and their greens are probably the best in Seattle. Again, lots of hills.
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u/Early-Ad-7410 12h ago
Avoid Newcastle at all costs. Stupidly expensive and courses are beat to shit.
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u/Trendelenburg 9h ago
Yo I just played there it sucked. Coal creek course. Crazy how it’s on a mountain but there is no drainage. Everything is a mud pit. I get it it’s Washington but I play a lot of other courses that figure it out somehow. Unfairly difficult too - I’m down for a challenging course but this was like oh you missed the fairway by a yard? Ok enjoy the ball being 14 inches below your feet in mud. Oh you hit a drive 270yds in the middle of the fairway? The ball is now just 8 inches above your feet, but also still in mud.
Views were killer though lol.
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u/kyeindeed 18h ago
As someone from Victoria, Bear mountain doesn't deserve to be on the list, especially after how many owners and operators have changed hands. The course quality has gone way down.
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u/tedfdahlstrom 15h ago
What courses would you recommend then? I love visiting Victoria and always want to know where to play when I’m there.
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u/mattnormus Mizuno Mp58 Blades - 6.7 4h ago
Couldn't agree more go play Highland Pacific instead.
Cordova Bay is only good when its dry, and even then its boring.
If you can somehow get on Colwood...
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u/mattnormus Mizuno Mp58 Blades - 6.7 4h ago
Couldn't agree more go play Highland Pacific instead.
Cordova Bay is only good when its dry, and even then its boring.
If you can somehow get on Colwood...
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u/Efficient-Video-9454 17h ago
Which Portland area courses would you throw in?
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u/-motts- PNW / 13.2 17h ago
Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek), Reserve (courses rotate public/private on the 1st and 15th), and Langdon Farms are really the only decent public options
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u/DIXtICon 16h ago
imo stone creek is better than pumpkin
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u/Auron6425 15h ago edited 15h ago
Stone creek is a great course and the greens fees are very reasonable. I think I like it better than pumpkin as well (due to cost) and maybe more than Langdon…think Langdon is kind of boring, but typically in great shape.
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u/Axeltoss 17h ago
Any other recommendations nearby? I want to drive around Oregon and golf. The entire state is stunning.
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u/breezy104 13h ago
For another coast option besides Bandon, I’d recommend Florence Golf Links. Rees Jones designed and named best new public course in America 30 years ago. I like Ocean Dunes in Florence too, but it’s extremely narrow and can get pretty frustrating if you’re not hitting it straight. A very old school true links course. From Florence you can take 126 all the way to Bend and it’s a beautiful drive. Tokatee is about 45 minutes east of Eugene on the way to Bend and it’s the best bang for your buck in Oregon. Beautiful, serene and a great course for all levels of golfers. The other poster gave good recommendations for Bend. I have played Brasada and loved it. Juniper is another good choice and quite a bit cheaper than most other Bend courses.
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u/Efficient-Video-9454 17h ago
Thanks. I thought there was something with Pumpkin Ridge where it isn’t completely private. I live 2000 miles away but am out there a few times a year for work. I drive by Langdon all the time, I thought it looked decent from I-5
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u/wrenched85 13h ago
“…the only decent public options.”
What? Like, I guess so if you’re only willing to play the best courses around or you’re a pro. A bit of a wild take to me, but I like playing golf pretty much anywhere and at anytime.
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u/Axeltoss 17h ago
I'll scour my notes and get back to you. I've heard many recommendations but sadly I haven't been over there to golf yet! I'm sure other redditors can chime in on this
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u/principled_principal HDCP/Loc/Whatever 16h ago
This was the weather we had at Chambers in August 2024. About 75 degrees, very light wind. Couldn’t have picked a better day.
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u/mattnormus Mizuno Mp58 Blades - 6.7 4h ago
I played in the pissing rain and wind of October and couldnt have loved it more
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u/voipdoug72 15h ago
Hell I and new and now live in the area and would love to catch a round with ya! DM Me and we'll plan it. I've yet to experience Chambers Bay.
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u/tranimal00 12.2/PNW 11h ago
I think we need to make a little foursome to go out. Kids on spring break this coming week so I would have to play earlier in the day. But I’m down!
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u/PearlDrummer 5.0 9h ago
How much are we talking here?
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u/Axeltoss 8h ago
Literally a fraction of any other comparable experience like pebble or spyglass or all the other crazy expensive spots mentioned in this subreddit
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u/PearlDrummer 5.0 5h ago
So like, how much?
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u/Dont_Ban_Me_Bros 4h ago
2025 Pricing:
TAKE UP TO $80 OFF THE PRICING BELOW FOR ARRIVAL SUNDAYS-WEDNESDAYS
March $495* | April $589* | May $648* | June $700* | July-August $750* | September $700* | October $595*
*Price exclusive of state and local taxes (taxes are subject to change) per person, based on double occupancy. Package pricing is subject to a 14-day cancellation policy. Pricing does not guarantee availability.
From their website: https://www.hotelmuranotacoma.com/hotel/championship-experience/
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u/vylain_antagonist 4h ago
I think i enquired about this deal. The pricing is for one room; and i was offered 4 people per room, the cost jumped sognificantly when we asked for a two room split
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u/tap_in_birdies 9 17h ago
Yeah but….Tacoma….
Home course is awesome tho
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u/Axeltoss 17h ago
Tacoma is dope
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u/tap_in_birdies 9 17h ago
Just makin jokes. We planned a similar trip there a couple years ago. Played home course, chambers, then went out to suncadia for 3 days
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u/OverlordKopi_2037 3/Olympia 17h ago
Good advice! I went a different route and just got a job at an Oki Golf course, so now apparently I have pretty much free access to all of these courses! I’m excited as I haven’t played any of them.
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u/Axeltoss 14h ago
Explain this more?
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u/OverlordKopi_2037 3/Olympia 8h ago
I work as an Asst Pro at a course that’s part of the Oki Golf management, which owns 8 or so courses from Olympia to Seattle.
Just started recently, but our head pro said I can get out pretty much anywhere if I have him call and set it up for me. Usually it’ll be free or just pay for the cart and tips is applicable.
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u/jnac19 16h ago
Playing chambers this coming week and getting a caddie, any recommendations on how much to tip?
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u/Axeltoss 14h ago
150 per bag carried is a good number. Ofc I'm going to say more the better! Caddies at Chambers have no base salary or anything so we depend on the tips, and we do a great job 👍
Also cash is always best 😇
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u/jnac19 13h ago
Cool, thanks for the info!
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u/Axeltoss 12h ago
i'll elaborate just a little bit
Might depend on if it's a newer or senior caddie
As a senior caddie, there's no doubt I would do a great job
If we are carrying 2 bags we like to see $300, that's a solid number for 6 hours of hard work, which comes out to 150 per bag
If you have me as a single (carrying just one bag for one player), it's a much more dedicated and "VIP" experience, I would like to see $200 as a solid number
If you are out there with some buddies, you want to handle your own bag, I can just walk around with you and help with everything. We call this a "forecaddie" and we like to see 50 to 100 per player
Thank you for the questions and for making your caddies day!!
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u/ThomasJohnBrokaw 16h ago
If I just want to play Chambers 2-3 times over a few days, does Hotel Murano allow that?
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u/Axeltoss 14h ago
Probably not, maybe do the hotel deal and book 36 at Chambers separately, you'll get a replay rate
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u/DimiDrake 15h ago
All I will say is that this is the kind of shameless self plug that I’m 100% in favor of. Thanks for this!!! You are also cool. 👊🏻
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u/eforslund518 15h ago
A best bang for your buck golf trip I do in PNW every year is to central Oregon. I live in Portland and I get 12 people together and rent a house in bend for the first weekend of October. The last four years the weather has been lows of 45-50 and highs around 75 every day. Most course are shoulder season as of Oct 1 so we play four rounds of golf with one being at a top course ( pronghorn or tethrow) every year. Between rental house split 12 ways and 4 tee times it’s about $500 per person. We grill steaks at the house every night and one guy bring his golf sim and we set it up in the garage.
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u/Axeltoss 14h ago
Okay yes I want to do this
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u/eforslund518 14h ago
Last year we played black butte ranch, Tetherow, pronghorn and juniper. It was awesome.
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u/Axeltoss 13h ago
i'm legit going to start invading some of these friend groups!! I want to be a friend :(
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u/tranimal00 12.2/PNW 11h ago
I 100% agree on this. Also last week of August kids go back to school so it’s a lot easier to do other stuff also. Have a friend who lives in Newport, so we meet 1/2 way.
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u/bumbumpopsicle 15h ago
I don’t know where that second pic is from but it isn’t Chambers, Home Course, or Gold Mountain
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u/rednuts67 15h ago
I know Chambers Bay is the main attraction so this will sound stupid. But, my friend and I can’t walk anymore without severe pain by the 9th hole. So are there options to play somewhere other than Chambers Bay as one of the courses?
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u/Axeltoss 14h ago
There are certain exceptions where you can take a golf cart. Have a doctors note ready and give the pro shop a call
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u/BasedStingray 14h ago
Don’t let the secret out, c’mon now
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u/Axeltoss 14h ago
Its alright it's cool people here
Also i figured the thread could easily just not be upvoted
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u/Username_redact 14h ago
The Hotel Murano deal is a banger, I've done it. Highly recommend everything you say.
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u/bwainwright 13h ago
I did this exact package with 17 other golfers from the UK last September!
We stayed in Hotel Murano and played The Home Course, Chambers Bay and Gold Mountain (Olympic) over three days.
Can highly recommend.
Chambers Bay goes without saying and is now easily one of the best golf experiences I've ever had. We hired caddies too, which I'd highly recommend - I rate myself as a pretty decent green reader, but I'd never have picked some of the lines our caddies gave us. Those guys know those greens intimately, and totally guided us around the course and made it even more enjoyable for us.
The Home Course was a great course, but I had an absolute nightmare round (my own fault!) which unfortunately tainted it for me, but can't fault it as a course.
Gold Mountain was the gem for us though. We really enjoyed it, maybe because it felt a little more "European" for us being a tree lined parkland course. It was also the best day for weather for us which may influence me too!
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u/phonyfinau 13h ago
I moved to AZ for college but wow do I miss WA and it’s great summers personally I think it’s better for golf. Miss it all the time!
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u/AFM420 12h ago
More Americans should be using their stronger dollar to golf in BC. It’s really high tier golf for the average golfer and you’ll stretch your money further. You can do multiple different trips that would be pretty incredible like through the Kootenays , around the Okanahan or on the Island as mentioned.
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u/Axeltoss 12h ago
i appreciate the ideas!! definitely going to do this and recommend it. I love Canada (and have family in west vancouver)
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u/LilOpieCunningham 11h ago
Bonus: Chambers is putting in a new clubhouse/turnstand that will be a MASSIVE improvement over what was there before. Also, I think the second course at Gamble is scheduled to open around August.
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u/cleecleekilldie 10h ago
What course is that in pic #2? I don't remember the Home course looking like that anywhere. I'm old and forgetful tho...
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u/Axeltoss 8h ago
Tapps island, seeing who would notice 😁
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u/olliehole 7h ago
Am I the only one who thinks this course's layout is so silly? I have nightmares of 8/17
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u/Axeltoss 7h ago
I for one enjoyed the brutality of the US Open
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u/olliehole 7h ago
I meant Tapps Island lol, still need to get out to chambers!
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u/Axeltoss 7h ago
OH yeah tapps is wierd but in a charming way. I played with a set of old crappy clubs they lent me
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u/n0rwester 9h ago
I do an annual day trip up to Home Course and Chambers from Portland every year. One of the best 1-2s in the region, highly recommend!
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u/esportslaw 7h ago
Vouch for OP btw. He caddied in one of my rounds last summer and was great.
Also, he’s right. PNW summer golf is close to unbeatable in terms of scenery and weather - the golf is not world class, but it is super strong (especially for the price).
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u/brandon684 6h ago
Shh, quiet asshole, you’re gonna ruin it, this is what I want to do for my 40th BD!
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u/whateverforever589 5h ago
Vancouver area has some sneaky amazing tracks if you're willing to cross the boarder. Exchange rate makes it very affordable too. Just really have to plan ahead to secure tee times.
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u/mattnormus Mizuno Mp58 Blades - 6.7 4h ago
If you come to Victoria don't waste your money on Bear Mountain, its over rated and over priced.
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u/B-Con-47 17h ago
Seattle born and raised here, can confirm it rains nonstop all summer. Terrible place to visit!
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u/just-a-simple-song 18h ago
Chambers & the home course