Places to play golf in Seattle? (Spanaway, Tukwila: power lines, home, live in)

[ctr88]

I'm new to Seattle (live in Cap Hill/Central area) and not familiar with the public golf courses. What are some of the good ones? Scenic ones? On the warmer sunnier week days I want to get out to play 9 holes of twilight golf after work. Any suggestions?

[Ira500]

Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill is Freddie Couples old stomping ground. It's in a nice old Seattle park. Interbay near Queen Anne/Magnolia is close to Whole Foods, so you could combine activities.West Seattle golf course isn't too far. It would also be a quick shot on the freeway to the Foster Golf Course in Tukwila, which has some huge trees and feels a little classier than the others.

[tobester]

Green Lake has a fun par 3 course.

[SaltyDawg]

In the city proper, you have Jefferson, Jackson, and West Seattle as full-length 18-hole courses. Jackson also has a cool executive 9-hole course on the property. Of the three, West Seattle is far and away the best course - some amazing Mt. Rainier views, memorable holes, and easily the best 19th hole of the bunch.

Jefferson is very urban - right in the midst of Beacon hill. It's short and fairly flat, but has a great community feel, and a driving range (West Seattle has no range and Jackson is just building one). Jackson is the oddest of the bunch - some bizarre holes (what is the landing area on 4, exactly?), power lines in play, and a sublime stretch from 12-15. All are tremendous bargains - generally topping out at under $40 to walk in prime time.

Interbay is a great, immaculately-conditioned par 3 course (with 1 par 4) with a double-decker driving range. It's probably where you'd go if you had 1 1/2 hours to play/practice.

For GREAT golf, you're going to need to get out of town. Gold Mountain is a requirement - take a full day and play all 36 - it is perfect northwest-style golf Chambers Bay, the Home Course, Lake Spanaway, Druids' Glen are all under an hour away (S-SE) and must-plays. There are expensive courses on the Eastside that aren't all that great, but have the ease of proximity. They will feel like a ripoff.

Hit 'em straight!

[ctr88]

Thanks for the awesome reply SaltyDawg and others! Are there any good golf leagues locally in the Seattle area to join (I'm a pretty average golfer)? Also is there any book that lists and describes all of the golf courses in the state? I love to bring my clubs with me on road trips. I'm sure there are some really cool rural golf courses in scenic areas throughout the state.

[Inkpoe]

Golf Washington Courses and Information

[Garfunkle524]

Originally Posted by SaltyDawg

There are expensive courses on the Eastside that aren't all that great, but have the ease of proximity. They will feel like a ripoff.

This is very true. We play Willows Run often. On weekends it'll run you $50+ before cart. It wouldn't be that bad if it didn't take more than 5 hours to play 18 on the weekends or if the golf course wasn't incredibly mediocre. They jam tee times too close together so most of your round is spent waiting. Even twilight rates are getting too expensive this year.

For a more cost-effective round on the Eastside I'd recommend Twin rivers. Easy course that's easier on the wallet.

[BellevueNative]

Originally Posted by ctr88

Thanks for the awesome reply SaltyDawg and others! Are there any good golf leagues locally in the Seattle area to join (I'm a pretty average golfer)? Also is there any book that lists and describes all of the golf courses in the state? I love to bring my clubs with me on road trips. I'm sure there are some really cool rural golf courses in scenic areas throughout the state.

If you can pay a little more for a round and are looking for something scenic and unusual, the Newcastle Golf Club is spectacular.