Public golf courses around Puget Sound that beat par

Whether you belong to a country club or only dust your clubs off once or twice a year, chances are there’s a golf course that you call home — a familiar fairway and greens that go easy on your approach game (most of the time).

But if you’re looking for a change of scenery, not to mention some of the best public courses in the Puget Sound, try these four. Oh sorry, FORE!

If you like playing year-round… try Sunland

Nestled in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, this aptly named club in Sequim sees plenty of cloud-free days. The staff bring a sunny disposition too, creating a welcoming environment for regulars and first-time visitors alike. The immaculate turf conditions from tee to green mean less soggy shoes, so you can focus on raising your score from bogey to birdie.

If you like being immersed in nature… try McCormick Woods

This Port Orchard course was developed by renowned architect and Seattle-native Jack Frei, known for designing many popular courses across the region. Towering firs and natural lakes make it feel like you’re in the wild, especially when bald eagles are flying overhead — fittingly, it was built in conjunction with the Audubon Society, implementing their best practices.  Elevation changes and blind shots do add some difficulty (and suspense) to the round, but five tee placements at each hole allow you to tailor the experience to your game.

If you like going back to back… try Gold Mountain

Divided into two separate 18s — the Olympic Course and Cascades Course — this club is a great place to test both your stamina and skill. The Olympic Course’s tree-lined fairways, hills, and large collection areas around the greens call for planning and precise follow through. The Cascades Course offers plenty of room for driving and its relatively flat terrain makes it very walkable.

If you like brand new facilities… try North Shore

Located in Northeast Tacoma, this “fun, yet challenging” club is in the midst of a $7.5 million renovation that will debut a state-of-the-art irrigation system, newly designed green complexes, expanded teeing grounds, and reimagined bunkers. Come mid-July of 2025, the back nine is set to reopen, and interested golfers can follow the rest of the project on the course’s Facebook and Instagram profiles.