There’s still time, golfers. Here are 5 South Sound courses we recommend
For golfers, this time of year is bittersweet. For many of us, the return of football season is welcome news, and there’s comfort in the back-to-school routine for the kids, the cool mornings and the rhythm of fall.
The changing color of leaves also signals the end of golf season, forcing most of us to either stow the bag in the garage for the next six months or retreat to indoor simulators.
The good news: There’s still a couple months left that offer the promise of good golf weather. If you’re a golfer in Tacoma, you’ve probably already played courses like Allenmore and Meadow Park. Maybe you’ve splurged on a round or two at Chambers Bay.
Looking for a new challenge between now and November? I played a bunch of different courses around the South Sound last spring and over the summer. Here’s five that I recommend. All are open to the public.
Eagle’s Pride Golf Course (DuPont)
My go-to value pick, Eagle’s Pride is long and challenging without breaking the bank. Just off I-5, it’s about halfway between Tacoma and Olympia and is one of the few full-length courses that still offers rounds under $50. The 27-hole course, formerly known as Fort Lewis Golf Course, is operated by JBLM but is off base and open to civilians. Active-duty military members and retirees receive discounted rounds. Bring your A-game down the stretch: The blue course closes with a 590-yard Par 5.
Gold Mountain Golf Club (Bremerton)
Full disclosure: I’ve only played the Olympic Course, one of two 18-hole golf courses on the vast Bremerton property (the other is the Cascade Course). The Olympic is the more challenging course and hosts various tournaments, featuring tree-lined fairways with lots of elevation change. I loved this round and everything about the course; it was challenging, scenic and well-maintained. Consider taking a cart here — I walked this one and it was fine, but it’s a solid workout that ends with a steep walk from the 18th green back to the clubhouse.
High Cedars Golf Club (Orting)
I’m a sucker for the views of Mount Rainier this charming city offers, some of which can be found at this golf course. If you enjoy walking, this is an easy course to recommend. It’s flat but never boring, featuring a good variety of challenging holes. This is a serene setting, one where you can forget about the stresses of life for a few hours.
Oakbrook Golf Club (Lakewood)
A semi-private club, Oakbrook offers annual memberships, but tee times are open to the public. I think the course, which is tucked away near Fort Steilacoom Park, is sometimes overlooked. You’ll need to be straight off the tee here as there can be trouble in the trees. The scenery gets a bit redundant with all the houses lining the course, but it has a lot going for it: It’s quiet, beautifully maintained, the greens are impeccable and play fast. This is a nice course to walk, also.
The Home Course (DuPont)
Maybe my favorite course in the area, The Home Course features wide-open fairways, tricky bunkers and large greens. Opening in 2007, the course feels like a high-level tournament course without the painful rates; you can play here for under $100. Be sure to plan ahead — tee times here are often booked out weeks in advance.
