Top 15 Golf Courses Near Seattle

Tukwila's Foster Golf Links, founded in 1925, is a beautiful, forested course with views of the Duwamish River. Though it's just a short drive south of Seattle and SEA Airport, it's easy to forget you're in an urban area. Golfers frequently spot wildlife such as bald eagles and even the occasional seal in the river. The 18-hole, par-68 course was designed to be enjoyed on foot, and while it attracts golfers of all skill levels, it's popular with beginners because of its overall shorter distance and forgiving fairways. The course is owned and operated by the City of Tukwila, and also offers lessons, a pro shop, and private event space available for rent. After your day on the links, kick back at Pasifika NW Grill & Bar, the on-site restaurant, which offers both Pacific Northwest and Pacific Islander cuisine.

In Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood, a short drive north of SEA Airport, you'll find Bill Wright Golf Complex at Jefferson Park, a large, historic course. This championship course stretches more than 5,900 yards and offers sweeping views of both the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier. In addition to the main course, the Bill Wright Golf Complex features a nine-hole executive course, a driving range equipped with Toptracer technology, a restaurant and banquet space, and golf instruction programs available for players of all ages and skill levels, including private and group lessons. It is owned by the City of Seattle and operated by Premier Golf Centers LLC.

As one of the busiest courses in the area, Maplewood Golf Course boasts a par 72 course of more than 6,100 yards from the back tees. The beloved course was voted “Best Public Golf Course” four years in a row from the “Reader’s Choice Award” of the South County Journal. Here you'll find fun for all skill and age levels with ponds, traps, creeks, tree-lined fairways, and firm, fast greens. The 30-station covered, lit, and heated driving range makes it an approachable course year-round. While there, visit the full-service pro shop and the on-site grill and bar. You can also take lessons from PGA Certified teachers.

The City of Kent’s Riverbend Golf Complex is a public facility that includes an 18-hole golf course, a driving range, and a retail store selling golf merchandise. Situated on 160 acres of former agricultural land, it is bordered by the popular Green River Trail and adjacent to the Green River in the Kent Valley. The golf complex is bisected north and south by Meeker Street, with the driving range located on the south side. The recently remodeled course is relatively flat and easy to walk, yet offers a challenge to all skill levels of players, with over 50 bunkers and three lakes. In addition to the golf course, the golf complex also has a 32-stall driving range.

Located just nine miles from the airport, West Seattle Golf Course is a city-owned facility maintained by the City of Seattle and operated by Premier Golf Centers LLC. The course’s front nine follows the path of Longfellow Creek and features relatively level terrain, playing to a par 37. In contrast, the back nine presents a more demanding test despite being nearly 300 yards shorter. Rolling hills, uneven lies, and afternoon winds add to the challenge, while several holes offer spectacular views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay.

Glen Acres is a private nine-hole golf and country club located in South Seattle, serving both members and residents of its 225-home community. The club combines a welcoming atmosphere with a variety of amenities, including dining, event spaces, golf practice areas, an indoor golf studio, and a seasonal swimming pool. Designed by renowned golf course architect A.V. Macan, the full-length nine-hole course offers a classic layout with fast greens and a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. With flexible membership options, corporate memberships, and competitive pricing, Glen Acres offers an accessible way to enjoy the benefits of private club living and golf in the Seattle area.

Located a short drive north of downtown Seattle, Interbay Golf Center features a scenic nine-hole executive course, an 18-hole miniature golf course, and an 80-stall driving range equipped with covered and heated hitting bays. Golfers can enhance their practice sessions with Toptracer technology available throughout the driving range, while professional instruction from PGA and LPGA-certified instructors helps players improve their game. Additional services include custom club fitting and repair, as well as a well-stocked golf shop carrying current equipment, apparel, and accessories.

Located alongside the Green River in Auburn, Washington, Auburn Golf Course combines a natural setting with views from several elevated hillside holes. The 18-hole, par-71 course stretches more than 6,300 yards. The facility offers a full range of golf services and amenities, including a pro shop, club and power cart rentals, professional instruction, tournaments, leagues, and membership opportunities.

Tacoma's Chambers Bay Golf, located about an hour south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is an internationally acclaimed, walking-only links-style golf course. Overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, this 18-hole course covers 249 acres of rugged, undulating terrain, offering gorgeous seaside views and a physically demanding walk. Players may hire a caddie for added course knowledge and assistance, and complimentary push carts are available.

In the shadow of Mt. Rainier, the 7,146-acre Druids Glen Golf Club offers challenges to all skill levels. With more than 60 strategically placed sand bunkers and nine lakes, this course is rated one of the top 10 most difficult courses in the state. Just a 40-minute drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, you will feel transported to another world with the stunning natural views on offer, with Mt. Rainier feeling close enough to touch and eerie but hauntingly beautiful mists rising out of the lakes.

The Golf Club at Newcastle features two courses just over 35 minutes away to the east of Seattle Southside. With stunning city and mountain views, the Coal Creek course is a Robert E. Cupp and Fred Couples-designed course playing more than 7,024 yards from the back tees which features five par 3’s, eight par 4’s, and five par 5’s. The China Creek course also offers incredible views of the surrounding terrain over the 6,632-yard course which encompasses five par 3’s, nine par 4’s, and four par 5’s.

Just over an hour south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Golf Club at Hawks Prairie offers both The Woodlands and The Links courses. These two completely separate 18-hole courses offer very different experiences. The Woodlands is carved out of dense Northwest forest and stretches from 5,600 to 7,170 yards depending on your skill level. The Links features expansive fairways and beautiful views of Mt. Rainier with five sets of tees for golfers of all playing abilities.

Located about 35 minutes south of Seattle Southside is the 18-hole North Shore Golf Course in Tacoma. It features 6,305 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 70.3 and has a slope rating of 129 on blue grass. The public course has more than 55 years of history, and is open from dawn to dusk daily. The atmosphere is fairly casual, with no formal dress code, though golf attire is preferred.

Voted “Best Public Golf Course” by Seattle Magazine readers in 2009, Trophy Lake offers a daring, risk-reward golf experience with sloping fairways, expansive greens and more than 80 deep-faced, white sand bunkers throughout the 7,206 yards. While it does take a bit over an hour to drive there from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, you also have the option of taking the Fauntleroy Ferry across the Puget Sound to the Kitsap Peninsula where the course is located. It technically takes about a half hour longer, but what it costs you in time it will more than make up for in scenic views.

Now here's a course that's really gone to the Dawgs...by which, of course, I mean the men's and women's golf teams from the University of Washington! The Washington National Golf Club is home to both teams and was designed by award-winning architect John Fought. The whole course is decked out in purple and gold to help bring out your Husky pride, and it features tee options ranging from "Freshman" at 5,117 yards to "Husky" at 7,304. Located just over 30 minutes south and east of Seattle Southside, you'll find you're just far enough away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest landscape without sacrificing your entire day to getting there.

Fore! When you set out from Seattle Southside, a wealth of golfing options open themselves up to you. Hope to see you out on the green!