Oregon might be the only place where you can play authentic Scottish links in the morning and tee off beside ancient lava flows that afternoon. With over 200 public courses scattered across wildly different landscapes, the state has quietly become America's most diverse golf destination.
Why Oregon deserves your golf trip
Let's address the elephant in the room: yes, it rains in Oregon. But here's what the weather complainers won't tell you—the high desert regions enjoy 300+ days of sunshine annually, and even the coast stays playable year-round if you don't mind a little wind with your whisky.
What really sets Oregon apart is the sheer variety packed into one state. Where else can you find 11 publicly accessible courses among the state's 18 best? The geographic diversity reads like a golf course architect's fever dream: windswept coastal dunes, mountain courses with volcano backdrops, high desert layouts carved through juniper forests, and wine country classics where you can actually taste what you're playing through.
The quality matches the variety. Oregon boasts eight courses ranked in America's top 100 public courses. That's not a typo. Eight. In one state. Your buddies who keep flying to Arizona are missing out.
The Bandon Dunes experience
Golf Digest wasn't being hyperbolic when they called Bandon Dunes "objectively the best" golf resort on the planet. This isn't your typical golf resort with valet parking and infinity pools. It's 1,000 acres of pure golf along the rugged southern Oregon coast, where all five courses rank in America's top 100.
Pacific Dunes leads the pack
Pacific Dunes stands as Oregon's #1 course and #3 nationally among public courses. Tom Doak's 2001 masterpiece weaves through 60-foot sand dunes with the kind of natural bunkering that makes you wonder if Mother Nature moonlights as a golf architect.
The 6,633-yard, par-71 layout plays firm and fast with a 73.4 rating and 142 slope. Green fees range from $200-400 depending on season, which sounds steep until you realize you're playing one of America's finest courses. The routing breaks conventional wisdom with a back nine sequenced 3-3-5-4-3-5, proving that golf's rulebook was meant to be thrown out the window (preferably into a seaside bunker).
Four more reasons to visit
The original Bandon Dunes course launched America's links golf movement in 1999. David McLay Kidd's design sits 100 feet above the Pacific, with the par-4 16th offering the kind of ocean views that make you forget about that triple bogey on 15.
Sheep Ranch, the newest addition, features nine greens perched on cliff edges with zero sand bunkers. That's right—no sand on a links course. It's like ordering a martini without olives, yet somehow it works brilliantly.
Top features across all Bandon courses:
- Walking-only tradition with caddies
- Firm, fast playing conditions
- Ocean views from multiple holes
- No cart paths anywhere
- Five distinct routing philosophies
The resort spans 50 acres of practice facilities and includes five restaurants ranging from pub grub to Pacific Northwest fine dining. Lodging runs from single rooms to four-bedroom cottages, though you'll need to enter their lottery system 365 days in advance for peak season.
Coastal alternatives that don't break the bank
Not everyone has Bandon's budget or can snag a tee time. Fortunately, Oregon's coast offers compelling alternatives that capture the links spirit without the sticker shock.
Gearhart Golf Links
Established in 1892, Gearhart Golf Links holds the title of oldest course west of the Mississippi. Recent restoration work removed 400 trees to recapture its Scottish heritage, because nothing says "links golf" like a good old-fashioned deforestation project.
Green fees of $75-135 make it an exceptional value for authentic links golf. The course plays firm and fast year-round, offering genuine ground game opportunities without requiring a second mortgage.
Bandon Crossings
Just five miles south of the famous resort, Bandon Crossings delivers heathland-style golf at $48 walking rates. Dan Hixson's design earned Golf Magazine's "Hidden Gem" designation, proving you don't need oceanfront property to create memorable golf.
The course allows carts, making it accessible for those who consider walking 18 holes a form of medieval torture. Playing conditions rival courses charging three times the price, though you won't find any caddies offering swing advice or reading Yeats between shots.
Mountain golf with million-dollar views
Central Oregon's mountain courses combine championship layouts with the kind of scenery that makes you forget to keep score. The region's 300-plus days of annual sunshine mean you can actually plan a golf trip without consulting three weather apps and a shaman.
Black Butte Ranch
Nestled near Sisters at 3,340 feet elevation, Black Butte Ranch operates two distinct courses surrounded by Ponderosa pines and volcanic peaks. Big Meadow's elevated 14th tee showcases Three Fingered Jack volcano, while Glaze Meadow features John Fought's renovation with deep grass-faced bunkers that'll make you question your 7-iron selection.
Peak season rates of $119 with cart or $97 walking represent outstanding value for courses of this caliber. The resort offers stay-and-play packages that include lodging in everything from hotel rooms to private homes with hot tubs (essential after walking 36 holes).
Tetherow's high desert links
Tetherow brings links-style golf to the high desert at 3,924 feet elevation. David McLay Kidd's 2008 design features wall-to-wall fescue grass—one of only a dozen such courses in America. This isn't your typical overwatered resort course; it's firm, fast, and plays like Bandon's inland cousin.
Green fees of $99-175 include access to GolfBoards and Finn Scooters, because apparently walking is so 2019. The dramatic manufactured landscape includes massive elevation changes and bunkers filled with sand imported from the Oregon coast, proving that sometimes you can take the beach to the mountains.
Essential Central Oregon courses:
- Sunriver's Crosswater (#54 nationally)
- Tokatee ($42 hidden gem)
- Pronghorn (Nicklaus design)
- Brasada Ranch (canyon golf)
- Aspen Lakes (red cinder bunkers)
The Tokatee bargain
For those seeking exceptional value, Tokatee Golf Club charges just $42 for 18 holes through tall pines with Three Sisters Mountain backdrops. This 55-year-old gem in the McKenzie River Valley delivers pristine conditions and old-school charm that explains why Oregon native Peter Jacobsen calls it among his favorites.
High desert innovation
Oregon's high desert represents golf's innovative frontier, where ancient lava flows and juniper forests create otherworldly settings that Instagram was basically invented for.
Pronghorn's lava rock adventure
Pronghorn Golf Club features Oregon's only Jack Nicklaus public course, built around 1,000-year-old juniper trees and volcanic rock formations. The back nine carved through black lava rock ranks #42 nationally, with green fees of $95-195 plus cart.
Playing here feels like golfing on Mars, if Mars had perfect bentgrass greens and a fully stocked pro shop. The contrast between emerald fairways and black rock creates a visual experience that'll have you reaching for your camera more than your rangefinder.
Brasada Ranch exclusivity
Limited to members and resort guests, Brasada Ranch spreads 7,295 yards across high desert terrain with no parallel holes. The Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy design features 11 holes through dramatic canyons with elevation changes from 3,272 to over 4,000 feet.
This is bucket-list golf that requires either a resort stay or knowing someone who knows someone. The property's remoteness and exclusivity create an escape from reality, though your scorecard will provide a harsh return to earth.
Wine country classics
The Willamette Valley combines championship golf with Oregon's 700-plus wineries, creating the perfect excuse to blame that slice on the Pinot Noir tasting at the turn.
The Reserve Vineyards
The Reserve operates two championship courses that alternate between public and private access daily, like a really expensive version of musical chairs. The South Course stretches 7,172 yards with over 100 bunkers and previously hosted PGA Tour events.
The wine-themed club produces its own label, because nothing pairs better with a double bogey than a glass of estate Chardonnay. The rotating access system means planning ahead, but the chance to play tour-caliber courses makes the scheduling gymnastics worthwhile.
Portland proximity
Pumpkin Ridge's Ghost Creek course, ranked #63 nationally, sits just 30 minutes from Portland. This Cupp/Fought design hosted Tiger Woods' third consecutive U.S. Amateur victory, though your own amateur performance likely won't generate any headlines.
Planning your Oregon golf adventure
Success requires strategic planning, like a good approach shot over water. Here's your roadmap to Oregon golf nirvana.
When to go
Coastal courses stay playable year-round, though winter brings authentic Scottish conditions (read: sideways rain and questioning life choices). High desert and mountain courses typically close November through March, with June through September offering peak conditions. October delivers spectacular weather statewide, plus smaller crowds and lower rates.
Getting there and around
Portland Airport provides the best access to most regions, while Redmond/Bend Airport serves Central Oregon directly. Eugene Airport sits 2.5 hours from Bandon, and Southwest Oregon Regional gets you just 35 minutes from the resort. Rent a car—this isn't Manhattan, and Uber drivers aren't keen on 200-mile round trips to golf courses.
Smart booking strategies:
- Enter Bandon's lottery 365 days out
- Book shoulder seasons for deals
- Consider twilight rates
- Mix premium and value courses
- Walk when possible to save money
Resources for planning
Check Travel Oregon's golf guide for comprehensive course listings. Premier Golf offers custom packages, while GolfPass provides reviews from fellow golfers who've already three-putted these greens.
Final thoughts on Oregon golf
Oregon succeeds by prioritizing what matters: exceptional conditions, authentic experiences, and stunning natural settings. Whether you're chasing your Scottish links fantasy at Bandon, navigating high desert canyons at Pronghorn, or enjoying a $42 round at Tokatee, you'll find golf that matches any destination at any price point.
The state's geographic diversity means you can build a trip around your preferences. Love links golf? The coast delivers. Prefer mountain views? Central Oregon awaits. Want to combine golf with wine tasting? The Willamette Valley has you covered. Oregon isn't just a golf destination—it's multiple golf destinations cleverly disguised as one state.
Pack your rain gear and sunscreen (probably for the same day), book those tee times, and prepare for golf adventures that'll have you planning your return trip before finishing your first round. Your golf buddies still flying to Scottsdale don't know what they're missing.
