
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier

Courtesy of the club
Chambers Bay
University Place, WA • Public
Chambers Bay
6320 Grandview Dr W
University Place, WA 98467
United States
Telephone
Overview
Prodded by his partner, Bruce Charlton, and their then-design associate Jay Blasi, veteran architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. agreed to a radically different, vertical-links style when building Chambers Bay in an abandoned sand quarry near Tacoma. By the time Golf Digest named it as America’s Best New Public Course of 2008, the course had already been awarded the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open. In the Amateur, Chambers Bay proved to be hard, both in the firmness of its dry fescue turf (Jones called his fairways, “hardwood floors”) and its difficulties around and on the windswept greens. For the U.S. Open, the firmness and surrounds were more manageable, but the greens were notoriously bumpy. That’s now been remedied, as the fescue turf on the putting surfaces has been replaced with pure Poa Annua. What's irreplacable are the views of Puget Sound from nearly every hole, multi-level fairways that entice bold driving to gain second-shot advantages and two holes running parallel to a railway that's invokes feelings of early Scottish and Irish links courses.
About
Awards



Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
2023-'24 ranking: 125th.
Previous ranking: 132nd.
Highest ranking: 121st, 2013-'14.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since its debut.
2023-'24 ranking: 20th.
Previous ranking: 22nd.
Highest ranking: Current.
Best in State: Ranked top 5 since 2009.
Current ranking: 1st.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“This links style course an hour south of Seattle is a rare treat this side of the Atlantic. Home of the 2015 US Open, they've replaced all the greens with poa which made for a much better putting experience. The course is walking only and stretches out to over 7100 yards. Absolutely fantastic experience, so much fun to play a links course right off the Puget Sound."
Read More2024
Review
“Chambers Bay is a must play. It ranks up there with the most fun you can have on a golf course with the likes of Mammoth Dunes, Tobacco Road and Wolf Creek."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the nation's truly great municipal golf courses, which adds locals on walking trails through the course and the rumbling train that separates the course from an inlet of Puget Sound as among its many charms. The facilities are spartan, but the course plays big with wide fairways and massive greens on a very modern design. And a somewhat recent, high-profile project to convert the course to more native grass has improved playability. Overall, Chambers is demanding of a golfer of all abilities with plenty of risk-reward decisions that can make or break a round."
Read More2024
Review
“This is a terrific layout for a very fun day of challenging golf. There is always the question what shot should I try, play safe or go for it. There are lots of options. The course is in good condition with reasonably fast and very difficult to read greens. The walk is a bit strenuous with the many ups and downs. It took me five hours to play and I think that was a usual length of time to play this course. It was a fun day at Chambers Bay."
Read More2024
Review
“A must play if you are in the Seattle area. Site of the 2015 US Open, this course is a spectacular example of a municipal project that truly bettered the land and provides a fun and challenging golf experience."
Read More2024
Review
“Chambers Bay Golf Course is located 30 miles (1 hr) south of downtown Seattle. It’s a walking only, upscale golf facility designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr (2007) and overlooks Puget Sound. It was built in an abandoned sand quarry and is a links style course with lots of doglegs and elevation changes. The fescue fairways play firm and fast and the Poa Annua green are in good condition and roll true."
Read More2024
Review
“It is always fun to play a course where a major has been played. The scenery is beautiful and every hole is an adventure unto itself. If you can afford it, take a caddy as they are especially helpful as you get closer to and onto the greens. It is walking only and I would imagine it would be a difficult walk for some."
Read More2024
Review
“A great layout that now has the correct grass. Good ground game course. Visually stimulating with every hole in the player's eye of the Puget Sound."
Read More2023
Review
“One of the great public courses in America. Spectacular setting and wonderful golf. Worth the pilgrimage to play this gem."
Read More2023
Review
“A fun layout on a beautiful setting and is one all must try to visit if in the area."
Read More2022