Seattle Area Golf Clubs

[NickC1987]

Hi All - I just relocated to Seattle from Chicago and I'm trying to get a better understanding on the clubs in the area. I live in Queen Anne and would like to find a club where the golf course is the main attraction, but the club also has a family friendly vibe. I'm 34, so ideally looking for a young exec/junior membership. My biggest issue is really having limited connections in the area - I received some recommendations from members at my club in Chicago, but not much detail beyond that. Any thoughts on clubs, connections, intros, etc.. would be much appreciated.

 

Nick

[Muffy]

Not sure if I can be of much help as I play east of Seattle, am not a young exec, but have played and know others at each of the clubs. 
 

Broadmoor - last I heard, wait list.  High end/more formal, old world (for Seattle), exclusive neighborhood, good course, a couple of holes are noisy due to proximity to  freeway.  
 

Seattle Golf Club (just north of Seattle) - last I heard, wait list.  High end, old world, exclusive neighborhood, going through redesign that should be finished this spring, maybe a little less formal than Broadmoor (but a little more clubby).  Good course layout. 
 

Sand Point - a little more family oriented and part of a club that has other amenities. Course redesigned a couple years ago.  Shorter course, quality redesign. Less formal than Broadmoor and SGC.  Not sure of membership status.  
 

Rainier Golf Club - south of town….lesser neighborhood.  Shorter course, well maintained.  Club very family oriented (pool and other amenities).  

There’s more options the further you go from Queen Anne outside of Seattle, but that might be more impacted by traffic for you but likely lower cost. 
 

 

[mallrat]

Don’t live in Seattle and can’t offer much on the courses BUT, being new to the area, look into drainage. Now is a good time to get out and play the courses. With Seattle having its wettest Nov ever you will get an idea of how the courses drain and are they playable through the winter. You will be playing lift, clean and place but you are still golfing. You are paying for 12 months, might as well use them. 

[PNW]

Most of the top tier clubs (e.g. Broadmoor, Seattle Golf Club, Sand Point) are waitlisted for JR memberships and even those memberships require $20k-$40k non-equity initiation fees. Equity for full memberships are $100k+. Then dues probably $700-$1k per month. 

 

I'm guessing the next tier of close courses (often only 9 hole courses) are likely waitlisted as well but maybe worth a try. Initiation fees probably $5k-$10k and $400-$600 dues. 

 

I grew up in Seattle, my first job was at Broadmoor, and I live around the corner from Sand Point. Wish I could afford Sand Point for the convenience!

[doc52]

A good friend of mine is a Jr. Broadmoor member and enjoys it. The couple rounds I’ve played there have been great.  

[Nikleist]

Posted a similar question on reddit and got blasted for "flaunting money" so decided to come here. Relocating to the Seattle area from Canada this Spring/Summer. Looking a little further east as we'll be living in Bellevue but some options that I've heard are:

 

Plateau Club - Jr Exec is $5k initiation and $750/month in dues. 

Newcastle - $7500 initiation and $1000/month in dues but get access to multiple courses (I've heard the courses are only ok though and are still public)

 

The other ones I've heard about but haven't been able to find any pricing for are Aldarra, Overlake, Inglewood, and Snoqualmie but I'm assuming they're all of the "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" variety. 

 

Any additional info would be great~

[kaschreiber]

@Nikleist sent you a dm with some info I have. Don't have much insight into Overlake or Inglewood but shared some on Plateau/New Castle and Aldarra, Snoqualmie Ridge, Fairwood, and Meridian Valley. If you're going to be on the east side (Bellevue/Kirkland) it opens things up quite a bit for you versus being in Seattle. If you're going to be in Seattle proper, Sand Point and Rainier are some others to consider. 

[dlow206]

I am a member at Mill Creek Country Club. PM me if you have any questions. 

[Muffy]

I was a Newcastle member.  I’m surprised the monthly has increased that much as it used to be (before Cv-19) a tiered monthly plan around $70/round.  They have excellent practice facilities, but it is public and, at least pre-Cv, they hosted a lot of corporate tournaments that result in wear and tear on the courses and lack of tee times.  It has some of the best views anywhere. 
 

You should also check out Sahalee.  They have 27 holes, very well maintained, a good jr exec plan, and a lot of talented golfers.  
 

[Nikleist]

So my wife and I finally have made the move to the east side, currently renting a place in Bellevue until we find a place to buy. So far I've played Washington National and Druid's Glen. WN was ok, decent greens but the rest of the course needs some love. DG was terrible, couldn't pay me to go back there. Still interested in joining a private club but will likely wait until we buy a house to determine where. Anyone need someone to round out a group send me a note! 

[kaschreiber]

16 hours ago, Nikleist said:

So my wife and I finally have made the move to the east side, currently renting a place in Bellevue until we find a place to buy. So far I've played Washington National and Druid's Glen. WN was ok, decent greens but the rest of the course needs some love. DG was terrible, couldn't pay me to go back there. Still interested in joining a private club but will likely wait until we buy a house to determine where. Anyone need someone to round out a group send me a note! 

Curious what you didn't like about Druids Glenn - was it the condition? I haven't been out there since this spring, but I've always found it to be one of the better public options in the area. 

 

You'll have a bit of a drive from Bellevue, but the peninsula has great public golf - The Home Course (Dupont, not the peninsula), but McCormick Woods, Gold Mountain, Salish Cliffs are all really good public tracks. 

 

Echo Falls in Snohomish is usually a love it or hate it (I like it, but that's not always a popular opinion) as well

[Golfnuck]

On 9/25/2022 at 5:01 PM, Nikleist said:

So my wife and I finally have made the move to the east side, currently renting a place in Bellevue until we find a place to buy. So far I've played Washington National and Druid's Glen. WN was ok, decent greens but the rest of the course needs some love. DG was terrible, couldn't pay me to go back there. Still interested in joining a private club but will likely wait until we buy a house to determine where. Anyone need someone to round out a group send me a note! 

 

If you stay in the Bellevue area have you considered Sahalee?  

 

https://www.sahalee.com/

 

Played there 7 or 8 years ago and found it to be a great track.

[kaschreiber]

Had a buddy just try and buy his dad's Sahalee membership (he's having health issues). Equity membership, ~$70k with a wait list. Don't know dues. Sahalee is impeccably conditioned, but narrow as all get out off the tee, if that's anything to consider. 

[bmrowe]

On 10/21/2022 at 9:01 AM, kaschreiber said:

Had a buddy just try and buy his dad's Sahalee membership (he's having health issues). Equity membership, ~$70k with a wait list. Don't know dues. Sahalee is impeccably conditioned, but narrow as all get out off the tee, if that's anything to consider. 

There is no waitlist at Sahalee right now. Initiation is also less than 70k. 

 

Edit - I should add, its an amazing course.

Edited October 22, 2022 by bmrowe

[kaschreiber]

On 10/22/2022 at 3:45 PM, bmrowe said:

There is no waitlist at Sahalee right now. Initiation is also less than 70k. 

 

Edit - I should add, its an amazing course.

 

Interesting, that was his experience ~6 months ago. 

[warriorgolfer]

I am also looking for a private club in Tacoma or between Tacoma and Seattle. Preferably less than $50k in initiation.  Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

[kaschreiber]

1 hour ago, warriorgolfer said:

I am also looking for a private club in Tacoma or between Tacoma and Seattle. Preferably less than $50k in initiation.  Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Your best bet is going to be reaching out to clubs and get their info.

• TCGC is a really good layout and extremely well conditioned. They tout some of the best greens in the state. 
• Fircrest and Meridian Valley would be others worth looking into

[thezinfan]

On 11/22/2022 at 8:02 AM, warriorgolfer said:

I am also looking for a private club in Tacoma or between Tacoma and Seattle. Preferably less than $50k in initiation.  Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Pretty much every club in the Seattle/Tacoma area is under 50k. There are a few exceptions but I'd say at least 80% are well under that. As an ex-private club member (I liked the experience) join a club close by. Soooooo much nicer than a half hour drive to/from with traffic only getting worse around here. You are also close to 2 public courses with great membership options, The Home Course and Chambers Bay. If I lived down that way I'd join either of those before a purely private course. That's more of a monetary decision for me though.

[warriorgolfer]

2 hours ago, thezinfan said:

Pretty much every club in the Seattle/Tacoma area is under 50k. There are a few exceptions but I'd say at least 80% are well under that. As an ex-private club member (I liked the experience) join a club close by. Soooooo much nicer than a half hour drive to/from with traffic only getting worse around here. You are also close to 2 public courses with great membership options, The Home Course and Chambers Bay. If I lived down that way I'd join either of those before a purely private course. That's more of a monetary decision for me though.

Thanks. Any neighborhoods around Tacoma I should stay away from? We’re thinking about buying a property close to several golf courses. It may sound funny but proximity to decent golf courses is one of my top criteria. 

[kaschreiber]

5 hours ago, thezinfan said:

Pretty much every club in the Seattle/Tacoma area is under 50k. There are a few exceptions but I'd say at least 80% are well under that. As an ex-private club member (I liked the experience) join a club close by. Soooooo much nicer than a half hour drive to/from with traffic only getting worse around here. You are also close to 2 public courses with great membership options, The Home Course and Chambers Bay. If I lived down that way I'd join either of those before a purely private course. That's more of a monetary decision for me though.

Fully agree - I'm fortunate to be 4 mins from my club, can be on the range in < 10. Makes hitting balls between meetings, sneaking in 9, weekday 18s, etc. really palatable. 

[warriorgolfer]

Any opinions on alderra vs snoqualme? In terms of the courses, amenities, cost, surrounding areas etc. 

[Double Mocha Man]

On 9/26/2022 at 9:33 AM, kaschreiber said:

The Home Course (Dupont, not the peninsula), but McCormick Woods, Gold Mountain, Salish Cliffs are all really good public tracks. 

 

Echo Falls in Snohomish is usually a love it or hate it (I like it, but that's not always a popular opinion) as well

 

What's the word on Newcastle?  And is the Wooley Toad open again?

[bmrowe]

10 hours ago, warriorgolfer said:

Any opinions on alderra vs snoqualme? In terms of the courses, amenities, cost, surrounding areas etc. 

Aldarra is a much better course in terms of layout and conditioning. It's also in the conversation for a top 3 course in the state. Amenity wise, it is very much a golf club with a small dining operation and no other big amenities. Snoqualmie has a few really good holes, but others with cookie cutter homes lining the hole. Snoqualmie also lost (didn't renew?) the TPC affiliation a few years ago. Snoqualmie is more of a country club with a pool and more dining activities. 

 

I know that Aldarra has a decent waiting list, is non equity, and is around $70k (as of spring this year). I suspect that Snoqualmie is quite a bit less. Between the two, I'd pick Aldarra every time. If you are looking at Aldarra, I'd check out Sahalee too. 27 holes, amazing course (very different than Aldarra in terms of architecture), and no waiting list.

[kaschreiber]

On 12/10/2022 at 11:18 AM, warriorgolfer said:

Any opinions on alderra vs snoqualme? In terms of the courses, amenities, cost, surrounding areas etc. 

I'm a member at Snoqualmie, @bmrowesummarizes it well. The front 9 of Snoqualmie weaves through neighborhood as does the start of the back. Holes 12-17 get you away from the houses and in my mind are every bit as good as Aldarra, but you only get that "I'm out here by myself" feeling for 6 holes rather than the 18 you get there.

 

Conditioning wise, July - Sept SR is every bit as good as anywhere else. Winter it doesn't drain as well as you'd hope for a premier private course. Offers more amenities than Aldarra as called out - pool, larger restaurant, larger practice facility. Made selling it to my wife a lot easier than elsewhere would have been. The view from the back deck on a summer's night is tough to beat as well, if that matters to you at all. Last I heard, pricing was $40k initiation and had heard Aldarra was in the $90k ballpark with a waitlist, so considerably less as well. 

 

If your main concern is the best golf course agnostic of price - Aldarra. If cost is a factor or you want more family amenities - SR.

 

If you have any interest in seeing SR and would want to wait until the weather improves a bit in the spring, shoot me a dm. 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by kaschreiber

[kaschreiber]

On 12/10/2022 at 11:30 AM, Double Mocha Man said:

 

What's the word on Newcastle?  And is the Wooley Toad open again?

 

For my two cents, Newcastle is the most overpriced / overrated course in the state and the only place I'll turn down an invite to play. Conditioning has gone to hell, no holes really stick out, and summer weekends you're looking at least a 5, if not 6 hour round. You're paying for good views of the ever-growing Bellevue skyline, not a good golf experience.

[R4haehl]

22 minutes ago, kaschreiber said:

 

For my two cents, Newcastle is the most overpriced / overrated course in the state and the only place I'll turn down an invite to play. Conditioning has gone to hell, no holes really stick out, and summer weekends you're looking at least a 5, if not 6 hour round. You're paying for good views of the ever-growing Bellevue skyline, not a good golf experience.

Couldn't agree more with this about Newcastle. I also will turn down invites to play here. 

On the Aldarra / Sno Ridge front. Repeating what others have said but... Aldarra is golf only with small bar/restaurant. The course and conditioning is top notch. It is also a no tee time club, but busy times they will put a list together. Sno Ridge has the full club experience with family amenities. Course is cool and some fantastic views, but the neighborhood takes a few points away in my mind. Can get wet in winter. I believe Sno Ridge is a tee time club and they can fill up rather quick but maybe @kaschreibercan speak to that.

 

I am not a member at either but I am fortunate to have a number of friends who are members at various clubs in the area. I hope to join a club in next few years but ultimately where we live at the time will dictate what club, to an extent, strictly for convenience and drive time. If that was not a factor, I would without a doubt join Aldarra. 

[kaschreiber]

4 minutes ago, R4haehl said:

Couldn't agree more with this about Newcastle. I also will turn down invites to play here. 

On the Aldarra / Sno Ridge front. Repeating what others have said but... Aldarra is golf only with small bar/restaurant. The course and conditioning is top notch. It is also a no tee time club, but busy times they will put a list together. Sno Ridge has the full club experience with family amenities. Course is cool and some fantastic views, but the neighborhood takes a few points away in my mind. Can get wet in winter. I believe Sno Ridge is a tee time club and they can fill up rather quick but maybe @kaschreibercan speak to that.

 

I am not a member at either but I am fortunate to have a number of friends who are members at various clubs in the area. I hope to join a club in next few years but ultimately where we live at the time will dictate what club, to an extent, strictly for convenience and drive time. If that was not a factor, I would without a doubt join Aldarra. 

 

Is indeed a tee time club and certainly can fill up in the summer. If you're looking to sneak out at short notice, it can really prove difficult if you're trying to wrangle a foursome. There's always opportunities to get out as a single / twosome and have met some really cool people through jumping into random groups - but that certainly is a consideration as well. Guest policy was updated (I believe last year, but maybe was always the case) - we can only have 1 guest Fri / Sat / Sun before 11 am to try and protect those tee times for members. 

[warriorgolfer]

10 hours ago, kaschreiber said:

I'm a member at Snoqualmie, @bmrowesummarizes it well. The front 9 of Snoqualmie weaves through neighborhood as does the start of the back. Holes 12-17 get you away from the houses and in my mind are every bit as good as Aldarra, but you only get that "I'm out here by myself" feeling for 6 holes rather than the 18 you get there.

 

Conditioning wise, July - Sept SR is every bit as good as anywhere else. Winter it doesn't drain as well as you'd hope for a premier private course. Offers more amenities than Aldarra as called out - pool, larger restaurant, larger practice facility. Made selling it to my wife a lot easier than elsewhere would have been. The view from the back deck on a summer's night is tough to beat as well, if that matters to you at all. Last I heard, pricing was $40k initiation and had heard Aldarra was in the $90k ballpark with a waitlist, so considerably less as well. 

 

If your main concern is the best golf course agnostic of price - Aldarra. If cost is a factor or you want more family amenities - SR.

 

If you have any interest in seeing SR and would want to wait until the weather improves a bit in the spring, shoot me a dm. 

 

 

Will definitely take you up on the offer. Thank you very much. Wife and I will be in the greater seattle area in January surveying various golf neighborhoods to determine where to live. I imagine that process will push us well into spring before we make any decision. 

[kaschreiber]

12 hours ago, warriorgolfer said:

Will definitely take you up on the offer. Thank you very much. Wife and I will be in the greater seattle area in January surveying various golf neighborhoods to determine where to live. I imagine that process will push us well into spring before we make any decision. 

 

If you guys aren't certain on where you're going to be yet, Sahalee is one to add to your list as well as @bmrowe mentioned. Sahalee and Aldarra always go 1a / 1b in terms of best courses in the state. It's a bit more appetizing as the Sammamish Plateau has a lot to offer in terms of housing and Sahalee is more centrally located. Aldarra is in Fall City, which is a cool area, but a bit more rural relative to Sammamish's suburban feel. Snoqualmie most, but by no means all, members live in the Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhood. 

[Fairways_and_Greens]

On 1/3/2022 at 9:26 AM, dlow206 said:

I am a member at Mill Creek Country Club. PM me if you have any questions. 

How is Mill Creek vs Inglewood and Everett?