15th Hole Chambers Bay
CHAMBERS BAY GOLF CLUB
RUNDOWN: Right out of the gates you get a picture of the enormity of this place! You won’t experience tree-lined fairways here and that is fine by me! Rolling hills, expansive bunkers and many amazing views await you through these 18 holes! Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed this course to be close to that of courses in Scotland. He designed it to be open for imagination, no shot is out of question here and the fun factor is way up there! If you are not used to a links style course, you will be forced to think your way around this property. The day I happened to visit, the air quality was very poor due to large wildfires in Canada. While unable to see as well as normal, the setting was still amazing!
Most of my understanding of Chambers Bay came from watching the US Open in 2015. It was viewed as controversial due to the conditioning of the course. I’ll tell you one thing, don’t pass on this course due to those reviews. The course is amazing and for me, was flat out one of the best courses I have played and probably ever will. Watching the holes throughout the US Open I felt like I knew what to expect; boy was I wrong in that logic! My expectations were shattered as I looked on the course for the first time! With its open nature, it seemed larger than life. I expected there would be a handful of holes that I would truly enjoy but I walked away with 18 holes that I absolutely loved! Each hole was better than what I saw on TV and I caught myself thinking of past holes as much as I looked forward to the next. In my viewpoint I think that is a mark of a great course! You don’t have to look forward to that one hole you read about, or saw the pro’s play, you get to immerse yourself in all 18 holes of golf. Take me back any day and I would be one happy man!
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that opened in 2007. Hosted the 2015 US Open.
Open to the public.
Rates range from $89 to $275. Cost varies widely with time of season, membership benefits and residency. Caddies are available on the property and are encouraged, but not mandatory. Cost is on a tip basis and should run from $50 and up depending on service.
There are multiple sets of tees to accommodate all abilities. The Navy tees play the longest at 7,165 yards.
https://www.chambersbaygolf.com
(877) 295-4657. 6320 Grandview Drive West, University Place, WA 98467
Most of my understanding of Chambers Bay came from watching the US Open in 2015. It was viewed as controversial due to the conditioning of the course. I’ll tell you one thing, don’t pass on this course due to those reviews. The course is amazing and for me, was flat out one of the best courses I have played and probably ever will. Watching the holes throughout the US Open I felt like I knew what to expect; boy was I wrong in that logic! My expectations were shattered as I looked on the course for the first time! With its open nature, it seemed larger than life. I expected there would be a handful of holes that I would truly enjoy but I walked away with 18 holes that I absolutely loved! Each hole was better than what I saw on TV and I caught myself thinking of past holes as much as I looked forward to the next. In my viewpoint I think that is a mark of a great course! You don’t have to look forward to that one hole you read about, or saw the pro’s play, you get to immerse yourself in all 18 holes of golf. Take me back any day and I would be one happy man!
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that opened in 2007. Hosted the 2015 US Open.
Open to the public.
Rates range from $89 to $275. Cost varies widely with time of season, membership benefits and residency. Caddies are available on the property and are encouraged, but not mandatory. Cost is on a tip basis and should run from $50 and up depending on service.
There are multiple sets of tees to accommodate all abilities. The Navy tees play the longest at 7,165 yards.
https://www.chambersbaygolf.com
(877) 295-4657. 6320 Grandview Drive West, University Place, WA 98467
REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS
Hole 4 “Hazard’s Ascent” Par 5 - 530 Yards
|
Welcome to my favorite par 5 on the course! That may have something to do with it being my first birdie of the day. Even if I didn’t birdie the hole, it is still visually impressive! Playing uphill the whole way, you will need to make some solid shots to get on in two. Keeping your tee ball to the left side is key to avoid the massive bunkering on the right side of this hole. The approach shot to the green was my first real taste of using the hills to affect your shot. Playing 5 wood from the fairway I noticed a large hill to the left side of the green. I decided to play towards the hill to avoid all the bunkers on the right. I hit my spot and watched my ball bounce right, towards the green and end up just a couple yards from the putting surface. Some large undulations can cause for a difficult putt, but birdie is very do able on this hole.
|
Hole 5 “Free Fall” Par 4 - 465 Yards
Our second trip in May 2018
|
|
Everyone loves a tee shot from an elevated tee! This hole is like one on steroids due to the dramatic view in front of you! Pull out driver and let it fly towards the Puget Sound. Keep your shot straight and avoid bunkers on the left and right side. You will need to be in the fairway, as your next shot plays uphill to a blind green. To make that shot more difficult is a deep bunker right in the middle of the green. Par here is a great score but if you end up worse, I bet you this hole will still provide great memories.
Hole 9 “Olympus” Par 3 - 227 Yards
|
|
Welcome to the highest point on the course! The tee box provides you with an amazing view of the entire course and the Puget Sound. This elevated tee box drops nearly 100 ft., to a large multi tiered green. Don’t catch your mind wandering to a day on the beach on this hole; as there is plenty of sand you can find yourself in with a poor shot. Play your shot to the left side of the green as everything works left to right. I had my best putt of the round on this hole, as I was able to make birdie from the upper tier on a triple breaking putt! Probably would not be able to make that putt again, but I would sure love to play this hole again!
Hole 12 “The Narrows” Par 4 - 281 Yards
This drivable par 4 yielded the most eagles of any hole in the history of the U.S Open! For the non-pro golfer, it is still a stern test of golf. With a name like “The Narrows” you can expect the hole will require accuracy. If you do miss your spot, make sure it is to the right as a large bunker guards the left side. The bunker is a great line if you are trying to get on the green in one. Don’t expect an easy putt here though as there are some large undulations in the middle of the green. This is a fantastic risk/reward hole that definitely boosts up the entertainment factor!
Hole 15 “Lone Fir” Par 3 - 139 Yards
|
Lone Fir makes it right near the top of my favorite par 3 list. The setting alone, with the Puget Sound in the background would keep me coming back for more. Playing towards the only tree on the property, this short par 3 plays directly into the prevailing wind. You must carry a fortress of bunkers that sit in front of the green. Avoid the pot bunker on the left side of the green as well; from the looks of it, it didn’t look easy to play from! Green slopes from the back to front as well, so you have room to play with on this hole. Take in the view, hit a solid shot and walk away with par!
|