Chambers Bay Golf Course — Restaurant in University Place

I traveled to Tacoma in July to visit family and decided to play here while visiting because it hosted a US Open. I paid over $300 to play this course as an out-of-towner, and can say from experience when compared to other courses charging this amount to play, it's not worth it unfortunately. That being said it’s still a neat course, with amazing views to be had, and it's one hell of a challenge. This walk-only course is an extremely hilly endeavor, which I didn't mind as much I did mind the awful pace of play this creates on an especially busy day. They had carts positioned to transport golfers between holes when the walk was long/steep. The course was packed with people which made the back nine (and the gimmicky #12) play 3.5-4 hours by itself. Total round was almost 6 hours. The group ahead of me quit on 15, one can only hope they paid a discounted rate.

As for the course, conditions were average at best. Lots of bare spots and brown spots. I routinely played the ball up, which on a course of this "caliber" I shouldn't have to. Tons of bunkers and "waste areas" with footprints and divots in them everywhere. This was surprising given how many caddies were on the course (as a former caddie, raking these is part of the job). I don't remember a single tree in play on the course. It wasn't a long course, the back "navy" tees were around 7100yds. I played the "sand" tees which were one up and playing 6600yds I think. If I managed to reach the green in reg, I usually made par. Greens were astroturf-like, easy to read, easy to putt, average to slow speed. The bunkers, they are everywhere, and make the course very difficult. I hit into them quite often, especially on second shot approaches, and this usually resulted in bogeys or worse. The sloping fairways rolled fast, but the lack of a true rough usually meant a drive would run for days and inevitably find a waste bunker if not placed perfectly. The best part of this course is the view of the sound, it is superb.

The food and refreshments were reasonably priced. Almost all the staff in the club house, at the little starter's house at the bottom of big hill, and on the course were very friendly and professional. I say almost because the caddie with the group playing behind me was as tacky, rude and ignorant as they come. Playing as a single behind a threesome of a dad and his two young kids, I was routinely waiting 10 min to tee off each hole, This did not bother me, I get it, this was probably a memorable outing for them, and I didn't want to hit into or pressure them. Starting on the 4th hole, the caddie behind was continually chirping about pace of play because he saw me hit a second ball off the tee. Little did he know it was a provisional, as my first shot had found a waste bunker. Little did he care as he continued to chirp about playing faster and moving along all the way thru the 8th hole. Unfortunately his behavior reflects poorly on this course, and prevents me from rating it any higher than 3/5. I would only recommend playing here (once) if you live local and can take advantage of the heavily discounted rates. If you are traveling to Seattle/Tacoma I wouldn't waste your time here. The incredible national parks in the area are a much better, memorable...

Chambers Bay is situated on the shores of Puget Sound, providing golfers with breathtaking panoramic views of the water, nearby islands, and the Olympic Mountains. The natural beauty of the surrounding landscape is truly spectacular and adds to the overall experience of playing at this course.

One of the standout features of Chambers Bay is its unique layout. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and was built on the site of a former sand and gravel mine. The undulating terrain, sandy wastelands, and fescue grass give Chambers Bay a distinctive links-style feel, reminiscent of the British Open venues. The course is challenging, with wide fairways, large greens, and strategically placed bunkers, which require careful shot placement and strategic thinking.

The course conditions at Chambers Bay are generally excellent. The fescue fairways and greens are well-maintained, and the course offers a firm and fast playing surface, which adds to the challenge. The rough can be punishing, so accuracy off the tee is crucial. The course is also known for its unique walking-only policy, which enhances the traditional links golf experience.

The clubhouse at Chambers Bay is modern and well-appointed, offering stunning views of the course and Puget Sound. The amenities include a pro shop, locker rooms, and a restaurant that serves delicious food and beverages. The staff is known for being friendly and accommodating, ensuring that visitors have a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

It's worth noting that Chambers Bay has hosted several prestigious golf tournaments, including the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open. These events have brought international attention to the course and have solidified its reputation as a world-class golf destination.

However, it's important to mention that Chambers Bay has received some criticism as well. The course's firm and fast conditions, coupled with its challenging layout, may not be to everyone's liking. Some golfers find the course too difficult, while others have voiced concerns about the lack of traditional parkland features and the presence of hardpan areas.

Overall, Chambers Bay Golf Course is a unique and visually stunning golf course that offers a challenging and memorable experience for golfers of all skill levels. Its natural beauty, exceptional design, and rich history make it a must-play destination for golf enthusiasts visiting the Lakewood,...

Great, unforgettable course. The golf is amazing.

But the caddy situation is horrible and has ruined my 2 experiences at Chambers Bay. We were fleeced by the caddy after my first round and the second time around, we were accused of not paying enough. If you stop reading here, do yourself a favor...don't get a caddy. The course is do-able without a caddy and a pull cart. If you must get one however, negotiate and even offer to pay BEFORE your round.

The first round I played was with 3 other friends. We had debated caddy or forecaddie prior to the round and ultimately decided on 1 forecaddie for the group after reviewing the rates online (where CB quotes "$60 for a forecaddie" (since it was $50 for a single bag, we assumed this $60 rate covered our foursome; it was not a per bag rate).

We completed our first round and asked the forecaddie what we owed. He quoted "$60 per bag plus tip". We found it odd that this was so drastically different from the website guidance of $60 TOTAL (plus tip) but wanted to avoid an awkward situation. The forecaddie had been great all day (save the 16th hole where he literally steered all 4 of us directly into a hazard) but his quoted rates being a surprise was really unprofessional and annoying. We pushed back and he pushed the issue, insisting what he had quoted was the rate.

2 players in our foursome paid the forecaddie $60 each and the other 2 paid him $80 each. All in, the forecaddie made $280 off us in caddie fees when we expected to pay $60 + tip (we assumed $20 per man) or approx $140.

The second round was 3 weeks later on business. 4 of us had 2 caddies. Based on the posted rates, we expected to pay "$100 per double bag" and ONCE AGAIN we were guilted and ultimately forced to pay $100 PLUS tip per bag.

I spoke to the manager about being fleeced for a second time and suggested they post the rates at the shop and take care of the fees when you pay for the round. This would eliminate all awkwardness, provide a rate (per the receipt) to the golfer and ultimately give them a basis for gratuity. Seems easy enough to me.

Until this is made right my friends and I will not return to Chambers Bay, which is really disappointing for such an incredible course right outside of...