Zintel Creek Golf Club: a tree-lined test in the Tri-Cities

Zintel Creek Golf Club in Kennewick rewards placement off the tee and a sharp short game. The round moves through mature corridors to push-up greens that favor precision over power.

Zintel Creek Golf Club Fast Facts

Course Overview

Early in the round, Zintel Creek Golf Club shows its classic roots. The greens are original push-up surfaces from the club’s 1938 design lineage, raised slightly above their surrounds and shaped to shed misses. Fairways are framed by mature trees, and bunkers protect common miss areas.

Those traits drive decision making. Tee shots favor accuracy and shape over length, since tree lines can close windows quickly. Into the greens, trajectory control is valuable because the push-up profiles reward a well-struck approach that lands on the correct tier. When you are out of position, the safer play is often short of the hole location to leave an uphill chip rather than flirting with the guarding sand.

Hole-by-Hole Highlights

• Many corridors are narrow, so choose the longest club you can land in the fairway with confidence.

• Dogleg patterns encourage working the ball to match the turn rather than forcing carries over trees.

• Misses long tend to run away from several green pads, so favor front or center yardages when in doubt.

• Bunkering often guards the high side of the green. Aim to the low side on tucked pins to leave simpler recoveries.

• On short par 4s, position is more important than length. A fairway wood or hybrid can open full-wedge approaches.

• Approaches from heavy rough make holding the elevated surfaces tougher. Consider a bump-and-run from clean lies around the greens.

• Down-breeze holes play firmer into the raised targets. Take less club off the tee and more club into the approach when the wind shifts.

• Par 3s that are ringed by sand reward a committed target line to the fat of the green rather than chasing edge pins.

• Uphill chips release quickly on the push-up tiers. Land the ball a few paces onto the putting surface and let it feed.

• When trees pinch the layup zones on par 5s, advance to your favorite wedge distance instead of pressing to reach in two.

Amenities & Practice

Instruction is available on site, and the club offers a modern simulator suite for year-round reps. The golf shop can assist with lessons, events, and day-of needs.

Food & Beverage

A full restaurant operates on site, and the clubhouse hosts banquets and events with posted menus and packages.

Rates / Booking / Local Tips

Call the Golf Shop to reserve play and to confirm the current daily offerings, or explore posted group and tournament packages. The club lists daily rates and event options on its site, and carts are available. For a busy day or an event week at Zintel Creek Golf Club, build a little extra time into your schedule and enjoy the restaurant before or after the round.

How to Score Here

• Favor the club that keeps you in the fairway. Recovery from trees often costs a stroke.

• Plan approaches to the middle or the safe tier. The raised greens can repel marginal yardages.

• Treat front pins with care. Landing just on and putting uphill is usually the highest percentage play.

• Bring your bunker game. Sand protects common miss areas and demands confident escapes.

• Around the greens at Zintel Creek Golf Club, a tidy bump-and-run is often more dependable than a high-risk flop.

Final Word

If you like classic greens and shot-shaping through trees, Zintel Creek Golf Club delivers a thoughtful, satisfying round in the heart of Kennewick.

This course is one of many featured in the Washington Golf Directory. Your guide to Washington State public golf courses, local driving ranges, and weekend-worthy golf getaways. Whether you’re playing nine before work or planning a road trip across the state, we’re here to help you explore more golf, one course at a time.