Port Ludlow Golf Course: wooded corridors and bay views worth walking

Port Ludlow Golf Course in Port Ludlow asks for patient placement from the first tee. Fairways move through tall evergreens with water nearby, so the pace is steady and the round rewards thoughtful lines more than raw length.

Port Ludlow Golf Course Fast Facts

Course Overview

Port Ludlow Golf Course winds through dense coastal forest, opening at times to water and mountain views. Greens sit in natural amphitheaters framed by trees and bunkers, and several holes bring ponds or inlets close enough to shape your plan. The setting is quiet and the routing mixes corridor tee shots with more open moments near the bay.

Because trees and water define so many holes, decision making matters more than distance. Favor controlled tee balls that hold their line, then choose approach clubs that land softly into guarded greens. On holes with water hard against one side, play to the safe half of fairways and accept longer angles in. Ground play is available in spots, but the safer choice is often a flighted approach that takes big bounces out of play.

Hole-by-Hole Highlights

• Off the first tee, temper driver if you cannot hold a narrow window. A long iron or hybrid to a favorite yardage sets the tone for a stress-free start.

• Par 5s reward three-shot planning. Work the ball into the widest landing area you can see, then lay up to a full wedge that avoids fronting bunkers.

• Several par 4s bend through tree lines. If you do not shape the ball both ways, pick the side that leaves a clear miss rather than forcing a curve.

• Where a pond guards an approach, favor the fat side of the green. Take water long and left or long and right out of play by clubbing for the safe tier.

• On shorter par 4s, resist hero lines over corners. A fairway metal to the middle opens the green and keeps big numbers off the card.

• Bunkers often pinch entries. If pinched fronts make a run-up risky, fly the number and trust a controlled spin instead of chasing a bounce.

• Elevated greens call for one extra club and a committed strike. Do not flirt with front edges that reject half-speed shots.

• When vistas open near the bay, depth perception can fool you. Pick a precise intermediate target and make a full move.

• Late in the round, par 3s ask for disciplined tempo. Favor the center, take two putts, and keep momentum for the finishing holes.

• Closing holes tighten again through trees. Shape to your stock shot, not the perfect one, and protect the scoring you built earlier.

Amenities & Practice

The facility includes a full driving range, a practice green, and a chipping area, with instruction available from a teaching professional. Carts are on hand, and rental clubs are available if you are traveling light.

Food & Beverage

Food & beverages are available at The Fireside.

Rates / Booking / Local Tips

Online tee times are available, and walking is allowed with a proper golf attire policy in effect. Port Ludlow Golf Course lists multiple tee sets, so match your choice to the day’s plan rather than chasing the back markers. The course operates year round, which makes shoulder-season rounds attractive if you prefer a quieter pace.

How to Score Here

• Club down on tree-lined par 4s to find grass, then attack with a full wedge. This is more reliable than squeezing driver between trunks.

• Use the middle of greens when water guards one edge. Take your two-putt par and move along.

• On par 5s, pick a layup yardage that clears fairway bunkers and avoids squeezed entries. Three precise swings beat two bold ones.

• When wind feels tricky near open outlooks, rehearse a knockdown and swing to your intermediate target.

• Trust the rating and slope from each tee. If Black feels like too much, Blue or White will keep you in scoring shape on Port Ludlow Golf Course.

Final Word

If you like thoughtful shotmaking in a coastal forest setting, Port Ludlow Golf Course delivers a steady, scenic round that rewards control.

This course is part of the Washington Golf Directory’s collection of Washington State private golf courses and member-only clubs. Alongside public courses, disc golf spots, and driving ranges, we’re highlighting the places where golfers across the state play, practice, and build community—all year long.