There isn’t any type of golfer who won’t have a blast playing at Langdon Farms. Not only is it one of the best-conditioned courses in the region—and likely the state—it also drains really well, making it a great place to play no matter the weather or season. It's a public course with all the swank of a private club, plus farmhouse charm. There are no bad holes, and the pace of play is always decent. The signature red barn on the par-four eighth hole is not just an icon but an inviting place for 25+ handicap golfers (such as yours truly) to misplace an approach shot. If the barn doesn’t get you, the greenside bunker shielding the pin will. The par-three third hole is rated as second easiest on the course, but it’s one of the most fun with a near 180-yard downhill tee shot to a tight green with one bunker to the right. The challenge and convenience of this course make it an easy, year-round choice for weekend warriors and scratch golfers alike.

Cost: $$$ | Difficulty: ✭✭✭✭

Ghost Creek is an impeccable course when the sun is shining and conditions are perfect. It’s the public side of the 36-hole golf complex at Pumpkin Ridge, host to many big golf events, such as the 1996 US Amateur Championship (won by some guy named Tiger Woods). In areas it has the wide-open feel of a links course, while the rest is lined with oppressively large trees eager to give you a bad kick deeper into the woods. The course’s namesake creek snakes through several holes and becomes a problem, as does long, natural grass lining tee shots. In other words, it's both a pain in the ass and a delight, but between the price and sub-optimal conditions in bad weather, you probably won't get out here more than once or twice a year.

Cost: $$$ | Difficulty: ✭✭✭✭

Need to butter up your CEO before you ask for that promotion? Book a round for the two of you at one of the reserve’s two 18-hole courses and consider it done. This 36-hole complex rotates so that nonmembers get access to either side on offsetting months. The grandeur of the clubhouse is matched only by the near-flawless conditions. The restaurant is also a prime place to grab a post-round meal, or drinks to seal the deal if your golf game didn’t impress.

Cost: $$$ | Difficulty: ✭✭✭✭

There are a few holes at Stone Creek that are downright brutal and can haunt you for rounds to come. Why? There's a ton of water, the undulation is dramatic throughout, and the greens are fast. The front nine feels wide open (which isn’t always good) while the back is more confined (which can complicate things if you’re not precise off the tee).  There’s also a sneaky amount of elevation gain, which can leave you fatigued at the end of 18 holes. What the course lacks in facilities it more than makes up for in creative design and good conditioning, both of which will leave you frustrated and wanting to return as soon as possible. 

Cost: $$ | Difficulty: ✭✭✭✭

Located on the site of the flooded city of Vanport, Heron Lakes is the pride of Portland Parks & Recreation. Its 36 holes are known to offer both challenging (Great Blue) and recreational (Greenback) golf. This course lives up to its name with plenty of giant birds and water. It’s also home to an abundance of critters, including nutria, rabbits, frogs, even coyotes. With the quick drive from both Portland and Vancouver, Heron Lakes is a go-to for trying to sneak in nine or 18 when pressed for time. Conditions here are typically good as well, so the value for your dollar makes it a great choice for all types of golfers. Just beware that you'll battle a few distractions: planes, trains, and automobiles (race cars, actually). 

Cost: $$ | Difficulty: ✭✭✭

A bit of a hidden gem, this course just outside the sleepy town of Banks offers sweeping views of Oregon's north plains and Mount Hood off in the distance. A lack of elevation change and a straightforward yet fun design provide a round that is less stressful than most. There’s not a ton of places to lose your ball, which means more time spent golfing and less time searching for your tee shot. The course is kind to beginners, so if you’ve got a friend interested in golf, bring them here a to boost their confidence. That said, there’s still a fair amount of trouble to be found in ponds and long grass.

Cost: $ | Difficulty: ✭✭

What happens when Oregon’s golf and timber heritage collide? You get Wildwood. Playing feels like taking a hike through an arboretum, and it is undoubtedly a hike, with dramatic elevation gain and fall throughout 18 holes (even though it's not one of the longest courses). Sunsets here are gorgeous, and the creek winding its way through makes it feel like a pristine ecosystem. The clubhouse patio makes this 19^th hole one of the best in Portland; it's a great place to kick back before or after a round. Heck, we’d go here even if we weren't playing golf.  

Cost: $ | Difficulty: ✭✭

Some people love to hate Eastmoreland. The rest of us hate to love it. The tree-lined fairways induce claustrophobia in even the most seasoned golfers and force many creative shots to keep a round on track. There’s no water on the front nine, but six of the holes on the back nine contain either a creek, a pond, or both. Fairways here seem super long because most of them are dead straight, making the few dog-legs peppered in feel like they require extra work to navigate.

Cost: $ | Difficulty: ✭✭✭

This course nestled into the Rose City neighborhood is a great option if you’re just getting into golf and looking for a fun course to play regularly without the steep price tag. Rose City is a classic municipal course in that if feels like a city park. The slope here is sneaky tough, and some holes like the dog-leg, par-four 14th hole are super tricky, with woods to your left and McDaniel High School’s athletic complex out of bounds to the right. The facilities here aren’t the show stealer, and the course isn’t known for being the best kept, but if you’re just starting to catch the golf bug, it’s a good place to cut your teeth and make those beginner mistakes without too many consequences.

Cost: $ | Difficulty: ✭✭

Two 18-hole courses set on a steep hill in Portland’s outer east side are almost as hot-button as Eastmoreland. Some people really hate Glendoveer, but just as many are stoked to call it their home course. Its elevation gain can make it rough for those walking, but that just means you get to reward yourself with an extra beer from Von Ebert Brewing—located on site—at the turn. Glendoveer is also known for its massive evergreen trees and thick brush, which can be problematic for those who have a hard time finding the fairway. Despite being wedged between two major thoroughfares (NE Halsey and Glisan) this course can feel fairly peaceful. That is, until you slice it into a thicket of trees and bushes.

Cost: $ | Difficulty: ✭✭