Chambers Bay

I laugh at the review here complaining about some "temp" green. At Chambers Bay, the fairways, approaches and greens are exactly the same grass. So, they can cut a green anywhere and it will play like the rest of the greens. This is true links golf and most Americans don't have a clue how to play here so they play poor and think the course is bad. Everyone I have met here who has played true links courses think it's great. Last time out I met some Canadians who come down every three months and love it.
In America we play golf in the air with high spinning shots, in Europe they play golf on the ground with low running shots. You have to learn those shots. You have to "read" each hole like you are reading a green, seeing where the ball will end up. There are no forced carries except par threes, so you can always approach on the ground. A good caddie can show you where to hit a ball close to the green that will end up by the hole, but you have to ask. Those hitting their high spinning wedge shots will be punished, just like a British Open.
This course is an incredible opportunity to learn a new kind of golf, but many here are simply to closed minded to get it.

I was invited to play with a marketing group traveling from Utah. They made Chamber's Bay their destination course. I drove down from Everett, WA to play so not a big deal for me. They paid the $200+ green fees and off we went to the driving range to hit some balls.

Before teeing off we were given caddies. They made it seem like we would be complete idiots to not play with a caddy and we would be lost on the course. Course is pretty straight forward and can be played without a caddy.

As we get ready to tee off on #1 the caddy says that we will be hitting to a temp green on #1 today. A TEMP GREEN!?! How come a temp green was never mentioned when we were paying full fare? Turns out that throughout the day we played 4 temp greens and the fairways all have nets in them in the typical collection areas that you have to move your balls out of. Paid full fare to not even play golf, picked up my ball and had to drop it from the fairway almost every hole due to these nets. Also the greens were in worse shape than any muni course i have ever played. Caddy said that we would be seeing 7 different green speeds throughout the day, and he was right.

At the end of the day we were all disappointed in the course condition, especially after paying full price and nothing was ever said to us about temp greens or nets. The caddy said that this is the worse representation of Chambers Bay Golf Course he has seen, and that he is fearful of them losing the US Open.

I have been steering my friends clear of playing this course after my experience there.

I had a few problems with:

1) The conditions of the fairways and greens. #1 seem to be a temp green, as you could not distinguish the fairway from the green, and the green was in direct route of golfer's teeing off 18. They literally had to wait until I finished the hole to tee off.
2) More disappointing and above all, was finding out this is a STRICTLY WALKING course. Unfortunately that was not explained to me or mentioned from the 3rd party I booked the tee through, until I got down to the range and asked for the location of carts. I was told then that in order to get a cart a note from doctor would have to faxed over. Considering I have titanium in my back the excitement of being there quickly died.
3) I attempted to play the front, but the pain was unbearable by the time I reached #5. This course is not for anyone with metal in their body. However the pro shop (great people) did allow me to return any time and asked that a note from my doctor be faxed in order to use the carts.
4) The staff were great. Essentially their player assistants (marshals) provided me a ride to each hold to cut down on the walking and pain.
5) For the holes I did play there was a lot of "under construction areas." And I realized they are preparing for the Open next year, but I was not expecting the amount of work including netting on #4 (just in front of the green at the top of the hill).
5) The course is located on trail, so expect skateboards, "Dude Perfect" noise, and kids when you are at the tee box, and in some cases on the green putting.

The previous day I played NewCastle, which has unbelievable views of Seattle from afar, bagpipe playing at sunset, a great staff, and extremely lush greens and fairways. My expectation was even higher for Chambers Bay. I will attempt again with a cart and provide a follow up review as well.

This is by far the most stunning course I have seen/played. The views are spectacular and the course is equally impressive. The greens are firm and fast. I agree with the other review about hiring a caddie, as there are too many nuances for a first time player.

I second the dressing in layers as the weather in WA can change quite quickly.

When you step onto the property, you are greeted with a fantastic view looking down over the quarry and the Puget Sound with the lone tree perched near the water. The course looks even more intimidating from above but it's most certainly worth it!

I'm surprised no one has written a review of Chambers Bay yet, especially because of its reputation for being a special golfing experience. Of course, a lot of average golfers have told me they are intimidated by Chambers Bay's reputation as a demanding, physically-punishing course, not to mention the perception that the exorbitant greens fees require taking out a second mortgage. I certainly shared that impression before I played my first round there in 2010, even after volunteering at the U.S. Amateur Championship earlier that year. As a mid-to-high handicap golfer who returned to the game after a long layoff, I expected a "beat down" from this links-style course. My experience turned out to be just the opposite. Here are some tips to help make your Chambers Bay debut more enjoyable:
1. First timers will definitely benefit from hiring a caddie. The crew at Chambers Bay are talented, courteous, and knowledgeable. Not only will a caddie help you save about 10 strokes over your round, he'll make the loop a lot less physically tiring as well. 2. Take advantage of the included warm-up time at the range; it'll help get you accustomed to the firm greens and fairways, plus acclimated to that day's weather conditions, which usually includes wind gusts. 3. Dress in layers, and appropriately for the weather. Walking 18 holes here is closer to hiking in the mountains than a stroll in the park, so rugged, comfortable golf shoes are not optional!

Above all, have fun! The views are fantastic, and when you drop your tee shot just right on #9, watching it roll down next to the hole, you'll be jazzed beyond belief.