Heron Lakes Golf Club - Great Blue Course
About
Heron Lakes Golf Course was opened for public play in 1972. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and is located off of I-5 next to the Portland International Raceway. It was named after the Blue Herons that inhabit the many lakes and ponds around the course. There are two courses, the Great Blue and the Green Back.
The Great Blue has been rated for years as the most difficult golf course in the Portland Area. It is a links style course with water, tall rough, narrow fairways, and sand everywhere. Most fairways on the Great Blue narrow to small greens that roll and pitch in several directions.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 6902 yards | 74.0 | 139 |
| Blue | 72 | 6491 yards | 71.9 | 137 |
| White | 72 | 6030 yards | 69.9 | 131 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6030 yards | 75.9 | 142 |
| Red | 72 | 5258 yards | 71.3 | 131 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold M: 74.2/146 | 413 | 560 | 333 | 168 | 566 | 205 | 396 | 466 | 428 | 3535 | 412 | 200 | 544 | 446 | 376 | 187 | 380 | 523 | 413 | 3481 | 7016 |
| Black M: 72.5/142 | 403 | 515 | 324 | 150 | 520 | 179 | 388 | 428 | 402 | 3309 | 388 | 182 | 526 | 443 | 352 | 176 | 356 | 496 | 384 | 3303 | 6612 |
| Blue M: 70.5/135 W: 76.2/144 | 381 | 501 | 307 | 133 | 503 | 161 | 348 | 413 | 366 | 3113 | 384 | 173 | 506 | 408 | 321 | 156 | 325 | 483 | 375 | 3131 | 6244 |
| White M: 68.7/127 W: 74.3/140 | 351 | 461 | 286 | 126 | 475 | 136 | 312 | 388 | 335 | 2870 | 367 | 166 | 467 | 401 | 300 | 149 | 299 | 474 | 364 | 2987 | 5857 |
| Yellow M: 65.8/121 W: 70.9/131 | 314 | 435 | 260 | 111 | 432 | 103 | 297 | 361 | 286 | 2599 | 346 | 139 | 400 | 342 | 274 | 122 | 259 | 439 | 338 | 2659 | 5258 |
| Handicap | 7 | 1 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 6 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 9 | 3 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, SnacksAccolades
-
Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Oregon (2023 #17)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
-
Photo submitted by Bigvern13 on 11/05/2025
-
Photo submitted by Bigvern13 on 07/12/2025
-
Photo submitted by Bigvern13 on 07/12/2025
-
That’s a green. Notice how my ball did not roll, but bounce every two feet. Photo submitted by u790885909 on 10/09/2024
-
18th hole from green Photo submitted by pjolly on 07/20/2024
-
Photo submitted by pjolly on 07/20/2024
-
Photo submitted by u000003078946 on 11/06/2023
-
Photo submitted by u000003078946 on 11/06/2023
-
Photo submitted by u314161709525 on 06/23/2023
-
Photo submitted by JackPark on 05/22/2023
-
Photo submitted by JackPark on 05/22/2023
-
Photo submitted by u403283649 on 08/08/2021
-
Photo submitted by u403283649 on 08/08/2021
-
Photo submitted by cbenson64 on 12/26/2020
-
Photo submitted by soundertillidie on 10/04/2020
-
Par 5 hole Photo submitted by murray1234 on 07/30/2019
-
Photo submitted by ucla1980 on 07/12/2019
-
Photo submitted by Terry7235445 on 07/05/2013
-
Sunset on the par3 16th hole Photo submitted by swayvincent on 07/02/2013
Okay
Slow but kind of expected on a summer Saturday. Drink cart didnt come around on entire front 9, and when she did show up on the back her card machine was broken. She said shed be back but never came. Not good when play is slow and you aren't hitting very many good shots.
Too long
Had too wait almost every hole. thats not acceptable for a Thursday afternoon. Please suggest to marshall to tell people to pick up if they are slow.
Played Green Back
Very pretty course. Challenging, but not over the top. To be able to play a public course in four hours is awesome. Very friendly staff. Will definitely play again.
This course is beautiful and well maintained.
This course is beautiful and well maintained I would have given it a 4.5, but staff not real friendly and they do not increase the pace of play. The play was at a very anemic pace! But will return to play it again!
Course good shape, great value.
Played at 3:15 on Friday afternoon - so I got the twilight rate. Pace of play was great. Greens were in great shape. Sand traps had two different kinds of sand and could use some more sand. Staff was friendly. Needs a new clubhouse.
challenging water holes
My overall experience was good. I was amazed at the lack customer service at check. No "good morning" no "welcome to our golf course" NO anything - just whats your tee time -- It was like we where bothering the gentlemen behind the counter giving them our $50.00 to play there. Kinda funny that this seems to be the Normal at most golf courses unfortunately. Maybe they should really check themselves and make it a friendlier experience. People come to play golf for a good time. It starts with the people behind the desk
nice course
The course was in good shape. Great course for all levels.
Fun course, friendly staff.
First course I've played in Portland. It was recommended by family and friends in the area. They played as well and enjoyed the course.
Fun Course
This was the second time in four days that I had played this course. The fairways and the greens were a little slower on Friday than Tuesday, but because of the dew on the ground, it was to be expected. Had a great time and played well again. If you need a confidence boosting round, that is a great course for such an occasion.
The Greenback is Legit
Heron Lakes is my go to course - booking on-line with Golf Now was super convenient and I got a great rate for an afternoon round with the boss. We played at the end of the heat wave and the course was in excellent shape for a muni, though the driving range was a little abused and cut short to iron practice only due to a first tee practice happening at the other end of the driving range.
The t-boxes, fairways and greens were all in excellent condition. The bunkers felt a little watered down, surprising since we've been having a heatwave here.
Pace of play was brisk, even following a group that was obviously putting for money and had no reason to be playing from the blues - we still finished in just under 4hrs.
The Great Blue is my usual choice at Heron Lakes, but the Greenback provides for an entertaining round with plenty of challenge and a great finishing hole (who doesn't love a Mt. Hood view).
Great course especially for the money *Twilight rates*
I love this course! It has some very challenging holes on it especially from the blue tees. It can get pretty crowded so plan on a slightly longer round (usually around 4 1/2 hrs, maybe a little more depending on the day) The greens are almost always running beautifully especially in the summer, there is always a cart girl driving around multiple times while you play and the driving range offers grass hitting areas instead of mats. All in all if you get an early bird tee time or a twilight round (after 3 pm) it is a GREAT PRICE for the condition of the course.
Excellent course!
This links type course is always a challenge for me; it was exactly what I was looking for too! Great Blue was in a great shape! Everything was nicely mowed, the greens were firm & smooth and the cups freshly cut. I'm looking forward to playing this course again.
Great public course
Loved this course!! Excellent shape with enough challenge!
Challenging course. Great value.
Have played here many times and it's always fun - even though the course challenges my skills. The day we played had great weather and the course was in fabulous shape. Hard to believe this is a city course.
Excellent Track.
Risk vs. Reward comes into play numerous times. The greens are small, firm and fast. Exciting to play. One of ther best courses in PDX area to play.
Generally good condition. Had not healed from aeration.
Generally good condition. Had not healed from aeration. Pace of play on 5/3/13 was far, far better than normal and made the experience great.
Great Value, Great Course
The Course was very well maintained, greens were straight and true. We played the Greenback side which is a shorter track but is challenging. The pace was a little show because it was a beautiful day and there were tons of golfers out playing. My only complaint is the parking situation. The over flow parking is in the grass along the Right edge of the driving range. DANGER CLOSE and "park at your own risk" sign shows how they feel about it. Otherwise go early and get a spot in the parking lot...
This course is a great play.
Greens are slick, but doable. Fairways are in good shape. The course is challenging, but not overly so. A good value in the Portland area