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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green M: 74.4/140 | 409 | 568 | 336 | 166 | 564 | 200 | 399 | 447 | 428 | 3517 | 412 | 207 | 551 | 443 | 377 | 182 | 400 | 508 | 410 | 3490 | 7007 |
| Burgundy M: 72.0/136 W: 78.4/141 | 377 | 505 | 309 | 150 | 522 | 177 | 383 | 405 | 402 | 3230 | 389 | 184 | 510 | 435 | 349 | 171 | 375 | 485 | 382 | 3280 | 6510 |
| Burgundy/Blue M: 70.6/130 | 377 | 464 | 309 | 126 | 522 | 139 | 383 | 368 | 402 | 3090 | 369 | 184 | 466 | 435 | 305 | 171 | 344 | 485 | 365 | 3124 | 6214 |
| Blue M: 69.5/126 W: 75.0/135 | 347 | 464 | 288 | 126 | 478 | 139 | 347 | 368 | 365 | 2922 | 369 | 172 | 466 | 400 | 305 | 150 | 344 | 466 | 365 | 3037 | 5959 |
| Grey M: 66.2/114 W: 70.9/130 | 310 | 437 | 260 | 113 | 432 | 102 | 300 | 341 | 286 | 2581 | 348 | 141 | 406 | 341 | 271 | 120 | 279 | 433 | 342 | 2681 | 5262 |
| White M: 61.5/105 W: 64.1/105 | 201 | 334 | 189 | 89 | 354 | 94 | 226 | 255 | 237 | 1979 | 269 | 130 | 348 | 251 | 194 | 111 | 192 | 322 | 234 | 2051 | 4030 |
| 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 |
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Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, SnacksAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Oregon (2023 #17)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by Bigvern13 on 08/03/2026
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Photo submitted by Bigvern13 on 11/05/2025
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Photo submitted by Bigvern13 on 07/12/2025
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Photo submitted by Bigvern13 on 07/12/2025
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That’s a green. Notice how my ball did not roll, but bounce every two feet. Photo submitted by u790885909 on 10/09/2024
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18th hole from green Photo submitted by pjolly on 07/20/2024
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Photo submitted by pjolly on 07/20/2024
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Photo submitted by u000003078946 on 11/06/2023
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Photo submitted by u000003078946 on 11/06/2023
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Photo submitted by u314161709525 on 06/23/2023
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Photo submitted by JackPark on 05/22/2023
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Photo submitted by JackPark on 05/22/2023
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Photo submitted by u403283649 on 08/08/2021
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Photo submitted by u403283649 on 08/08/2021
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Photo submitted by cbenson64 on 12/26/2020
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Photo submitted by soundertillidie on 10/04/2020
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Par 5 hole Photo submitted by murray1234 on 07/30/2019
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Photo submitted by ucla1980 on 07/12/2019
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Photo submitted by Terry7235445 on 07/05/2013
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Sunset on the par3 16th hole Photo submitted by swayvincent on 07/02/2013
Great Blue: Challenging with almost pristine course conditions
Great Blue: This course is more challenging then Greenback, we had a great round with excellent rate of play and pristine tee boxes and fairways. However, the greens we in sub par form... Almost every green was very bumpy but playable without too much issue, except for #17 which looked to be very damaged and in unacceptable condition. Overall be course was fantastic and offered a real challenge to the average golfer, highly recommend.
If the greens were in better shape it would be an easy 5 stars
GreenBack course
Staff was very friendly, and the starter had us off right on time. The cart lady was also very friendly, but she was the only one working both courses so we only saw her on holes 8 and 18... I spent a lot of the day looking for water fountains. the bunkers weren't in great shape and were hard panned. Most of the greens were bumpy and not well taken care of. Some of the fairways had some dead patches or muddy spots. It can be a good course if it were better taken care of. The pace of play was a little on the slow side, but that should be expected for a Saturday.
Greens in rough shape, fairways perfect.
We were somewhat dissapointed with this being our first round here and the great things we had heard. The fairways and thw coursw in general were fantastic, fairways ran well and were a stiff challenge with how tight landing areas were. The greens however were the worst I've ever seen. I beleive the 17th was prettt much all dirt with some patches or really bad looking grass. Was super bumpy and you had no shot at getting a ball to go where you wanted it. There were 5 or 6 more greens that weren't as bad but had the similar patches of dirt and were extremely bumpy almost as if they are diseased. This course has the potential to be the best
In Portland if they can bring the greens back. The other 12 to 13 holes without this issue were fantastic.
Greenback
This is a nice course that is in great shape. The staff was somewhat friendly and we went off right on time which was good also
Great Blue is fun and challenging
It is a great links style course. I am a hacker, but if you hit smart shots you can score. Lots of bunkers and waste areas make it very challenging.
The course wa in great shape
I got a great deal through golf now. The course was in great shape an the green were rolling good. I highly recommend this golf course.
Putting greens had many burned out spots. it affected many putts.
Putting greens had many burned out spots. it affected many putts.
this course need to inprove.
the green is too bad too much hole much dead green.
Great course at a very reasonable price.
The Greenback course at Heron Lakes offers wide fairways and big greens with enough sand and water to be challenging.
Course conditions were excellent and we played in just over four hours with two people walking and two riding. It is difficult to find a better value in the Portland area and I would recommend either the Green Back course or the Great Blue at Heron Lakes.
I have been playing at Heron lakes for over 20 years and I have NEVER seen it in such poor condition! the greesn are terrible! I will not return!
Sad to say the course is in TERRIBLE condition! Do not play it!
Great Blue
Enjoyed an early A.M. round with tocho261 on a Golfnow prepaid deal for $19. We walked the blues (6491/71.9/137) in 4H, teeing off a little after 6 and finishing a little after 10. Challenging layout that is currently in good condition. Lots of red/yellow hazards that are lakes or marshland that you need to avoid, plus an above average amount of traps as well. There are zero homes that you can see from anywhere on this course, occasionally you will have railroad or racetrack noise, but this track and it's sister Greenbelt course (shorter & easier in my opinion) are pretty isolated considering they are less than 10 miles from downtown Portland along the Columbia River. The greens putted really nice, firm and medium fast. Definitely well above average for a city course and some of the nicest greens I have recently played on. Both the fairways and rough were nicely maintained, you generally had lush lies. There are several areas on different holes that are brown that they were soaking, trying to get green again, but overall, both were very good. The tees were decent, above average for a public course that gets alot of play. The only thing below average was the sand traps. They could use some new, additional sand and had not been raked/maintained in at least a couple of days. Only a few holes have water and there was no drink/food cart, luckily it was a cool, overcast morning. But this course is worth playing, especially for under $20.
Course Was in Horrible Condition
Greens had Burnt sections that looked as if they were over watered and then not watered for days causing whole portions of the green to die. Course was poorly watered throughout with Dead spots on Tee Boxes, Fairwways and Greens all throughout the course. Worst condition I ahve ever seen the Great Blue Course. Course Management needs to be addressed.
Great layout, greens need some work
I have played this course many times over the years, good links style course and in the summer it plays like a links course with hard and fast fairways, lots of risk/reward opportunities. But disappointed with the greens, very bumpy
This course is relatively short
The course sets up for a left to right player. I only broke out my driver on three holes. Fairway bunkers made for selective thinking. Greens were well manicured, but the fringe had heavy ridges on several holes. Blind holes toughened the course, but with experience the course would be easy to negotiate. Clubhouse individuals were not friendly.
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.