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Heron Lakes Golf Club - Great Blue Course
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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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Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Oregon (2023 #17)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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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
Good and Bad
Good - course layout is very good! Greens are good, tee box, fairways are all good!
Bad - many of the bunkers need work! Weeds, unkept, needs new sand - several are very bad. Rough - many areas have way too many weeds.
One of the best city owned track that you'll find. Bunkers in bad shape
Not sure how many public/city owned courses designed Robert Trent Jones Jr exist so Portland is fortunate to have both Heron Lakes tracks. Based on layout and potential difficulty alone, with a few tweaks Great Blue could host a professional event. That's saying something when it comes to a city run golf course. The only glaring issues are the bunkers. Bunkers are an integral part of the course (there are many and they are more or less perfectly placed), but most are in bad condition. I assume the funding isn't there for upkeep, but it would be great if a middle ground could be figured out so this jewel of a course can live up to its potential.
Great course
Only problem, there was too much goose poop on the course
Great course, better without the geese
Greens in good shape, but the amount of goose droppings everywhere, including the greens was a challenge. On 17 there were hundreds of geese on the green as we were making our approach shots, it was both an amazing site and not conducive to good golf.
Very sloppy
Pace of play was fine, but the course conditions were terrible.
Very sloopy in the fairways, standing water
But the greens in good condition
The greens were spectacular!
A friend and I booked an afternoon, mid-week round and were really happy with the course, especially the condition of the greens. The staff were welcoming and the rate was very reasonable. We were happy with the pace of play. Lastly, the greens were super fast and in great condition for the 3rd week of February, in Oregon. We highly recommend Heron Lakes!
Pace was bad
Pace was bad in spite of Marshall driving up to us on 9th tee box. We let him know which group it was backing everyone up. Still a five plus hour round. Only so much a marshall can do but come on people! If you see that everyone is waiting two groups to a tee box behind you and there’s no one ahead for two fairways—you are the problem.
Worth the money
The pace issue is not specific to this course. Play here frequently and honestly it’s better than most of the other Portland courses. Easy recommendation for any one looking for a good deal.
Great shape for a public course
The course is always in good shape, but right now the greens and fairway are in excellent shape. Pace of play is usually pretty consistent (around 4 hours). Most of the people that play here are pretty considerate. Tons of wildlife around the course. One of my go to places to play.
Highly recommend this course !
No disappointment needed, everything was great from the staff to the course maintenance. I really enjoyed my time spent on the blue course. Many holes with water and sand traps makes for a good challenge for every level of experience. Wide fairways makes it great for playing every angle. Easy to find your golf ball with short and maintained grass. I can not complain about this course! I'll be back soon , bet !! Staygreen@lockinprofits.com
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