I see the reviews are mixed for Chambers Bay, most complaining about the greens. I played it for the first time yesterday - have replaced the fescue with poa annua greens (I understand that they didn't seed but put down mat like turf) - no complaint here - I loved the greens, the roll was just as you would read them!
My complaints are rather petty, so I'll get them out of the way first. I called the for reservations the day before and spoke to Ashley. I told her I was in Puyallup visiting my son and wanted to play CB. She was very nice, quoted me a price of $125 plus $55 for rental clubs. I wanted to play early and she said I walk on any time between 7 and 8, but reserved me a time for 8 just in case. I arrived at the course at 7, they had no record of me and charged me $155 plus the $55 for clubs. I mentioned Ashley's quote, but to no avail - I paid to play, but kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. Second complaint - I was the first one off playing by myself - the walk between 3 green and 4 tee is rather long and all up hill - starter told me that there would be someone there to give me ride to 4 - he said the person knew I was out there and would be waiting. No one was there! So I walked it - kind of played havoc with these 78 year old legs. I told the starter and the person in the pro shop, but they just laughed. Third complaint - this one is really picky. It is true that the greens are fabulous, but the fairway are in pretty poor conditions in some places - its more aesthetic than problematic, but you can get some pretty skinny lies from good shots. That's it for the complaints.
Now the good stuff - the entire staff, from the pro shop to the bus driver (they have to drive you down into the "pit" from the pro shop to the first tee), to the starter are dedicated to giving you a first class golfing experience. Complimentary driving range available (though we were hitting off of mats - not their fault, just course maintenance) and a huge putting green. The Starter explained the peculiarities of the course and how to play them - AND he was correct! Everything breaks from the hill to the bay - that means fairways and greens,so if you allow for it the course play easier. I ran into an employee on the course a couple of times (not the guy what was supposed to give me a ride) and was very friendly and explained how to play certain holes - great guy, wish I could remember his name! The course is really wide open, fairways are wide and void to trees, greens are huge a pretty receptive (if you remember the break). The course's only defense is the "mounds" covered with "sea grass" that define almost every hole and the copious amount of bunkers and traps (I'm pretty sure there are probably the bones of golfers in some of them - people who got in and could never get out), but the sand is really nice and fairly easy to handle, even for a hack like me (that is, except for the 9th which took me three strokes!)
Would I play it again? You bet! Next time I'll bring my clubs and my cart. O, by the way, it is a walking only course and it is 6 miles around and really tired me out _ wasn't sure if I going to make it on the 18th, which led to a double bogey!
One more thing. I ate lunch at the restaurant after my round. A beer, burger and shoestring fries - they were great!
So kudos to the entire staff of Chambers Bay (except for the guy who was supposed to give me a ride) - you provided me with a wonderful experience.
Thought I was done, but I would be remiss if I did not mention of CB's greatest offerings - the views! Almost every hole gives you a stunning view of the bay (or maybe its the Sound) and the Olympic Mountain's - some times it is difficult to concentrate on golf with so much beauty surrounding you.
Okay, that's it. read more