Chambers Bay
A raw, treeless fescue links on the shore of Puget Sound that staged the 2015 U.S. Open — a county-owned public course anyone can walk and play.
Chambers Bay in photos
Can I play Chambers Bay?
Yes — Chambers Bay is a public course owned by Pierce County, so anyone can book a tee time on the layout that hosted the 2015 U.S. Open. Pierce County residents and Washington-state golfers receive discounted rates, but non-residents are welcome. It is a genuine U.S. Open venue open to public play.
How to book: Tee times can be reserved up to three months in advance online at chambersbaygolf.com or by calling the golf shop, with rates set by month, residency and how far ahead you book. Advance-booking rates for the April–October peak are released at the start of the year. Cancellations more than seven days out are fully refundable.
About Chambers Bay
Carved from a former gravel quarry above Puget Sound and opened in 2007, Chambers Bay is Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s bold, links-style vision on America's West Coast — vast, treeless and clad entirely in fine fescue. Just eight years after opening it hosted the 2015 U.S. Open, an extraordinarily fast rise for a public course, and it continues to stage USGA championships. Owned by Pierce County, it is walking-only by design, with dramatic elevation changes, a lone shore pine and Puget Sound framing the closing stretch. It offers the closest thing to a Scottish or Irish links experience in the Pacific Northwest — and anyone can book it.
Signature hole
The par-3 15th plays across a rugged, fescue-covered dunescape with Puget Sound and the lone shore pine — the '15th at Chambers' — as a backdrop.
What makes it special
A U.S. Open you can walk
Host of the 2015 U.S. Open, yet a county-owned public course open to any golfer who books ahead.
Pure fescue links
Treeless, firm and fast on the shore of Puget Sound — the most authentic links golf on the U.S. West Coast.
Walking-only by design
No riding carts allowed; caddies and push carts turn the round into a genuine links walk.
Tournament pedigree
- U.S. Open (2015)
- U.S. Amateur (2010)
- U.S. Amateur Four-Ball (2021)
- U.S. Women's Amateur (2022)
Need to know
Best time to play
Summer, from June through September, is the driest and warmest window and shows the fescue links at its firm, fast best; the shoulder seasons are cheaper but wetter and cooler.
Dress code
Collared shirts and golf attire; no denim. Soft spikes only.
Good to know
Chambers Bay is walking-only by design — no riding carts — with push carts and caddies available; the terrain is hilly and expansive, so it is a demanding walk. Bring good shoes, allow four-and-a-half hours or more, and consider a caddie for the big elevation changes and blind lines.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) ~45 min; the course sits just south of Tacoma.
On arrival
Chambers Bay lies on the shore of Puget Sound in University Place, about 45 minutes south of Sea-Tac airport via Interstate 5 and Bridgeport Way. Drive or rideshare; there is parking on site and a walkway down to the links.
Stay near the course
Tacoma, a few minutes away, offers the closest hotels, while University Place and Gig Harbor provide quieter options; many golfers base themselves in Tacoma or combine a visit with Seattle to the north. There is no on-site lodging.
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Marriott Tacoma Downtown
Tacoma
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Hotel Murano
Tacoma
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino - Tacoma
Tacoma
A taste of the luxury stays near Chambers Bay — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to University Place — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around University Place.
Explore University PlaceFrequently asked questions
Can the public play Chambers Bay?
Yes. It is a public course owned by Pierce County, open to everyone. Residents and Washington golfers get discounts, but non-residents can book too.
How much does it cost to play?
Non-resident rates range by season from around $149 in winter to about $325 in peak summer; push carts are included in the fee, and Pierce County residents pay less.
Can I take a golf cart?
No — Chambers Bay is walking-only by design. Push carts are provided and caddies can be booked, so come prepared for a hilly, four-plus-hour walk.
When is the best time to play?
June through September is the driest, warmest window and shows the firm, fast fescue at its best; shoulder-season rates are lower but conditions are wetter.
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Golf guideSources & pricing note
Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
Guide updated 2026-07-27.