Oldest Golf Courses in Washington
The 25 oldest golf courses in Washington, ranked by year of opening.
The oldest golf course in Washington on Stymie is Tacoma Country & Golf Club in Lakewood, designed by Stanley Thompson, opened in 1894 — over 132 years ago. Courses from the late 1800s and early 1900s were typically routed by hand across natural land, before earth-moving equipment let architects build courses from scratch — meaning these layouts tend to follow the original contours and reward shot-shaping over raw distance.
65 golf courses in Washington were built before 1950, and the average build year across the state is 1965. The pre-1950 layouts are often referred to as "Golden Age" courses — a period (roughly 1900-1937) widely considered the high-water mark of American golf architecture, when designers like Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast, and George Crump produced the country's most enduring layouts.
If you appreciate the history of the game, want to play classic Golden Age architecture, or are putting together a heritage golf trip, this list is your starting point. Many of these courses have hosted championship events and remain on the bucket lists of serious golfers — even when their modern slope ratings look modest compared to newer layouts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest golf course in Washington?
Tacoma Country & Golf Club in Lakewood, Washington, designed by Stanley Thompson, opened in 1894 and is the oldest course in the Stymie directory for the state. Courses from the late 19th and early 20th century are some of the most historically significant layouts in American golf.
How many pre-1950 golf courses are in Washington?
65 golf courses in Washington were established before 1950 according to the Stymie directory. These "Golden Age" courses — typically designed between 1900 and 1937 — are prized for their classic routings, natural land contours, and small angular greens.
What's the average age of a golf course in Washington?
The average year of construction for golf courses in Washington is 1965. That puts the typical course at roughly 61 years old — old enough for established greens and mature trees, while still benefiting from modern agronomy.
Why play an old golf course?
Historic courses offer a layout designed before earth-moving equipment let architects re-shape entire holes — meaning they tend to follow the natural land more closely. They also often feature signature design elements (small greens, blind shots, fescue rough) that modern courses smooth out. For many golfers, walking a course that's 100+ years old is as much about the history as the round itself.