Although this is several years later than the detailed review below, generally echo comments about these courses (three 9-hole layouts). Wife and I played them several days running while on vacation at the Inn and never tired of them.

Tide and Timber courses are nicely landscaped and picturesque, for different reasons. Better to play in the afternoon when morning fog has lifted, especially if you're playing for the first time, because in the fog you cannot see where the ball is going and many holes have significant changes of direction, elevation and/or topography that make it impossible to see or accurately anticipate where the ball is going.

Timber course is pleasantly peaceful - mostly in a small separate valley, with no construction. Many holes on Tide and Timber have relatively narrow fairways but are fair overall. Also the hole maps on each tee box are sometimes reversed (i.e., left to right v. right to left) so study them carefully to make sure you have tee-green orientation correct.

The Trail course (newest) has some nice views but frankly its up and down elevations are extreme and a bit gimmicky and it's not as much fun as golfing exercise as the original 18 holes - more of an exercise in theatrical shots. Average golfers and women probably won't like the course other than for a few views, and walking it will be long and difficult.

The holes have no express women's tees, just tees that are shorter distances.

The courses were overwatered in spots and the ball easily plugged but it looked like they were tring to fix the problem.

Would definitely play again.

The location of the course on the olympic peninsula point with outstand topography. The isolated feeling, the beauty of the cours

The course is not a great test of golf, it has too many blind shots and unfair shots. It is not too difficult and is a little short. The range is very poor, the club house is ok, but dated.

Just played here on vacation and thought this is a gem. It is beautiful. It has views of the ocean, mts, unique trees, flowers. The price was ok about 70 dollars with cart, but I felt the value was there. It was a bit crowded on a week day, but play was brisk and our foursome was neither hurried or delayed. I did not like some holes blind tee shots I always hate, and even some approach shots were blind. The best part of the course is the feeling of isolation with the tall firs, the outstanding views and unique plant and animal life. we saw racoons fishing, several hawks, and other birds

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27 unique, challenging holes; very good course conditioning; good practice facilities; beautiful scenery;

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Port Ludlow has been one of the top-rated courses in the Northwest for years, and though other, newer courses have stolen some of its acclaim, it's still one of the best combinations of scenery and championship golf in the country.

The course, which exapnded to 27 holes several years ago, is part of a resort that also features sailing and tennis. While the resort accomodations are OK, it's the golf that earns Port Ludlow it's reputation.

The original 18 holes provided plenty of challenge and variety, and with the addition of the even more challenging "Trail" 9, the course offers more options than ever.

The course winds through tall evergreens with occasional views of Puget Sound and distant mountains. There are lots of elevation changes and no two holes are exactly the same. While there are a few houses scattered around the course, they never encroach upon the golf course.

Of the three combinations now available, I still prefer to paly the original 18 (the "Tide" and "Timber" nines). This combination plays about 6,200 yards from the white tees. The original 18 holes are tough, but not brutally so.

Every hole at Port Ludlow is memorable, but one of my favorites is the par five 4th hole on the Tide course. It's a 500+ yard hole that plays uphill off the tee, calling for big swing with your driver. The second shot must be played carefully to set yourself up for an approach to a steeply sloping green that is fronted by a small creek.

One of the toughest holes at Port Ludlow is the 4th hole on the Timber nine. It's a par 4 that plays over 400 yards with a narrow fairway bordered by thick woods on both sides. After a long, straight drive down the right side, you're faced with a middle iron to a slightly elevated green fronted by a huge sand bunker. Large evergreens frame the green, deflecting shots that are anyhting more than slightly off line. A severly sloping green tops off the challenge, making this all the par four even the best players can handle.

The 8th hole of the Timber course used to considered the signature hole of the course. It's a downhill par three that plays 150-170 yards over a beautiful pond. The tee and green are surrounded by wildflowers. You see this hole pictured on a lot of golf postcards in the Northwest.

The newer Trail course is the most challenging of the trio. In fact, after it was first opened, it reputedly proved too challenging and several of the holes were softened up to make the course more playable. Compared to the original 18 holes, the Trail nine features more difficult hazards including water in play on 6 holes. The trail course requires careful strategy on almost every shot; it's a bit more of a target golf experience that the more traditional Timber and Tide courses. The contours of the greens on the Trail nine are also a little more modern.

Whichever combination of holes you play, you will remember every moment at Port Ludlow. Every hole presents a unique challenge. There's also a beautiful sense of isolation in that no two fairways are adjacent to each other, so you'll rarely see another group of players.

Customer Service

Check out their various golf packages for a great deal; expect to pay about $50 for a round (no cart) most of the time.

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The resort accomodations are not great, but OK. Driving range is a bit cramped requiring the use of limited flight balls; excellent putting and chipping practice areas.

The course has lots of hills, but it is walkable, particularly the Timber and Tide courses. The newer Trail course is tougher to walk.