Peninsula Golf Club Review

John Muir was right: “The Mountains are calling, and I must go!” We have been in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) for a couple of weeks now, and let me tell you, the mountains here are truly amazing.

All my friends from this area have always told me that the PNW is essentially defined by its verticality. From the jagged, glaciated peaks of the North Cascades – often called the “American Alps” – to the massive, isolated silhouette of Mount Rainier, these mountains aren’t just a backdrop; they create their own weather systems and ecosystems.

During our PNW stop, we have traversed the trails of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, and we have hiked Mount St. Helens

(Side Note – I am old enough to remember when Mount St. Helens erupted!)

We have also hiked Mount Rainier, and Mount Olympus….and we have stood at the basin of countless waterfalls.

And to top that off, it’s spring here in the PNW.

Which translates to vibrant greenery and cool, crisp air.

Soooo….this week, I felt like a round of PNW Spring Golf was in order!

Marc’s searching landed us a tee time at Peninsula Golf Club in Port Angeles, Washington. As we drove “up” the road to Peninsula Golf Club, I couldn’t help but notice the view of Port Angeles and the shimmering Straight of Juan de Fuca below.

Although currently much of Washington seems to be shaking off the winter dampness, something told me this 100-year-old course was going to capture the essence of the PNW spring at its best.

I wasn’t mistaken.

The first thing I noticed was the lush, well-groomed fairways and greens that seemed to “pop” against the snow-capped Olympic Mountains.

Next was the “family-friendly” vibe that seemed to meet us at every turn, starting with the member who took the time to welcome us to his club and wished us a great game.

At check-in, Fred was full of helpful information regarding Peninsula’s course layout and shared the tiny secrets to play the sloping greens.

Now, before I get too far into this review, let me provide a bit of history on the track.

Peninsula Golf Club first opened in 1926 with nine holes, then added a second nine in 1978. There is a scorecard on the wall in the clubhouse where the legendary Byron Nelson shot a 66 in 1938. How’s that for history?

The course is not long by today’s standard, playing to 6,332 yards with a par of 72. However, shooting a low number was not as easy as it may seem.

I found myself navigating tall trees that encroached on fairways, and several times, I had to play on sloping fairways, sometimes leaning toward OB, in an attempt to hit the precise approach shot to a smallish green. (I am sure you can imagine how that ended!)

And, of course, there are a couple of dozen bunkers to dodge. The wind blowing in off the strait (although not strong) was a factor, too.

This is old-school golf at its best.

OK – back to the day of golf.

I guess you could say the “Golf Gods” were watching out for us because the day was sunny and the temps were mild. We were able to soak in the spectacular views; on one side is the towering Olympic Mountains, and on the other, a view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca with Vancouver Island sitting about 20 miles away.

I found the fairways to be wide in some areas and always rolling toward the Sound. Which is actually perfect for Marc’s game of “bombers”. The course features significant undulation, particularly on the back nine.

I understand it’s the shoulder season – spring – which brings a relaxed, unhurried pace. But this course just gave off a “not uppity” vibe all day.

Something I really enjoy while playing golf.

After our round, we stopped at the Peninsula Golf Club Clubhouse for a Rainier Beer (something our friend Eric told us we just had to try while in the PNW). Our server, Davie, was incredibly accommodating to everyone coming in, which created a welcoming atmosphere. It was a perfect spot to relax after our round.

Based on our scorecard, we score Peninsula Golf Club a Birdie.

If you’re looking for a high-value, scenic round that avoids the worst of Washington’s spring rain, Peninsula Golf Club is a “gem” that rewards.

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By:  Kathy Festa

COURSE REVIEW SCORECARD

Course:  Peninsula Golf Club

Type: Semi-Private 

Date Played: 07 May 2026

HOLE	PAR	SCORE	COMMENTS
1 – Tee Time Availability	4	4	We had no problem getting the tee time we requested.
2 – Cost of Green Fees	4	4	The green fees were competitive with other courses in the area. We did receive a military discount.
3 – Condition of Tee Boxes	4	4	The tee boxes provide a good, flat, and consistent starting point, especially beneficial as some holes feature challenging, rolling terrain once off the tee.
4 – Condition of Fairways	5	5	The course is tree-lined and situated on the Olympic Peninsula, with some, but not total, protection from prevailing winds. Many fairways are wide with rolling terrain, while others demand precision to leave a straight forward approach.
5 – Condition of Greens	4	3	Smooth greens predominantly slope towards the harbor and provide ample challenge, testing golfers of all abilities.
6 – Length of Course	5	5	Blues: 6332 yrds; White: 6064 yrds; White/Red Combo: 5487 yrds; Reds: 5236 yrds.
7 – Hazards	4	4	The course hazards consist of challenging and tight fairways, water hazards, and strategic bunkers that demand accuracy. The mature trees lining the fairways and the need for precise play to navigate its well-maintained, yet challenging, terrain can punish inaccurate drives.
8 – Starter/Marshal	3	3	Our starter, Fred, was located in the Pro Shop. Fred made sure we knew the location of the 1st tee box and took the extra time to review the track layout with us.
9 – High Handicap Friendly	3	3	The track offers a challenging yet fair test for both beginners and experienced golfers.
OUT	36	35
10 – Practice Area	5	4	The club has a driving range, putting green, and golf simulator. There is also a Teaching Pro available.
11 – Locker Rooms	3	2	The locker rooms were spacious and clean. Probably one of the bigger locker rooms we have seen at a semi-private course.
12 – Pro Shop	4	4	The Pro Shop is large and has everything needed for a round of golf.
13 – Location	4	4	Located on the east side of Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
14 – Rental Equipment	4	3	The carts have full “wind enclosures” (side curtains) to completely block the wind. This is a first for us. Pull carts and club rentals are also available.
15 – Food Cart	4	5	There was no food cart the day we played.
16 – Restaurant/Club House	4	3	The Clubhouse Restaurant & Lounge is open to the public and features a full-service bar and restaurant with a diverse menu. We enjoyed a Rainier Beer at the bar while enjoying the views of the golf course and Port Angeles. Davie was absolutely fantastic! Even with a packed house, she was incredibly fast and precise, making sure no one waited long for a drink.
17 – Parking	3	3	There is plenty of space for parking.
18 – Customer Service	5	4	OUTSTANDING! Everyone we came in contact with was friendly, and their attentive demeanor made us feel welcome. Everyone was highly professional, welcoming, helpful, and friendly.
IN	36	32
TOTAL	72	67	PLAYER: Kathy F.  ATTESTED BY: Marc F.