In Oregon, spring can mean a lot of rain and very little golf, unless you know where to find wet-weather courses. But once the sun finally breaks through the clouds, one of the best places to head for some challenging and beautiful spring and summer golf is the Oregon coast.

Some of the coastal courses in this state are truly spectacular, with seaside holes, forested hills, beautiful views, and windswept challenges, and many are open to the public. Most offer discounted hours, so golfers in the know can take advantage of reduced rates, allowing them to play even the most expensive courses for less.

The public golf courses along the Oregon coast include some pretty spectacular locations; You’ll find courses designed by world-renowned golfers, a unique old-style golfing opportunity, and a course that is said to rival Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, as well as a couple of cities that are excellent golfing destinations.

Oregon’s beachside resorts, many hotels and vacation homes make the coast an excellent area for anyone looking for a weekend of golf; some are situated in places where it is only a short drive to three or four good courses. Golfing couples will also find many romantic places to stay.

Green fees for a round of golf along the Oregon coast range from $ 6 to $ 225 per game; This area includes many moderately priced courses, as well as some of the most expensive in the state. Discounted rates are available; check The Northwest Golfer by KiKi Canniff for times and seasons. From north to south, the coastal cities where you will find public golf courses are Gearhart, Seaside, Manzanita, Tillamook, Neskowin, Lincoln City, Gleneden Beach, Newport, Toledo, Waldport, Florence, Reedsport, North Bend, Coos Bay, Bandon and Gold . Beach.

There are two public golf courses in Gearhart. These include the oldest in the state, established in 1892, as well as a 9-hole fast course; both are courses open all year round where you can find good golf in wet weather. In Seaside, the second green of the Seaside Golf Club is located just 100 yards from the Pacific Ocean. In Manzanita you will find a well-kept 9-hole course with tree-lined fairways that provide a pleasant place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Tillamook has two fairly level public golf courses; one offers a fast 9-hole game and the other is an 18-hole course with magnificent views. To the south, the Neskowin field floods in winter, but that’s why it’s so lush and green all summer long; save this course for later in the season. In Lincoln City, the casino course is tough, and they have an HD golf simulator upstairs over the pro tent for rainy days.

Along the central Oregon coast, golfers can play at the spectacular Salishan Golf Links by the sea in Gleneden Beach, enjoy a round of golf surrounded by woods at Agate Beach in Newport, play a quiet family game in Waldport and if the fog settles over the coast they can make the 7 mile drive inland, where the Toledo course often provides the opportunity to play in the sun.

Florence has a public course designed by Rees Jones and a golf course built on sand dunes; both offer challenging golf throughout the year. There is a relatively flat summer course in Reedsport, a year-round 18 hole course in North Bend, and two interesting courses in Coos Bay. The first, Sunset Bay Golf Course, is located east of the Bay Bridge; The Watson Ranch Golf Course is located on the site of the former Coos Country Club and includes overnight RV space for traveling golfers.

Bandon is the queen of the coast with three public golf courses: Bandon Crossing, Bandon Dunes and Bandon Face. The Crossing opened in 2007, The Dunes in 1999, and The Face has been around since 1929. The Bandon Face Golf Course was originally known as Bandon Golf Links and has the distinction of being the only golf course in the United States to offer players the opportunity to play as the first golfers did, with real hickory sticks and real gutta-percha balls.

And, on the southern tip of the Oregon coast, Gold Beach offers a year-round John Zoller-designed golf course with plenty of water to test your aim and the occasional wildlife roaming the fairways.

So why not consider the Oregon coast next time forecasters forecast a weekend of sunny weather? With sixteen towns offering public golf, the endless beauty of the Pacific Ocean, plenty of activities to keep the family busy, and the laid-back atmosphere of Oregon seaside towns, everyone is sure to have a good time.