Beaverton-area golfers know the drill. You pull off Highway 217, navigate the weirdly tucked-away entrance, and suddenly you're looking at a massive driving range that feels more like a social hub than a practice facility. Red Tail Golf Center isn't just another muni. Honestly, it’s one of those rare spots in the Pacific Northwest where the "public" label doesn't mean "potholed greens and slow play." Usually.
It's 160 acres of land owned by the City of Portland, managed by Portland Parks & Recreation. But don't let the bureaucratic ownership fool you. The layout is legitimately tough. Most people think public golf in Oregon is either Bandon Dunes (expensive and far) or a flat, muddy field. Red Tail occupies that middle ground. It's accessible. It’s challenging. It’s also surprisingly sophisticated for a place where you can show up in a hoodie and nobody blinks.
The Design Truth: What You're Actually Playing
Red Tail Golf Center was redesigned back in 1999 by Bill Robinson. He took what was basically a swampy, flat parcel and moved a ton of dirt to create these massive, undulating mounds. If you’ve played it, you know the vibe. It’s "stadium style."
What does that actually mean for your score? It means if you miss the fairway, you aren't just in the grass; you’re standing on a 30-degree side-hill lie trying to hack a 7-iron out of thick rough. It’s frustrating. It’s also why people keep coming back. The course plays long—about 7,077 yards from the back tees. That is a lot of golf course for the average weekend warrior.
The greens are the real story here. They are massive. Sometimes you’ll have a 60-foot putt that has to travel over two distinct tiers. If the greenskeeper is having a bad day and puts the pins on the slopes, good luck. You'll see three-putts from everyone in your group. It’s just the nature of the beast.
👉 See also: New York Knicks Basketball Roster: What Most People Get Wrong
That Name: It’s Not Just Marketing
The course is named after the Red-tailed Hawks that live there. You'll see them. They’re usually circling over the wetlands or perched on the tall fir trees near the 14th hole.
Speaking of wetlands, they are everywhere. Fanno Creek winds through the property. This is a blessing and a curse. It creates a beautiful, natural habitat that feels miles away from the Beaverton traffic. On the flip side, it means the course holds water. In a Portland winter? It gets heavy. If you’re playing in February, don't expect much roll on your drives. You hit it, it plugs. Wear waterproof shoes. Seriously.
The Range and the "Vibe"
Most people actually know Red Tail Golf Center for the range before they ever play the course. It’s huge. It has 80 stalls.
There’s a specific energy there. You’ve got high school kids trying to outdrive each other, older guys working on a slice they’ve had since the Nixon administration, and people just there for the social aspect. It’s one of the few places in the area with a massive grass tee area (though they limit the days you can use it to save the turf).
The pro shop is also worth mentioning. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best in the country. They carry everything. It’s not just three dusty shirts and some overpriced balls. It’s a full-on retail operation. They do custom fittings that are actually high-tech. If you need to spend money on golf gear, this place is dangerous for your bank account.
Managing Expectations: The Pace of Play
Let’s be real. It’s a popular public course in a major metro area. On a Saturday in July? It’s going to be slow. You are looking at a 5-hour round, maybe more if things get backed up on the par-3s.
👉 See also: Notre Dame Football: What to Expect from the Next ND Football Game
Is it annoying? Yeah.
Is it worth it? Usually.
The staff does their best with marshaling, but when you have a course this difficult paired with high volume, bottlenecks are inevitable. The 18th hole is a long par 5 that finishes right by the clubhouse. It’s a great finishing hole, but it often sees a line of carts waiting to tee off because everyone wants to go for the green in two and ends up taking ten minutes to finish.
Key Holes That Make or Break Your Round
You can’t talk about Red Tail Golf Center without talking about the stretch on the back nine.
- Hole 13: A beast of a par 4. It’s long, usually into the wind, and requires a precise approach.
- Hole 14: The scenery here is top-tier. You’re hitting over water/wetlands. It looks intimidating from the tee, but there’s more room than you think.
- Hole 18: As mentioned, it’s the closer. If you have a bet going with your friends, this is where it gets settled. The pond guarding the green has claimed thousands of Titleists over the years.
The Financial Reality of Public Golf
Oregon has a lot of "resort" golf. Places like Pumpkin Ridge (the public side, Ghost Creek) or the big names in Central Oregon. Red Tail is different because it belongs to the people of Portland.
The rates are tiered. If you’re a resident, you get a break. If you’re walking, it’s actually one of the better values in the state given the quality of the layout. They also have a loyalty program that actually saves you money if you play more than once a month. In an era where greens fees are skyrocketing, Red Tail manages to stay relatively grounded, even if the "prime time" weekend rates have crept up lately.
Logistics: Getting There and Staying Sane
The address is 8202 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. If you’re coming from downtown Portland, give yourself way more time than Google Maps suggests. The intersection of Scholls Ferry and 217 is a notorious bottleneck.
Park in the lower lot if you can. The upper lot fills up fast with people hitting the range. If you’re playing a round, check in at the pro shop, but don't forget to grab a sandwich at the Stockpot Broiler. It’s the on-site restaurant. It’s actually good—not just "good for a golf course," but actually a legitimate place to eat. Their patio overlooks the course and it’s one of the best spots in Beaverton for a beer at sunset.
Practical Advice for Your First Visit
Don't just show up and hope for a tee time. You need to book online. The system opens up several days in advance, and the morning spots go within minutes.
If you’re a high-handicapper, move up a tee box. There is no shame in it. This course is designed to punish long, crooked shots. If you play from the tips and you don't have the swing for it, you’re going to have a miserable time and hold up everyone behind you. Use the "White" or "Yellow" tees. You'll actually have fun and maybe see a birdie or two.
Also, watch the weather. Because of the Fanno Creek drainage basin, the course can go from "pristine" to "squishy" in a single afternoon of Oregon rain. If it’s been pouring for three days, bring a towel to wipe your mud-caked balls.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Round
1. Master the Tiered Greens
Spend 20 minutes on the practice green before your round. Don't just hit flat putts. Find the slopes. You need to get a feel for how the ball breaks when it loses speed on these specific surfaces.
2. Play for the Fat Part of the Fairway
On holes like the 2nd and the 15th, the mounding makes the fairways look narrower than they are. Aim for the "collection areas" rather than trying to pin-seek. A par from the fringe is better than a double-bogey from the bottom of a grassy crater.
3. Use the Tech at the Range
If you’re struggling with your swing, don't just bash balls. The Red Tail range often has Toptracer technology or similar tracking available. Use the data. See how far you’re actually carrying your 7-iron in the heavy Oregon air.
4. Check the Aerification Schedule
Like all Oregon courses, Red Tail has to punch their greens twice a year. Check their website or call the pro shop before booking. There is nothing worse than paying full price to putt into little holes filled with sand.
5. Walk if You Can
It’s a great walk. The layout is mostly contiguous, and you’ll save the cart fee. Plus, it’s easier to find your ball in the mounds when you’re on foot rather than zigzagging in a cart.
Red Tail Golf Center remains a staple of the Oregon golf scene for a reason. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s unapologetically public. It’s not perfect—the crowds can be huge and the mud can be thick—but for a city-owned track, it punches way above its weight class.