You’re standing on the first tee, looking out at a narrow corridor of Douglas firs and thick Pacific Northwest underbrush. Your palms are probably a little sweaty. If they aren’t, they should be. The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge isn’t just another suburban course where you can spray the ball and find it in the next fairway. It's a beast. Honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing tracks in Washington. You either love the precision it demands, or you leave the 18th green wondering where your sleeve of Pro V1s went.
Designed by Gary Panks, this par-70 layout is a masterclass in "target golf." It’s located just a stone’s throw from the Microsoft campus and the bustling tech hubs of Bellevue, but once you pull into the parking lot, the noise of the city just... vanishes. It feels isolated. Rugged.
Most people think a par-70 course is going to be a walk in the park. Short, right? Wrong. Redmond Ridge plays nearly 6,300 yards from the back tees, but because of the elevation changes and the way the wind swirls through the ridge, it feels significantly longer. You aren't just playing against the grass; you’re playing against the terrain.
The Reality of Playing the Golf Club at Redmond Ridge
Let’s be real for a second. If you have a slice, this course is going to hurt.
Panks designed this course to weave through protected wetlands and heavy forest. This means the "out of bounds" markers aren't just lines on a map—they are literal walls of green. On many holes, if you miss the short grass, you aren't playing a recovery shot. You’re reaching into your bag for a new ball.
One of the most striking things about the Golf Club at Redmond Ridge is the lack of "parallel" holes. Most courses are laid out in a back-and-forth grid. Not here. Each hole is largely boxed in by its own little ecosystem. You feel like the only person on the planet until you hear someone yell "FORE" from two hills over.
The greens are another story entirely. They are fast. Not "I think this is fast" fast, but "I just tapped it and it’s now in the bunker" fast. They feature significant undulations that require you to really think about your approach shot. If you land on the wrong tier, a three-putt is almost a guarantee. The maintenance crew here deserves a raise because, despite the heavy Washington rain, these surfaces stay remarkably true and firm throughout the peak season.
Navigating the Front Nine
The opening stretch is a bit of a psychological game. Hole 2 is a par 4 that requires a very specific lay-up. You can’t just pull driver and rip it. If you do, you’ll likely find the hazard that cuts across the fairway. It forces you to be disciplined.
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That’s the theme of Redmond Ridge: discipline.
The par 3s are particularly stout. You’ll notice that many of them require carries over "environmentally sensitive areas." This is fancy talk for "don't go in there because you aren't allowed to walk in to get your ball." It adds a layer of mental pressure. You’re constantly staring at hazards.
The Back Nine: Where Rounds Go to Die (Or Thrive)
The back nine is where the elevation really starts to mess with your club selection.
Hole 14 is a classic example. It’s a beautiful, daunting par 4 that drops significantly from the tee. You’re looking down at a fairway that looks about as wide as a sidewalk from the elevated box. The views of the Cascade Mountains on a clear day are distracting. You have to snap back into focus because the approach shot is equally treacherous.
Then there’s the finishing stretch. Hole 18 is a par 5 that can either be a heroic birdie or a catastrophic double bogey. It’s a long climb back toward the clubhouse. The fairway slopes, the bunkers are strategically placed to catch "safe" shots, and the green is protected like a fortress. By the time you reach the putting surface, your legs are usually feeling the hike.
What Most Golfers Get Wrong About the Course
The biggest mistake? Ego.
Everyone wants to play the back tees because they think 6,300 yards is "short." At a course like Chambers Bay or Sahalee, maybe. But at Redmond Ridge, the narrowness of the landing zones makes those 6,300 yards feel like 7,000.
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If you’re a double-digit handicap, do yourself a favor and play the white tees. You’ll actually have fun. You might actually see your ball land.
Another misconception is that the course is "unfair." It’s not unfair; it’s just unforgiving. It rewards the golfer who can hit a 200-yard shot exactly where they intended. It punishes the golfer who tries to overpower the layout. If you try to bully Redmond Ridge, it will bully you back. Harder.
The Oki Golf Connection
It’s worth noting that this is an Oki Golf property. For locals, that means something specific. The Oki card is a staple in the Seattle golf scene, providing access to a variety of courses like Newcastle and Trophy Lake.
Because it’s part of this network, the "vibe" at the Golf Club at Redmond Ridge is very professional. The Pro Shop is well-stocked, the carts usually have high-end GPS units, and the Crooked Spoon restaurant is actually a place where you’d want to eat even if you weren't golfing. The outdoor patio overlooks the 18th green and it’s one of the best spots in the county for a post-round beer.
The "Hidden" Difficulty: The Micro-Climates
Redmond Ridge sits on a plateau. This means it catches wind that the valley courses (like Willows Run) don't. You can be in the middle of a calm day in downtown Redmond, drive ten minutes up the hill, and find yourself in a 2-club wind.
The moisture also hangs around longer here. Because of the dense tree lines, some fairways don't get direct sunlight until late morning. This makes the grass "grabby." Your chips won't roll out as much as you expect in the early hours. You have to adjust your carry distances constantly.
Is It Worth the Green Fee?
In 2026, golf prices have stayed high, and Redmond Ridge is no exception. It’s a premium public course. You’re going to pay more here than at your local muni.
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Is it worth it?
If you value course conditions and a "mountain golf" feel without driving two hours into the Cascades, then yes. It’s impeccably maintained. The bunkers are consistent—not that "crusty dirt" you find at cheaper tracks—and the staff generally keeps the pace of play moving, which is a miracle given how many balls people lose in the woods.
However, if you’re a beginner who is still struggling to get the ball airborne, you might find it frustrating. There aren't many places to "miss." It can be a long day of "drop, hit, drop, hit."
Practical Tips for Your First Round
Don't just show up and swing. You need a strategy.
- Leave the driver in the bag on short par 4s. A 4-iron in the fairway is infinitely better than a driver in the brush. You cannot play from the trees here.
- Trust the GPS. The elevation changes are deceptive. A shot that looks like 150 yards might play like 135 or 165. Trust the technology provided in the cart.
- Aim for the middle of the greens. The pin positions at Redmond Ridge can be tucked behind deep bunkers or on steep slopes. Don't be a hero. Take your two-putt and move on.
- Watch the weather. It’s always about 5 degrees cooler on the ridge than it is in the valley. Pack an extra layer, even in July.
- Warm up on the range. The practice facility here is excellent. Use it. The first few holes don't give you much room to "find your swing."
The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge remains a cornerstone of the Washington golf circuit because it offers something unique. It’s a mental grind. It forces you to visualize shots. It makes you use every club in your bag.
Whether you leave the course with a personal best or a bruised ego, you’ll definitely leave with a respect for the layout. It’s a beautiful, frustrating, exhilarating place to play 18 holes.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of your trip to the ridge, follow these specific steps before you tee off:
- Check the Aeration Schedule: Before booking, call the pro shop or check the Oki Golf website. This course is heavily impacted by green aeration, and you don’t want to play here right after they’ve punched the greens.
- Download a Wind App: Use an app like Windy to check the gusts specifically for the Redmond Ridge plateau. The wind here is often 5-10 mph stronger than in the surrounding lowlands.
- Stock Up on "Found" Balls: If you aren't a scratch golfer, don't burn through a brand-new box of expensive balls. Bring a "shag bag" of decent used balls for the holes with forced carries over the wetlands.
- Book Late Afternoon for Savings: If the peak morning rates are too high, Redmond Ridge often has "twilight" and "super-twilight" rates that offer incredible value, though you’ll be racing the sun as it dips behind the Douglas firs.