Gamble Sands is where epic Columbia River views meet wide, rolling fairways and imaginative links design. It’s an all-time bucket-list venue where every hole offers you a chance to play aggressively, drink in the landscape, and experience golf in its pure, wind-shaped form.
Gamble Sands is David McLay Kidd at his most inviting—a pure golf canvas sculpted from sandy bluffs above the Columbia River. The routing sweeps through broad, tumbling fairways punctuated by minimal rough, natural contours, and immense, creatively shaped greens. There’s almost always room to recover, but the wisdom is in how you use the firm ground, judge the wind, and take on risk-reward options baked into every tee shot and approach. The whole place feels as if it belongs on the sand—a landscape of bold lines, wind-scrubbed hills, and sky-wide vistas, yet completely approachable whether you play for a number or just the views.
Kidd’s vision here was golf as joy—a links-inspired playground for all, where every skill level feels welcome and the land itself shapes the strategy.
A drivable downhill par 4 with the river basin sprawling in the distance—this is the image that sells the course to the world. The tee shot plunges over the edge, with endless sky and fairway ahead and a generous landing inviting boldness.
Aggressive players can go for the green, but smart layups leave a simple pitch—wind is your true enemy.
Miss too far left or right and slopes will funnel balls away, leaving tough recoveries from sandy or scrubby lies.
Firm, fast, always groomed for championship-standard resort play; expect top-class conditioning from tee to green.
Generally brisk compared to more penal courses; wide corridors and resort staff keep groups moving.
Relaxed, upbeat, and welcoming; destination atmosphere without stuffiness, lots of smiles on every tee.
Standard golf attire (collared shirt, golf shoes); no coat-and-tie formality.
Bring layers, windbreaker, and sun protection—the site is exposed and weather can change rapidly.
Review the course map and note the largest greens—where pin placement impacts distance control more than pure accuracy.
Hone your long putts; with mammoth greens, you’ll face more than a few 50-footers.
Gamble Sands opens with David McLay Kidd’s links-inspired design
Named Golf Digest’s Best New Course of the Year
Ascends to No. 38 on Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses
QuickSands short course debuts, adding fun and variety
Major expansion announced: new Scarecrow 18-hole course
Scarecrow opens, cementing the resort’s multi-course status
Before fairways and greens, Gamble Sands was just a windswept cattle pasture. The Gebbers family envisioned a statement golf destination and brought in Kidd, who transformed the sandy expanse into one of America’s top modern courses.
After designing tough, punishing layouts early in his career, David McLay Kidd made a conscious shift at Gamble Sands—embracing forgiveness, fun, and playability without sacrificing strategic bite. It’s a design evolution that won over critics and everyday golfers alike.
In its opening season, Gamble Sands rocketed onto the national radar, nabbing Best New Course honors and quickly eclipsing established rivals to become the top public golf destination in Washington state.
Play Gamble Sands twice and you may experience two completely different courses. The open terrain and unpredictable breezes off the river can turn tame par 4s into monsters—and vice versa—in the span of a single day.
The site was a cattle pasture before being transformed into golf paradise.
Gamble Sands’ greens rival those at St. Andrews in sheer scale.
QuickSands—the on-site short course—has become a cult favorite for pre-dinner matches.
The course’s rapid rise helped reshape architect David McLay Kidd’s career.
Wind and weather can change the personality of Gamble Sands virtually hour to hour.
Best complement in the region, with dramatic mountain views and challenging shot-making near Lake Chelan.
Friendly, affordable, and a fun tune-up round before or after Gamble Sands.
On-site at Gamble Sands in Brewster for pure convenience, or in Chelan/Manson for more dining, nightlife, and non-golf recreation.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: Cypress Point Club is a natural next stop after Gamble Sands: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: If Gamble Sands is your kind of course, Barnbougle Dunes is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Sand Valley a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Gamble Sands.
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