In short
For a Gamble Sands golf trip, stay at the Inn at Gamble Sands if you can: its 77 rooms are linked to all three first tees by the resort trolley, and under the resort's 2026 terms overnight guests can book any available 2027 date, while day guests book 120 days ahead. Everyone pays the same green fee, 315 USD from May to September 2027 with a cart. If the Inn is full, Brewster is about 20 minutes away and Pateros about 25. Golf runs from about April to mid October, and May, June and September miss the hottest weeks.
Where to stay at Gamble Sands
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ACourse to play
Courses you can play at Gamble Sands
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Resort guests first
Gamble Sands
David McLay Kidd's original course, opened in 2014: wide, firm fairways above the Columbia River where the ball bounces and rolls. Par 72, 7,151 yards from the back tees.
Public daily fee course. Overnight guests book golf with their room and could already reserve any available 2026 or 2027 date (2026 terms); day guests book online up to 120 days ahead. Day guest groups of 12 or more can book further out through the groups team, not online. Golf needs 7 days' notice to cancel.
Green fee: $315 (2027) · Course site ↗
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Resort guests first
Scarecrow
The second 18, by McLay Kidd and Nick Schaan, opened in August 2025 on steeper ground, with slightly smaller greens than Gamble Sands. Par 71, 6,921 yards from the back tees. Golf Digest named it the Best New Public Course of 2025.
Public daily fee course, opened on August 1, 2025. Same booking rules as Gamble Sands: overnight guests book with their room well ahead, day guests up to 120 days ahead, 7 days' notice to cancel. The resort trolley runs to the Scarecrow first tee from the golf shop and both lodging areas.
Green fee: $315 (2027) · Course site ↗
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Resort guests first
Quicksands
A walking only short course of 14 par 3s from 60 to 180 yards, with music and room for groups of up to eight. A good warm up or arrival day loop.
14 hole short course, booked like the 18 hole courses (online for day guests up to 120 days ahead, with the room for overnight guests). Groups of up to eight can play together.
Green fee: $80 (2027) · Course site ↗
How tee times work
All three courses are public. If you stay at the Inn, you book golf with your room, and in 2026 overnight guests could already reserve any available 2027 date; day guests book online up to 120 days ahead. Everyone pays the same rate: in 2027, 235 USD in April and October and 315 USD from May to September for Gamble Sands or Scarecrow, cart included, with a second 18 the same day at 170 or 210 USD and Quicksands at 80 USD. Cancel golf at least 7 days ahead.
A sensible plan
Three nights covers it. Drive in by early afternoon and play Gamble Sands, then spend day two on Quicksands in the morning and Scarecrow after lunch. Go 36 on day three at the lower second round rate and play a last round before the drive out, with evenings on the Cascades putting course.
Getting there
Gamble Sands is remote, and you will need a car. Times here are routed drive times outside summer traffic. Wenatchee (EAT) is the closest airport, about 77 miles and 1.5 hours away, with Alaska Airlines flights from Seattle. Spokane (GEG) is about 130 miles and 2.5 hours, and Seattle (SEA) about 221 miles and 4 hours over the mountains, more in Seattle traffic or with snow on the passes.
Practical notes
- Walking
- 18 hole green fees include a golf cart (a new fleet of 144 electric carts arrived in 2025). The resort calls the courses walkable but publishes no walking rules. Quicksands is walking only, with a pull cart included.
- Caddies
- The resort's website lists no caddie program or caddie fees. Some third party guides say caddies can be arranged; ask the golf shop (509-436-8323) before you travel.
- Shuttle
- A hop on trolley runs between the golf shop and restaurants, both lodging areas and the Scarecrow first tee. Day guests park in the main lot next to the resort center and the Gamble Sands first tee.
- Stay rules
- 2026 terms: golf needs 7 days' notice to cancel and lodging 30 days; cancellations inside those windows are not refunded. Room rates are per room, per night, plus taxes and fees, and golf is booked separately. 2027 rooms: 350 USD in April and 475 USD from May to October (king suite 450 and 595).
- Winter
- Golf closes for winter. The resort lists golf from the end of March to mid October, and in 2026 it sold golf from April 1 to October 18. The Inn and its restaurant stay open all year. Greens are aerified and sanded only after the season ends.
When to book
- NowBook a room with free cancellation as close to the course as you can.
- Your cancellation dateKeep or cancel before it passes.
- September 12 to 15, 2027Your trip.
Free guide
The Unofficial Gamble Sands Golf Trip Guide
Every area, every course, how tee times work and the booking dates in one place, updated every year.
Gamble Sands golf trip questions
Do I have to stay at Gamble Sands to play?
No. Gamble Sands, Scarecrow and Quicksands are public, and day guests can book tee times online up to 120 days ahead. Staying at the Inn lets you book much earlier, which matters for summer weekends.
How much does it cost to play Gamble Sands?
In 2027 Gamble Sands or Scarecrow costs 315 USD from May to September and 235 USD in April and October, cart included, the same for hotel guests and day guests. A second 18 the same day is 210 USD in peak season, and Quicksands is 80 USD.
Can you walk at Gamble Sands?
The resort calls the courses walkable, but 18 hole rates include a cart and the resort publishes no walking rules, so ask the golf shop if you want to walk. Quicksands is walking only, with a pull cart included.
When is Gamble Sands open?
Golf closes for winter. The resort lists golf from the end of March to mid October, and in 2026 it sold tee times from April 1 to October 18. The 2027 dates are not out yet, but 2027 rates already cover April to October.
How far is Gamble Sands from Seattle?
About 221 miles and 4 hours over the Cascades, more in Seattle traffic or with snow on the passes. Many golfers fly Seattle to Wenatchee instead, about 77 miles and 1.5 hours from the resort.
Where can I stay near Gamble Sands if the Inn is full?
Brewster is about 20 minutes away and Pateros about 25, with small motels, a waterfront hotel in Pateros and a few rentals. Chelan on Lake Chelan has more hotels but is about 45 minutes each way, which makes for long golf days.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Photo credits
- Brewster, Washington - Summer 2016 by Leno Marin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Pateros and Lake Pateros by Douglas Sherwood, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
