Gamble Sands

Gamble Sands feels like someone finally built the golf trip the modern traveler actually wants: world-class architecture, genuinely fun playability, and an atmosphere that never takes itself too seriously. Set above the Columbia River in central Washington, it’s high desert in spirit; wide horizons, firm turf, and bouncy ground; without the resort sprawl or the endless driving between courses. You show up, you settle in, and the trip becomes what it should be: golf, food, and the slow, addictive rhythm of replay.

The centerpiece is Gamble Sands, and it’s one of the most enjoyable “serious” courses in the country. The design is modern and bold, but it’s built around generosity: wide fairways, clear strategy, and green complexes that reward smart angles rather than perfect golf swings. The course invites you to hit driver, to take on aggressive lines, and to play with freedom; yet the best scores still go to the players who think their way around. It’s a rare combination: forgiving off the tee, demanding into the greens, and endlessly interesting once you start chasing the best side of the fairway rather than the fairway itself.

Because the course is so playable, 36 a day is not only feasible; it’s tempting. Gamble Sands is the kind of layout that doesn’t beat you up physically, and the firm conditions keep rounds moving. A perfect day is Gamble Sands in the morning, then either a second loop later or a shorter-format reset that keeps the competition going without turning the trip into an endurance test.

That’s where QuickSands becomes essential. It’s the evening engine; the short course that turns the afterglow into a ritual. QuickSands isn’t about “practice”; it’s about extending the day in the most addictive way possible. Wedges, creativity, match play, and the kind of friendly trash talk that feels earned because everyone has already put in a full round. It’s the best kind of golf trip feature: the thing that makes the property feel alive after dinner instead of quieting down like a hotel.

And then there’s the next layer of the destination: Scarecrow. If Gamble Sands is the joyful introduction, Scarecrow is the moment where the trip levels up. It brings a slightly sterner edge; more bite, more complexity, more “championship feel”; while still keeping the same core identity of firm-and-fast, ground-driven golf. The presence of Scarecrow turns Gamble Sands from a great single-course trip into a true multi-day destination. It gives you a second anchor round that isn’t just “more golf,” but a different set of questions to answer.

The best way to structure the trip is to treat Gamble Sands and Scarecrow as your two prime-time rounds, and let QuickSands be the connective tissue that keeps the fun running every day. Play one big course early, then play QuickSands late. On a longer trip, rotate mornings: Gamble one day, Scarecrow the next, then pick your favorite for the final-day replay. If your group insists on a 36-hole day, pair your second round with the course that matches your energy level; another 18 if you’re feeling strong, or QuickSands if you’d rather keep it competitive without grinding.

Seasonality is a major advantage here. Gamble Sands shines in late spring through early fall, when the days are long and the turf plays at peak firmness. Summer brings the full “big-sky golf” experience; golden light, fast conditions, and nights that stretch late enough to make QuickSands feel like a nightly tournament. Shoulder seasons can be excellent too, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, as long as you’re prepared for wind.

Off the course, the vibe is relaxed and golfer-centric; less “resort scene,” more “golf retreat with views.” Lodging is set up to keep you close to the action, and the dining is geared toward exactly what you want after 18 or 36: something satisfying, unpretentious, and easy to rally around as a group.

Gamble Sands works because it delivers what golfers actually remember: courses that are fun to play, not just impressive to photograph. Gamble Sands gives you the joyful masterpiece. Scarecrow gives you the heavyweight second act. QuickSands gives you the nightly reason to keep swinging. Put it together and you get a trip that feels simple in the best way; and somehow leaves you wanting more golf, not less.

Gamble Sands is the kind of trip where you start running out of daylight before you run out of golf. Gamble Sands is the main event—wide, fast, and insanely replayable—Scarecrow adds a sharper second championship round, and QuickSands is the perfect “keep it going” option when your group still has bets to settle. But if you want to stretch the trip into a full Washington/Northwest tour, the add-ons around the region are absolutely worth the extra driving—because they add completely different styles of golf.

The biggest “go do it” extension is Chambers Bay. It’s a totally different kind of challenge: massive scale, links-style vibes, and walking golf that feels like an event. Chambers is more intense and more physical than Gamble Sands, and it plays with a different kind of pressure—big slopes, huge greens, wind, and the feeling that you’re always one bold decision away from either genius or disaster. It’s the best add-on if you want one more true bucket-list round, but it’s also the most deliberate side mission logistically. Treat it like a feature day, not a casual extra.

If you want a “serious golf” add-on that’s cleaner, calmer, and incredibly high quality, Wine Valley is the perfect counterbalance. It’s one of those courses that feels pure—strong routing, great conditioning, no gimmicks, and a round that holds up for every handicap. Wine Valley also complements Gamble Sands really well: Gamble is open, bouncy, and adventurous; Wine Valley is more traditional in structure and incredibly solid from start to finish. It’s the kind of add-on round where everyone in the group walks off happy.

Desert Canyon is the easiest “fits the vibe” bonus because it stays in the same general high-desert energy as Gamble Sands. It’s scenic, fun, and very playable—ideal when you want another round that feels like part of the same trip family without needing it to be a second championship headline.

And if you want to turn the trip into a true Northwest two-destination experience, Coeur d’Alene is a great extension (but it’s a meaningful drive, so it needs commitment). The Resort course gives you the iconic lake theatrics, Circling Raven gives you the best pure golf substance, and the overall setting is a perfect contrast to Gamble’s wide-open desert feel. It’s less “one more round” and more “add a second chapter.”

Gamble Sands is already packed, but these add-ons work when you want a deliberate change of texture—Chambers Bay for the bucket-list event, Wine Valley for pure quality, Desert Canyon for more high-desert fun, and Coeur d’Alene if you want to expand the trip into a full Northwest tour.