Heron Lakes Golf Club
Heron Lakes Golf Club
4
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
Heron Lakes Golf Club is Portland's premium golf experience at a value price. Located just off Interstate 5, Heron Lakes features 36 championship holes designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Owned by the City of Portland, the facility also has an all-grass practice facility with Driving Range, Putting Green, Chipping Green and bunker. Heron Lakes also is a host facility for The First Tee of Greater Portland. Since the construction of the Greenback Course, Heron Lakes has been host to many prestigious events including: US Amateur Public Links on the Greenback in 1979 and on the Great Blue in 2000, Neil Lomax's Quarterback Shootout on the Great Blue from 1992 to 1999 and the Northwest Open. Most recently, Heron Lakes was rated in the top 50 Public Courses by the 2010 Golf World Reader's Choice Awards.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
26 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
6
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
1
JA R
Bend, OR161 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
The original course (Greenback) has some of the largest greens on the planet, good layout with interesting mix of holes and challenges for low handicaps. From the tips it is pretty long for a muni. From the whites it's fine for most skill levels. The newer course (Great Blue) is actually a mix of two nines built at different times. The designs were at a time that links style courses were being built not on links land. The inward nine (originally called The Red Nine) is the more links like of the two and it is filled with deception and trouble--both obvious and plenty hidden. Large very undulating greens with many difficult to get at pin positions. Many mid and high handicappers will just be frustrated with it. If you have not played it you will lose balls. Still I have played this nine so many times that it feels like a smoothed 5-iron to me. The outward nine is less extreme and a bit more pinched in with parallel fairways in some places. The trouble on this nine is a bit more obvious but no less penal. Again if you haven't played here before and your index is above 12 play the forward tees and bring plenty of pellets or play the Greenback it really is fine course. A few other locals knowledge items. The greens are often the fastest in town (of the public tracks). Both of these course can get packed--especially on a weekend. Call ahead if you are a single to find out if any outside events are happening (it is a popular venue for them) and if not be prepared to wait a bit to get out and rest assured it will not be a fast round. This is also a city owned course as such some amenities like water are scarce. The Great Blue particularly can get really hot so bring a water bottle and seek out the fountains. Also because of where this place was built the "clubhouse" isn't much (they can't build up) although the deck is fine spot for a post round beer. Plus there is a raceway next door so you will probably hear loud cars. Pretty good grass range and a good large putting green will help soothe your wait to get out. Of the public courses in the Portland area these are two of the best.
Written May 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Bedford, TX107 contributions
Jul 2018
I have played the Great Blue several times now, and have found the course to be challenging, but fair. Good service, friendly players, fair price, and the course is in excellent shape. I am hesitant to write this review since my afternoon tee times may book up!!
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bowmanator22
Charlotte, NC5,314 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I recently played 18 holes at the Great Blue Heron course while in town for business. The green fee was only $34 for 18 on a weekday. There are two courses, both designed by Robert Trent Jones. The Green Back is a more traditionally American style course, and the Great Blue is a Links style course. My only regret is that I didn't have time to play both.
Written August 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristen f
2 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
If You are a pro, someone who 100% of the time can stay on the fairway, never has to find their ball or stop to go the bathroom then this is your place. If you are human then this is not the place for you. From the moment we stepped foot in the clubhouse to pay for our tee time we were treated rudely, and rushed along. We arrived 15 minutes early and were told we were late (yet still early so a bit confused), when we checked in the with starter early again we're told we better start moving a bit faster. We were paired with two walkers, which we were fine with but knew that this could create a slower time on the course. By the second tee box we were told we (our foursome) needed to either skip a hole or make up five minutes quickly. By hole six we were again told to move faster as we were 7 minutes behind allowed course time to play. When asked why they said this was a beginner friendly course (and I am not even a beginner) we were told this course welcomes beginners but only those who can play at course pace which is less the 14 minutes for a party of four on a par five. By hole ten they told us we were still ten minutes behind pace (yes I needed to use the bathroom and get a water) we were told it was not their problem. They told us we needed to skip a hole or two or not continue to play. At that point it was not worth playing another hole, but we refused to leave until they gave us a full refund which finally they did.
My boyfriend and I have played golf in multiple states and countries, and have NEVER been treated so poorly. Even the two gentlemen playing with us were beyond themselves and arguing with the ranger and manager themselves.
After traveling across the country specifically for golf, I can say without reservation, that this golf course and the people manning it are to be avoided at all costs.
Written September 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill G
Riverside, CA12 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
There are 2 outstanding courses at Heron Lakes. Green Back a typical northwest course with large fir trees and large greens a fun track. Great Blue is a more links course with more undulations on the green and demanding tee shots, toughest 3 finishing holes you will find. If you only have time for one game while in Portland visit Heron Lakes. I would have given it a 5 but the club house needs to be updated for sure.
Written June 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda A
Gillingham, UK16 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
They cram in too many walk ons and then don't marshal the course enough. The result is a regular 5+ hrs round of golf. More often than not we take a raincheck after 9 holes. Shame because the courses are superb! Great Blue is tough but the one to play.
Written October 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen T
Leavenworth, WA19 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Beautiful course, friendly staff and reasonable rates...we went twice in two day. It's great to walk the course and not see anything but the hole you are on, no houses or even other holes are visible.
Written September 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ghp3
Downers Grove, IL221 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Heron Lakes Great Blue course is one of the best affordable municipal golf courses you'll find. I'll agree with the earlier reviewer that the pro shop is nothing elaborate, but it's well stocked and the staff was friendly and helpful. But once on the course, the experience is terrific. I've played the course several times and each time a challenge, but a pleasure. The track is not easy and I've never felt that I've scored as well as I could, but it's not brutal either. Water is in play on several holes, requiring careful shotmaking, and minimal slices (my problem!) The final three holes always beat me up something awful, but are fun to play--16 in particular as it gives you a choice, play it safe or go for the gusto. I have encountered blue herons and other wildlife on the course which adds to the experience. The Greenback course is a bit more forgiving and not quite as attractive as Great Blue--i'd give it a "4" rating rather than a "5"--but is a very good course in its own right. On a golf review website, one person complained about the noise from both the jets departing Portland International Airport, and the race cars on neighboring Portland International Raceway. I never found them disruptive and I think they add to the "cool" factor. We all stopped to watch the Delta 747 lumbering over the back nine on its way to Tokyo.
Written July 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKing614
Bend, OR11 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
We were surprised that this was a public course. The pro shop wasn't as beautiful as most, but the course was absolutely gorgeous, and the Great Blue quite challenging. We plan to try the other course (Green Back) on our next trip. We even saw a group of the blue herons that this course was named after.
Written June 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Imuawaimea
Camas, Washington2 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
Heron Lakes Green Back and Great Blue course are the best public courses under $50 in the greater Portland Metro Area. If you love golf and are visiting the area head straight to this course. Whether you like the wide open looks of the Green Back course or the challenge of the Great Blue these two 18 hole championship courses will challenge you. Just because the Green Back has wide open looks does not mean easy. For those who are lower handicap golfers the large greens of the Green Back requires precise shot placement to score. While these two coursed are very popular you still can finish 18 holes in just about 4 hours. Name another public course in a major metro area that can boast this speed of play. Have played these courses for almost 15 years. Will play for another 15 years, at least!
Written April 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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