Broken Top at Broken Top Club

Broken Top occupies high-desert terrain in central Oregon just west of Bend, taking its name from the prominent volcanic peak visible from the property. Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed the course in the early 1990s during their prolific partnership, routing holes through ponderosa pine forests, across natural lava outcroppings, and along meadows that open to views of the Cascade Range. The elevation sits above 4,000 feet, and the volcanic soil and dramatic topography give the layout a distinctive character among Pacific Northwest courses.

The design works with rather than against the rugged landscape, incorporating the region's basalt formations as both hazards and visual anchors. Fairways move through corridors of pine and juniper, while greens are often elevated or set into natural plateaus, demanding precise approach play in the thin mountain air. Water comes into play on several holes, fed by mountain runoff, and the bunkering style reflects Weiskopf's preference for naturalistic, ragged-edged hazards that blend with the surrounding terrain.

Broken Top operates as a private club within a residential community, and the course remains relatively secluded compared to Bend's better-known resort layouts. The combination of Weiskopf and Morrish's thoughtful routing, the high-desert setting, and the dramatic mountain backdrop creates a golf experience distinct to this part of Oregon. The course typically plays firm and fast during the summer months, rewarding strategic placement over pure distance.