
Madrona Course
Madrona Links Golf Course

About this course
Madrona Links Golf Course occupies a wooded site in Gig Harbor, Washington, on the Kitsap Peninsula west of Tacoma. Designed by Ken Tyson and opened in the mid-1990s, the course was developed as a daily-fee facility serving the growing communities around southern Puget Sound. The routing makes use of the area's characteristic Douglas fir and cedar forest, with fairways carved through mature timber and elevation changes that reflect the region's glacially sculpted terrain. The layout incorporates water features and wetlands that are common to the Pacific Northwest, requiring golfers to navigate both the tree-lined corridors and strategic hazards. The design emphasizes accuracy over distance on many holes, as the forested setting naturally penalizes errant shots. Elevation shifts throughout the round provide variety in stance and approach angles, and views occasionally open to glimpses of the surrounding peninsula landscape. Madrona serves as an accessible option for residents and visitors to the Gig Harbor area, offering a straightforward test of golf in a setting typical of western Washington courses. The facility operates year-round, taking advantage of the region's mild, wet climate that keeps the course playable through most of the calendar. The layout reflects the practical design considerations of its era, balancing playability for a range of skill levels with the constraints and opportunities presented by the natural site.
Quick facts
- Location
- Gig Harbor, WA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1978
- Designer
- Ken Tyson
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 5,608 yards
- Difficulty
- 66.8/112
Getting there
The journey to Madrona Links begins at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), roughly forty minutes north by car, before the route curves west toward the Puget Sound and the quiet waterfront village of Gig Harbor. The drive itself becomes part of the arrival ritual - a gentle descent through the Pacific Northwest landscape, where dense evergreen forests give way to glimpses of the sound's grey-blue waters and the Olympic Mountains beyond. From downtown Gig Harbor, the final miles wind through residential neighborhoods and along the bluff edge, where the salt air and distant maritime character announce your approach to this exclusive clifftop sanctuary. Madrona Links reveals itself as a private retreat perched above the sound, accessible only to members and their guests - a setting where the Pacific Northwest's natural drama meets the refined discipline of championship golf.

FAQ
Common questions about Madrona
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Madrona was designed by Ken Tyson.
Yes. Madrona is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Madrona is 71.
Madrona plays 5,608 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Madrona is 112.
Madrona is a 18-hole course.



