Gamble Sands

[DBake]

Playing it in a couple weeks, any blind shots that a first timer needs to know before playing?

[kaschreiber]

Are you just playing the one round or multiple? The whole course is designed to be really playable for most people and there are usually much better ways to get the ball close than attacking straight on. I'd pony up for a yardage book and pay attention to pin placements. I'd also suggest making use of the replay rates that are available. That said:

1-2: Straightforward

3. Blind tee shot with an aiming pole over the forced carry showing the center of the fairway.

4. Everything short and left will funnel to the green. Use this line to avoid the trouble short right as long as the pin isn't too far back.

5. Usually a blind approach, the green is looooooong. Keep that in mind with a back pin.

6. Long par 3, but the best way to get there is the hill on the right near the 7th tee, where you can lay up on the yardage quite a bit.

7. Grip and rip. You can chew a lot of the inside yardage off with a good drive and leave a mid- or short-iron in.

8-12: Straightforward

13: Ridge runs through the middle of the fairway about 70 yards short of the green. If your approach can get to that ridge, you should run down to the green.

14-15: Straightforward

16: If the yardage is an issue, just bang it into the backstop behind the green.

17 and 18: Enjoy the home stretch!

More info, here: https://www.golferswest.com/destinations/a-hole-by-hole-look-at-gamble-sands/

[R4haehl]

Just got back from GS over the weekend. @kaschreiber nailed it. The course is in incredible shape and is an absolute blast. Like he said, take advantage of replay rate and squeeze multiple rounds in there. It was my 3rd trip to GS since they opened in 2014. Incredibly fun course to play and watch the ball move. Have a great time and report back!

[Phireside]

Love the course! But it's in the middle of nowhere. Great Mexican restaurants in town. That is all.

[Stevo85]

Give this a listen on the drive up, it's DMK (the designer) talking through every hole on the course.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/19th-hole-golf-show/talking-golfgetaways/e/58242250

Starts at 9:25.

[thezinfan]

Anyone have any insight on why the slope from the 6600yd tees is so low? 114 i think. Rating is 70.4

[Tylerd12]

It’s that low because you could possibly have 7 attempts at making an eagle. That’s my theory anyways?

[mallrat]

Aren’t some fairways in excess of 100 yards wide as well.

 

I think DMK said something to the effect of he wants it to be a challenge to the scratch golfer but allow the 20+ handicap to shoot their lowest round ever.

[CMCSGolf]

> @mallrat said:

> Aren’t some fairways in excess of 100 yards wide as well.

>

> I think DMK said something to the effect of he wants it to be a challenge to the scratch golfer but allow the 20+ handicap to shoot their lowest round ever.

 

I think he has said that. There are a lot of birdie holes out there, but it's not so easy that a 4 handicap is going to shoot 67 (probably). It's also built for a bit of wind, so if you catch a calm day it can feel easier than intended.

[jamie]

I listened to it on my drive up last week!! Perfect listen for the drive up!> @Stevo85 said:

> Give this a listen on the drive up, it's DMK (the designer) talking through every hole on the course.

> https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/19th-hole-golf-show/talking-golfgetaways/e/58242250

> Starts at 9:25.

 

 

[leejohnkieh]

i had a ton of fun taking one of the golf boards too last year. hopefully its not like 105 degrees when you play.

[jp7249]

Just back from 54 holes at GS. Played 36, stayed on property, then played early 18 before heading out of town.

Overall a wonderful experience. The course was in great shape, service was good, and we were happy with the hotel.

The course is simply beautiful and fun. You can hit driver on all 4s/5s, get creative on 3s, and lose no golf balls. The more you play it (this was my second trip) the more creative you can be. Greens were pure, a bit slow on Monday, but sped up on Tuesday. Really enjoyed playing in different wind conditions, the holes change so much. Cant wait to get back.

We enjoyed all the food/drink. Like Bandon they arnt interested in price gouging. Beers were $5 and a nice steak dinner was reasonable.

 

Service was competent and warm.

 

They let us check in early so we could head out to play. Everyone was friendly but never forced or disingenuous.

I hope they build another course or two ASAP.

[b.helts]

How do you get there? Say from out of state? Where do you fly into and how far is the drive?

[jp7249]

I have family in Seattle so flew there....then just short of a 4 hour drive.

 

Southwest is flying to/from Spokane nowadays too....its less of a drive from there.

 

With only 18 holes, I think most would be happiest adding another couple tracks. Last year we played in Suncadia on the way out and one round at Bear Mountain. If youre staying in SEA area, there are plenty of good options (Gold Mountain, Chambers, Wash Nat, Salish, etc)

 

[spud3]

What are the other options for lodging and restaurants in the area? I'm thinking of a trip up to play GS, Desert Canyon and Bear Mtn. Might have to swing wide and play Wine Valley on the way up...

[kaschreiber]

> @spud3 said:

> What are the other options for lodging and restaurants in the area? I'm thinking of a trip up to play GS, Desert Canyon and Bear Mtn. Might have to swing wide and play Wine Valley on the way up...

Near Gamble the options are pretty limited. The town of Pateros abotu 20 miles away has a few motels, but that's about it. If you're playing DC and Bear, your best bet is to call Chelan homebase and make the hour or so drive out to Gamble. There are plently of good hotels in Chelan as it's a bit of a destination for Seattle folks.

[jp7249]

I stayed on property and paid $300 for 2 rounds and a shared 2 bed hotel room. We played another round for $75 replay rate.

[BirdieRoll]

Just checking to see if there are any must play golf courses between Gamble Sands and Wine Valley? Trying to line something up for next year.