Thinking of moving to Portland or Eugene how's the golf?

[flynhawaiian]

So I've been thinking about moving to portland or eugene, but I’m worried that the golf isn't as good. What do you do during the winter, are there indoor driving ranges or something?

[DFinch]

Where are you coming from? What kind of courses are you used to?

No indoor ranges in the Portland area. Some ranges have heaters with covered hitting areas. There are a few grass ranges but they use mats in the off season. It's challenging to play year round...courses are just now starting to get into shape but they're still very soft/muddy.

There are quite a few decent courses, nothing spectacular. Value seems pretty good compared to other parts of the country. Most of the courses worth playing are in the $40-$50 range, with a few less and a few more.

Portland is about 4.5 hours from Bandon. Eugene is closer.

You're about 3.5 hours from the Bend area. Lots of good golf in Central Oregon with overall better weather than the Willamette Valley.

I'm not nearly as familiar with the Eugene area.

[im a doughball]

There is plenty of good golf in the Portland area, as previously stated, things get a little muddy in the winter. But if you are a die hard you can play year round...or... Learn how to ski/snowboard or take up steelhead fishing if you don't like to golf in the rain.
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[ws6]

Fiddler's Green on the NW side of Eugene has a covered range and there is another mom and pop range about 7 miles south of Eugene with cover. I use both ranges. FG is beside the Eugene airport. They also have an executive course.

Bandon is a little less than a 3 hour drive from Eugene. Sand Pines in Florence (about an hour away) is supposed to be a great track; I will play it this summer.

This is my first year here, and it really doesn't get that cold. We have not seen one snow flake, and the rain doesn't seem that bad to me. You can play virtually all year. Although I have lived in the desert for the last eight years.

[oregongolf]

It's crazy wet this week. Maddeningly so. I'd stay away.

In reality, the golf here is pretty nice probably 5 months out of the year... it's less than ideal from Oct/Nov-April. As previously mentioned, you'd be dealing with mud and lots of plugged balls. However, you're just hours away from some truly world class golf... so it's not all bad.

The only real knock I found when I first moved here is that outside of a handful of private clubs, there really isn't a nice course that offers an affordable annual membership. So either pony up or deal with public play

[flynhawaiian]

Considering I’m from maui and just moved to san francisco, but I’m not really liking it here so I’m thinking of moving to oregon to give that a try for a few years! I've been thinking about transferring to lewis and clark or the university of oregon. I’m not very versed on snow. I’m basically wondering what I can do to keep up the golf year round even if there is snow!

[oregongolf]

[quote name='flynhawaiian' date='29 March 2010 - 09:45 PM' timestamp='1269924343' post='2349468']
Considering I’m from maui and just moved to san francisco, but I’m not really liking it here so I’m thinking of moving to oregon to give that a try for a few years! I've been thinking about transferring to lewis and clark or the university of oregon. I’m not very versed on snow. [b]I’m basically wondering what I can do to keep up the golf year round even if there is snow![/b]
[/quote]
Um... I suggest Tiger Woods 10 for xbox 360 or PS3 to get you through the winter months. You could beat balls during the off season, but most people here aren't doing that frequently either.

In all seriousness, I would say that the golf here is going to be more accessible than either Maui or the Bay Area. You should probably come visit first... maybe once now and once in the summer and then you should have a decent barometer of what to expect.

I can't speak for much of anything south of Salem... save for a few courses. But it won't be extremely different anyway.

[flynhawaiian]

Yah, I've been playing '08 on the PS3 during my offtime :-). I visited in November of 2008 and loved it, even though it was raining. I assume that the golf wouldn't be equal to maui but that's why I’m sending my old set back home :-)

 

The heaters near the driving ranges sound good though, better then not playing

[lologolf]

Yah, I've been playing '08 on the PS3 during my offtime :-). I visited in November of 2008 and loved it, even though it was raining. I assume that the golf wouldn't be equal to maui but that's why I’m sending my old set back home :-)

 

The heaters near the driving ranges sound good though, better then not playing

 

 

lots of hawaiians at the uof0 :D I'm in Salem right now but used to work and lived in Eugene for 11 years. Moving back this summer for work. good luck in your decision. the rain takes time to get used to but eventually you do, but hey christmas and summer breaks are for going home to get recharged.

[ws6]

I lived in San Francisco for 4 years. I prefer Oregon. The people are friendlier and the quality of life is better.

If you are looking for the big city life, Portland is your town. If you want a college town, Eugene or Corvallis are better options.

[flynhawaiian]

Yah, I haven't made a full decision yet but I just want to ensure there is some quality of life in oregon. I figure the 10% sales tax currently in san francisco is horrible and it's time to move. Plus, I need friendlier people and more space for less money!

[kiwiSouthPaw]

Spent 10 years in San Francisco, 5 in Portland.

The quality/quantity of golf far better in Oregon for the money.

I play 12 months of the year, sure it rains and gets a little cold in the Winter but you just have to adjust a little.

[Gawfman123]

Well, Portland is, believe it or not, even more liberal than San Francisco. The polotics here drive me nuts, and I have to deal with them alot being a cival service employee of the city.

I play almost year around. Even during the winter, we have breaks in the rain to go charging out for a quick 9 holes, and usually the courses are EMPTY!!!

Get on "golfnow.com" and check out the area and the rates.

The golf is wet, invest in a good umbrella and rain suit.

BUT...we have some of the prettiest golf courses anywhere, and we have a ton of courses to go play!

Come up, let us know, and we will join up and play a few holes and you can pick our minds.

Oh yah, our beer and coffee are the best in the world!!!

[oregongolf]

[quote name='Gawfman123' date='06 April 2010 - 04:46 PM' timestamp='1270597561' post='2364520']
Well, Portland is, believe it or not, even more liberal than San Francisco. The polotics here drive me nuts, and I have to deal with them alot being a cival service employee of the city.

I play almost year around. Even during the winter, we have breaks in the rain to go charging out for a quick 9 holes, and usually the courses are EMPTY!!!

Get on "golfnow.com" and check out the area and the rates.

The golf is wet, invest in a good umbrella and rain suit.

BUT...we have some of the prettiest golf courses anywhere, and we have a ton of courses to go play!

Come up, let us know, and we will join up and play a few holes and you can pick our minds.

Oh yah, our beer and coffee are the best in the world!!!
[/quote]

Did you actually play anytime during the last two weeks?

I haven't played anywhere where my ball hasn't plugged in the fairway for like 6 weeks...

[Gawfman123]

Yah, played Monday at Stone Creek, and it was amazingly dry, and then played 36 today, 18 at skamania Lodge, then another 18 at Indian Creek. You just gotta want it man! lol

[flynhawaiian]

You guys are making me want to move more and more! Maybe I should just get a wetsuit to play golf!

[Slowpoke]

The thing about golf here in the winter months is, you gotta really want it.
One thing is certain though, if you want the accurate 10 day weather forecast, ask a NW golfer

[fish dude]

We played once a week all winter in Bend. Ski, play 18 and catch a steelhead all in one day. Life is tough in C.O.

[DFinch]

[quote name='Gawfman123' date='06 April 2010 - 04:46 PM' timestamp='1270597561' post='2364520']
Well, Portland is, believe it or not, even more liberal than San Francisco. The polotics here drive me nuts, and I have to deal with them alot being a cival service employee of the city.

I play almost year around. Even during the winter, we have breaks in the rain to go charging out for a quick 9 holes, and usually the courses are EMPTY!!!

Get on "golfnow.com" and check out the area and the rates.

The golf is wet, invest in a good umbrella and rain suit.

BUT...we have some of the prettiest golf courses anywhere, and we have a ton of courses to go play!

Come up, let us know, and we will join up and play a few holes and you can pick our minds.

Oh yah, our beer and coffee are the best in the world!!!
[/quote]

Judging from your avatar, you don't have to deal with them as much as I do. Everyone loves you and hates me.

[milzy]

I played Rose City and it was wet and muddy as expected. I didn't have a single ball plug. Greens rolled nice too.

[flynhawaiian]

I would not mind playing once a week or once every two weeks. I figure since I will have not have that much time anyways, but it sounds like I would have quite a few people to play with up there

[78blades]

[quote name='Gawfman123' date='07 April 2010 - 08:08 PM' timestamp='1270696087' post='2367126']
Yah, played Monday at Stone Creek, and it was amazingly dry, and then played 36 today, 18 at skamania Lodge, then another 18 at Indian Creek. You just gotta want it man! lol
[/quote]


IMO, its more knowing where to play with existing conditions.

Stone Creek & Indian Creek are great winter tracks, however one must actually have a game to enjoy aforemention tracks. I've found Skamania to be hit and miss during the winter, but I do like that track. Oh, I forgot Tri Mtn; not great, but better than the vast majority of the courses here in the winter.

Personally I like winter or off season golf better cuz greens fees are less, the greens are very receptive so you don't have to use tour quality balls and the ppl that you are out there with, REGARDLESS of hc, love the game and subsequently are good company, basically NO WHINERS. I also can't say enough for good rain gear.

[Gawfman123]

Hey DFinch, we love you guys!

 

Just stop calling is at 3am for a cut finger!

 

And by the way, come by the station anytime and have a cup of coffeee and say hi, will yah?