Central Oregon has all the ingredients for great golf courses: We enjoy sunny skies across all four seasons, our scenic natural surroundings range from alpine forests to snow-capped mountain peaks, and our destination resorts all host stunning courses designed by renowned architects.
So whether you’re hitting the Central Oregon Golf Trail or are new to the sport, we want to help plan your next golf trip with this guide to the top 5 golf resorts near Bend, Oregon.
Top 5 Golf Resorts within 30 Miles of Bend
Tetherow Resort
Tetherow Resort, one of the top golf resorts in Bend, Oregon, hosts an 18-hole, par-72 course designed by famed architect David McLay-Kidd.
The course offers a quintessentially Central Oregon experience with epic views of Cascade peaks (including Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters), tree-lined fairways, and grass that was chosen specifically for the region’s sunny, dry climate. Enjoy it all from atop a high-tech Finn Scooter (low-impact electric carts suited to delicate course greenery) or GolfBoard (one-person vehicles allowing golfers to stand upright and “surf” between holes). If you’re ready to hit the links, get the skinny on golfing at Tetherow Resort near Bend.
Sunriver Resort
Just 20 minutes south of Bend, Sunriver Resort hosts four celebrated courses for golfers of all skill levels.
Crosswater Golf Course is among the resort’s most notable, having been named one of the nation’s 100 top courses by Golf Digest. Across its 18 holes, Crosswater heads through forests of pine, passes quiet wetlands, and offers the occasional glimpse of Mount Bachelor in all its glory.
The resort’s Meadows Golf Course, meanwhile, features a variety of challenges that include water hazards, sloping fairways, and steep bunkers. Occasional Cascade peak views add to the course’s charm.
Enjoy a glimpse at Central Oregon’s topography along the Woodlands Golf Course, designed by architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. Along the 18-hole course, you’ll encounter lava rock formations, water hazards, and ponderosa pine forests lining the fairway.
Finally, the nine-hole Caldera Links Golf Course offers a family-friendly experience, with tees ranging from 60 to 185 yards in length; Mount Bachelor rises above the horizon from a few holes.
Ready to hit the links? Learn more with our guide to golf courses in Sunriver, Oregon.
Juniper Preserve
Roughly halfway between Bend and Redmond, Juniper Preserve showcases the best of Central Oregon’s high desert with a pair of inventive golf courses that embrace their natural surroundings.
Pronghorn Club’s 18-hole, par-72 Jack Nicklaus Signature Course was designed by the legendary golfer and showcases local scenery with juniper forests and ridge lines of lava rock; several Cascade peaks rise above the tree line to the west.
And the resort’s 18-hole Tom Fazio Championship Course, designed by its namesake architect, features a mix of landscapes—including water features, graceful fairways, lava rock formations, and more.
Black Butte Ranch
Black Butte Ranch, just west of Sisters, is an iconic resort for many reasons—including its pair of championship golf courses that challenge experienced players and offer some of the region’s best mountain views.
Big Meadow Golf Course has been a Central Oregon stalwart for more than 30 years, earning acclaim for its distance (totaling more than 7,000 yards), sweeping fairways, and eye-popping landscapes. Forest of pine and aspen surround the course and create the perfect photo op from the 14th hole—where the craggy summit of Three Fingered Jack towers over the horizon.
Glaze Meadow Golf Course, meanwhile, balances a classic golf experience with modern flourishes—including elevated greens, deep bunkers, five sets of tees, and rolling fairways. Several Cascade peaks, including North Sister and Mount Washington, can be seen from along the course.
Brasada Ranch
The Brasada Ranch resort sits just 20 to 30 minutes from Bend, Redmond, and Prineville—in the heart of Central Oregon’s high desert—and makes that location a key feature of its Brasada Canyons golf course.
In 2022, Golfweek magazine named Brasada Canyons one of Oregon’s top 15 golf courses, and it’s easy to see why: Views range from Mount Hood (in the north) to Mount Bachelor (in the south), golfers of all ages and skill levels can choose among five sets of tees, and none of the course’s 18 holes run parallel to each other—offering a quieter experience with more solitude. Sagebrush and juniper trees line the course, further enhancing the local experience.
Another Favorite Golf Resort in Central Oregon
We couldn’t limit this list to just five favorites. Here’s a look at another popular golf course in Central Oregon.
Eagle Crest
Just west of Redmond, where the city slowly gives way to forests of juniper and fields of sagebrush, sits the bustling Eagle Crest Resort—featuring three popular courses and a scenic putting course for improving your game.
Eagle Crest’s Ridge Golf Course twists and turns through forests of juniper, boasting views of Cascade peaks and the namesake rhyolite ash formations at nearby Smith Rock State Park. Thanks to the region’s sunny climate, this course remains open all year long.
The Resort Golf Course, meanwhile, offers wildly different experiences between its front nine and back nine holes. The front nine features wide fairways and longer holes, while the back nine tightens up and demands a more accurate stroke.
And the breezy, well-manicured Challenge Golf Course is a par-63 challenge, boasting shorter holes and far less yardage than Eagle Crest’s other courses.
If you haven’t had your fill of golf at Eagle Crest resort just yet, enjoy a round on the 18-hole Putting Golf Course—where trees, sand traps, lava rock, and other features pose fun challenges for golfers looking to improve their short game.
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Winter Tours You Have to Try in Bend and Central Oregon
Twinkling lights, fresh snow and fire pits bringing people together; it’s winter in Central Oregon! Bend and the surrounding towns within Central Oregon are great places to cozy up when the snow falls, and even better places to take part in winter recreation. Locals love to explore the nearby Cascade Mountains, with Mount Bachelor and plenty of sno parks located just a 30 minute drive away. Back in town, there are several breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries waiting to be sampled. With so much to do, it can be tough to know where to start. Luckily, tours in Central Oregon that showcase the best outdoor and indoor recreation are available to help visitors make the most of their winter vacations.
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Ice Skating Rinks You Have to Try in Bend and Sunriver
Bend and Sunriver are two excellent winter destinations. The offering of winter activities in Central Oregon are immense. Snow typically falls fast and heavy and visitors get to experience a winter wonderland filled with snow capped Ponderosa pines and fresh powder. In such a winter wonderland, it makes sense that Bend and Sunriver would have a selection of ice skating spots. Whether guests choose to twirl on the ice, casually glide or just kick back with a hot cocoa while the kids play, a trip to the ice skating rink can help cap off any Central Oregon winter getaway.
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Notable Chefs at the Best Restaurants in and around Bend, Oregon
A little known fact that visitors are picking up on, Bend is a foodie paradise. There’s something about our creative, non-traditional attitude and emphasis on local ingredients that just makes great food. Luckily for visitors and locals alike, there are several chefs running Bend kitchens that constantly push boundaries, experiment, and create delicious and innovative dishes across a diverse array of cuisines.
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The Scenic Waterfalls in Central Oregon
Is there anything more satisfying—anything more awe-inspiring—than gazing upon a thundering waterfall, its raging waters tumbling over ancient rock walls? Does it get any better than seeing a waterfall reach full boil in the midst of an otherwise quiet river as it crashes through a rock-lined canyon?
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Adventures Abound Starting at Sunriver Resort
Sunriver is the type of place that takes your breath away no matter what season it is. During the summer you can hop on a horse for your very own wild wild west experience. The team at Sunriver Stables will make you feel comfortable on your ride, even if you’ve never saddled up before. Whether you’re in a tube or a kayak, floating down the Deschutes River is a relaxing activity that’s fun for the whole family.