Along the stunning Southern Oregon coast, you’ll find Gold Beach—an unassuming city loaded with unique experiences. If you’re going to be here for whatever reason, you’ll find a fascinating experience just waiting for you.
And if you’re a golfer, you’re even luckier because we have some lovely golf courses within a short distance. Bring your golf clubs, and your beach towels, and prepare for relaxation.
Why Gold Beach?
Gold Beach could be one of the best examples of a “hidden gem”. With a world-famous golf resort just around the corner, we sometimes get overlooked in the golfers’ quest for the perfect round.
We have the best of both worlds here in Gold Beach. Sure, we only have a single golf course (plus another great one nearby), but the balance of golf, coastal views, and unique activities is something everyone should experience at least once.
Let’s check out Gold Beach’s much-loved golf course, nearby sister course, and exciting things to do.
Cedar Bend Golf Course: A Scenic Challenge
Just 10 miles north of Gold Beach, you’ll find Cedar Bend Golf Course, a favorite among both the local golfers and visiting golfers. It might be just a 9-hole course, but it has two flags on each green, so you can play a full 18-hole round by running through the course twice.
Depending on which tee box you start from, the course can play from 5,231 yards to 6,288 yards. You might actually want to play the longer course just so you can spend more time amongst the towering Douglas firs and cedar trees because you feel like you’re far away from all your problems here.
Adding to the beauty of the course is the Cedar Fork Creek, which creates water hazards on multiple holes. It’s a fun play for both beginners and experienced golfers and be prepared for wildlife encounters! You might spot an Osprey or a wild elk, so you might want to bring your camera as well as your irons.
Salmon Run Golf Course: Wilderness and Golf Combined
The one downside to Gold Beach is that it really only has one golf course (a lovely one, but still). But if you’re willing to head a little out of town for great golf, Salmon Run is about 30 miles away, and it’s worth the drive out to our sister course.
This course is set on a wilderness preserve and is a lovely, tranquil experience. It runs through a dense forest, so you’ll feel like you’re in a different world where you can leave your woes behind and connect with nature. It’s the perfect place for a meditative game of golf.
That being said, you’ll need to bring your best game—the 18-hole championship course is known to be challenging. You’ll have to contend with interesting elevation changes, narrower-than-usual fairways, and natural water hazards strewn across the course. Its beauty makes it well worth a few hours spent here, regardless of your final score.
Bandon Dunes: A Little Further Out
We might not be rife with spectacular golf courses right here in Gold Beach, but we are in pretty close proximity to one of the world’s finest—Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. About a 60-mile drive away, you’ll be on the doorstep of one of those real “bucket list” golfing experiences.
Six golf courses are just waiting for you to try them out, and don’t even get us started on the spectacular views. A wonderful day trip from Gold Beach for golf enthusiasts!
And if you’ve got your heart set on Bandon Dunes, here’s an idea—stay here in Gold Beach, where you’ll be able to rest, relax, and enjoy your lifestyle rather than getting caught up in the more touristy vibe of Bandon.
Zoom into Bandon for your round, and come back to Gold Beach to relax after your round. It’s truly the best of both worlds here—access to amazing golf and beauty and serenity all round.
The Coastal Experience: Golf and Beyond
What makes golfing in Gold Beach truly special isn’t really about the fairways and greens. It’s about getting away from the hustle of life and spending some time immersed in nature, away from everything else. And when you do walk off the course again, you’re still in for a treat because the coastal views are amazing.
With 4 beaches to relax on and a huge variety of exciting stuff to do, you’ll never be bored here. We’re well known for our hikes along the rugged coastline, which gives you the time and space to marvel at the views and the nature surrounding you.
Stop off for a few moments to see if you can spot whales or take a scenic drive. If you prefer to be right in or on the water, you can take a unique jet boat tour from Gold Beach inland, following the Rogue River. Or, go surf fishing or tide pooling.
If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, you can still enjoy some pretty interesting and special experiences, like clam digging and mushrooming. This lovely region is full of exciting activities and gorgeous nature. What better place to spend some time and reframe your mind?
Conclusion
Golfers, we know that many of you would travel to the ends of the earth and vacation in mud huts if you got to play a round on one of your “bucket list” golf courses. But balance is important—Gold Beach might house bucket-listers, but trust us when you start to feel how your stress melts away here… You’ll know why it’s the perfect spot for golfing and nature.
About the Author Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.