Hey y’all! Thanks so much for subscribing and for all the support. The replies I got after last week’s issue were humbling.
This week, I’m sharing an Oregon Coast gem you’ve got to play if you’re anywhere near Portland or the coast around Cannon Beach. I’ve also got a short game drill that’ll help you take your practice to the course.
Almost forgot- this week I’m heading to Wisconsin with some buddies. The lineup: Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Sedge Valley, The Bull, Pine Hills CC, Erin Hills, and Whistling Straits. I’ll be knocking out a few more Top 100 courses, but I’m especially pumped to see The Bull. If you’ve got tips or suggestions, hit reply - I’d love to hear them.
Follow me on Instagram to see how the Wisco trip plays out.
Featured Track - Gearhart Golf Links
1892 links design meets tour-speed greens the size of a postage stamp
💰 Green fees range from $75–$135
⛳ Par 72 | 6,551 yards
📍 Gearhart, Oregon
TL;DR — Why Gearhart is Worth Your Time
Oldest course west of the Mississippi. World-class greens running at tour speeds. A true links restored to its roots. Walkable, playable, and an insane value for $135 during peak season (June - September).
Last summer, my wife and I spent a few months in Manzanita, Oregon to escape the Arizona heat. I was looking forward to lazy days on the beach and exploring the small towns up and down the coast, but what had me fired up was the golf. I knew I’d make the 3.5-hour pilgrimage to Bandon to play Old Mac, Sheep Ranch, and the Preserve. Those courses are precisely what you’d hope for—bucket-list golf, world-class, and every bit deserving of their Top 100 status.
After Bandon, I was hooked on links golf. It’s just so different from what I’m used to back home - firm turf, shots along the ground, the wind always part of the equation. The problem? There’s not much true links golf along the Oregon coast once you leave Bandon.
Then I randomly came across the No Laying Up crew playing Gearhart on Tourist Sauce and couldn’t believe it was only 30 minutes from our place.
This place is a gem. Not just a “pretty good for the area” course, but a legit, pure golf experience. Peak-season rates top out at $135, which is unreal value for what you get: tour-quality greens rolling at 12, pristine fescue fairways, small but scorable greens, and routing that’s built to be walked.
The history makes it even better. Gearhart opened in 1892, making it the oldest course west of the Mississippi. Over time, the place became overgrown with Shore Pines, but a renovation years ago removed nearly 90% of them, restoring wide-open angles and true links character. Scott Hill, whose family owns Columbia Sportswear, bought the property and invested heavily in both the course and community.
They even hosted the U.S. Hickory Open here in 2021. I had to Google it, and let me tell you, there’s no way I’d break 90 swinging those clubs.
Highlight Hole – No. 5 (Par 4, 369 yards):
Some holes just have aura. I’ve played well over a thousand rounds, and usually you remember a few holes here and there. But No. 5 at Gearhart? I can replay the whole thing in my head.
From the tee, it looks unassuming - just under 370 yards, a pond lurking about 280 out on the left. Trees frame the green in the distance, giving it depth and character. I pulled 5-hybrid, watched it fly on the perfect line, and left myself 119 yards. Hit a baby draw, gap wedge, that settled 12 feet under the hole. The putt broke right to left about half a cup, and I got a little aggressive and ran it past the hole for a tap-in par.
I played the hole exactly the way it was designed, and it was just a fun hole to play.
Gearhart, No. 5, 370 yards, Par 4
Green Fees:
Peak season: $135
Shoulder/off-season: closer to $75–$100
Resort Guest Card: up to $40 off per foursome if you stay at Gearhart Hotel or Gearhart by the Sea
Pro Tip:
Grab a caddie – $25 cash plus tip – book by emailing Caddie Master Jamie at [email protected].
No range. I know, dumb. You’re just gonna have to do some jumping jacks to get loose.
Stop in the pub after. The Sand Trap is as much a part of the experience as the golf. Order a pint, soak it in.
Where to Stay
Gearhart Hotel – Steps from the first tee, with a McMenamins pub on site.
Gearhart by the Sea – Condo-style lodging just across the road.
Drifthaven at Gearhart – Boutique option tucked beside the 15th green.
One Shot Better
The up & down challenge
Want to score better? Stop camping out on the range, hitting the same 7-iron over and over. That’s not how golf actually happens. On the course, you miss greens, get stuck in weird lies, and have to figure out how to get up and down when it counts. This short game drill is designed to mimic that exact pressure — one ball, real routines, and the mindset that every shot matters. Practice like this, and when you’re back out on the course, saving par will start to feel a whole lot more natural.
What you need:
Your wedges, putter, and one ball
About 30 minutes
The Drill – 9 Holes Around the Green
Five Easy Up & Downs – Pick straightforward chips: good lies, plenty of green to work with. Hit the chip, then putt it out. Mark your ball, go through your full putting routine.
Two Medium Up & Downs – Trickier setups: rough lies, downhill chips, longer bump-and-runs. Again, play it like you’re on the course, no shortcuts.
One Hard Shot – Drop it in a bunker or maybe a short-sided pin over the bunker. Par is possible, but likely it’s a bogey.
One Nearly Impossible – Short-sided -buried lie, no green to work with, flop needed - whatever makes you sweat.
Scoring:
Keep track of how many pars you save.
Beat your personal best up-and-down percentage.
For context: Tour average scrambling is 58%.
Let me know how you did. I did this same drill Thursday night, went 3/9, 5/9, and 6/9.
OOB Aces Club
I’ve never had a hole-in-one, but man, I’ve been close a hundred times. Every time I see someone post their first ace on IG or X, I get fired up. Nothing makes me want one more.
That’s why I’m starting the OOB Aces Club - a way to celebrate golfers who knock in their first one. I’m designing a custom ball marker engraved with the details of your shot (course, hole, yardage, club, and date). Stay tuned, more to come.
Big congrats to @perry_pga for joining the club with an ace at Miami Valley GC, #5, 145 yards with a 9-iron.
Have you made your first hole-in-one, or know someone who did? Tag me on X @kevinLcurry or IG @outofboundsgolfer and I’ll feature it. (Custom engraved ball marker coming soon 👀)
Another issue in the books! Hopefully you’ll get the chance to tee it up at Gearhart one day (and of course make the pilgrimage to Bandon too). Heads up, next week’s issue might be a little delayed with a golf trip on deck with the fellas. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram - I’ll be posting stories and plenty of shots from the tracks we’re playing.
If you’re a fan of OOB, please share with all of your golf buddies. Thanks so much!