Kayak Point disc golf, located in Washington, started as a traditional golf course and earned a spot in Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Public Courses to Play” before becoming one of the top disc golf destinations in the Pacific Northwest. This transformed facility, now a premier disc golf resort, sits less than an hour north of Seattle in Stanwood, WA.
The property features several courses, including the Gold Course that spans over 10,000 feet, making it one of Washington’s most challenging disc golf spots. Players have given the facility outstanding ratings of 4.8 for its maintenance, amenities, and beautiful views. New Mach VII baskets and astroturf tee pads enhance the courses that offer breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains.
The resort gives players a complete disc golf experience with multiple course options, spotless facilities, and golf cart rental services. The mix of challenging elevation changes puts both distance and skill to the test, but there’s much more to this venue than what most reviews mention.
Kayak Point Disc Golf Resort: The Complete Course Breakdown
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Kayak Point Disc Golf Resort boasts 4 distinct 18-hole disc golf courses that challenge players of all skill levels. The property naturally combines open fairways from the former ball golf course with well-designed wooded sections. This creates one of the Northwest’s most complete disc golf experiences, earning it a spot among UDisc top-rated courses.
Gold Course: 10,000+ Feet of Championship Challenge
The Gold Course is the resort’s crown jewel at an impressive 10,167 feet with a par 60. Advanced to professional players with PDGA ratings of 975+ will find this monster course challenging. It features 16 holes over 400 feet and six tough par 4’s. The Gold layout uses open fairways but places trees near tees and baskets, creating challenging approaches and dangerous greens. Players take 2-3.5 hours to complete this championship-level course. You can use golf carts here, and they’re a great idea because of the major elevation changes.
Red Course: The Perfect Balance of Distance and Accessibility
The Red Course gives intermediate players a less demanding experience with 18 holes covering 8,200 feet at par 65. Nine par 4’s and one par 5 make this course special. The Red Course welcomes beginners with a suggested PDGA rating of 825+. Players who want a shorter round can use “Green Tees” on nine of the longest holes, creating a layout about 2,500 feet shorter. Most players finish the Red Course in about 2 hours.
Blue Course: What to Expect from the Newest Addition
The Blue Course, built in 2023, gives players a completely different experience. It runs 100% through the woods with narrow fairways and major elevation changes. This intermediate-to-advanced course stretches 6,759 feet with par 59 and needs a PDGA rating of 925+. It has five par 4’s. Golf carts aren’t allowed here, and roller carts don’t work well either. Players think this could become “the best course at Kayak” because it reveals weaknesses that open courses might hide.
Original Course: The Hidden Gem for Quick Practice Rounds
The Purple Pitch & Putt course sits near the clubhouse and anyone can play it for free. Its 1,372-foot layout has 18 holes between 38-130 feet. New players can treat it as a par 3 course (54 total), while experienced players often play it as a par 2 (36 total). You can finish this course in 20-30 minutes. It’s perfect for warming up or getting in a quick round.
Beyond the Fairways: What Makes This Disc Golf Resort Unique
Kayak Point Disc Golf stands out for more than just its amazing courses. The 290+ acre property gives players an experience that you won’t find at other disc golf spots, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
From Ball Golf to Disc Golf: The Transformation Story
The story of Kayak Point Disc Golf Resort began in 1977 when it opened as a traditional ball golf course. Financial problems forced it to close in October 2018, and the 270-acre county-owned property sat empty until disc golf entrepreneur Keith Lionetti saw a chance. Lionetti and his partners Rob Jones-Gunn and Eric Edgeton worked through what they called a “very difficult” process to get a lease from Snohomish County.
The resort welcomed its first players on May 30, 2020, with three courses. The new design kept much of the natural beauty that earned this location a spot in Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Public Course” list while creating something special for disc golf players.
Pro Shop and Amenities You Won’t Find Elsewhere
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The pro shop at Kayak Point makes it different from your typical park courses. Players can choose from discs made by more than 25 manufacturers, plus a huge selection of bags, carts, clothes, and equipment. New players can grab starter packs for about $25 that come with a driver, midrange, and putter.
The pro shop goes beyond just selling equipment:
- You’ll find sunscreen, bug spray, handwarmers, and first aid supplies for the course
- UV flashlights for night games and tools to fish discs out of water
- They run a great lost and found system to help players get their lost discs back
The BBQ Restaurant Experience: Fuel for Your Round
Aces BBQ & Grill adds another special touch to Kayak Point’s charm. The clubhouse restaurant serves house-smoked meats and classic sides with cold draft beers. Players rave about the ribs, calling them “incredibly flavorful and cooked perfectly,” and love the cornbread and collard greens.
Having a real restaurant on site makes Kayak Point more than just a place to play. Players can spend the whole day here and grab a proper meal between rounds without leaving the property.
The Hidden Challenges of Kayak Point Disc Golf
Kayak Point offers exceptional physical challenges that can shake up your game. The course features steep drops and seasonal obstacles. Players who understand these elements can enjoy a memorable round instead of a frustrating one.
Elevation Changes: How They Affect Your Game
Kayak Point’s most striking features are its steep elevation changes. The Gold Course stands out with its most important elevation swings, where some holes show up to 80 feet in elevation change. These ups and downs shake up how you pick shots and control angles. The Gold Course starts with a tough 600-foot par 3 that drops sharply. Players face their first test right at the tee pad where they need to clear 60-70 feet before the fairway drops away. This calls for a precise nose-down throw technique or discs will drift left. The Blue Course also has big elevation shifts in its wooded layout. These shifts make it hard to stay stable while throwing.
Seasonal Conditions: When to Play and What to Expect
Kayak Point plays differently as seasons change. The wetter months create soggy edges along the fairways. Rain really affects the old ball golf fairways. Players say discs bounce oddly or vanish into holes. Things get better in dry weather, but rough areas grow thick and tall. The course maintenance changes with seasons. Players sometimes call the fairways “cow pastures” full of weeds, grass clumps, and bumpy ground. All the same, regular mowing helps keep the course playable as conditions shift.
The Rough: Navigating Tall Grass and Blackberry Bushes
The rough areas create the toughest challenge at Kayak Point. Blackberry bushes grow thick in wooded parts everywhere, especially near holes 6 and 17 on the Red Course. These thorny patches love to eat discs. One player warns they “will eat your disc and never spit it out”. Tall grass beyond fairways makes finding discs a real headache. Gold Course players often talk about losing discs in high grass. Blue Course’s wooded sections need spotters badly. Reviews suggest “definitely do not play this course solo if you value keeping your sanity or your discs”.
Maximizing Your Kayak Point Experience
Smart planning can boost your fun and value at Kayak Point Disc Golf Resort. You’ll have a better time if you know about cart rentals, passes, and the best times to play.
Golf Cart Rental: Is It Worth It?
The resort offers golf carts on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations allowed. Players can rent a standard two-seater cart for $22 per round on the Red or Gold courses. The resort strictly enforces that carts must stay on marked paths.
The Gold Course has steep hills and stretches over 5 miles. Most players just need a cart. One player tracked their walk at 5.3 miles over 2.5 hours on the Gold Course. A cart helps reduce back and shoulder pain from carrying your disc bag on these tough trails.
Best Value Pricing Options Most Reviews Don’t Mention
A single round costs $17 on any course, but you can save money in ways many reviews miss. The $25 all-day pass lets you play unlimited rounds on any course. You’ll save money after just two rounds. Here are more money-saving pass options:
- 10-Pack of transferable day passes: $200 (saves $5 per day) never expires
- 30-Day Unlimited Pass: $100 for unlimited rounds
- Annual Pass/Membership: $500 plus 10% off at the pro shop
Kids 12 and under play free, whatever pass you choose. In fact, non-players can join golfers without buying passes.
Weekday vs. Weekend Play: Timing Your Visit
The resort hosts tournaments with 250+ players on weekends, including PDGA-sanctioned events, Go Throw Tour stops, and OTB Tour Skins matches. Quiet rounds are easier to find on weekdays. You’ll need tee times for all main courses (Red, Blue, and Gold).
The staff tries to fit in walk-on players but keeps the courses from getting too crowded. Hours change with the seasons, and everyone must leave by closing time. Big events like the Kayak Point Open start early at 7:00 am. These tournaments use multiple courses at once.
The Gold Course takes 2-3.5 hours to play. Morning tee times work best if you want to play several rounds in one day.
Walking Off the Green
Kayak Point Disc Golf Resort showcases how a traditional golf course can successfully transform into a disc golf paradise. Players will find a complete disc golf destination with four distinct courses that challenge and teach in their own way. The well-stocked pro shop, Aces BBQ & Grill, and various amenities like practice areas, clinics, and leagues add to the experience you won’t get at typical park courses.
Of course, you need to plan around physical challenges and changing seasons, but these add something special to your game. The resort’s pricing works for everyone, and golf cart rental options make it easy to play multiple rounds. Kayak Point’s team keeps the facilities at a professional level while protecting the area’s natural beauty. This creates a unique disc golf experience for enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest.
The resort keeps getting better. The Blue Course is already turning heads as an exciting new addition. Whether you want championship challenges, casual games, or ways to improve your skills, Kayak Point has something for you. With its varying difficulty levels and wooded fairways, it’s no wonder this disc golf resort is becoming a must-visit destination for disc golfers from all over the region.
