The Home Course in DuPont, Washington ranks among the region’s best golf destinations for WA golf enthusiasts. Players love this house golf course, giving it an exceptional 4.9 out of 5 rating, and all but one of these 177 reviewers recommend playing here.
This 7,424-yard championship layout sits perfectly between the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. Players can enjoy Mount Rainier’s breathtaking views from the course that offers five different tee positions for golfers of all skill levels. The Home Course photos capture the stunning scenery that surrounds this golf Washington state treasure.
The course’s history adds another layer of interest – it was once a dynamite manufacturing site. Since being established in 2007, the course has hosted several major tournaments including the 2010 U.S. Amateur qualifying rounds and the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship.
Green fees range from $27 to $52, making this premium public course available at a reasonable price. The excellent drainage system allows golfers to play throughout the year in typical Pacific Northwest conditions. Home Course tee times are available for booking, ensuring you can plan your round at this exceptional DuPont golf course.
Course Overview: The Home Course Layout and Design
Image Source: The Home Course
The Home Course DuPont sits on a historic piece of land in Washington state. This golf destination naturally combines its rich history with modern design to create one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique playing experiences. Cooperatively owned and operated by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and Washington Golf (WA Golf), HC golf offers a truly special round for players of all abilities.
History of the DuPont dynamite manufacturing site
The land under The Home Course has a fascinating story that spans centuries. Native American tribes, especially the Nisqually Tribe, first called this area home. The Hudson’s Bay Company later built a trading post here in the 1830s. Historical records show Hudson Bay traders even built a basic six-hole course during this time.
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company bought the property in 1906 to build an explosives manufacturing facility. The plant produced more than 1 billion pounds of dynamite in its 70-year run. These materials helped shape western expansion by clearing land for farms, railroads, and major projects like the Grand Coulee Dam and Panama Canal.
Weyerhaeuser took over the property in the late 1970s, marking the start of its transformation from an explosives facility to a golf course. The site underwent extensive cleanup that removed more than 50,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil. The Home Course opened its doors in 2007, establishing itself as a premier destination for golf in Washington state.
Mike Asmundson’s 2007 design philosophy
Golf course architect Mike Asmundson from Scottsdale, Arizona, created a design that works with the land’s natural features and honors its history. His work earned immediate recognition when it opened in early summer 2007. Golfweek magazine ranked it as the No. 2-ranked “Best Public Course in Washington”.
Asmundson’s design features rolling fairways and undulating greens that make players think strategically on every hole. The course remains player-friendly despite its challenges. Players enjoy generous landing areas and wide fairways, balanced by large, undulating greens with deep sod-faced pot bunkers for protection.
Tee options and yardage (5442-7424 yards)
Players of all skill levels can enjoy The Home Course thanks to its multiple tee options. The Home Course scorecard offers the following tee selections:
- Dynamite Tees: 7,424 yards, par 72 (74.9/138)
- Black Tees: 7,037 yards, par 72 (73.0/132)
- Blue Tees: 6,599 yards, par 72 (71.0/129)
- White Tees: 6,088 yards, par 72 (68.7/121)
- Gold Tees: 5,442 yards, par 72 (65.5/111)
The championship layout stretches to 7,424 yards from the back “Dynamite Tees,” named after the property’s explosive past. Recreational players can still enjoy the course from more forward tees.
Topography and natural features
The Home Course’s spectacular setting sets it apart. Players can enjoy the walkable layout while taking in panoramic views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier. The 7th hole offers an especially stunning view of Mount Rainier.
Signs of the course’s industrial heritage appear throughout the design. The 16th hole incorporates a former explosives storage area, creating a unique mound with great views of Puget Sound. Old power station bricks now connect some tee boxes, blending historical elements into the modern course.
The creative use of terrain makes each round different. The maintenance team has successfully established T-1 bentgrass greens despite challenging growing conditions on gravel soil. The rest of the course features a ryegrass/Poa annua mix, providing consistent playing surfaces year-round.
Signature Holes: Playing the Most Memorable Stretches
Image Source: The Home Course
The Home Course features several holes that stick in players’ minds long after they finish their round. Three holes stand out with their mix of strategic tests, stunning views, and unique design features.
Hole #7: The Rainier View Challenge (434-yard par 4)
The seventh hole’s elevated tee box presents what many call the front nine’s signature test. This 434-yard par 4 has earned its spot as one of the toughest holes going out. Players need both accuracy and power right from the first swing.
Players must think over their blind tee shot carefully. The starter usually warns players not to bite off too much of the fairway unless they want to find the lake. Playing it safe leaves you with a tough downhill approach shot of almost 200 yards over water. This makes the seventh hole a real test of how you manage the course and plan your shots.
The hole’s true magic comes from its incredible backdrop. Players get a stunning view of Mount Rainier towering above the putting surface as they head toward the green. It’s one of those classic Pacific Northwest golf moments where natural beauty meets pure sporting challenge.
Hole #14: Peninsula Green Par 3 (196 yards)
The 14th might be the most daunting shot you’ll face all day. This 196-yard par 3 shows off a semi-island green stretching about 165 yards from the regular tees. Water guards three sides while a strategic bunker protects the fourth.
There’s no room for error here. The peninsula green setup leaves you nowhere to bail out – local players joke that saying “rhododendron” isn’t the only tricky part of this beautiful par 3. Missing the green spells trouble in any direction. Water hazards catch shots that go long, short or left. The front right section offers the only hope of saving an off-target shot.
This hole shows off the architect’s goal of creating fair but challenging tests that reward good shots. It’s often the turning point in many matches, where making par feels like a small victory and bogeys can pile up quickly.
Hole #16: Strategic Par 5 (559 yards)
Image Source: The Home Course
The 16th hole takes a fascinating turn from the course’s usual look. This 559-yard par 5 winds around several large artificial mounds that once hid explosive manufacturing facilities during the property’s industrial days. The architect turned these historical features into part of the design instead of removing them.
These unique mounds create opportunities for players who know how to use them. A slope about 80 yards from the green can launch approach shots onto the putting surface when played right. That’s why the 16th gives you your best shot at an eagle at The Home Course, adding excitement to the final stretch.
The hole also gives you amazing views of Puget Sound while you plot your way through this distinctive par 5. The mix of history, strategy options, and natural beauty makes the 16th a perfect example of the course’s signature holes.
These three memorable holes highlight what makes The Home Course special – a smart mix of challenging golf, stunning Northwest views, and subtle touches of the property’s rich history. Each hole tests different parts of your game, so whatever score you shoot, you’ll take home lasting memories of your round in DuPont.
Course Conditions and Playability
The Home Course delivers championship-quality conditions throughout the year. Players across the Pacific Northwest choose this carefully maintained property for its reliable playability in every season.
Fairway and green maintenance standards
The Home Course’s fairways provide smooth surfaces with ideal lies and excellent roll. The maintenance team keeps these areas between 0.38 to 0.5 inches high to balance playability and turf health. T-1 bentgrass greens go together with a ryegrass/Poa annua mix throughout the course. This combination creates smooth putting surfaces that roll at medium-quick speeds.
Bunker conditions and challenges
Bunkers present one of the most important challenges at The Home Course. The maintenance team rakes the quality sand in greenside bunkers 3-4 times weekly to ensure consistent play. Players face a mix of bunker difficulties. Some have steep faces that demand precise shots, while others offer easier recovery options. The signature 14th hole showcases distinctive bunker placements around its peninsula green, where sand hazards enhance the water features.
Seasonal playing conditions
The course adapts well to Northwest seasons. Players enjoy lush conditions in spring, with surfaces becoming firmer as summer arrives. The maintenance team performs aerification and overseeding in fall to prepare the turf for winter. Growth regulators help maintain steady fairway conditions during peak growing seasons. These regulators cut mowing frequency by up to 75% and create superior playing surfaces.
Drainage and winter playability
The Home Course’s reliable drainage system allows play through Washington’s rainy season. A gravel base helps water disperse quickly after heavy rain. The maintenance team uses special winter protocols and raises mowing heights late in the season to shield turf from cold weather. This complete approach to drainage and seasonal preparation keeps the course playable year-round, even when other Northwest courses struggle with winter conditions.
Strategic Playing Guide for Different Skill Levels
Playing The Home Course well means adapting your strategy to your skill level. The layout provides unique challenges and opportunities for golfers of all handicap levels.
High handicappers: Navigating the wide fairways
The Home Course gives beginners and high-handicap players a great environment to build confidence. Wide fairways and minimal rough create plenty of landing areas, making this course perfect to develop your driver skills. Your main priority should be finding the fairway instead of maximizing distance. The course rewards accuracy more than power.
The best approach to greens is aiming for the middle rather than chasing pins, especially those near the edges. The course’s undulating putting surfaces give many players trouble. A conservative approach that sets up easy two-putts will help lower your scores substantially.
Mid-handicappers: Risk-reward decisions
Mid-handicap players should use their favorite distances to plan hole strategies. A GPS device helps you lay up to specific comfortable yardages whenever possible. Understanding your typical miss is vital—if you tend to pull shots left, you can use these generous fairways to your advantage.
The Home Course’s layout lets you make strategic choices, particularly on par 4s where your position in the fairway affects approach angles. Don’t automatically grab your driver on every hole. Sometimes a more controlled tee shot with a fairway wood or long iron creates better scoring opportunities.
Low handicappers: Championship tee challenges
The Dynamite tees stretch to 7,424 yards and present a serious test for skilled players. This course has hosted many championships because it challenges better players while remaining available from forward tees.
Low handicappers should pay special attention to green complexes. The putting surfaces create significant challenges even for accomplished golfers. The varying terrain throughout the property rewards good driving. Players typically score 2-3 strokes higher on away courses compared to their home venues. This shows why practice rounds help you learn the best angles and positions.
Facilities and Amenities at The Home Course
Image Source: The Home Course
The Home Course delivers more than just championship golf in DuPont. Players enjoy first-rate facilities that create an unmatched experience. The amenities cover everything a golfer needs, from practice areas to dining options.
Practice areas and driving range
Players can perfect their game at the complete double-ended all-grass driving range that simulates real playing conditions. Two dedicated practice putting greens give plenty of room to work on the short game. A separate pitching green with practice bunker helps players become skilled at those crucial scoring shots.
The state-of-the-art Performance Center is a premier fitting and practice facility just minutes from I-5. This heated, covered facility uses GC QUAD technology with four cameras that capture exact club and ball data. Players can watch their ball flight on the range instead of hitting into a screen. The center provides club fitting services from Titleist, TaylorMade, and Callaway, among other brands. They also adjust loft/lie angles with their Mitchell Loft/Lie bending machine.
Golf House Grill dining experience
Golf House Grill welcomes players for quick mid-round breaks and relaxed post-round gatherings. The menu fits every budget and taste, with options from $5.99 fries to $15.99 fish and chips plates. The Home Course Burger ($14.99) stands out with its applewood smoked bacon and house chipotle aioli. Families and groups feel at home in the welcoming dining space.
Pro shop offerings
The pro shop stocks a wide range of equipment and apparel. The core team includes PGA professionals in training like Coleby Loveness who provide expert guidance.
Tournament and event capabilities
The John Bodenhamer Pavilion welcomes 100-128 guests based on the setup. This adaptable space hosts tournaments, weddings, business meetings, and charity events with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Rental packages come with tables, chairs, setup/cleanup services, and audio-visual equipment including sound systems and HD televisions.
Walking Off the Green
The Home Course shows evidence of brilliant golf course design and historical preservation. Players find an exceptional golfing experience that balances championship-level challenge with accessibility for golfers at every skill level. The course’s strategic layout and stunning views of Mount Rainier and Puget Sound create memorable rounds all year.
The excellent drainage system and consistent maintenance standards make this DuPont gem a reliable choice in Pacific Northwest winters. Green fees range from $27 to $52 and are a great way to get premium facilities, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center and detailed practice areas.
Smart land reclamation reshaped the scene from a dynamite manufacturing site to an award-winning golf destination while keeping fascinating historical elements. The Mount Rainier-framed seventh hole and the peninsula-green fourteenth show why The Home Course earned its 4.9-star rating. Players give it a near-perfect recommendation rate.
Golfers can tackle the full 7,424 yards from the Dynamite tees or enjoy a casual round from forward positions. The course rewards strategic thinking and skilled shot-making consistently. First-rate playing conditions, spectacular scenery, and rich history make The Home Course a must-visit destination for serious Northwest golf enthusiasts.
