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Three Lakes Golf Club: short yardage, big decisions in Malaga
Three Lakes Golf Club in Malaga offers a quick round that still makes you think. The routing sits above the Columbia River with open views, a par 69 card, and plenty of short par 4 choices that reward placement over power.
Three Lakes Golf Club Fast Facts
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Feature |
Detail |
|---|---|
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Location |
Malaga, Washington |
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Address or parking directions |
2695 Golf Drive, Malaga, WA 98828 |
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Holes and par |
18 holes, Par 69 |
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Total yardage (back tees) |
5378 yds |
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Terrain |
Valley setting with Columbia River views |
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Practice facilities |
Grass driving range with distance markers, mats early season |
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Carts and rental clubs |
Riding carts available, per-rider fee posted |
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Fees overview |
Posted 18 and 9 hole walking rates, twilight after 1 pm includes half cart, cart fee per rider, range bucket options, as of August 2025 |
Course Overview
Three Lakes Golf Club plays short on the card yet never feels trivial. The front nine leans on accuracy with four par 4s under 350 yards and two par 3s that frame the pace. The back nine adds variety with two par 5s at the turn and late pressure from three par 3s. Views toward the river and hills give the round an open feel while the routing asks you to find the right side of fairways to open approach angles.
That yardage profile changes your choices. Driver is not always the play on the many sub-320 yard par 4s, where a controlled long iron or hybrid to a full wedge number is often smarter. With five par 3s across the round, holding greens from mid to long irons matters. The two par 5s offer scoring chances if you place the tee ball, but the safer route is often a three-shot plan that leaves a simple pitch.
Hole-by-Hole Highlights
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No. 1, 347 yds, Par 4: Set the tone with a straight tee ball to a full wedge yardage.
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No. 2, 152 yds, Par 3: Early iron check, take the number you can flight.
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No. 4, 312 yds, Par 4: Position play off the tee beats chasing the front edge.
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No. 5, 179 yds, Par 3: Mid-iron demands a committed line.
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No. 6, 338 yds, Par 4: Favor the side that opens your preferred approach shape.
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No. 8, 316 yds, Par 4: Lay back to a full swing yardage for better spin control.
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No. 9, 481 yds, Par 5: Reachable with two good swings, or wedge-wedge for a stress-free look.
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No. 10, 452 yds, Par 5: Similar scoring window to 9, but rewards a disciplined layup.
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No. 11, 290 yds, Par 4: Tempting length, but a precise layup leaves a simple pitch.
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No. 12, 288 yds, Par 4: Same strategy, different angle; commit to the number.
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No. 14, 211 yds, Par 3: Longest par 3 on the card, take extra club to your stock carry.
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No. 16, 196 yds, Par 3: Club for carry first, ground release second.
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No. 18, 128 yds, Par 3: Finishing nerve check with wedge or short iron.
Amenities & Practice
The range sits on grass with clear distance markers and switches to mats early season. Lesson programs run on site with multiple instructors and club fitting available. The pro shop carries essentials and can special order gear if needed.
Food & Beverage
The on-site grill serves breakfast and lunch with a straightforward clubhouse menu.
Rates / Booking / Local Tips
Book online or by phone through the shop. Posted walking rates cover 18 and 9 holes with a twilight window after 1 pm that includes half a cart, plus a per-rider cart fee and range bucket options, as of August 2025. Three Lakes Golf Club plays fastest when you club down on the short par 4s and keep approaches to full numbers.
How to Score Here
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On sub-320 yard par 4s, hit long iron or hybrid to your best wedge yardage rather than forcing driver. Three Lakes Golf Club rewards clean angles.
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Treat the two par 5s as birdie chances only if the tee shot finds the favored half of the fairway.
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With five par 3s, plan your bag for three reliable tee-shot yardages and stick to them.
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For approaches, prioritize landing on the safe side that leaves an uphill or straight putt.
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Use the range to dial one stock wedge number before you tee off.
Final Word
Three Lakes Golf Club delivers a quick, thoughtful round where placement wins and smart wedges pay off.
This course is one of many featured in the Washington Golf Directory. Your guide to Washington State public golf courses, local driving ranges, and weekend-worthy golf getaways. Whether you’re playing nine before work or planning a road trip across the state, we’re here to help you explore more golf, one course at a time.
- About the Author
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Explore Washington State has been covering the real Washington for more than a decade. State parks, small towns, back roads, rest stops, and the people who make this place worth exploring. What started as a hyperlocal project covering individual communities grew into a full media project with more than 340 podcast episodes, a weekly newsletter with 3,800 subscribers, and coverage of all 146 Washington State Parks. The content here comes from people who have actually been to these places: locals, regulars, and lifelong Washington residents who care more about getting it right than getting clicks.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Explore Washington State has been covering the real Washington for more than a decade. State parks, small towns, back roads, rest stops, and the people who make this place worth exploring. What started as a hyperlocal project covering individual communities grew into a full media project with more than 340 podcast episodes, a weekly newsletter with 3,800 subscribers, and coverage of all 146 Washington State Parks. The content here comes from people who have actually been to these places: locals, regulars, and lifelong Washington residents who care more about getting it right than getting clicks.