Diamond Woods Golf Course, in Monroe, OR, is a well-designed golf getaway in rural Willamette Valley. Built into a rolling, forested hillside, Diamond Woods showcases traditional Northwest features with tree-lined holes and some notable evelation changes. With that said, the opening holes are generously layed out with wide target zones and relatively flat terrain; a feature that both assists in a favorable start for all, and accomodates to novice-9-holers. Diamond Woods is cohesively designed with the pre-existing natural characteristics of this quiet forest and farmland setting. A round here grows increasingly engaging as you progress through the twists and turns, and ups and downs of the land. At several vantage points, views across the green valley to the Cascadian foothills are available. But for much of the experience, you will be testing your precious mettle within the namesake trees of Diamond Woods.
Diamond Woods Golf Course, as mentioned, is built into the base of a hillside in which most of the holes contain gradual to moderate elevation change. Target zones are fairly generous throughout the course but beyond the ideal landing areas, and especially on the more wooded holes, errancy can become costly. Much of the forested areas have wild, undergrowth, making penalty strokes more common than recovery strokes. A good variation of hole characteristics exists throughout, and is arguably at its best amid the Back 9. Here, elevation change and the use of doglegs are maximized to create the most notable challenge of Diamond Woods. A couple of large water features come into play on multiple holes, mainly on the Front 9 to help narrow some open layouts. And sand traps exist throughout the course, primarily located next to the greens, and are decently manageable with modest depth. The greens, with exception of a few, are rather flat and easy to read, and provide an average speed and roll.
