McKay Creek Golf Course is a basic, short 9 hole course near downtown Hillsboro, OR. Despite a close-in location, McKay Creek is quietly situated at the end of a residential street, bordering woods and farmlands. The course has a regulation design, but includes three Par 3s and three Par 5s. The holes have generally short distances and are very closely lined to one another. Factor in a lack of large fairway trees, and you may hear a few “fores” at this beginner-friendly course. For Washington County golfers, and especially residents near Hillsboro, McKay Creek is an affordable place to learn the game or enjoy an informal round of golf.
McKay Creek Golf Course is generally very flat, with many straightforward hole layouts. Most of the trouble areas lie in the forested perimeter around much of the grounds, as well as other out-of-bounds edges. On-course trees must also be contended with on several holes. However, the holes within the center of the course play very open, aside from an occasional small tree. Sand is limited to just a few green side bunkers. Water can come into play in the form of a couple of ponds, and the namesake creek traversing the front of the tee box on the Par 4 1st, and short of the green on the Par 5 9th. The greens are mainly flat, but offer a few breakers. Their surfaces are slow to average in speed and respectable in shape for such a venue.
McKay Creek is not only a fine course to learn the game, but has solid practice amenities for a small facility. There’s a full driving range with covered, mat-surfaced stations. There’s also a nice practice green with plenty of break to challenge your short game touch. The proshop is small and simple, containing basic merchandise, snacks and drinks.
