I was honestly a bit surprised when I first learned that there was an 18-hole golf course in Lynnwood.

While it's not uncommon for cities in Washington to have municipal golf courses, the location right next to Edmonds Community College was intriguing.

I heard they share parking and food and beverage facilities. The name is Lynnwood Golf Course, and its official name is Lynnwood Municipal Golf Course.

It's a public course operated directly by the city. At first, I thought it would just be a simple park, but when I visited, I found that the course was better maintained than I expected, and there were quite a few players.

If you live in Lynnwood, this is a neighborhood golf course worth knowing about.

It's rare to find a public course in the northern Seattle area that offers such accessibility, value, and fun all at once.

It's close to downtown Lynnwood and nearby Korean markets and restaurants, and it's closely connected to the community, sharing facilities with the college and parking.

The ability to enjoy a round of golf right in front of your home without having to go far into the suburbs is a significant benefit of living in Lynnwood.

Looking at the course information, it spans a total of 75.3 acres with 18 holes. From the longest tee, the total distance is 4,741 yards, and the par is 65.

There are no par 5 holes, and the layout mainly consists of par 3s and short par 4s, so the focus is more on ball control and short game rather than big driver shots.

One of the par 3 holes requires over 200 yards, while the other holes often involve approach shots from wedge distances.

It's not a course with many out-of-bounds areas or extreme hazards, but if your iron shots aren't accurate, you might not score as well as you'd expect.

The design was done by John Steidel, and it officially opened in 1991. Development began in 1989, so it's quite a historic course.

Once again, it's worth mentioning that there aren't many cities operating public golf courses of this size and quality in northern Seattle.

The green fees are reported to be between $68 and $75 for 18 holes.

Weekdays from Monday to Thursday are cheaper than weekends, and there are lower rates during the late afternoon hours known as twilight time.

As a Youth on Course partner course, youth under 18 can enjoy a round for less than $5.

Incredible Youth Benefits: This is a 'Youth on Course' partner course. Youth under 18 can play 18 holes for just $5 or less. This makes it an excellent opportunity for Korean families to introduce their children to golf early or to have a 'family golf outing' on weekends without financial strain.

In fact, this aspect is a significant benefit for family golfers. It creates a great environment for families to start golfing together.

There are instances where the Korean community in Lynnwood visits this course for family golf outings or social rounds. Public courses that meet both price and accessibility criteria in the Seattle metropolitan area are rare.

The course is surrounded by the lush green grass and tall coniferous trees typical of the Pacific Northwest, creating a pleasant atmosphere for rounds. Enjoying a round on a nice day and finishing up at a café near Edmonds Community College is also a great experience.

While beginners can enjoy it, those who have practiced their short game will find even more fun on this course.

It's impressive that a course without par 5s can provide this much enjoyment.

Another advantage is that senior golfers or busy professionals can finish a round quickly here. The round times are relatively short, making twilight rounds after work possible.

Since the total course distance isn't very long, the time spent on a round feels relatively short.

It's easy on the physical demands, making it comfortable for senior golfers, and busy Korean professionals can also stop by after work to quickly finish 9 or 18 holes and head home.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that Lynnwood Golf Course serves not just as a space for exercise but also as a connector for the community.

During weekday morning rounds, you can meet local residents and occasionally make new Korean golfer friends.

In American life, golf is not just a sport but also a means of business and social networking.

Having a course like this in the neighborhood is one of the small benefits of living in Lynnwood.

When I first moved to Lynnwood, I had no idea this was here, but now that I know, my weekends feel richer.

Enjoying a round while breathing in the phytoncides in the lush coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest and finishing with a cup of coffee at a café near the college is a small happiness unique to Lynnwood Golf Course.

If you're a Korean in Lynnwood interested in golf or looking to create a healthy hobby with your family, this is definitely a 'must-visit local gem.'