In 2015 Washington state will play host to another major championship, the US Open. Now is the perfect time to visit this picturesque state and get an early glimpse at this major championship venue and some of the other great golf in the area. Apart from the numerous outdoor activities, like fishing, sailing and swimming, this area is home to some great golf courses. The mild climate produces some of the best manicured golf courses in the country.

In Mukilteo, Washington, which is located in the northern part of the Puget Sound, is Harbor Pointe Golf Club. You are in store for a great treat here, as Golf Digest has ranked this golf course the second best golf course in the Northwest. Designed by Arthur Hills, Harbor Pointe measures 6,861 yards from the back tees. The front nine on this golf course is really the scoring nine. Eight of the nine holes on this side have water that comes into play. Many of the holes have great views of Puget Sound and the back nine has rolling hills and fairways surrounded by giant pine trees.

Harbor Pointe requires you to play a wide variety of shots. The doglegs and tall pines will test your patience and sometimes add some large numbers to your scorecard. Should this happen, simply look around you and admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape - that is sure to calm your temper.

For most golfers there is an ambition to play on a US Open golf course. You now have the chance to preview the upcoming 2015 US Open tournament site at the Chambers Bay Golf Club. Located at the opposite end of the sound, this golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones II and stretches to a mind shattering 7,585 yards. This is not a golf course for the faint at heart as they also have a walking only policy.

Chambers Bay is a links-style golf course that has seven holes that either touch or come near the water. One of the most challenging aspects of this golf course are the undulating and fast greens. Many US Open venues feature a high degree of difficulty around the greens and Chambers Bay is no exception. The greens here have large mounds and severe slopes that will challenge even the best of putters.

Washington is a great place to visit and even a better place to golf. Mild temperatures are great for growing and maintaining the cool season grasses on the golf courses.