Bend, Oregon, is no stranger to exceptional golf experiences, but few rival the opulence and world-class design of Pronghorn Golf Club at Juniper Reserve.

Nestled amid the rugged beauty of the high desert, this resort delivers not just one, but two incredible golf courses.  It has a price tag to match, so are steep greens fees worth it?

a Man in a Blue Cap Sunglasses and Striped Polo Shirt Stands in the Foreground of Pronghorn Golf Course with Green Grass Sandy Patches Low Shrubs and Distant Trees Under a Bright Blue Sky with Scattered White Clouds

Pronghorn is the home of two incredible golf courses.  The Tom Fazio Championship Course is private and only available to members.

However, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is equally stunning and open to the public.  I’ve played it several times, and this review will be based on this course open to anyone.

A Guide and Review of Pronghorn Golf at Juniper Reserve

Pronghorn Golf Nicklaus Course - Ratings

Here are some notable ratings for the Pronghorn Nickalus Course near Bend:

a Metal Tee Marker with an Antelope Horn Design Stands on a Green Pronghorn Golf Course Tee Box in the Background Are Golf Bags on a Cart Bushes Rocks and Trees Beneath a Partly Cloudy Sky Highlighting This Scenic Outdoor Golf Experience

Pronghorn Golf Course: Basics

Pronghorn is located at the Juniper Reserve, a resort about 30 minutes northeast of Bend.  It’s a fabulous high desert resort and a premier golf destination.

The Golf Experience at Pronghorn Golf Club

Pronghorn is more than just a place to tee off.  If you include everything the Juniper Reserve resort has to offer, you can craft a sensational Oregon golf vacation.

But let’s focus solely on the golf experience associated with playing the Pronghorn Nicklaus course.  Because for golfers, that’s a pretty unforgettable experience in itself.

Two Clear Plastic Water Bottles with White Labels Sit on a Black Surface the Left Label Reads Longhorn Club with a Horn Logo Perfect for Pronghorn Golf Course the Right Juniper Preserve with a Juniper Tree Logo Both Are Half Full and Have Condensation

When you arrive and check it, you’ll get much more of a private club vibe than a public course.  The property is stunning, the pro shop and locker room are luxurious, and the practice areas are pristine.

There are nice touches everywhere, like water bottles in your state-of-the-art golf cart.  The property is top-notch.

The Jack Nickalus Signature Course at Pronghorn

Set against the backdrop of Oregon’s high desert, the Jack Nicklaus course winds through ancient juniper trees, lava formations, and panoramic mountain vistas.

The dry climate and rugged terrain not only define its aesthetic but also shape its playability, offering firm conditions, fast greens, and a sense of seclusion that makes each round feel intimate and unique.

This is high desert golf at its finest—wild, refined, and utterly unforgettable.

Dense Sagebrush Fills the Foreground of Pronghorn Golf Course with Green Fairways Sand Bunkers and Clusters of Trees in the Background Several Golfers Can Be Seen in the Distance Under a Partly Cloudy Blue Sky

Some noteworthy highlights of the Nicklaus Course at Pronghorn:

  • Par 72, 7,381 Yards from the back Tees
  • Distinct Tees:  Black, Rust, Gold, Silver
  • Iconic #8 Hole with a Lava Tube guarding the green
  • Great Views of the Three Sisters
a Person Wearing a Cap Light Shirt and Shorts Stands on a Tee at Pronghorn Golf Course Preparing to Swing a Golf Club the Green Fairway Stretches Ahead Surrounded by Trees and Shrubs Under a Blue Sky with Scattered Clouds

I’ve played multiple times, and here are my favorite holes:

Hole 8.  A killer par five that stretches on forever.  But a beautiful tee shot and views over the water across the landscape.

Hole 12.  A relatively short par four but an awesome elevated green and a tight approach shot.  Harder than it looks from the tee.

Hole 15.  A long par five that is probably the most difficult hole (#2 handicap).  The fairway wraps around a lake and challenges all your shots. 

a Weathered Metal Sign on a Post Reads Gold Rust Black with a Left Arrow and Silver with a Right Arrow Set Outdoors Near Pronghorn Golf Course It Stands in a Dry Rocky Area Dotted with Sparse Shrubs and Twisted Tree Branches

My Recent Round at Pronghorn Golf Course

I play Pronghorn Nicklaus recently in July 2025, arriving by myself on a hot Saturday.  I got paired with a very interesting young man, a pilot from Seattle on vacation at Juniper with his family.  We immediately hit it off and had a great round.

a Man Wearing a Blue Cap Sunglasses and a Striped Polo Shirt Smiles for a Selfie at Pronghorn Golf Course Behind Him Are Green Fairways Scattered Shrubs Pine Trees and a Bright Blue Sky with Some Clouds

Playing the rust tees (normally the ‘blue’ tees), the course mostly got the better of me on the front nine, though I shot much better on the back nine.

The course conditions were exceptional.  The greens were perfect, the pace very fast for a Saturday, and it’s the type of golf course you constantly want to snap a photo.

a Twisted Weathered Tree Trunk Lies on Bright Green Grass Under a Blue Sky with Scattered Clouds in the Background at Pronghorn Golf Course a Person Walks Near a Golf Green with a Red Flag Surrounded by Trees and Open Space

Pro Tip:  The course is designed so that most of the best views of the mountain range are in the morning.  By afternoon, the Insta-worthy tee shots are directly into the blinding sun.

Juniper Preserve - Stay and Play in Style

One of the best features of The Pronghorn Golf Club is its home resort itself.  The Juniper Preserve offers an upscale escape with refined lodging options, including suites, townhomes, and the Juniper Preserve luxury residences.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or staying long-term, the resort elevates the experience.

a Stone Building Entrance with Double Wooden Doors Flanked by Large Potted Evergreens Welcomes Visitors to Pronghorn Golf Course a Black Mat in Front Reads Juniper Preserve Bend Oregon Nearby Sits a Grey Cushioned Chair and Lantern Style Wall Light

If you want to make a weekend out of playing golf at Pronghorn, the Juniper Reserve offers:

  • Resort-style pools and a fitness center

  • The Juniper Spa & Wellness Center

  • Fine dining at Cascada or casual eats at The Trailhead Grill

  • Adventure concierge for local excursions

Final Thoughts - Is Playing Pronghorn Worth Its Green Fees?

If you love golf, Pronghorn is a Central Oregon bucket list course. We have it #1 on our ranking of the top golf courses around Bend.

Depending on when you book your tee time, you’ll pay anywhere from $150 to $250 in greens fees.  Is that a lot, or too much?

a Blue Deschutes Beer Can with a Large Green Hop Illustration and Bold Orange Lettering Stands on Green Grass at Pronghorn Golf Course in the Background a Sandy Course Weaves Among Shrubs and Trees Beneath a Partly Cloudy Blue Sky

Paying upwards of $200 for a round of golf is not something I want to do every outing.  But it’s also not unheard of.  Golf is expensive.

If you’re a golfer, either a resident or visitor to Bend or Central Oregon, I’d encourage you to play the Nicklaus Course at Pronghorn. It’s the best example of high desert golf in the region.

(I’ll also note that Tetherow and Brasada Canyons, comparable course in the area, have similar greens fees).

a Golf Green at Pronghorn Golf Course is Bordered by Trees and a Stone Wall with a Golf Bag Leaning Against It Pink Flowers Bloom in the Foreground While Sunlight Filters Through Partly Cloudy Skies Onto the Well Kept Grass and Flags

Pronghorn Golf Club isn’t just one of the best golf courses in Bend—it’s a destination in itself.

Whether you’re looking for a high-end golf experience or simply soaking in the stunning high desert views, a round at Pronghorn is one for the memory books.

a Red Flag Reading Pronghorn Club Flutters Atop a Flagstick on the Green at Pronghorn Golf Course the Mostly Clear Sky and Tree Lined Background Are Bathed in Bright Sunlight Casting Sharp Shadows Across the Well Manicured Grass

Looking for More Great Golf Around Bend, Oregon?

Of the many things that make Bend, Oregon, a great place to live or visit, a plethora of fantastic golf courses is on the list.

Be sure to check out some of our other golf course reviews in Bend:

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Glenn VanLandingham Travel Writer
Glenn is a travel enthusiast and adventure seeker who lives in Frederick, Maryland, and Bend, Oregon. He and his wife Nicole use EpicBend and EpicFrederick to chronicle their adventures in these amazing places so others can live their best lives in Frederick and Bend.
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