Sudden Valley is on the east side of Bellingham on Lake Whatcom, about 3 miles east of I-5.

The front nine is relatively open and flat, bordering the shores of Lake Whatcom, providing generous landing zones off the tee yet with Austin Creek in play frequently and well-protected greens. The back nine follows a ridge uphill through narrow, pine tree-lined fairways with constricted corridors approaching the small, perched greens. It was designed by Ted Robinson and plays to 6,553 yards from the back tees, 71.9/130, course/slope ratings with two shorter tees.