The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course Review

Kathy and I got to play at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course today. It took us four weeks to make the decision to play. Why, you may ask?

And – here is what you get for your money:

You get a pre-round warm-up sports massage….

You get a personalized souvenir bag tag.

You get unlimited balls at the driving range.

And…..you get a forecaddie.

As we were checking in we asked about the course – looking for some insight to enjoying our round. The first thing the Pro-shop staff filled us in on was the floating green.

Then they highlighted that the course was designed to be a good scoring course. It was the course designer’s goal to ensure those who played the course enjoyed their round. They also told us that our forecaddie would help us with every hole.

Early in the round, I felt like I was a professional golfer. At least that’s what I think it must feel like to be a professional golfer, because the course was perfect. Every tee box, fairway, sand trap, and green was in pristine condition. I didn’t see any greenskeepers out working. They were not on the greens just in front of me trying to get it done before I hit a ball. They weren’t cutting fairways while we were playing. Everything was already done. 

There were plenty of tee sets to accommodate every level of player. And, because we had a great caddie, we were able to choose the one that would best fit our game.

Chris, our forecaddie, was awesome.

He was able to give us accurate shot information based on our different skill level after the first few shots of the round. The only thing I think that would have made our forecaddie any better would have been another forecaddie. We had to share Chris with all four players. That meant Chris was a busy man. But, busy or not, Chris did a great job. For sure, we played a little better because of him. 

Speaking of four players. We were paired with brothers, Danny and Kevin. They were here because Kevin was getting married in a couple of days. They wanted to spend a little time together on the course having a great day before the wedding. They were awesome to be paired with. Easy going and friendly.

We told Kevin to be sure to play golf with his soon-to-be wife and they will have something to do together for many years to come. Danny quickly spoke up and said, she is athletic and would be good at it. Maybe better than Kevin. I am not sure if that was a ribbing to his brother or a complement to the Bride. But, I am guessing a complement.

Back to the course. There were many beautiful holes. There were two back to back par 3s on the front that, for me, were amazing. The tee boxes were elevated and the greens were guarded by sand. A lofted ball would be held up by the wind coming off the lake, dropping it down on the green. I love elevated tees on par 3s or 4s. I think they make the course feel grand and that I am on top of the world.

This course was built for better scoring. But, not in an insulting way. You still had to hit good shots to score well. However, if you hit a poor shot, you were not out of the hole. You would be able to recover. You were always hitting off grass. Even under the trees, the branches were cut up a bit and the second cut grass went all the way up to the tree. So, you may only have to punch out or miss a couple of other trees. But, your lie was good.

As Chris kept saying, we can work with that. And he was right, the course was workable from everywhere.

The signature hole was 14. A par 3 floating green.

The only floating green in America. Cables can alter the yardage everyday. Our forecaddie said the day’s yardage is not determined offhandedly. Instead, the lake’s depth is the deciding factor. What is most impressive in my mind is that it is not a short hole. Today, it measured 197 yards.

You get 2 shots to land the green. It is a resort, and they want you to have fun. Local rule is two balls off the tee. If you miss with both balls, it is a drop on the green. But only one of the balls off the tee counts. Gotta love local rules. Once you are done teeing off, you take your putter and board a small boat (named the Putter) to get to the green. Which by the way was very well stocked with swing juice and snacks. It is just a quick boat ride to the dock leading to the green.

I was sure I was going to land the green. It was 197 yards into the wind. I have been striking the ball well all day. My first ball bounced off the dock and into the water. My second never had a chance. Both Danny and Kevin missed as well. Our only hope was Kathy. She hates water. It makes her shake in her spikes. But, she pulled out her driver for the 157 yard shot and landed the green. The ball rolled past the hole onto the rough. A soft chip and putt later and she was the only one with par. It was a fun hole for sure. I am sure I will probably stop beating myself up over missing the green in a few days.

There were a few beverage/snack carts on the course. We ran into Liann on the second hole. She was there ready to mix any drink of your choice. Her job was to stay there and make sure anyone wanting to have a little swing juice would be able to get there first one early in the round. Then there were two other carts that roamed the course to be sure you got what you needed.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course was a bit pricey. But, at the end of the day they lived up to everything you would expect from a high end golf resort. Great service from all of the staff, a course that was in perfect shape, fun holes, great caddies, and an all around fun golfing experience. I wouldn’t spend this kind of money on golf often. I don’t even think I would do it once a year. But, we will probably never be here again, so paying the price for a once in a lifetime course is ok. 

Based on our golf scorecard,  we give Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course a Birdie. It was everything we wanted it to be.

If you are in Coeur d’Alene and you want to have a fun round of golf, you should absolutely play Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course. You won’t mind the cost when the round is over. 

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By: Marc Festa

COURSE REVIEW SCORE CARD

Course: The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course 

Type: Resort

Date Played:  26 September 2024