The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course
If you’ve heard of The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course in northern Idaho, you probably know about its most famous feature – the floating island green on the par-3 14th hole. It’s memorable, of course. It’s unique. It’s even adjustable.
But while it’s the drawing card to this fabulous Pacific Northwest course, it’s just one part of a winning hand. There are lots of memorable holes on this Scott Miller design that opened in 1991. The resort is quite special too. It pairs with an exceptional golf experience to create a perfect golf getaway destination.
So what’s the deal with the 14th hole?
Inspired by watching a tugboat pulling logs on Lake Coeur d’Alene, the floating green on the par-3 14th, which features three tall pine trees, a bunker front and left, as well as beautiful flora, is an engineering marvel. It’s a 22,000-ton island that moves along an underwater cable system to set up various yardages that range from around 140 yards to 170 yards on the most used men’s tee, and from 90 yards from the forward tee to more than 200 yards from the back tee. It’s been around for well over 30 years now, so in 2018, the 15,000-square foot platform was overhauled to ensure more decades of enjoyment for golfers seeking to play one of the most famous par-3s in the world.
Of course, it’s hardly the only island green at a golf course. There’s a famous one in Ponte Vedra, Fla., of course. But this is one of just a couple that you must take a boat to hit a putt, chip or greenside bunker shot. And that’s part of what makes this experience so cool. Although the target is fairly large, it’s still a thrill to find the putting surface off the tee, no matter how far or close it is. Of course, by this time, you’ve already played 13 holes, and while the 14th is highly anticipated, you’ll quickly assess that the previous holes you’ve played are quite spectacular as well.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course
There’s a lot of golf leading up to the island green
If you’re staying at the resort, the golf experience starts with another boat ride, a seven-minute water taxi across the lake with your clubs on a vintage mahogany craft that really sets the tone.
The 14th is hardly the only par-3 you will remember, though, given that there are three more par-3s in the first six holes, and they have plenty of character as well, starting with the 147-yard third that runs parallel with the lake on the left. Two holes later, it’s back-to-back par-3s. The fifth, with the lake in the background of the green, features a massive bunker in front of the green and rock formations back right. It’s arguably one of the most picturesque holes on the course. And the sixth is a downhill par-3 with a large bunker behind the green as well as the lake in the background. The holes are so different that you hardly realize you’ve just played two par 3s in a row, much less three out of four.
The 579-yard ninth is the No. 1 handicap hole. Like most of the course, there are majestic pines lining the left side of the tee shot, a couple of large fairway bunkers that can come into play on the tee shot and approaches, and a green that backs up near the lake. The hole simply plays long.
The 11th is perhaps a more interesting par-5. A canal on the left side cuts in front of the green, so even at just 500 yards or so, this dogleg left can prove tricky, especially anyone looking to go for this green in two.
Before you get to the famous 14th, however, you will encounter one of the trickiest holes on the course. The par-4 13th is just 291 yards. It basically has an island fairway where most players will simply lay up to hit a short approach to a peninsula green. Big hitters, however, might try to challenge this hole over the water twice to a landing area in front of the green. It can be an intriguing risk-reward decision.
The last four holes should hold your interest as well. After a couple of tough par-4s, the 17th is a short par-4 that will tempt many to try to drive the green. It’s just 230 yards or so from the regular men’s tee, but you’ll have to work it right to left around trees to find the green on the left. Finally, the 18th is a 460-yard par-4 dogleg left that works back toward the lake. There are fairway bunkers on the left bend, and large greenside bunkers. It’s a good test to end a roller-coaster ride off the golf course.
The resort experience
The ultimate way to enjoy the course at Coeur d’Alene is to stay at The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort. Located on the north shore of the lake, the resort opened in 1965, and a seven-story tower was completed in 1973. Ten years later, Hagadone Hospitality acquired the property, and the entire resort was renovated in 1986. The Lake Tower, which is 18 stories, was also added, and a $25 million renovation followed in 2018. Today, The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort is one of the finest vacation spots in the Pacific Northwest and United States, for that matter.
The resort features five-star dining, a private beach, the Pacific Northwest’s largest wine cellar, a boat marina, infinity pool, hiking and all sorts of lake recreation, including boating and fishing. The resort also boasts one the Pacific Northwest’s best spas with an array of treatments featuring natural waters and stones from the region.
Accommodations include the aforementioned Lake Tower, which rises above the town of Coeur d’Alene on the north shore of the lake. The rooms evoke a casual luxury with modern enhancements. Incredible suites, like the 1,500-square-foot indoor/outdoor Jaeger Suite with floor-to-glass windows, wood burning fireplace, wet bar, dining area and two separate bedrooms on the 18th floor, are also available.
Several different stay and play packages are available, of course. Our recommendation is to book one that allows you to play the resort course more than once. And if you can, stay long enough to check out nearby Circling Raven as well. Located at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, this Gene Bates design has been consistently ranked among the very best courses in the state.
For most guests, the best way to get to Coeur d’Alene is to fly into nearby Spokane, Wash., which is 40 minutes from the resort. Most major western cities offer direct flights as does Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta. The adventure is well worth it, and we know you will enjoy this special destination.