The Coeur d’Alene Resort Course in northern Idaho is known for its floating island green par-3, but the resort and the golf course are so much more than that.
Anyone who plays the Scott Miller-designed layout, which opened in 1986, will never forget the experience of playing the 14th hole. In fact, if you hit the green on this 15,000-square-foot floating island, you will score a certificate suitable for framing, which will help you remember.
But as anyone who has played here can tell you, it’s just one of many highlights of not only the golf course but the resort experience as a whole. A trip to The Coeur d’Alene Resort means you’ve arrived at one of the prettiest lakes in the region. You can rent a boat and fish or simply do a little bar and restaurant hopping at the town of Coeur d’Alene, which is right next to the resort on the north shore of Coeur d’Alene Lake.
The resort boasts terrific dining, spa and other amenities that include an upgraded fitness center and a wide variety of luxury accommodations, many with tower views of the beautiful scenery around it. All-in-all, a vacation at The Coeur d’Alene Resort is so much more than a floating green. But that floating green is surely one of the coolest things in golf.
About The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s calling card
Legend has it that course designer Miller wasn’t crazy about the idea of what is basically a barge with a green on top of it, but the resort’s owner, Duane Hagadone, insisted and history was made.
The distance of the hole changes every day. A computer controlled underwater cable sets the length, which can play anywhere from 95 to 270 yards. To get to the green, golfers ride on an electric-powered shuttle boat called the “Putter.” The back and front of the green are protected by bunkers, and the whole floating complex even has trees and flower beds on it.Â
The green is actually not terribly difficult to hit, but, of course, the farther away it is, the more intimidating the shot. Add some wind, which isn’t uncommon especially in the spring and fall, and it becomes that much more difficult.
And if you’re a fan of hitting out toward the water, you might like the range at The Coeur d’Alene as well. It’s an aqua range with targets in the lake, which means the range balls float. Resort guests, by the way, get to the course’s clubhouse via water taxi.
Whole course is a collection of memorable holes
Although it’s certainly a modern golf course, the course at The Coeur d’Alene has a classic parkland feel to it. Miller, who cut his teeth on Jack Nicklaus’ golf design team before striking out on his own, routed the layout though the Pacific Northwest pines and slopes overlooking spectacular Coeur d’Alene Lake, which is almost 30 miles long and has 135 miles of shoreline.
And while the par-3 14th is one of the most unique holes in America, the other four par-3 holes at the par-71 Coeur d’Alene Resort Course might be the best collection of short holes you’ll ever play.
They’re all intriguing, but the three on the front nine, though not long, can be tricky, and they’re full of character.
The third is the shortest hole on the course at just 119 yards, but it flanks the shoreline of the lake and tall pines and juniper bushes protect the right side. A couple of greenside bunkers also loom.
Two holes later, golfers encounter back-to-back par 3s. The fifth, which was redesigned in 2003 and was inspired by a golf hole on the Mediterranean in Italy, has a three-tiered clover shaped green surrounded by a gigantic bunker, rock outcroppings and a spectacular view of the water as its backdrop.
And if not for the 14th, the sixth would be the signature hole on the course. Eighty-foot tall pines tower over the elevated green of this 151-yard hole that also features expansive views of the lake. Bunkers guard the left and back portions of the green, and there’s a hill of junipers that swallow errant tee shots to the right. But if you miss it just a little right, there’s also a good chance you can get a bounce back onto the green. It could be the most beautiful hole on the course.
The 12th is the longest par-3 at 225 yards from the back tees. It’s slightly downhill and features Fernan Creek winding down the left side around the back of the green. Trees to the right and a bunker front-left make it even more demanding.
Of course, the par-5s and par-4s are pretty memorable as well. The ninth, with trees all down the left side, plays nearly 600 yards from the tips. It’s the No. 1 handicap hole.
The No. 2 handicap hole is the par-5 11th. A dogleg left, it’s somewhat reminiscent of the 13th at Augusta National, with Fernan Creek down the left side and in front of the green.Â
And certainly one of the most intriguing holes comes right before the floating island green par-3. The 13th is just 330 yards from the tips, but there’s water all down the left side and it pinches into the fairway. The conservative play off the tee is to hit an iron or hybrid off the tee, but long hitters may try to drive the well-protected green. That’s exactly what John Daly at the 1992 Merrill Lynch Shootout when he hit his tee shot to 15 feet.
The course, which has plenty of elevation change, ends with a difficult 460-yard par-4. And though the overall yardage is just over 6,800 yards, you’ll want to think twice about playing the tips. A number of short par-4s bring the total yardage down, which means there are some pretty difficult long par-4s.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort reflects its course
As good and memorable as the course is, the rest of the resort is up for the challenge.
There are convention facilities, a marina, a recently expanded fitness center, pools, shops, and various restaurants and nightlife. The entire resort takes advantage of its natural surroundings, revolving around lake life. In fact, visitors really don’t need a car as they take water taxis into town or even rent their own boats.Â
The restaurants, not surprisingly, are top notch. Dockside, for example, is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast on the lake. And Beverly’s, located on the seventh floor, has a dinner menu from the finest seafood to buffalo meat. It also has a wine collection that exceeds 16,000 bottles, so you won’t have any trouble pairing your meal with the right vino.Â
Other examples of excellent resort dining include The Coeur d’Alene Taphouse with its two-dozen microbrews on tap and cycling theme. The Cedars floating restaurant, with its selection of locally sourced beef and salmon, sits right out on the lake. And the Floating Green Restaurant at the golf course is a perfect place to enjoy a gourmet dinner at sunset after a round.Â
One of the amenities that certainly stands out is the spa, which has an extensive menu of massages and services. Most memorable, however, is the post-massage treatment of a 15-point shower with fluctuating temperatures and jets that is nearly as satisfying as the massage itself. Any aches or worries from golf are easily melted away.
Recommendation
The Coeur d’Alene Resort and the Resort Course combine for a true bucket list destination. It’s not difficult to get to; just fly into nearby Spokane and catch a ride to the resort less than 35 miles east.
The resort and the course have to be experienced in person to truly understand their beauty and uniqueness. And the Resort Course is one you can play two or three times or more in one trip and never grow tired of playing.
Customer service at The Coeur d’Alene Resort has always been a priority, too, so be prepared to be pampered. And then there’s the town of Coeur d’Alene and the rest of the water activities, all bonuses well worth exploring. This is a true escape from the ordinary.