Idaho & Spokane

[ogrehack]

Staying in/around Couer D'Alene. Playing Couer D'Alene Resort Course & Circling Raven for sure, but can't find much info about other public courses in Northern Idaho. Idaho Club? Stoneridge?

 

Flying into Spokane, so may squeeze in a round or two there on way in/out. Any of the public Spokane courses stand out amongst the others (eg Qualchan, Indian Canyon, Downriver, or others)? Thanks.

[DeNinny]

Hangman Valley is the only course in Spokane I have played and I thought it was fine. Some good elevation changes and fun holes. Spokane golf is very affordable.

I love Circling Raven too. Awesome course.

[Coug4Life]

I'd play Circling Raven twice, Qualchan, Indian Canyon, and MeadowWood. If your willing to drive 90 minutes, I'd skip the Spokane courses and play Palouse Ridge.

[secondary]

What date and how long? I second Coug4life. If you have to choose only 2, Circling Raven and Palouse Ridge. Stoneridge is just ok, got some quirky holes. Idaho Club is nice, but it will have to be more towards summer before it is in any kind of shape. Long drive. I live here and drive the other way ALL the time. If you want one public course in C'DA, probably have to choose between Highlands and Avondale, I would choose Avondale personally.

[againstthegrain]

"get loose on the Palouse" ......it had a different meaning back in the day. lol

[cdnrockies]

I'd play Circling Raven everyday over the Resort course. Unless you're getting a super good deal it will be underwhelming. I played the Resort first and while it is very well manicured and the service is excellent, for what you pay it's extremely disappointing as an actual golf course. The Club at Black Rock is apparently outstanding if you're a member of a private club that could get you on.

[ogrehack]

[quote name='DeNinny' timestamp='1362843954' post='6577307']
Hangman Valley is the only course in Spokane I have played and I thought it was fine. Some good elevation changes and fun holes. Spokane golf is very affordable.

I love Circling Raven too. Awesome course.
[/quote]

Thank you. Yes, seem very affordable in Spokane and for nice-looking courses too. Not used to that idea in California.

[quote name='Coug4Life' timestamp='1362860377' post='6578637']
I'd play Circling Raven twice, Qualchan, Indian Canyon, and MeadowWood. If your willing to drive 90 minutes, I'd skip the Spokane courses and play Palouse Ridge.
[/quote]
Ok, Palouse Ridge added to the list. As we further plan, seems 1-2 rounds in Spokane seeming more likely, after/before flights, so will definitely consider your Spokane recs. Thanks.

[quote name='secondary' timestamp='1362862157' post='6578825']
What date and how long? I second Coug4life. If you have to choose only 2, Circling Raven and Palouse Ridge. Stoneridge is just ok, got some quirky holes. Idaho Club is nice, but it will have to be more towards summer before it is in any kind of shape. Long drive. I live here and drive the other way ALL the time. If you want one public course in C'DA, probably have to choose between Highlands and Avondale, I would choose Avondale personally.
[/quote]
Sorry, forgot to include in 1st post. Around August, 4 nights, so 3 full days & 2 half travel days. So, based on everyone's recs, looking at Circling Raven (maybe with replay), Couer dAlene Resort and now debating between Idaho Club (tee times seem limited though) and trekking down to Palouse Ridge. Do you not care for the CDA Resort course? On travel days, 2 of the Spokane courses (likely Indian Canyon & Qualchan). Sound like enough golf for a bunch of 40-somethings?

BTW, any suggestions on booking times? Generally not picky on times (except on the travel days in Spokane), but not sure if we should use the Idaho Golf Trails to book our times.

Also, didn't realize how big the lake is. Any area you recommend over others, considering where we may play? Am thinking Palouse Ridge is now high on our list.

Everyone thanks for the info, but keep the replies coming as we're still in the midst of planning our trip (likely 8-12 players).

[ogrehack]

[quote name='cdnrockies' timestamp='1362883367' post='6580949']
I'd play Circling Raven everyday over the Resort course. Unless you're getting a super good deal it will be underwhelming. I played the Resort first and while it is very well manicured and the service is excellent, for what you pay it's extremely disappointing as an actual golf course. The Club at Black Rock is apparently outstanding if you're a member of a private club that could get you on.
[/quote]Hmmm, interesting, as that was the impression I was getting from the other replies too. Will consider in our plans that we are currently booking. At min, may make plans to play Circling Raven more than once (replay?). Awesome info, as I thought CDA Resort was the 'must play' of the area, but maybe not. Thanks for the info.

[mukster]

We played a bunch of these a few years ago. I really liked Circling Raven, but also really enjoyed Indian Canyon. The latter is a classic old course which was fantastic value for money at the time. Hangman Valley was okay. If ever I go back, I would play CR and Indian Canyon again.

[secondary]

[quote name='ogrehack' timestamp='1362928731' post='6582871']
[quote name='cdnrockies' timestamp='1362883367' post='6580949']
I'd play Circling Raven everyday over the Resort course. Unless you're getting a super good deal it will be underwhelming. I played the Resort first and while it is very well manicured and the service is excellent, for what you pay it's extremely disappointing as an actual golf course. The Club at Black Rock is apparently outstanding if you're a member of a private club that could get you on.
[/quote]Hmmm, interesting, as that was the impression I was getting from the other replies too. Will consider in our plans that we are currently booking. At min, may make plans to play Circling Raven more than once (replay?). Awesome info, as I thought CDA Resort was the 'must play' of the area, but maybe not. Thanks for the info.
[/quote]

If you haven't played the Resort, you gotta play it once. Their replay is pretty good as well. Usually you can get a good deal with a room reservation, probably not in Aug though. For the # of days you are talking about, you just have to decide how much driving you want to do. You could easily extend for days on end and include Spokane courses which are great and cheap, you could drive up to Sandpoint and play Idaho Club ( there will be times once summer shows up) but for the limited # of days you are here, Raven and Resort might just hold you. If you are driving to the Palouse, we usually try to stay at the Casino @ C Raven play there, then go hit the Palouse, circle back to Raven. Resort is big $, but CDA is fun and it is real easy on the eyes. PM if you got any other ? Have fun!

[gmu155]

Indian Canyon in Spokane is fun. Down river is very, very, very slow.

[ogrehack]

Took quite a bit of juggling, as had to work around tournaments/events, aeration schedules, flights, driving, expected back pain , etc, but finalized the schedule:

Day 1: Qualchan
Day 2: Idaho Club
Day 3: CDA Resort
Day 4: Circling Raven
Day 5: Indian Canyon

Disappointed couldn't fit Palouse Ridge into the mix, but am fully expecting we'll return some day. Can't wait!

[teeitlow]

I like that you saved the best two on your list for last. Circling Raven is a great course and Indian Canyon Is my favorite Spokane muni.

Qualchan isnt bad if Im drinking...number 1 is a grip it and rip it hole...though I usually find the bushes on the right. Plenty of fun to be had.

Liberty Lake was a good time, played it about 3 weeks ago and it was in nice shape.

-D