Question:
I am considering taking a golf vacation to Spokane WA. Has anyone played the area courses? Which are the best ones? Is the area worth planning a golf vacation around? Please reply if you have any thoughts.
Response:
I am considering taking a golf vacation to Spokane WA. Has anyone played the area courses? Which are the best ones? Is the area worth planning a golf vacation around? Mark: I live about an hour south of Spokane and I can tell you they have an excellent municipal circuit. As far as planning a golf vacation around Spokane???….well, I don’t know if its THAT good. A good idea might be to play a few (2-3) of Spokane’s best and then head over to Coeur d’Alene (about 40 minutes east of Spokane) for an unforgettable golf package. The resort sits right on the lake and is top notch with lots to do. For your golf, they will take you on a short (about 5 minutes) taxi shuttle via speed boat to the course. Your caddie will meet you at the dock and get you set up with your cart (this is the ONE place where taking a cart is very cool……Coeur d’Alene spent over $1 million on the cartpaths alone). You have unlimited free range balls into the water driving range. Check out the proshop…..very nice stuff (and expensive!). Grab a bite to eat and head out for one of the most pristine golf courses in the world. The caddies are really nice and will help read putts, get you clubs, use radar guns for exact yardages to the pin, clean your clubs, etc, etc. You will be treated like a king. Well worth the money. Great holes are #3 (wedge par 3), #8 (cool par 4), #11 (risk reward par 5 over creek), #13 (lakeside short par 4), #14 (floating green par 3!), #15 (short par 5). The four times I’ve played at Coeur d’Alene, I’ve always felt that I’m not playing REAL golf. The course is so nice and manicured that its like you’re in a dream. The course is not that difficult either. It is very short and if you can keep it out of trouble off of the tee you should score very well. Golf packages in May (book early for Memorial Day, it’s very popular) and October (try for early October the weather is still warm and the course is in great shape) are priced well (around $300 for two golfers/one room). Considering that green fees at Coeur d’Alene are around $150/person going with the package is like getting your room for free. Rates are more expensive in June-Sept. http://www.golfweb.com/oncourse/gwid/05741.html Spokane munies…..my favorites **Creek at Qualchan** Opened about 5 years ago (Spokane’s newest), very interesting layout amongst pine trees and wandering around the creek. First five holes are very challenging. Lots of bunkers and interesting holes, some ponds and lateral hazards along/beside the creek. Good bang for the buck. Cost….around $20 for green fees as are all Spokane munies. Bring lots of balls–you can lose them quickly, especially from the tee. A very hilly walk as well….consider getting a cart if your not a die-hard walker. Coolest holes…..#1, 3, 12, 14, 16, 18. On most holes, leave the driver in the bag. Very tight from the tee on most holes except #1, 5, 12 (tight, but you need the big dog), and 16 (good chance to make home in two here).Only beef with this course, greens aren’t very good, lots of spike marks in the past, but they seem to be getting a little bit better with age. http://services.golfweb.com/oncourse/gwid/14699.html **Indian Canyon** Very old and popular course in Spokane. Very similar to Qualchan with narrow fairways, but instead of bunkers/water they use LOTS of pine trees. Trees and shubbery are abundant on almost every hole. No water hazards and very little (if any) OB. Indian Canyon has held the USGA Public Links championship finals two times (in the 40s and 80s). Course conditions are OK. Again, leave the driver in the bag for a majority of the holes. Good holes #1 (downhill, reachable par 5), #6 (long, uphill par 4), #8 (monster par 3), #10 (downhill par 4), #14, #18 (short, but uphill, par 5). Again, consider a cart unless you REALLY like to walk. A very hilly course. http://www.golfweb.com/oncourse/gwid/14695.html **Meadow Wood** An opposite of Qualchan & Indian Canyon. Wide open with thick, but fair, rough. Lots of hills and bumps that outline the holes. A great course with some very interesting holes. I’ve only played there once, but I really enjoyed my first impression. A flat, easy-walking course until 16, 17, 18 which are hilly. Good holes (from what I can remember) are #6 (I think) (great par 5 with bunkers), #9, #10, #12, #15, #16. Lots of water and bunkers. Greens are in OK condition they tend to spike up easily, but the from tee to green the course is in excellent condition…….very green and aesthetic. http://www.golfweb.com/oncourse/gwid/14588.html Hope this helps! Send me an email and let me know your schedule if you want to hook up in Spokane to play together. Scott D. Newell Washington State University "That shot is impossible!…..Jack Nicholson himself couldn’t make it!" — Homer Simpson