Public Par-fect: Your Guide to Golf in Coeur d’Alene & Post Falls
The charm of Coeur d’Alene is often reflected in the gentle surface of the lake that lovingly hugs our picturesque scape – a scene that continues to captivate travel enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. But there’s more to Nature’s North Idaho playground than just the gentle waves that lick up grains of sand along its shore – it’s the grassy plains that hum in harmony with the wind, and the lush, rolling green hills that deviously hide a nasty little bunker…Oh, sorry! Did you think I was talking about the town of Coeur d’Alene? Nah! I’m visualizing my next round out on the golf course.
Let’s hit the greens together as we drop the peg on the top public golf courses in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls.
Circling Raven
Golf Digest recently named Circling Raven as Idaho’s top public course on its list of America’s Greatest Golf Courses. Thoughtfully designed to span 620 stunning acres, the 18-hole course highlights the most beautiful features of the Palouse with serene grasses swaying in the soft breeze and timeless wooden bridges crafted to carry golfers over the natural wetlands. But make sure to be on the look out for wildlife – moose are a fan of this course too.
It’s clear that Circling Raven takes great pride in every detail – from pristine tee boxes, free of even a single divot, to expansive fairways where it feels like you have the whole course to yourself. They even provide water and ice dispensers between select holes, to ensure players are keeping cool under the sometimes unforgiving sun. The course comes with its challenges too. Nestled on tribal land, the holes are gracefully framed by native grasses, carefully protected to honor and preserve the natural ecosystem – which also includes an abundance of golf balls that lost their way to the hole…mine included.
A lost ball or two (sleeves) is worth it, if it gives you an excuse to check out the Pro Shop at the end of your round. Awarded Merchandiser of the Year in the Resort Category by PGA of America, Circling Raven’s Pro Shop offers a wide selection of men’s, women’s, and children’s golf apparel. You can also shop top equipment, accessories, and unique gifts inspired by the native culture and wild beauty of the land. Scoring something for all my favorite golfers was definitely the ace on my card at the end of the day.
Less than an hour from Spokane, the drive to Circling Raven is just as stunning as the course itself. Worley, Idaho is a peaceful escape from the everyday – where wide open skies, quiet pines, and dancing grasses set the tone before you even tee off. It’s not too late to book a tee time, Circling Raven is open through late October – visit their website for more information.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course is an experience unlike any other – no wonder the course is at the top of every golfer’s bucket list. Set against the backdrop of Lake Coeur d’Alene, it’s nearly impossible not to be in awe of the natural beauty surrounding the 6,497-yard, perfectly manicured course. The breathtaking views offer a quiet reprieve from the course’s distinct challenges – blue grass rough, Juniper shrubs, and more than 60 white-sand bunkers, to name a few – that keep players on their toes.
Let’s not forget about the clear blue lake that incessantly calls out to you. Normally, water is a golfer’s worst nightmare – and that’s still very true on this course. But it’s also what draws players from all around the world to take their shot at the infamous 14th hole: the Floating Green. This movable island hole is one of the most challenging and iconic par 3s – and easily the most rewarding. Nothing feels more exhilarating than landing your shot on that elusive green. But don’t worry…even if you didn’t quite stick it, you still get to enjoy the boat ride out to finish the hole.
Floating Green at Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course – Photo by Miranda Moore
Personal forecaddies are paired with each group to provide valuable support and guidance on every hole – scoping yardages, tracking down your shot (no matter where that pesky little ball may have run off to), and keeping your equipment in top shape for peak performance. That’s not even my favorite part, it’s the custom bag tag that I get to take home as a souvenir to remember one of my favorite days swinging through 18.
I’ll let you in on a little secret though. No matter how you feel at the end of your game, you have to stop by The Floating Green Restaurant! It is Coeur d’Alene’s hidden gem. With floor-to-ceiling windows, you can enjoy a delicious meal while you watch players take their shot at the Floating Green. The spacious patio is exactly what you need to kick back, relive your round, and swap birdies and bogeys over a well-earned victory sip. Whether you stuck the green or found the drink, it’s the perfect 19th hole at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course.
The Links Golf Club
The Links Golf Club is a reverent nod to the classic courses where the game was first played, echoing the windswept simplicity and traditions of golf’s earliest days. The secluded rural stretch in Post Falls hints at the character of the countryside with fast fairways, undulating greens, light tree cover, and an open layout that invites the wind to play through. That’s not your only adversary – beware the deep bunkers and tall fescue that guard the fairways, ready to test your precision and patience.
The course is exceptionally well-maintained and you can tell that it was crafted from a true passion for the game. So much so that they expanded the course in July of last year to become one of the longest public golf courses in the US. With the addition of the back tees – the black tees – The Links is a par-73 and now plays at 8,296 yards. Players can test their skills on the course’s signature ninth hole, a par-6 from the back tees. So get ready to grip it and rip it.
The Links Golf Course – Photo by Miranda Moore
But if you are anything like me, sometimes the driving range is all you need for a nice afternoon. Unique to The Links, you hit off the grass – instead of the mats – for a heightened connection to your swing. In addition to the putting green, there’s a new practice chipping area to dial in your short game and bunker play. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, focus on the feel of each shot, and leave just a little sharper than you came.
Avondale Golf Club
Surprised to see Avondale Golf Club on the list? You’re not alone. While many assume it’s a private course, it’s actually member-owned and open to the public. A prestigious course, Avondale was designed with luxury in mind – immaculate conditions, elegantly carved layouts, and intentional details make every hole feel like you’re playing on tour. The course is demanding with its narrow fairways, tricky doglegs, and looming bunkers.
Avondale Golf Course – Photo Courtesy of Avondale
Extraordinary waterfall features feed running streams that pave their own rippling edge along the course stretch, serving as a natural guide for your ball. But don’t be tempted by the dazzling water hazards that call out to you like a siren’s song, daring you to feed it with a wayward shot.
If you’re feeling a bit nervous to play Avondale, I highly recommend that you check out the course website ahead of time. It offers videos of each hole, so you can visualize your strategy before you even step onto the first tee box. You can even take note of the pro tips! Like for the course’s signature #2 hole – a short par 3 that plays 125 yards from the blues, for the more advanced and low-handicap golfers. Expert insight from the team at Avondale: “Play for the center of the green; a missed shot could go left. Water is short of the green so take a half club more and make sure you get there.” With advice like this, you’ll be ready to take on all 18 holes with confidence and enjoy every stroke on this unforgettable course.
Coeur d’Alene Golf Club
The Coeur d’Alene Golf Club is the course where I feel most at home. Maybe it’s because I’ve played it more than any other – or maybe it’s the way the course welcomes you back like you’ve always belonged, where every round feels like catching up with an old friend. Especially on a quiet morning, when you step onto the tee box as the sun gently stretches across the grass to warm the majestic fairways, while the birds whistle their soft encouragement from above. This charming 18-hole course is snuggled into the neighborhood, with tall pines craning over to watch your every move.
Incorporated in June 1953, the Coeur d’Alene Golf Club was the first public golf course in Kootenai County. It was meticulously crafted to immerse golfers of all skill levels and bring out their best game. The affordable price for a round, combined with discounted rates for Idaho residents, makes this course an accessible favorite for both locals and visitors alike.
Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Club – Photo by Miranda Moore
Prairie Falls Golf Club – AKA The Club at Prairie Falls
Prairie Falls calls itself a Local Mini Resort and that’s exactly what it is! What started as an intimate course out on the open plains has flourished into a golfer’s dream getaway. The course embraces the beauty of the prairie surrounding it, with well-groomed fairways, subtle elevation shifts, and views that expand the horizon. It encompasses everything you would expect at a leading course…but what makes it feel like a resort?
The Club at Prairie Falls – Photo by Miranda Moore
Well, let me tell you. The Club at Prairie Falls features not only an 18-hole course, virtual golf simulators to keep you at the top of your game, and an exceptional restaurant where you can refuel at the end of a round. But you can stay onsite at the boutique hotel, attend events out on the lawn, shop the market for your go-to essentials, or even grab a cup of coffee from a local favorite. So whether you are just visiting or craving a staycation, look no further than Prairie Falls. I didn’t even mention the night golf with light up balls…now are you intrigued?
The Highlands Golf Course
The Highlands Golf Course makes for a fun day out on the green – where every swing comes with a satisfying thwack and every round is full of good laughs with friends. The breeze feels a little different from atop the hills that look over Post Falls, almost like it could carry your long drive right across the city below. At least that’s how we felt when we celebrated my Dad’s birthday out on the polished 18-hole course.
Highlands Golf Course
The only thing worth counting that day was the smiles, not the strokes. I won’t lie…we definitely took the scenic route on quite a few holes. But that’s what’s so unique about The Highlands Golf Course – how it naturally weaves through the Highland Park Estates neighborhood – driving along the paved streets and then quickly sneaking off on a secret pathway that only players can use. It feels less like a game and more of an adventure. So if you are looking for a round of golf that’s a little more unexpected and a lot more memorable, give The Highlands a shot.