The Idaho Club is a new Jack Nicklaus course in the Pacific Northwest near the northern Washington/Idaho border. (
http://www.theidahoclub.com/index.cfm). It’s located just outside of Sandpoint, ID which is 75 minutes from downtown Spokane, WA. The course meanders over a gorgeous piece of property that butts up to a low mountain range to the north and the Pack River to the south with Lake Pend Oreille just beyond that. Originally an 18 hole public course known as Hidden Lakes GC, the updated routing uses a new piece of land on the other side of the highway. While I'm not as travelled as many of you, this is hands down one of the most drop-dead stunner courses I've ever played. That being said, its also one of the most difficult courses I've played but given its setting I didn't mind one bit.
The course has many elements at play of which the forced carry is the most noticeable as I counted at least 20 to be negotiated. While a few holes like 12 and 13 were a bit of a breather, the golfer is constantly asked to make their best swing on most swings, especially from the tee box. While the fairways are mostly generous, if you’re just off them in just about any direction, its usually tough going from there. The bunkering style was well done and I felt overall they were placed in strategic locations more often than not to induce at least some risk/reward action. The greens fit the property well as they were undulating and challenging whole being on the correct part of them was needed to score well. While the course seemed walkable, it would certainly be a difficult one due to a few long transitions and the hilly nature of the new property.
Overall I felt the course’s playing style was a cross between the heroic and penal categories as those elements required on several occasions. While I’ve never played Pine Valley, The Idaho Club seems to me to be in the same spirit in that it combines beauty, heroism, and exacting shot requirements to put even the best players’ abilities to the test.
With that I’ve included a few additional pictures of selected holes...
#1 - Par 4
Right out of the gate, the course is asking.. "Did you bring your game today?"
A look from behind on this cape style opener.
#3 - Par 4
A straightaway 4 with a neat green...ask Andy about that pond in front of the fairway...
#4 - Par 3
This is one of the holes from the teaser thread. A look back at the hole from behind the green.
#5 - Par 5
A gorgeous yet demanding tee shot. From the fairway one must decide to challenge a rock out cropping to get home in 2 or play safe.
A look from behind the green with the obligatory "behind" shot of a GCA.com celeb!!
#6 - Par 4
A downhill par 4 tee shot...
With a very very neat and challenging green complex. We stopped here for a few minutes to play around and try some different chips/putts.
#7 - Par 3
Gulp, a long par 3 that's all carry. Time to cowboy up!!
#8 - Par 4
Just an amazingly pretty hole that tempts the longer hitter to have a go at...
#9 - Par 5
After this tee shot..
This is the approach into the green after the layup. Bogey this is what the hole looks like from the front side...it was a really interesting green location and this pic doesn't do it justice.
#10 - Par 5
Another demanding tee shot back over the marsh to an elevated fairway.
A look back at the hole from behind the green. You can see how much that cliff/plateau really encourages the player to make thier choice with the 2nd shot.
#11 - Par 4
The approach into this longish par 4. Mr. Franklin hit a tee ball on this one that would have made John Daly jealous!
#12 - Par 5
Getting back into the flatter parts of the property, the tee shot where challenging the bunkers will leave a shorter shot in.
#13 - Par 4
Tee shot with bunkers on the inside corner of the dogleg.
#14 - Par 3
The previously shown par 3 tee shot to a well protected green.
#15 - Par 4
A longish cape hole where you really have to pick how much you're going to bite off.
The approach into the green with a fantastic back-drop
#16 - Par 3
A view of the 16th green from the 18th tee...the other pic didn't turn out so well!
#17 - Par 4
A look back at the hole from behind the green. The approach is played over the river!
#18 - Par 4
The approach into the 18th green.
