Six stunning courses over four spectacular days in Sandpoint, Idaho
A trip to Sandpoint, Idaho is a guaranteed hole-in-one. Less than 90 minutes east of Spokane, Sandpoint is nestled alongside magnificent Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s deepest and largest lake, amid two inspiring frontal ranges of the Rocky Mountains – the Selkirk Mountains that stretch north to Canada, and the Cabinet Mountains sprawling east into Montana.
With six top-tier golf courses within 50 miles of Sandpoint, Northern Idaho is quickly becoming a premier golfing destination. Novices and pros alike can enjoy the stunning scenery and greenery that Northern Idaho has to offer.
If you’re planning your next trip, consider four spectacular days of golf at six premium courses around Sandpoint, Idaho. With this itinerary, you will be able to take time to appreciate the stunning mountains and lakes of Northern Idaho as well as spend time in a bustling small town with ample libations and amenities for people of all persuasions.
Day 1: Sandpoint
The Idaho Club
Less than 10 miles from downtown Sandpoint, The Idaho Club is Idaho’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. In 2008, Nicklaus Designs and Jack Nicklaus himself designed this golf course that provides a world-class golf experience while immersing players in the natural beauty of the Moose Mountain and Lower Pack River landscape. This exceptional 18-hole championship course caters to all ability levels and the scenery is just as captivating as the fairway. With mountains as your backdrop and the river meandering throughout the course, you’ll have an unparalleled experience at The Idaho Club.
Sandpoint Elks Golf Course
The Elks is the closest golf course to downtown Sandpoint and has been a fixture of the community for over 50 years. Located just north of Sandpoint in Ponderay, Idaho, the Elks is about 1.5 miles from downtown and nestled near the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. This 9-hole golf course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level (and two sets of tees to allow for an 18-hole experience should another 9 holes come calling for you). Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Sandpoint Elks Golf Course difficult yet friendly, and the knowledgeable staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round.
Day 2: Priest Lake and Priest River
Priest Lake Golf Course
Often referred to as “North Idaho’s hidden gem,” the Priest Lake Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course for golfers of all abilities with plenty of challenging tee shots, rolling hills, wetlands and ponds. Set amidst the breathtaking scenery of Priest Lake and lofty mountains, this course is a worth-every-minute one-hour drive from Sandpoint.
The Ranch Club
On your way back, you’ll hit Priest River and instead of turning left to head back to Sandpoint for assorted libations (as enticing as that sounds), we recommend turning right and hitting The Ranch Club for another nine holes to round out Day 2. This beautiful 9-hole course is perfect for all kinds of golfers and, while a local favorite, is never too crowded. You’ll quickly notice that Priest River is no drive-through town – sitting at the confluence of two pristine rivers, this charming community is a worthy stop for a round of golf.
Day 3: Bonners Ferry
Mirror Lake Golf Course
Mirror Lake Golf Course is a gem of a 9-hole course, located one mile south of Bonners Ferry and just under 30 miles north of Sandpoint, and is enjoyed by golfers of all abilities. It is player-friendly for the beginner, yet is a challenge for the low-handicap golfer as well, with two sets of tees for the front and back nines. It has a diverse array of par 3s, 4s and 5s, along with stunning views of the Selkirk Mountains and the Kootenai Valley. The golf course features water hazards on both par 3s as well as on three of the par 4s. The course is in wonderful shape with fast and smooth-putting greens.
Pair this scenic trip up to Bonners Ferry with nine or 18 at the Elks or The Idaho Club for a full day of prime Northern Idaho golfing.
Day 4: Blanchard
StoneRidge Golf Course
Whether you’re hitting this course on the way out of town or dedicating a full last day to a beautiful scenic drive and an impressive golf course, StoneRidge Golf Course is the perfect way to end four beautiful days golfing in Sandpoint. Amid the stunning natural beauty of Northern Idaho, surrounded by conifer forests and blue lakes, you’ll find StoneRidge tucked on the backside of Mt. Spokane. StoneRidge doesn’t have 18 holes; they have 19 to “wake up your best game and excite your senses.” We toss in just enough in the way of watery adventures and white sand bunkers to make it a round to remember.
Finish your days in downtown Sandpoint
After a long, successful day on the course there is no better place to wind down than downtown Sandpoint. There are several options for downtown lodging, some featuring lake views, where you can walk to a number of incredible restaurants, breweries, bars, pubs, wineries, and ice cream shops. You want it, Sandpoint’s got it. Get out on the water with a Lake Pend Oreille Cruise, get some altitude with a hike or mountain bike session up at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, or explore the Selle Valley on horseback at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.
See you in Sandpoint for four spectacular days of golf!
