Visit Sandpoint for Spring Golf with Deeper Rewards

Come spring in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho, there’s a window of time when the fairways are waking up, the mountains are still frosted high above, and the tee sheet hasn’t yet filled with summer traffic. From April through June, North Idaho quietly becomes one of the Pacific Northwest’s most rewarding spring golf getaways, offering longer days, warming sunshine and the rare luxury of time – time to linger, to book a favorable tee time, and to enjoy the many attractions off the course.

*Want to WIN a spring golf getaway?* You could! Enter by May 5 at VisitSandpoint.com.

Set in the northern tip of Idaho on the shores of magnificent Lake Pend Oreille – the state’s largest and deepest lake – Sandpoint pairs mountain golf with a vibrant small-town scene. But for golfers, the real draw is the density of quality courses within a short drive – each with a distinct personality, and each coming into prime condition as spring settles in. You’ll truly want to design your visit to stay and play.

The Anchor: The Idaho Club

If you build a Sandpoint golf trip around one must-play course, make it The Idaho Club. Barely 10 minutes from town, it’s the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Idaho – and it plays like a love letter to the surrounding terrain.

Set in the broad estuary where the Pack River flows into magnificent Lake Pend Oreille, the course winds between forested corridors and open meadow holes, with the Cabinet Mountains framing nearly every shot. A par 71, 18-hole course, the bluegrass fairways and bent-grass greens are strategic without being punishing, with generous landing areas that invite you to swing freely, then ask for precision into greens guarded by thoughtful bunkering.

Spring is especially compelling here. The turf emerges lush and vibrant, the river runs full, and wildlife abounds. Midweek visitors especially will often feel like they have the place all to themselves – an increasingly rare experience at a course of this caliber.

Off the course, The Idaho Club’s new 7,500-square-foot clubhouse has a pro shop and excellent restaurant with a particularly fine ambiance afforded by the surrounding lovely scenery.

Five More Close at Hand

Elks Golf Course

Literally three minutes from downtown Sandpoint, the Elks Golf Course is a 9-hole design offering a classic, walkable layout that makes it a locals’ favorite for good reason. Mature trees line forgiving fairways, and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. It’s fun for golfers of all levels but particularly friendly for new golfers, and two sets of tees allow for an 18-hole round with a fresh perspective.

The Ranch Club

Barely 30 minutes west of Sandpoint in Priest River – via a very scenic drive following the Pend Oreille River as it exits the lake – The Ranch Club is a 9-hole course. Wider fairways and a more open feel, with plenty of challenging tee shots amid rolling hills, make the Ranch Club approachable and fun for all abilities.

Priest Lake Golf Course

Another 30 minutes north of Priest River via rural Highway 57 – or a net one hour from Sandpoint – the Priest Lake Golf Course is set alongside what many consider the most gorgeous of Idaho’s big lakes. Tucked among towering forests, Priest Lake offers an 18-hole, par-72 championship course for golfers of all abilities. This course leans into the natural landscape – quiet, fragrant and serenely removed from everything else.

Mirror Lake Golf Course

North and east of Sandpoint is another beautiful golf destination, Mirror Lake Golf Course. Forty minutes from Sandpoint and just outside the quaint river town of Bonners Ferry, the 9-hole Mirror Lake delivers water features, frequent wildlife sightings, and a peaceful pace. It is friendly for beginners, yet offers appropriate challenges for low-handicap golfers as well, with two sets of tees for the front and back nines. It’s the kind of course where you will often pause mid-round – not to check your yardage, but to take in the outstanding views of the Kootenai Valley and Selkirk Mountains stretching into Canada.

StoneRidge Golf Course

Last but not least of the Sandpoint-adjacent choices for golfers is StoneRidge Golf Course, 50 minutes southwest of Sandpoint. StoneRidge goes one better than most courses – it doesn’t offer just 18 holes, but rather 19. Locals call it the “gambler’s hole,” an extra, playable hole to settle bets, practice or just provide additional fun. After trying to match the par 71 for the first 18, the 19th is a bona fide extra hole….which apparently makes the clubhouse bar the 20th. Along the way the course provides elevation changes and sweeping views that reward both bold play and careful club selection. It’s a memorable addition to any multi-day visit to Sandpoint.

Off the Course: Sandpoint’s Many Pleasures

A golf day in Sandpoint doesn’t end at the last hole. Between rounds, there is plenty to round out a visit:

• The lake: Lake Pend Oreille sets the tone for everything here. Take a lakeside walk, rent a kayak, paddle board or motorboat, or jump on the classic cruises offered by Lake Pend Oreille Cruises. Or, simply sit lakeside with a drink and watch the light change.
• The mountain: Schweitzer is Sandpoint’s premier ski resort, but come springtime the mountain transitions from snow sports into spring pleasures, with scenic chairlift rides, hiking, mountain biking and panoramic views that stretch across three states and into Canada.
• Lively Sandpoint: Abounding with attractions, downtown Sandpoint is easy to explore. After your morning or afternoon on the golf course, you are only minutes away from craft breweries, wine bars and restaurants that punch well above the town’s size. Live music and a plethora of arts and entertainment events fill the calendar as the season warms.

Plan the Perfect Spring Getaway

Our recommendation? Base yourself in Sandpoint and build an optimum three- to five-day itinerary: anchor your trip with The Idaho Club, mix in a couple nearby courses, and leave space for spontaneous detours – an extra nine at sunset, a long lunch downtown, a lakeside evening that stretches a little later than planned.

Get complete information for lodging, dining, events and activities at VisitSandpoint.com, or discover more golf and attractions around the state at VisitIdaho.org.