Idaho Golf took the guesswork out of choosing where to play your next game of golf with a glimpse inside some of Idaho’s premier courses.

Located precisely half way between the North Pole and the equator, MeadowCreek Golf Resort has been luring golfers for more than 20 years. Just outside the town of New Meadows and only 13 miles north of McCall, MeadowCreek offers a challenging golf experience amongst the stunning natural beauty of Central Idaho’s mountains. Bluebirds, fox, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, deer and elk abound on this 6,225 yard, par 72 course that plays in and out of pines along the valley floor. Even though the course has been a favorite of local and visiting golfers for two decades, MeadowCreek recently recreated its second hole, bringing a spectacular par five to play. Wide open, graceful fairway shots and a large tiered green seduce players to an unsurpassed view of Brundage Mountain, one of Idaho’s top ski areas. Located in pristine natural surroundings and well-known for providing an excellent round of golf, MeadowCreek touts itself as “Idaho’s friendliest” golf resort. Excellent personal service, amenities and comfort do not come at the expense of elegance or luxury, however. An enthusiastic and experienced staff takes golfers from the first tee to the post-round beverage on the deck or in front of a crackling fire.

Just under the majestic Teton Mountains and amid the rolling aspen groves of Idaho’s eastern slope is Teton Reserve. Located in close proximity to world-class fishing in the Henry’s Fork, the South Fork of the Snake River, and the Teton River, it just might be tempting to drop your fly rod into your golf bag. Teton Reserve is America’s only 18-hole, championship “reversible routing” golf experience reflecting the spirit of St. Andrews in this vibrant mountain setting. Designed by Hale Irwin, Senior PGA Tour Champion and course designer, the highly efficient design provides the flexibility of a 36-hole course while maintaining the integrity of natural open spaces. Teton Reserve gives more than ample respect to the resident wildlife and spectacular environment in which it is located. The golf club’s magnificent 5-acre, all-season recreation campus will include a swimming pool, tennis courts, complete health and fitness center and a relaxing health spa. In addition to the fishing opportunities of eastern Idaho and western Wyoming, Teton Reserve also serves as a base camp for more than 5,266 miles of wilderness trails surrounding the community.

Innovation and renovation are the key words for Sandpoint’s Hidden Lakes Golf Resort. Recognized as one of the most beautiful courses in the Pacific Northwest, Hidden Lakes lengthened its original course and designed new holes to a par 71 for men and a par 72 for women. A variety of tees will accommodate all skill levels, with champion “Moose Tees” covering 6,923 yards of play and water factoring on all but one hole. The golf course now enjoys one of the highest ratings in the state of Idaho and all of the Inland Northwest, with a back-tee rating of 72.9 and a slope of 136. Strategically placed bunkers, bluegrass manicured fairways and bent grass greens for true putting combine with abundant wildlife and scenery to make a day of golf even more memorable. Nestled amongst the splendor of the Selkirk Mountains, Hidden Lakes offers all the elements of the Idaho north woods life, including rugged forestlands, the Pack River, and Lake Pend Oreille. Golf is just one of the diversions enjoyed by Sandpoint residents and visitors. The Idaho panhandle is also known for excellent fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, and horseback riding.

Noted as one of the finest public courses in southern Idaho, Canyon Springs is nestled into the unique, awe-inpiring microclimate of the Snake River Canyon. The course is built on the site of the historic Blue Lakes Ranch, with heirloom orchards bordering many of the fairways and greens. Unlike many of Idaho’s beautiful courses with majestic mountain views, Canyon Ranch sits below the desert lands of the Snake River plains in the fascinating rock formations and gushing spring waters of the canyon. Capped by the architectural beauty of the Perrine bridge arching over the meandering Snake River, the course beckons those seeking a jump start on the golf season since the canyon floor warms up far earlier than higher elevations. In addition, this is one of the few courses in the state that can be played nearly all year. While there are generally a few weather-dependent days in the winter months, Canyon Springs is where many Idaho golfers head to extend their local golfing season or to enjoy the unusual environment of the Snake River Canyon.

Some things are just worth waiting for. A culmination of commitment to the natural character of the land, belief in the local community, and pure love for the game of golf here resulted in a magnificent course set within sweeping views of McCall’s local mountains. Seven years of planning and careful listening to surrounding residents has created a Don Knott project (think Robert Trent Jones, The Links at Spanish Bay, and the renovation at Sun Valley Resort Golf Course) on 1,100 acres of open space with over 200 acres of water, rolling terrain, a variety of trees, wildflowers and deep native grasses. Nine holes opened for the 2004 season, and the Jug Mountain Ranch family hopes to open nine more in 2006. “This truly is a family project. We live here, and practically every member of our family is involved in this,” explains David Carey. “Jug Mountain offers a very, very beautiful golfing experience, with no back and forth parrallel of fairways. It’s a big course but still very walkable.” Jug Mountain is a new course, but has a very established feel and provides a variety of play even in the present nine holes. “There are four tee boxes at every hole,” Carey points out. “Players of any level can find what they’re looking for here.”

Opening in mid-season 2003, Circling Raven Golf Club enters 2005 with heady accolades under its belt. Golf Magazine and Golf Digest both named the course among their elite best of the best in 2004, and Audubon International honored Circling Raven with inclusion in its prestigious Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Players affirmed the praise by playing 15% more rounds than projected for the club’s first full season. Not a bad start! Created amid a blend of wetlands, grasslands and woodlands, the championship layout meanders through 620 acres. Wetlands impact play on 13 holes, natural Palouse grasses complement the wetlands on 16 holes and a mix of pines, aspens, cottonwoods and birch trees highlight the scenery throughout. Wildlife is abundant, including elk, deer, moose and an occasional black bear. The course is set on the homeland of the Coeur d’Alene Indian tribe as part of their Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort, and was designed to blend an exceptional golf experience with the beautiful natural surroundings the area is known for. With five sets of tees, the 7,189-yard, par 72 championship course offers playability for the high handicap golfer and some extreme challenges for low handicappers and professionals.