The 10 Best Golf Courses in Idaho You Can Play (2026)

The best Idaho courses you can play are Circling Raven in Worley, Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort and The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course. For value, Ridgecrest Golf Club in Nampa, a city-owned John Harbottle III design, is the standout.

The list at a glance

| # | Course | Location | Access | Best for | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | Circling Raven Golf Club | Worley | Public | Idaho's top-ranked public round | | 2 | Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort | Donnelly | Resort (public tee times) | Big mountain golf | | 3 | The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course | Coeur d'Alene | Resort (public tee times) | The floating green | | 4 | Elkhorn at Sun Valley Resort | Sun Valley | Resort (public tee times) | A Trent Jones father-son design | | 5 | The Idaho Club | Sandpoint | Semi-private | Idaho's only Nicklaus Signature course | | 6 | Jug Mountain Ranch | McCall | Public | Forest and wetland golf | | 7 | Ridgecrest Golf Club | Nampa | Municipal | Links-style value | | 8 | BanBury Golf Club | Eagle | Public | River golf with USGA history | | 9 | TimberStone Golf Course | Caldwell | Public | Length and fast greens | | 10 | Canyon Springs Golf Course | Twin Falls | Public | A round inside the Snake River Canyon |

How we chose

Every course in the top 10 takes public tee times, whether as a daily-fee, municipal or resort course. We ranked them on quality, published recognition, design pedigree and variety of price and region. We checked facts against course websites in October 2026. Private clubs, which hold most of Idaho's top national rankings, are listed separately.

1. Circling Raven Golf Club

Location: Worley, ID · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Gene Bates (2003) · Region: North Idaho, south of Coeur d'Alene

Circling Raven is owned by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and spreads across about 620 acres of wetlands, woodlands and Palouse grasses. Golfweek named it Idaho's No. 1 public-access course for 2026. Golf Digest ranks it sixth in Idaho for 2025-26, the top public course on that list.

The 2026 season opened April 3 with new cart path and bridge work.

Around the greens: Golf Digest reviewers describe medium-to-large greens with gentle undulations, so long chips and lag putts are common; pick a landing spot and let the ball release.

2. Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort

Location: Donnelly, ID · Access: Resort (public tee times) · Holes: 18 (par 73) · Designer: Robert Trent Jones II (2005) · Region: West Central Mountains, beside Lake Cascade

Osprey Meadows closed in 2015 and reopened in summer 2024 after a restoration with the original Robert Trent Jones II team. In May 2026 the resort announced that Golfweek had named it Idaho's top resort course and a Top 100 resort course in the U.S.

It stretches to 7,447 yards at nearly 5,000 feet, with island-style greens. A bonus par-3 "Gambler's Hole" plays as a 19th. The 2026 rate season runs May 16 to October 11.

Around the greens: Island-style greens leave little room to run the ball in from the wrong side, so a lofted pitch to a set landing spot is often the only option.

3. The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course

Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID · Access: Resort (public tee times) · Holes: 18 (par 71) · Designer: Scott Miller (1991) · Region: North Idaho, on Lake Coeur d'Alene

The resort course is famous for its floating 14th green, which an underwater cable system moves so the hole's length can change. Golf Digest ranks the course seventh in Idaho for 2025-26, and Golfweek placed it tied for second on its 2024 public-access list.

Every group gets a forecaddie. Bentgrass covers the tees, greens and fairways. Pair it with our best golf courses near Spokane guide.

Around the greens: Ask your forecaddie how fast the bentgrass greens are rolling that day, then plan each chip's landing spot from that number.

4. Elkhorn at Sun Valley Resort

Location: Sun Valley, ID · Access: Resort (public tee times) · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. (1974) · Region: Wood River Valley

Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed Elkhorn's front nine and his son designed the back nine, which follows a creek. At 7,214 yards, it is the longest of Sun Valley Resort's three courses.

The public can book three days ahead, and resort guests can book earlier. The resort's Trail Creek course, ninth in Golf Digest's 2025-26 Idaho ranking, was listed as closed for irrigation work in October 2026.

Around the greens: Elkhorn has large, undulating greens and more than 100 bunkers, so landing-zone discipline and a reliable splash shot both pay off.

5. The Idaho Club

Location: Sandpoint, ID · Access: Semi-private (public tee times) · Holes: 18 · Designer: Jack Nicklaus · Region: North Idaho, near Lake Pend Oreille

The club bills its course as Idaho's only Jack Nicklaus Signature design, and Golf Digest ranks it eighth in Idaho for 2025-26. The Lower Pack River and its wetlands run through the layout.

Golf Digest reviewers call it demanding, with long carries over marsh. The club runs separate public and member tee sheets, so book early.

Around the greens: Reviewers describe undulating greens with few flat putts; land chips on the flattest part of the green you can find and let the slope feed the ball.

6. Jug Mountain Ranch

Location: McCall, ID · Access: Public · Holes: 18 · Designer: Don Knott · Region: West Central Mountains

Don Knott, whose credits include The Links at Spanish Bay, routed Jug Mountain Ranch through wetlands, old-growth forest and views of Jughandle Mountain. The course says Golf Digest ranked it second among the best new public courses in its opening year.

Everyone is welcome to book tee times, and fall golf runs through mid-October. Pair it with Osprey Meadows in nearby Donnelly for a two-course mountain trip.

Around the greens: Use the six-hole Jug Junior par-3 course beside the range to dial in wedge distances in mountain air before your round.

7. Ridgecrest Golf Club

Location: Nampa, ID · Access: Municipal · Holes: 27 (championship 18 is par 72) · Designer: John Harbottle III (1996) · Region: Treasure Valley, west of Boise

Ridgecrest is a links-style course built over old rolling cornfields. The City of Nampa bought the land in 2023 to keep it in golf. Golfweek's 2024 Idaho public-access list placed it tied for second in the state.

A nine-hole executive course adds options for beginners, and the 2026 Saint Alphonsus Nampa Open was played here in June. For more Treasure Valley picks, see our best golf courses near Boise guide.

Around the greens: As a links-style layout, Ridgecrest rewards the ground game; from just off the green, a 7- or 8-iron chip that lands early and runs is often safest (what club to chip with).

8. BanBury Golf Club

Location: Eagle, ID · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 71) · Designer: John Harbottle III (1999) · Region: Treasure Valley, northwest of Boise

BanBury follows the South Channel of the Boise River, with lakes and creeks in play on many holes. It hosted the 2005 U.S. Girls' Junior, and Golfweek ranked it fifth among Idaho's public-access courses in 2024.

It plays to 6,890 yards on bentgrass greens, about 10 miles from downtown Boise.

Around the greens: With water close to many greens, aim approaches at the wide side and chip to a planned landing spot rather than forcing a flop.

9. TimberStone Golf Course

Location: Caldwell, ID · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: John Steidel (opened 2011) · Region: Treasure Valley, west of Boise

TimberStone opened in 2011 on more than 300 acres of former farmland. It stretches to 7,051 yards, and tee times open 14 days ahead.

One GolfPass reviewer warns that the greens carry plenty of undulation and can run faster than visitors expect.

Around the greens: On quick, sloping bentgrass, land chips a little shorter than feels natural and let them release (chipping on slopes and fast greens).

10. Canyon Springs Golf Course

Location: Twin Falls, ID · Access: Public · Holes: 18 · Opened: 1975 (second nine 1987) · Region: Magic Valley, southern Idaho

Canyon Springs sits in the Snake River Canyon, about 500 feet below Blue Lakes Boulevard. The course highlights views of the Perrine Bridge, canyon walls and waterfalls.

The family-run course says the canyon's microclimate keeps it open nearly year-round. Tee times open seven days ahead online.

Around the greens: Year-round play means turf firmness can change with the season, so hit a few practice chips first and note how far the ball rolls out.

Private clubs worth knowing

• Gozzer Ranch Golf and Lake Club (Harrison): Tom Fazio design ranked 43rd in Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest for 2025-26. Member invitation required.
• The Golf Club at Black Rock (Coeur d'Alene): Jim Engh design, second in Golf Digest's Idaho ranking for 2025-26. Member invitation required.
• Tributary (Driggs): David McLay Kidd design, third in Golf Digest's Idaho ranking for 2025-26. Member invitation required.
• CDA National Reserve (Coeur d'Alene): Tom Weiskopf design, fourth in Golf Digest's Idaho ranking for 2025-26. Member invitation required.
• Hillcrest Country Club (Boise): host of the Korn Ferry Tour's Albertsons Boise Open every year from 1990 through 2025. Member invitation required.

Tips for playing golf in Idaho

• Season: Mountain courses run roughly mid-May to mid-October; Osprey Meadows' 2026 rates cover May 16 to October 11. Canyon Springs plays nearly year-round.
• Altitude: Sun Valley sits near 6,000 feet and Osprey Meadows near 5,000, so full shots carry farther than at sea level. Circling Raven sits closer to 2,600 feet.
• Booking: Book weekend mornings early. Sun Valley lets the public book Elkhorn three days ahead, while TimberStone opens tee times 14 days out.
• Greens: Coeur d'Alene Resort, BanBury, TimberStone and The Idaho Club are all listed with bentgrass greens; ask the pro shop how fast they are rolling before you play.
• Pick a base: North Idaho groups Circling Raven, Coeur d'Alene Resort and The Idaho Club; see also our Spokane guide. The Boise area offers Ridgecrest, BanBury and TimberStone.
• New course routine: Our 15-minute pre-round routine helps you read green speed and turf before you tee off.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best public golf course in Idaho?

Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley is the most decorated public course in Idaho. Golfweek named it the state's No. 1 public-access course for 2026. Golf Digest ranks it sixth in Idaho for 2025-26, ahead of every other public course on that list.

What is the best value golf course in Idaho?

Ridgecrest Golf Club in Nampa is the strongest value pick. The city-owned John Harbottle III design tied for second on Golfweek's 2024 list of Idaho public-access courses. BanBury in Eagle and Canyon Springs in Twin Falls are other strong daily-fee options.

Can the public play the Coeur d'Alene Resort floating green?

Yes: Golf Digest lists The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course as public, and tee times can be booked online or by phone. The floating 14th green is the signature hole, and each group plays with a forecaddie.

When is golf season in Idaho?

North Idaho and mountain courses typically open in April or May and close in October, and Sun Valley's 2026 peak season ran from June into September. Osprey Meadows and Jug Mountain Ranch run roughly mid-May to mid-October. Canyon Springs in Twin Falls stays open nearly year-round.

How do I handle unfamiliar green speeds on a new course?

Ask the pro shop how fast the greens are running; staff often know the latest Stimpmeter reading. Then roll a few long putts and hit a few chips on the practice green. Our green speed guide shows how speed changes where each chip should land.

Find your landing zone on every green

From lakeside bentgrass in North Idaho to mountain greens near 6,000 feet in Sun Valley, Idaho's courses roll at very different speeds. Green speed changes where every chip should land, and it changes from course to course. ELZS (Essential Landing Zone Systems) turns three inputs, your distance to the hole, your club and the green speed, into the number of paces to land the ball so it rolls out to the hole. It was built by former teaching pro Chaz H. Smith and comes as an app for iOS and Android and as a waterproof pocket chartbook. Before your next round, ask the pro shop how fast the greens are running, then look up your landing zone and chip with a plan.

Download ELZS for iPhone · Get ELZS on Android · Learn how landing zones work