Post by secondary on Sept 8, 2011 13:20:34 GMT -5
Finally got to play what was the 1 very good public course in our town.
Jack Nicklaus and others bought this about 5 years ago and turned what was Hidden Lakes into the Idaho Club. Won't bore with details, but economic disaster, grandiose plans, total disarray. Now out of desperation they are allowing local residents to play after 2 for 65$.
Condition wise, it was what you would expect from a rarely played top notch course, PERFECT. They kept some of the original holes from Hidden, reversed them, etc but of course, added the "Jack" greens. Ugh.
They expanded across the street and dynamited out 7 new holes up the side of a small granite mountain. I had seen this piece of land hundreds of times but never had I imagined that the landscape could be so dramatic. Truly breathtaking. Camera with dead batteries of course. Going to go back real quick and play again before it gets too cold, I will add some photos. Really liked the new holes. Pretty much target golf in the middle of parkland forest? Bizarre. Beautiful, but different.
After playing the Dove Mountain Courses in Tucson, La Paloma, and few of his designs in Michigan, I think that I have come to the conclusion that I can't stand Jack's designs for putting greens. Freaking ski slopes in the middle of every one? Illegal pin placements? How about every damn hole? Seriously. Don't get me wrong, because of it's location, and my desire to live in this town, I could live here and call this a home course. But I don't think I could do it without a serious investment in time with Aimpoint. Literally couldn't read a putt. Almost every one was at least a double breaking putt. That being said, it was actually funner then the Matchplay greens.
It was a difficult course. I think from our tees (blue) it was a slope of 141 and a course rating of 71.6 or something close. GPS didn't work and they didn't have reflectors on any flag sticks. Lots of walking to find a sprinkler head. Would love another crack at the place because some holes you just have no idea where you were going or what was up there in front of you. Let me say that I understand the place is in default/receivership, so I understand the no budget thing, but a few signs would have helped just to know where the next tee was? Carts mandatory I am guessing? It could be walked, but quite a work out. Web site is lacking. Can't glean much from looking at it, but check it out if you have the time. Between the Moose, Eagles, Herons and all the other wildlife it really is a beautiful spot. If you are ever in the area you could put quite a nice loop of courses together. Idaho Club, (Stoneridge maybe) Circling Raven, Coeur D' Alene Resort, (Black Rock and Gozzer if you can find someone to get you on) and then make the drive down to Pullman and play Palouse Ridge. Great golf on a budget. Going to try and talk my friends into it next summer.
Jack Nicklaus and others bought this about 5 years ago and turned what was Hidden Lakes into the Idaho Club. Won't bore with details, but economic disaster, grandiose plans, total disarray. Now out of desperation they are allowing local residents to play after 2 for 65$.
Condition wise, it was what you would expect from a rarely played top notch course, PERFECT. They kept some of the original holes from Hidden, reversed them, etc but of course, added the "Jack" greens. Ugh.
They expanded across the street and dynamited out 7 new holes up the side of a small granite mountain. I had seen this piece of land hundreds of times but never had I imagined that the landscape could be so dramatic. Truly breathtaking. Camera with dead batteries of course. Going to go back real quick and play again before it gets too cold, I will add some photos. Really liked the new holes. Pretty much target golf in the middle of parkland forest? Bizarre. Beautiful, but different.
After playing the Dove Mountain Courses in Tucson, La Paloma, and few of his designs in Michigan, I think that I have come to the conclusion that I can't stand Jack's designs for putting greens. Freaking ski slopes in the middle of every one? Illegal pin placements? How about every damn hole? Seriously. Don't get me wrong, because of it's location, and my desire to live in this town, I could live here and call this a home course. But I don't think I could do it without a serious investment in time with Aimpoint. Literally couldn't read a putt. Almost every one was at least a double breaking putt. That being said, it was actually funner then the Matchplay greens.
It was a difficult course. I think from our tees (blue) it was a slope of 141 and a course rating of 71.6 or something close. GPS didn't work and they didn't have reflectors on any flag sticks. Lots of walking to find a sprinkler head. Would love another crack at the place because some holes you just have no idea where you were going or what was up there in front of you. Let me say that I understand the place is in default/receivership, so I understand the no budget thing, but a few signs would have helped just to know where the next tee was? Carts mandatory I am guessing? It could be walked, but quite a work out. Web site is lacking. Can't glean much from looking at it, but check it out if you have the time. Between the Moose, Eagles, Herons and all the other wildlife it really is a beautiful spot. If you are ever in the area you could put quite a nice loop of courses together. Idaho Club, (Stoneridge maybe) Circling Raven, Coeur D' Alene Resort, (Black Rock and Gozzer if you can find someone to get you on) and then make the drive down to Pullman and play Palouse Ridge. Great golf on a budget. Going to try and talk my friends into it next summer.