Played here, first time, 9/11/20.

Really enjoyed the course, and given this place had been closed for several years, and has only been opened f... » More

Played here, first time, 9/11/20.

Really enjoyed the course, and given this place had been closed for several years, and has only been opened for a few weeks, I thought condition was very good. Certainly rough around the edges, but if I'm only rating the course, 'between the ropes' so to speak, was impressed, and will not nit pick a great deal. Glad to see the course open.

No driving range here, but a nice putting green next to where starer is. A short cart drive under thru the tunnel, and off you go.

As mentioned in other recent reviews, soggy in spots, especially on the front. I hope the course can keep the cart traffic under control a little better, (i.e. Install enter and exit signs to fairway, or ask for 90 degrees with carts) otherwise, they may lose larger sections of the turf to mud and deep cart tracks.

Tee boxes were very good, level and good coverage, but a good amount of unrepaired divots.

Fairways were a little greener than described in recent posts. I found them to be well covered, and green, but again, too wet in spots. Very little roll, and some balls that nearly plugged and bounce backwards.

Greens were excellent, smooth, rolling nicely, with dense coverage. Too soft in spots, so again, deep ball marks which are tricky to repair adequately. Very nice green complexes throughout. I'll repeat the previous opinions: The highlight of the course. A pleasure to play on.

Bunkers were not raked well, but as my temporary (albeit, slightly illegal) solution has been, during the low sand maintenance period caused by an epidemic, I simply move a little sand around to create a decent lie and play it from there.

I really enjoyed the layout, the challenge, and even though some distractions with construction, and areas of neglect around the course, will give it another try very soon.

Beverage cart out, and on course Ambassador was visible and doing a nice job keeping the pace going.

From what I understand, the old buildings will be taken down, and the original 3rd (9) will be transformed into foot and disc golf. I'll look forward to the process improvements, but still can recommend play now.
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Played here Thursday 8/27/20.

Overall in good shape but overly soft and wet. I counted 6 balls that completely plugged (near green and just o... » More

Played here Thursday 8/27/20.

Overall in good shape but overly soft and wet. I counted 6 balls that completely plugged (near green and just off fairway).

Tee boxes were chewed up, lots of un-repaired divots. I've always felt it is a 50/50 responsibility between players and course crew. and I think players are failing badly at filling / repairing divots on tee, fairways and greens.

Fairways were thin matted down grass in many areas, on top of soft ground or mud, to the point my group of 4 decided to play the ball up (lift, clean, replace) on the back side. I hit several approach shots from fairway with mud on the ball on the front side.

Greens were also super soft, and while they (obviously) held shots, were slow and only smooth in spots. Many ball marks throughout, made for difficult day putting. Pool noodles in cups, which is less than desirable but I understand.

Bunkers were very good, with only a couple of exceptions. Full of sand and raked well. Course provided a rake on every cart as part of the covid protocol.

Fun layout with front 9 more tree lined through homes, which do not come into play. Back nine though a much more natural setting and plays about 300 yards less from blue tees.

Patio open for lunch ad drinks, was a big plus. Very good service throughout.
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Played here, first time, 8/12/20.

After playing at the very green, lush, tree-lined, lake view Coeur d'Alene, I made the 3 hour drive, west, on... » More

Played here, first time, 8/12/20.

After playing at the very green, lush, tree-lined, lake view Coeur d'Alene, I made the 3 hour drive, west, on mostly 2-lane highway, to Gamble Sands. I knew going in, what to expect here. A links style David McLay Kidd design, which would be a completely different experience than the day before. As expected, it was, in many ways.

I still can't quite figure out if I enjoyed this course or not. Mixed with some elevation changes, blind shots, and fast, super firm turf (and more left to right winding holes than any other), I left somewhat puzzled and somewhat disappointed, but also had an eagerness to play again, armed with more intelligence and strategy.

I chose the Sands combo tee set (Back and Regular combination) at about 6400 yards. I think course will always play shorter than yardage with the firmness of the fairways. Course stretches to 7227 at the tips. I had excellent weather, warm, and breezy as the day went along. Started at 840am.

Conditions:

Tee Boxes were excellent, and many tee options to choose from. As with every other part of this course, tee boxes are firm and firmer. (I bought the yardage book in Pro Shop and recommend for first time out, although fairways have a good number of easily located markers.) Even with fairway markers, you'll benefit from the book and the slope / hill indicators.

Fairways were the fastest and firmest I've ever played. Great for runout and extra distance, however, that extra distance can sometimes lead you directly into a very difficult fairway bunker. I saw a few dead straight, down the middle drives from my group, that ran and ran and ran, right into trouble. (One frustrating aspect). One the other hand, it lend to a nearly 380 yard drive on #18. So some give and take.

Greens were again, as firm as I've ever played. Starter warned all of us to play 20-30 yards short and don't attempt to fly shots to the pin. He was right. Green complexes are gigantic, and in a lot of cases, you could putt from 30-50 yards out or even more. Easy to get GIR, but difficult to 2 putt, as you are likely to have many 100 footers for birdie, and many 8-10 footers for par.

Bunkers were difficult and some had many small stones in them. Conditions of sand varied a lot. First greenside bunker at #2, was deep (as most are) with wet dark dirt. Others were much lighter and drier. Avoid if you can.

The layout is the tricky part to assess fairly. As mentioned above, I'd like to play a second round, the day after the first time here, as it'll get you to thinking your way around better. I arrived the night before my round, and played the next morning, however, I'd suggest staying at the resort guest rooms 2 nights, and play the course, at least twice.

Lots of twists and turns, a few odd blind approach shots, sometimes from the middle of the fairway, and a 160 yard par 3, 4th, which if you follow the Pro Tips in the yardage book, requires a firmly struck PUTT (?!). I didn't notice the recommendation when I teed up an 8 iron, and now wish I could go back, just to try the putter off the tee. Very low rating and slope from the Sands tee (69.4 / 111) and I'm guessing next time I'll be more efficient, but I did not find the course to be that easy.

There are very nice rooms available on site, right next to a huge, and fun 18 hole putting course which offer a west facing view of the Columbia River, and great sunsets. I stayed in one of the 37 available, very well appointed rooms.

There is another 14 hole short course to be opened soon (Quick Sand), and from what I understand, would have already been completed if not for the C19 annoyance.

As I write this review, I've now decided, I'll certainly give it another try, stay a couple of nights, and play twice. Great food at the Danny Boy Grill near 18th hole. Get a group of (4) and enjoy. Not a particularly easy location to get to, but I recommend for all, and especially for those that enjoy treeless, link-style, close to ground play.
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Played here 8/11/2020.

First time here, but this has always been on my must play list. Flew into Spokane, easy flight from LAX. 35 Minute dri... » More

Played here 8/11/2020.

First time here, but this has always been on my must play list. Flew into Spokane, easy flight from LAX. 35 Minute drive from Spokane airport, to CDA.

First impressions were as great as I expected. Course sits right on a beautiful lake, pine trees and green grass throughout. I love the smell of pine and cedar in the morning. Friendly staff / caddie to greet you in parking lot. You'll see the famous floating green as you walk towards proshop for check in.

Huge selection of gear in the ProShop. Again friendly check-in. Pricey ($250), but overall, I thought it was worth the fee. Price includes caddie fee, range balls, cart, and 5-minute pre-round sitting massage, outside adjacent to driving range. That's correct, a nice warm up massage before you play.

Conditions were excellent throughout.

Very well maintained grass driving range, with, again, the famous 14th always in view. The range is set up to hit balls into the lake, and are the limited flight variety, so adjust your pre-round intel based on that. (Was explained in the ProShop, so no surprises). Large putting green and good chipping area, all right next to range, as well.

Tee boxes were near perfect, level and lush. Variety of tees to choose from. I chose Tan as did my playing partners. (Short, at 6000, but still plenty of fun and challenge).

Fairways also excellent condition. Amazing bent grass, which IMO, is the best surface to play from. You'll see un-repaired divots, unless you are the very first group out,, but policy here is to leave them alone, and as Caddie (Gus) explained, they 'pay people to take care of those', so all good there.

Bunkers were excellent as well, very full with slightly heavier sand than I was expecting. Quite deep greenside bunkers, penal, in a fair way, but try to avoid.

Greens were firm and fast, and mostly smooth. I didn't stick and bite many shots. Seemed best to play a little short of hole to avoid runoff to back of green. Our Caddie was very good with dispensing caution when needed.

The layout is interesting and fun. After a mild downhill, downwind par 5 to start, back into the breeze towards the lake for tough par 4, then three par 3's out of the next four holes (3,5, and 6). The par four 4th was very short dogleg right to left, and only required a mid iron to landing zone. From 7-18, much longer and tougher, with all inward holes towards the lake, always into the prevailing wind. 13 is a very cool short par 4 (280-340) with lake to left, and water crossing twice, from tee to green.

On to the famous floating 14th. On this day, quite windy cornering from left to right (worst wind for a right handed player, especially with short left pin), only playing about 135, but with wind about 150. I hit the green on first tee shot...barley. Tee shot held line along left edge and made the surface by about 3 feet. Chip and putt for 3. (I was allowed to hit another shot, and actually found the green again on right side. The most fun hole I've ever played)

Caddie was very helpful (one caddie for the four players) and pleasant. I didn't hang around much after round, as I had a 3-hour drive west to Gamble Sands, for a round there, the next day. (I'll post review asap)

Loved this course, and will try to get back again.
Enjoy.
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Played here Monday 8/3/20.

Played all (3) nines.

Very good conditions throughout with exception of 3 greens on the Valley 9, which h... » More

Played here Monday 8/3/20.

Played all (3) nines.

Very good conditions throughout with exception of 3 greens on the Valley 9, which had a small portion of the surface in bad shape. That, however, did not take away much, from overall conditions.

A few tee boxes were a little long and in need of cutting, but most were good.

Fairways were very good throughout, and rough was long, a had a few over-watered and soggy in spots.

As mentioned above, with exception of 3 greens on Valley, I thought greens on Desert and Mountain were excellent.

Enjoyed the layouts of all 3 nines, with good variety, elevation changes, and challenge of each.

Good service in clubhouse. No on-course cart today.

Recommend.
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