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 we... Continue »

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.

Played this afternoon. The course is in terrific shape and even though my post is 2 years after dconnally, there is not much I can add, that he has not already posted. Yes, even after 2 years. But he ... Continue »

Played this afternoon. The course is in terrific shape and even though my post is 2 years after dconnally, there is not much I can add, that he has not already posted. Yes, even after 2 years. But he paid $125 it is now $165 for afternoon. $250 for morning (ouch). I had played here almost ten years ago, so I wanted to give it one more shot. The conditions were nearly perfect. I did not really like the required use of the forecaddie. IMO this course really is laid our right in front of you and I did not really feel I gained anything by his assistance. But the chance to play a 100% floating green and then be taken out by boat to putt, is really cool. I would recommend it for the purest of golfer and we all know many of those, right?