It’s no secret to those of us living in the area, but Spokane is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to golf. With about 15 courses within an hour of Spokane’s city center, sandbaggers and wanna-be pros alike can get in some dedicated time at the course any day of the week. The courses listed below received the most votes in our poll of readers for the Inlander’s annual Best of the Inland Northwest issue.
INDIAN CANYON GOLF COURSE
Chosen as one of the top 25 public courses in the United States by Golf Digest, Indian Canyon Golf Course is a must-play for any local golfer looking for a good test. Indian Canyon has been the chosen site for multiple USGA, U.S. Amateur and PGA tournaments due to its narrow, tree-lined fairways and challenging, undulating greens. Golf legend Byron Nelson took first place in the Esmerelda Open at Indian Canyon in 1945, with golf swing theorist and nine-time major champion Ben Hogan and seven-time major champion Sam Snead coming in just behind him. If Indian Canyon is good enough for three of golf’s greats, it’s surely good enough for players looking to up their game this season.
Spokane: 1001 S. Assembly Road., my.spokanecity.org/golf
CIRCLING RAVEN GOLF CLUB
Just a short drive away in Worley, Idaho, Circling Raven Golf Course can only be described as pristine. And it has plenty of accolades that prove its greatness. Voted #1 Golf Course in Idaho by Golfweek Magazine in 2024 and making Golf Digest's list of America's Greatest Courses in 2021, the 7,000-plus-yard, championship-level course is home to wide-open, sloping fairways and hole designs that allow scratch golfers to get creative with their shots in order to conquer the course.
North Idaho: 38530 S. Nukwalqw St., cdacasino.com
LATAH CREEK GOLF COURSE
Situated just south of Spokane, Latah Creek Golf Course is a masterclass in incorporating the natural landscape into golf course design. With wide fairways and plenty of greenside bunkers, Latah Creek promises an exciting round of golf with scenic views from elevated tee boxes and occasional run-ins with the animals that call the 194 acres of wilderness home. Along with its manicured course, Latah Creek has an aquatic practice driving range where players of any skill level can make a splash while working on their game.
Spokane: 2210 E. Hangman Valley Road., spokanecounty.gov/golf
COEUR D’ALENE RESORT GOLF COURSE
A bucket list course for plenty of players, the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course is home to the world’s only true floating island green. (TPC Sawgrass’ 17th hole is a peninsula, not an island like they claim!) But the par-3 fourteenth hole isn’t the only memorable thing on this course. With a mixture of wide-open and narrow tee shots, the course begs players to take on trick pin locations and use every club in their bag to post a good score. Not to mention the course is verdant, perfectly manicured and the views of Lake Coeur d’Alene aren’t bad either.
Coeur d’Alene: 900 S. Floating Green Dr., cdaresort.com/golf
DOWNRIVER GOLF COURSE
Established in 1916, Downriver Golf Course is the oldest course in Spokane. Downriver is fairly short, coming in at just over 6,100 yards, and offers scenic views of the Spokane River. The course's layout is fairly simple with a few rolling hills, welcoming players of all skill levels to swing, chip and putt their way through a rewarding round. While not daunting, it still poses a good test of golf and has become a community favorite for a reason.
Spokane: 3225 N. Columbia Cir., my.spokanecity.org/golf
KALISPEL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
(VOTED BEST GOLF COURSE OF 2025)
Standing on the first tee at Kalispel Golf and Country Club, you know you're in for a good round. Not only is the course stunning, with perfect greens and long, verdant stretches of fairway, but it also provides a tough mental challenge for even the low handicap golfers among us. The iconic stretch from holes 7 to 13, where every other hole is a par 3, is unique among courses in the area and brings a fun challenge to beginner and scratch golfers alike. Throughout its 100-plus-year history, the course has been played by many notable golf greats such as Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and eight-time major champion Tom Watson, who currently holds the course record of an 11-under-par 61. Though you probably can't beat that, the course is our readers' favorite for a reason.
North Spokane: 2010 W. Waikiki Road., kalispelgolf.com
Madison Pearson photo
The Creek at Qualchan boasts natural beauty and challenges for even skilled golfers.
THE CREEK AT QUALCHAN GOLF COURSE
The Creek at Qualchan Golf Course, while filled with natural beauty, is a challenge for anyone who steps foot onto the first tee box. With hilly terrain, water hazards and an open layout, Qualchan errs on the longer side at around 6,600 yards, which bodes well for long drivers but can be quite daunting for beginners or high handicappers. If you’re able to channel your inner Rory McIlroy off the tee, you’ll likely find yourself celebrating at the 19th hole after your round.
Spokane: 301 E. Meadowlane Road., my.spokanecity.org/golf
WANDERMERE GOLF COURSE
Situated in North Spokane alongside the Little Spokane River, Wandermere Golf Course offers character, natural beauty and a welcoming atmosphere to all who take on the course. Featuring only two par-5 holes, the course isn’t the longest in town by any means, but that makes it a great course for players of all ages and skill levels to really put their game to the test.
North Spokane: 13700 N. Wandermere Road., wandermere.com
