Coeur d'Alene is much more than a floating golf green

The Coeur d’Alene Golf Resort is known for its island green, but defining this Idaho Panhandle golf course by the famous par-3 14th really does the rest of the course an injustice.

While the floating green, which was tethered to about 179 yards from the back tees today, is a modern marvel, it’s not the best hole on the golf course. Although any green that you have to take a boat ride to (with complimentary hard candy on board) is certainly one you will never forget.

In truth the front nine at the Scott Miller-designed Coeur d’Alene is as good as it gets. By the time you get to the second green of a 480-yard par 4, you’re already catching great glimpses of the pristine glacier-formed lake by the same name. And the three par 3s on the front – 3,5 and 6 – are as good as the more famous 14th, maybe even better.

By the way, I recommend the whole experience here. After golf, take the five-minute speedboat ride across the lake to the resort, where there’s a terrific spa and restaurants. Ask for Mariah, by the way, in the spa for a massage. She’ll find those trouble spots, hand you a Kokanee Glaciar Beer from Canada and set you up with a ridiculously good hydrotherapy shower, which is perfect before dinner at Beverly’s Restaurant at the resort.