Southern Idaho Fits Golfers to a Tee

Courtesy of Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Golfers love Southern Idaho for its nearly year-round golfing climate, as well as its constellation of scenic courses set among breathtaking vistas, ancient canyons and volcanic plains.

With that, a variety of golfing options has emerged, from a virtual driving range to the longest 18-hole course in Southern Idaho. Golfers are sure to find their niche, regardless of skill level or inclination. The beauty of the region has long been a standout location for golf, shares Brandon Otte, managing golf pro at Canyon Springs Golf Course.

“The canyons make it unusual,” Otte says. “Really, our niche is the unique location. The majority of our players come from outside the area, and they seem to always come back, even if they have to wait until the next year to do it.”

Canyon Springs is privately owned and open for play to anyone who snags a tee time and pays a daily fee or buys a season pass. Other popular courses in the area include 93 Golf Ranch, with over 7,000 yards of fairway. This course was named for nearby U.S. Highway 93, a major north-south route running from Nevada to the Canadian border.

“Being near Highway 93 is one of the things that is helping this area grow,” Otte says. It’s also the business environment: “We get a lot of people visiting the area to check out jobs and to consider if it is somewhere they want to live and work,” he adds.

Most courses in the area are open from early spring to late fall, with some locations able to extend their calendars thanks to the Snake River Canyon’s microclimate. Costs of play vary, but prices are generally considered lower than those in other parts of the state.

Courtesy of Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Public Courses

• 93 Golf Ranch
  406 E. 200 S., Jerome, ID 83338
  This 7,100-yard public course in Jerome also provides a driving range accommodating up to 300-yard-long drives, as well as a pro shop and other club-style amenities.
• Canyon Springs Golf Course
  199 Canyon Springs Road, Twin Falls, ID 83301
  Located within Snake River Canyon, this public course offers 18 holes and a driving range. The surrounding landscape offers scenic views and provides a buffer from the harshest weather, allowing for nearly year-round play.
• Pebble Ponds Golf Course
  4035 N. 2300 E., Filer, ID 83328
  The facility offers a 9-hole, par-3 course as well as an immersive, virtual driving range experience. The golf amenities are part of a larger venue site for parties and meeting space open to the public.
• Pleasant Valley Golf Course
  3504 E. 3195 N., Kimberly, ID 83341
  This public 9-hole course was designed by Lee Beam. The 70-par course is accompanied by a driving range, putting green and clubhouse.
• Ponderosa Golf Course
  320 Minidoka Ave. #3491, Burley, ID 83318
  Adjacent to Interstate 84, this 9-hole, par-3 course can accommodate golfers of all skill levels with holes ranging from 85 to 213 yards.
• River’s Edge Golf Club at Burley
  131 E. Highway 81, Burley, ID 83311
  The City of Burley operates this 18-hole municipal golf course situated beside the Snake River and known for its stunning vistas.
• Twin Falls Golf Club
  545 Grandview Drive, Twin Falls, ID 83301
  This venerable course is open to the public and has hosted the Idaho Open several times. With 18 holes, the design offers beautiful views along with a driving range, putting green and chipping green.
• Clear Lake Country Club
  403 Clear Lake Lane, Buhl, ID 83316
  The 18-hole course in the upper Hagerman Valley features rolling terrain. Facilities include full RV hookups for overnight stays and a 15-acre lake for fly fishing.

Private Courses

• Blue Lakes Country Club
  1940 Blue Lakes Grade, Jerome, ID 83338
  This private club encompasses 378 acres within Snake River Canyon and is best known for its sixth hole on a cliff above the river. Members have year-round access to putting and chipping greens at the club.
• Jerome Country Club
  649 Golf Course Road, Jerome, ID 83338
  A fixture in Jerome since 1926, the country club is private but invites the public to access its 18-hole golf course and clubhouse restaurant.
• Gooding Golf Course & Country Club
  1951 Highway 26, Gooding, ID 83330
  With a bar and clubhouse on-site, this course offers 18 holes and is known for its friendly staff and patrons.
• Rupert Country Club
  85 S. 200 W., Rupert, ID 83350
  This private course in Rupert offers 18 holes under a partial tree canopy and is a favorite of leagues and families.

Please contact the courses for their current fees, hours and rules of access.

Courtesy of Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

For more information about Southern Idaho, visit visitsouthidaho.com.