Spokane: Golf in the Inland Empire

Golfers from around the Northwest have long known about the high quality of golf in and around Spokane. Not only are the courses superb, but the prices are also below any of the other metropolitan areas in the northwest. Visitors will enjoy the variety of golf found in the Inland Empire.

With the addition of courses like Circling Raven, StoneRidge and Priest Lake, the reputation is growing in national awareness of the Spokane area for the quality golf it has.

The City of Spokane owns four popular courses in Indian Canyon, The Creek at Qualchan, Downriver and Esmeralda. Each course is a treat to play. Besides a great golfing experience, visitors like the affordable rates.  Spokane County, the other municipal course owner, has Latah Creek (formerly Hangman Valley), MeadowWood and Liberty Lake.

Here’s a quick look at the Spokane area golf courses and what you face when you tee it up in the Inland Empire.

• Kalispel Golf and CC: The Kalispel Golf and Country Club is well known as one of the best golf courses in the Northwest.  It has been ranked as one of the top 50 Casino Golf Courses in the nation by Golfweek Magazine.

This amazing course has allowed golfers of all skill levels to enjoy its beautiful surroundings for 125 years. The par 72 course is 6,633 yards long and has more than 50 bunkers.  The elevation changes and Ponderosa pine lined fairways add a fun challenge to a round of golf.  The course is impeccably maintained, with beautiful landscaping and scenic vistas that enhance the experience of playing this course.

Located on the north side of scenic Spokane, WA., the historic Kalispel Golf and Country Club provides the ultimate Inland Northwest golf experience. Owned and operated by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, the award-winning course can only be played by members and guests who book a Stay and Play package at the luxurious Northern Quest Resort and Casino.

After your golf round, plan to dine at North Spokane’s favorite restaurant, 1898 Public House. Guests can relax with a view of the magnificent course, enjoy delicious cuisine and creative craft cocktails, and get ready for an evening of entertainment back at Northern Quest.

• Indian Canyon: At 6,255 yards might appear, on paper at least, to be a short course, but with tight fairways, major elevation changes and bunker-guarded greens, it’s anything but easy. Indian Canyon continues to be one of the top courses in the Northwest. The course also hosts the annual Rosauers Invitational.

• The Creek at Qualchan: This course gets your attention right out of the gate with it’s elevation changes, tight dog-legs and greens that are often protected by water. Numerous bunkers are sculpted into the sides of steep hills.

• Esmeralda: A popular course for the locals, it plays to 6,250 yards. Over 65,000 rounds are played each year at the course they call “Essie.”

• Downriver: One of the most popular in-town courses. Downriver’s fairways are dwarfed by century-old pine trees that makes playing amongst them seem almost surreal.

• Latah Creek: The course, which used to be called Hangman Valley, had its name changed in December of 2020. The course opened in 1969 and features some great par-5 holes. Like so many of the other courses in the area, elevation changes and tall trees play a significant part in this challenging course.

• MeadowWood: Designed by the legendary golf architect Robert Muir Graves, who made his mark in golf course design by producing difficult, but fair, courses. This is one of the top challenges in the area and was awarded four stars by Golf Digest. It sits across the street from Liberty Lake Golf Course.

• Liberty Lake: The course underwent a major rebuild in 2008 and 2009 and reopened in 2010. The course was closed for more than a year and a major redesign produced a different look for the course, including new ponds, bunkers, tees and more. A new set of tees was added to virtually every hole and new trees were brought in. Fescue was planted on the front side. A new irrigation system was also added and keeps the course in terrific shape year round.

• Wandermere: The course opened the first 9 holes in 1931 and boasts one of the largest memberships in the region. While the overall design is dated some holes have been updated.

• Fairways at West Terrace: Located in Cheney, winds are usually the biggest challenge at this course, which measures 6,390 yards. A goal post is located in the middle of the driving range, providing an interesting target when practicing your shots at the driving range.

• Trail Head at Liberty Lake: Executive-length golf course near MeadowWood and Liberty Lake Golf Course. A relatively flat course, it measures just over 2,500 yards with multiple tees.

• Painted Hills: Bought by the McElhinny family in 2006, the Painted Hills Golf Course was built in 1989 originally as a nine-hole championship golf course. Since then Chester Creek Par 3 has been added to the property.

• Pineacres: One of the most popular places for golfers in the Spokane area to practice. The course is short, at 970 yards and is a par 27 but still gives you the chance for some solid practice.

• Colfax Golf Club: If you are on the way to a golf trip in Eastern Washington and looking for the perfect place to get the trip going. You might want to try Colfax Golf Club, a course that has been a part of the town since 1927 and a course that is user-friendly and challenging all at the same time. The course is popular with locals and enjoys a season longer than many other courses in the area because of the ‘banana belt’ effect during the fall and winter months. The course plays to a nine-hole layout, but with a couple of sets of tees on each box, it gives the feel of an 18-hole course. It plays just over 6,000 yards and has a Northwest feel with some tall trees lining the fairways. 

• Chewelah: There are 27 outstanding holes with a distinct Northwest flavor and carpet-like fairways that wind through a forest of lodgepole pines, leading to plush bent-grass greens. Navigating the fairways can be a challenge as the dry climate makes for some extra long ball runout. The course is protected by some water hazards, sand bunkers and a few dramatic elevation changes, and of course, the pine trees. For RVer’s there is a park with 33 full hookup sites – including six new sites – as well as some dry campsites.

• Deer Park: Opened in 1996 and is located less than a half-hour north of Spokane with a first-class RV park right next the golf course. The course plays to nearly 6,700 yards and with the relatively flat terrain, golfers enjoy the option to walk. The wind can make this course play longer than the yardage suggests. The RV resort has been upgraded and many people like the availability of the golf course and restaurant.

• Dominion Meadows: Formerly the Colville Elks Golf Course, became an 18-hole layout in July of 2002.  The old nine plays through trees, while the new nine offers a more links-style setting. The course plays to 6,743 yards, with plenty of forced carries over wetlands and ponds. The course is owned and operated by the Elks Club.