Golfers Ride A Boat Out To The Floating Green At This Idaho Lake Resort
One green on this Idaho golf course floats in a lake, and golfers ride a boat to putt on it. Yes, really.
The green moves, too, so the shot changes from day to day.
The hole can play anywhere from about 90 to 220 yards. Staff adjust its position with an underwater cable system.
Then a little boat named Putter carries players across the water.
I love that a single hole turned a lakeside course into a bucket-list stop. I also like that you get just two tries from the tee to land on it.
Miss twice, and the lake keeps your golf balls as souvenirs.
Make par, and you earn a certificate to prove it happened. So what else waits on the other 17 holes?
A Lakeside Course With A Floating Claim To Fame
Golf courses usually brag about bunkers or signature trees. The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course brags about a green that floats on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
The course sits on the lakeshore in the city of Coeur d’Alene, up in the Idaho Panhandle. It belongs to The Coeur d’Alene Resort, the big lakeside hotel downtown.
Designer Scott Miller laid it out across about 200 acres. Lake views show up from nearly every hole, which makes focusing on your swing a real test.
It plays as a par 71, so it won’t stretch forever. The real headline, though, is hole 14 and its famous movable island green.
That green is the only floating, movable one in the world. Golfers tee off from land, then ride a boat out to finish the hole.
You don’t have to book a room to play here. Plenty of golfers simply reserve a tee time and show up for the round.
Still, the whole setup feels built around hospitality. From the gate to the final putt, the staff try to make the day feel like a special occasion.
That tone shapes everything that follows.
How A Downtown Hotel Grew A Famous Fairway
Back in 1965, the property started life as the North Shore Resort. That was a much smaller chapter than what stands today.
Hagadone Hospitality bought the property in 1983. After big renovations, it reopened in May 1986 as The Coeur d’Alene: A Resort on the Lake.
The 18-story Lake Tower rose during that transformation. It still towers over the shoreline and anchors the resort’s skyline.
Golf came next, and it came with a twist. The floating green was installed in September 1990, before the course itself opened.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course then opened in 1991. It quickly earned national attention for its tidy fairways and park-like setting.
Think about that timeline for a second. Someone decided a floating green was a smart first move, and it worked.
The resort marked its 40th anniversary in May 2026. That’s four decades of Idaho hospitality on one of the state’s best-known lakes.
Growth isn’t finished, either. A new 139-room Sherman Tower is planned for completion by May 2027, bringing the resort to 477 rooms.
The course stays the star attraction through all of it.
Hole 14 And The Green That Moves Every Morning
Two thousand tons. That’s roughly what the floating green on hole 14 weighs, and it still glides around the lake.
An underwater cable system lets staff move it. Each morning they set the day’s distance, and it stays fixed through the day.
The hole can play from about 90 to 220 yards. A sign near the clubhouse shows the current yardage, so you can plan your club early.
Here’s the catch that surprises people. Golfers get only two shots from the tee box to reach the green.
The green is wide but shallow. Distance control matters a lot, and many players end up reaching for a wedge.
Wind off the lake can make things trickier. A breeze in your face turns a simple-looking shot into a nervous one.
Land it, and you ride across the water to putt. Make par or better, and you earn a commemorative certificate.
The certificate isn’t handed out just for playing the hole. You have to actually score par.
So hitting the green is only half the job, because three putts out there still count. The lake is watching.
All Aboard The Little Boat Called Putter
Most golf carts never touch water. At this course, the most famous ride of the day happens on a boat.
After the tee shot on 14, golfers climb aboard a custom electric boat named Putter. It shuttles them straight to the floating green.
The name alone makes me grin. Somebody clearly had fun naming it, and it fits the playful spirit of the hole.
The trip is short, but it feels like a little ceremony. One moment you’re nervously waiting on land, and the next you’re crossing the lake.
On summer days the ride can get warm. Light, breathable golf clothes make sense when the sun bounces off the water.
Once you step onto the green, the scale hits differently. You’re standing on a putting surface surrounded by Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Every golfer gets a moment to soak that in. Then it’s time to read the putt and hope your nerves behave.
Win or lose, the boat ride back makes a fine story. Few people in Idaho can say they commuted to a green by water.
Even a bogey looks better with a lake view.
You Get Your Own Caddie Here, And That Changes The Round
Caddies are part of the deal at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course. Each group gets a forecaddie who handles a lot more than yardages.
They know the course well and offer on-course service through the round. They help read greens and point you toward smart targets.
They also chase down wandering shots. If you spray a drive into the trees, someone is already looking for it.
Some caddies here have worked the course for many years. That kind of experience can make a first round feel less intimidating.
Be ready to speak up about what you want. Some players like constant tips, while others prefer a quiet helper on the fairway.
Tipping the caddie is customary, so plan for that in your budget. It’s part of the full-service feel the course is built around.
For beginners, a good caddie can keep the round moving. For stronger players, the local knowledge on tricky greens is handy.
Either way, the caddie becomes part of your group for the day. It feels a bit like having a guide on a scenic tour, only with clubs.
Plenty of golfers request a favorite again.
Warm Up By Hitting Golf Balls Into The Lake
Hitting balls straight into a lake usually means trouble. On this driving range, it’s the whole point.
The practice range faces Lake Coeur d’Alene and uses floating balls. Golfers smack shots right out over the water.
It’s a smart place to prep for hole 14. Check the day’s yardage on the clubhouse sign, then dial in that distance before you tee off.
Arriving early makes sense here. The walk from the parking lot takes a few minutes, and the range deserves some time.
The resort also offers a complimentary pre-round warm-up massage at the practice tee. It’s light and quick, more relaxing than deep.
Still, how many courses even offer that? It adds a little pampering before the pressure starts.
The arrival itself sets the tone. Staff greet golfers at the gate, load clubs, and point them toward the range.
Even if your swing looks rusty, the setting helps. Watching balls splash into blue water beats staring at a dusty mat.
Call it the most scenic practice session in Idaho. Just remember the real lake shot comes later, and that one counts.
Fairways So Tidy They Look Freshly Combed
Flowers line the paths, and the fairways look almost too neat to walk on. Grooming clearly gets serious attention at this course.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course earned acclaim for its carefully kept conditions. The park-like feel shows up across the layout.
Greens tend to roll smooth and clean. They don’t run especially fast, which can help nervous putters relax.
The front nine brings uphill and downhill slopes. Those changes keep things interesting, along with constant views of hills and water.
Is it a brutal championship test? Not really, and that’s part of its appeal for many golfers.
The course mixes tough holes with friendlier ones. Some feel built to boost your confidence after a rough stretch.
Generous fairways forgive a few wild swings. That makes it fun for vacation golfers and families playing together.
Serious low-handicap players may want more bite. But for a scenic, polished resort round, it delivers exactly what it promises.
Luxury carts with heated seats add comfort on cooler mornings. North Idaho springs and falls can get crisp, so that warm seat feels like a small gift.
Lunch With A Lake View And A Shop Full Of Gear
Golf builds an appetite, and the course has a spot ready for it. The Island Green Restaurant sits right at the course.
Its big draw is the view across the water. You can rest your legs and look out at the lake after the round.
Food and snacks here lean pricey. That’s typical for a resort course, so budget a little extra for the break.
Nearby, the pro shop carries plenty of high-end brand names. It also stocks unique items for golfers of all ages.
Want a souvenir that proves you played the floating green? The shop is the obvious place to find one.
Personalized bag tags are another fun touch for players. It’s a small detail that makes the day feel tailored.
Resort guests get access to a lakeside outdoor infinity pool at the course, too. It’s heated and open year-round.
That pool is exclusive to registered resort guests. Picture-perfect or not, a warm swim after golf sounds hard to beat.
Free Wi-Fi and free parking round out the practical side of a visit.
Who Will Love This Round Most
Bucket-list golfers top the list. If you’ve dreamed of the floating green, this course was basically built with you in mind.
Couples on a getaway fit right in, too. The pace, the caddies, and the views make it feel like a special outing.
Birthday rounds and anniversary trips make a lot of sense here. A par certificate from hole 14 makes a pretty great keepsake.
Junior rates are offered, which helps families bring young players. Teaching a kid to aim at a floating target?
That’s memorable.
Very serious golfers may find it less demanding than they’d like. North Idaho has other courses for a tougher test.
True beginners might feel pressure on a premium course. A little practice beforehand will make the day more enjoyable.
Most of all, this suits people who value the whole experience. Service, scenery, and novelty all come bundled together.
The back stretch after 14 is quieter in drama. Many golfers feel the floating green is the peak, so savor it while you’re out there.
Then enjoy the lake views home.
Smart Planning Before You Book A Tee Time
Good news first: you don’t need to stay at the resort to play. Outside golfers can book a round directly.
Book well ahead, though. Tee times often fill up, especially during the warm golf season in North Idaho.
The course sits at 900 S Floating Green Dr, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. It’s a short drive from downtown and the main resort.
Parking is free, and there’s a walk from the lot. Add a few minutes so you aren’t rushing to the range.
Expect premium pricing for the round. Factor in the caddie tip, plus food or souvenirs, before you go.
Rates and seasons can change, so check before driving. The course operates seasonally, and conditions depend on Idaho weather.
Pace of play varies by day. Weekday rounds often move better, while busy stretches can slow things down.
Bring layers for lake breezes and sunscreen for bright afternoons. The property is smoke-free, so plan accordingly.
Pack patience for hole 14, too, because nerves tend to show up right when the boat comes into view.
Why This Floating Green Deserves A Spot On Your Idaho List
Some golf courses blend together after a while. This one sticks in your memory because of a green you reach by boat.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course pairs that wild idea with real polish. Caddies, lake views, and groomed fairways back it up.
Yes, it costs more than a typical Idaho round. Most golfers treat it as a once-in-a-while splurge rather than a weekly habit.
But think about what you get. A lakeside range, a moving island green, and a ride on a boat named Putter.
Not every hole will thrill a serious player. Still, the floating green alone has drawn golfers here since the early 1990s.
It’s also a proud piece of Panhandle identity. Few places anywhere can claim a world-only feature like this.
Bring a steady wedge and a calm mind. Two shots is all you get, so trust your yardage.
And if you land it and make par? Frame that certificate.
You’ll have earned a story most golfers in Idaho can only talk about, plus a lake view you won’t forget soon.
