In the same class as Hayden Lake Country Club in northern Idaho, Broadmore Country Club in the Treasure Valley and eastern Idaho’s Pinecrest, Sun Valley is easily one of the ten oldest courses in the region.

Robert Trent Jones, Jr. finished his redesign of this high mountain gem in 1980. Since then, Sun Valley’s reputation for golf has earned the facility rankings as one of the best 100 courses in the country. You won’t find a prettier, more challenging mountain golf course. The layout is immaculate, but blends in such a way with the alpine setting that it just seems to fit, as if it has always been there.

Trees line the 6800 yards of fairway like hungry green ogres, just licking their chops whenever divots fly. Blind shots are common here. The weather can change in the space of a few heartbeats. And despite all this (or maybe partly because of it), a round here can be the experience of a lifetime.

Facilities and amenities are aplenty at Sun Valley, including a fully equipped pro shop, snack bar, club & cart rental, and a driving range with a superb practice green. ?Season memberships are available at the Sun Valley Pro Shop. Neither these nor the daily green fees fall in the “economy” category, but the steep price is worth the experience. Regular season starting times run from 7:00 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. Reservations are necessary, and carts are required May 25 to September 30. (That’s pretty much the whole season up here, by the way.)