We’re all aware of those high-profile designer golf courses that rate feature stories in golf magazines … and it’s always nice to play those popular courses familiar to only the locals. Sometimes you don’t have the time or the money to tee it up on an 18-hole golf resort. You only have time for nine.
Indian Lakes is one of those courses located on the south side of Boise, ID, that features a nine-hole course that is refreshing, fun to play and accessible.
Tucked away in a residential area about a half mile off S. Cole Road, the course was built in 1973 and features mature trees lining all nine holes. This is a course with short par 4s, long par threes, sand traps, grass bunkers, and lakes. You can choose driver, or play long irons. The greens are small (rarely will you have a put over 40 feet) and the rough is thick.
Oh, and did we say trees? Trees can come into play on all holes. However, it’s not like you’re hacking your way through a forest. The trees can create an obstacle, not a score killer. The branches are trimmed up to about six feet allowing you to easily find errant shots. And you can play shots under the branches, or you can go over the tops of the trees (they’re mostly in the range of 30-40 feet tall).
Indian Lakes is a par 35 that plays about 3020 yards (you can play 18 by using different tees). The two par 3s averages about 200 yards and the lone par 5 sixth hole is over 525 yards. The shortest par 4 is the 300-yard eighth, that features a fairway bunker, two massive greenside bunkers and an idiot on a cell phone (okay, maybe he’s gone now but when I played it seemed like he was standing out there talking on his phone rather than hitting his ball forever).
Indian Lakes is a course that can easily be walked, although there are golf carts available. You have a driving range and a putting green available to help you hone your game. And if you want some instruction, Indian Lakes features one of the state’s top professional golf instructors, Jeff Thomsen, whose resume includes over 30 years of professional golf experience.
So if you find yourself passing through Boise and have a little time on your hands, head south on Cole Road and discover what the locals know … that Indian Lakes is a great spot to take time for nine.