Sun Valley Golf Course
Sun Valley Golf Course in Idaho offers an 18-hole mountain course that challenges golfers with natural elevation changes and scenic views of nearby ski resorts. With its thoughtful layout emphasizing precision and strategic play, this public course caters to a range of skill levels while providing a distinctly rugged alpine golf experience.
Course Overview
Sun Valley Golf Course, located at 200 Trail Creek Road in Sun Valley, Idaho, offers an 18-hole mountain layout that engages golfers with its natural contours and scenic vistas. This public course presents a playing experience that balances challenge with accessibility, making it well-suited for both aspiring amateurs and seasoned players seeking to test their shotmaking against a demanding layout. The course’s design integrates the rugged mountain environment thoughtfully, with fairways that sweep through forests and approach greens guarded by strategically placed bunkers and natural obstacles.
The setting is striking, with views stretching toward surrounding ski resorts and peaks, creating a backdrop that shifts subtly with the weather and time of day. The elevation changes add layers of complexity to club selection and shot trajectory, especially when winds pick up across exposed ridges. Players will find pockets of wide, lush fairways that reward accuracy off the tee, while tighter holes among dense trees present challenges that require precision and patience.
Amenities at Sun Valley Golf Course include a well-appointed clubhouse with a friendly pro shop, offering practice areas such as a driving range, chipping, and putting greens to warm up before a round. While the course is generous in its groundskeeping, some signage around the Trail Creek layout can be confusing for first-time players, with reports of difficulty locating tees and certain greens. Walking the course is encouraged, but golfers should be prepared for uphill and downhill sections and wear sturdy footwear suited for mountain terrain.
Sun Valley’s character comes not only from its physical challenges but also from the thoughtful use of natural features such as water, trees, and sand traps that emphasize strategic golf over brute strength. This is a course where shot shaping and course management are rewarded, highlighted by holes that challenge a player’s creativity and precision.
For those planning a visit, bringing your own clubs is advisable if renting, as rental sets may vary in quality and do not include balls. Despite minor logistical issues, this course stands out as a memorable mountain golfing destination where the environment influences each shot and the experience feels connected to the landscape’s rugged charm.
Course Highlights
Sun Valley Golf Course leverages its mountain environment with elevation changes and tree-lined fairways that demand accuracy. Notable are the holes that frame views of surrounding ski resorts, incorporating natural water hazards and strategic bunkering. The course rewards thoughtful shot selection and course management, balancing wider fairways with tighter, more technical holes. Practice facilities include a driving range and putting/chipping greens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Landon Boogaard
Can’t recommend enough. Amazing course, challenging and amazing views.
Darrell Crabtree
Linda Mueller
Husband and I played here June ‘25 and loved the course! Clubhouse is elegant. There’s a driving range, practice chipping and putting greens to warm up on. We felt that the grounds were very well -tended and views just gorgeous! I loved that the fairways were wider and lush. There were a couple challenging holes but we were lucky to not be paired up with anyone or have a group pushing us. Twice we got lost and couldn’t figure out where the next tee box was or how to get to our balls, the signage on the Trail Creek course could be improved or add gps to the carts. We were disappointed to not find any water stations on the course, and the only bathroom was located too close to the beginning of our round. The staff was friendly and if not for those issues I mentioned we would have given this course 5 stars. We got a good rate because of the season/time of day so we are happy to have spent our anniversary golfing here.
Alex Obradovic
We played Trail Creek on the 4th of July and the course is absolutely fantastic. It uses its environment intelligently to create interesting challenges that reward the thoughtful golfer working back from the hole and punish the slugger who just points himself at the pin and hits whatever his longest club is. Fantastic use of water, trees, and sand to promote precision. The conditions were also perfect, with delightful fairways and perfect greens on every hole. I cannot stress enough how good the upkeep of the course was. The only real negative was the Frankenstein's monster set of rental clubs I was given. For ~$75 a set, I would expect better than getting a mixed bag of Taylormade irons (three different models) with a random Callaway 8 iron thrown in for good measure. They also don't provide balls with the rental set, which is disappointing. Definitely play this course, but definitely BRING YOUR OWN CLUBS.
Landon Boogaard
Can’t recommend enough. Amazing course, challenging and amazing views.
Austin McCrimmon
Impeccable course and practice facilities in a beautiful setting!
Linda Mueller
Husband and I played here June ‘25 and loved the course! Clubhouse is elegant. There’s a driving range, practice chipping and putting greens to warm up on. We felt that the grounds were very well -tended and views just gorgeous! I loved that the fairways were wider and lush. There were a couple challenging holes but we were lucky to not be paired up with anyone or have a group pushing us. Twice we got lost and couldn’t figure out where the next tee box was or how to get to our balls, the signage on the Trail Creek course could be improved or add gps to the carts. We were disappointed to not find any water stations on the course, and the only bathroom was located too close to the beginning of our round. The staff was friendly and if not for those issues I mentioned we would have given this course 5 stars. We got a good rate because of the season/time of day so we are happy to have spent our anniversary golfing here.
bill stanwood
While visiting friends in Ketchum, we played Sun Valley Golf Course. Had to settle for Trail Creek, as the main course was closed for a tournament. Beautiful views, tricky and challenging holes on Trail Creek. While checking in to play, a woman entered the Pro Shop and asked for medical assistance for her husband, who was having a stroke in the parking lot. Assistant Golf Professional, Steve Haims, calmly escorted her back to her car and provided aid and comfort to her and her husband while they waited for the ambulance to arrive. He was so attentive, calming, and nurturing to this poor older couple as they waited for medical help, that I had to write in about it. Thank you Steve!!
John Gaskill
Played Trail Creek on 5/20/22 and the course was beautiful. Great views of all the surrounding ski resorts. The course is challenging - if your drive lands in the wrong part of the fairway you will be blocked out by trees approaching the green. A few greens were covered with seeds/strings but the rest were gorgeous and rolled very true but slow. The off-season spring weather was very hit or miss and changed every 5-10 minutes. We had trouble finding holes #2, #10 so they could be marked a little better for those playing the course for the first time. Definitely will return and play again!
Amanda Hunter
This course is top notch and so beautiful. From the friendly pro shop to caddies. Try the putting course!!! Putting was never more fun since I was a kid playing mini golf.
Book Your Round
Experience one of golf's most legendary courses
Direct booking • No commissions
Course Details
Access & Location
200 Trail Creek Rd, Sun Valley, ID 83353, USA
Sun Valley Golf Clubhouse, featuring a pro shop and full-service amenities
Walking is encouraged; course features varied elevation, so wear proper footwear and be prepared for uphill and downhill terrain
Open to the public, tee time reservations recommended during peak season
Nearby Courses
