Teton Springs (Headwaters) - Idaho - USA

Interestingly, far too many people when visiting nearby Jackson Hole do not make the short drive over to the Victor / Driggs area of Idaho.

I concur with Steve's assessment. The layout is saddled with hideous housing that pokes its nose under the tent like some sort of impetuous camel. The sum total of the actual golf holes is very good -- credit to architect Gary Stephenson although there's a consultant connection given to the late Byron Nelson and former US Open champion Steve Jones.

The green complexes are varied and the routing keeps moving about so there's little in terms of overall predictability. Shotmaking for many of the holes is at a high level so choose one's tees carefully.

For many who come to the course it's likely you'll be scratching your head and wondering if the visit was worth it. The hole are done well and the turf quality is superior. Housing is a reality for many courses to make money and that's just bottom-line reality.

If Headwaters occupied the land that a place like 3 Creek Ranch is located in Jackson and had views of the Grand Tetons it's likely the fanfare of the course would go up in a big-time manner. Holes like the risk/reward short par-4 15th is very good -- ditto the long par-4 closing hole that demands a healthy marriage between placement and power. If you're visiting the immediate Jackson area be sure to head over and enjoy what's there.

M. James Ward

I didn’t find any springs here, but there were 10 water hazards to contend with. And despite being surrounded by mountains, the course is quite flat. I coulda been in Florida, but for the spectacular views of the Teton range. This, however, is not to suggest that Teton Springs is anything but a surprisingly fine course.

Texan Gary Stephenson recruited another Texan—Byron Nelson—to help design the course in the early 2000s. Nelson told him, “Architects want to make everyone fly the ball high and land ion greens with water in front. The average player cannot play those shots. Take a look at the courses in Scotland. They make you play on the ground. That is what we need to do in America.” Nelson’s favorite hole—the eighth—not only features an open green, but is bunkerless. Most of those water hazards are either lateral or on tee shots, so 14 of the greens will accept one of the running shots Nelson advocated.

This would be a 6 ball course but for the routing. Stephenson’s specialty was residential courses. So he spread the holes out among the house lots. Unlike most of the members, I walked the course. My guess is that I logged a mile or two going from greens to the next tees.

But the holes are outstanding. Tee shots present a challenge, with only three not requiring some thought as to where the best landing spot is. There’s fine deception at the short par four 6th and 13th and at the par five 17th. The initial view seems to call for a layup short of a sea of bunkers, but on closer inspection, there are risk/reward alternatives. The greens ran at 12 on my stimpmeter. They have interesting contours but are not unduly severe for that speed.

Huntsman Springs is the name course in the Teton Valley. Teton Springs makes a worthy companion.