Mountains of Earth, Seamlessly Moved
When building Tributary, nearly four million cubic yards of material were shaped and shifted—yet the finished course feels so natural you’d never know it. It’s a tribute to Kidd’s artful restraint and ambition.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Tributary
Driggs, Idaho
Established
2008
Architect
David McLay Kidd (original, 2008; bunker renovation 2024)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
4,251 – 7,398 yds
The verdict
Elite mountain club with national pedigree
Tributary dazzles with its blend of natural mountain beauty and David McLay Kidd’s seamless design vision. Following a major 2024 bunker renovation, the course offers improved playability, strategic depth, and pristine conditioning, solidifying its status among the best in Idaho and a regional must-play for serious golf travelers.
Course DNA
Difficulty
77
Scenery92
Conditioning88
Shot Variety82
Walkability74
Green Complexity78
Wow Factor85
Design Quality87
At a glance
Quick facts
Architect
David McLay Kidd
Mountain Backdrop
Framed by the Teton Range
Sandcapped Acreage
Entire course sandcapped for drainage
Wetland Habitat
Over 50 acres of constructed wetlands
Course Record
Unpublished, but sub-66 scores reported by members
Bunker Renovation Year
2024
Original Name
Huntsman Springs (until 2019)
Longest Hole
Hole 9, 669 yards (Par 5)
The design
The architecture
Tributary is David McLay Kidd’s sophisticated take on mountain golf: an 18-hole routing that feels completely at home in the majestic Teton Valley, despite its massive earthmoving origins. The design now strikes a rare balance—distinctive for its restrained shaping, constructed wetlands, and jaw-dropping panoramas, but also for its revamped 2024 bunkers that enhance playability and strategic interest. The new bunkering delivers angles and escape routes, inviting creative shotmaking, while generous landing areas and green surrounds encourage variety and recovery. Kidd’s signature is the sense of naturalism: the course blends right into the valley, with native fescues, undulating fairways, and greens that reward decisive, thoughtful play.
Kidd’s architectural aim here was a playable, endlessly interesting mountain course that quietly wears its massive construction scale—and recent refinements—on its sleeve.
Defining features
- Major 2024 bunker overhaul: recut, repositioned, removed, and made more forgiving
- 52 acres of constructed wetlands integrated into play and visuals
- Massive sandcapping beneath all turf for superior drainage and firmness
- Framed mountain vistas from nearly every hole
- Balanced blend of long, brawny holes and precision-driven short par 3s
- Strategic width off the tee promotes both aggressive and conservative lines
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Opening Drive with the Tetons
PAR
4
YARDAGE
478
A commanding opening par 4 stretching 478 yards from the tips, playing directly toward framed Teton views. Sets the mental and visual tone for the round—a bold drive over subtle shaping, with strategic options off the opening tee.
Play it smart
Favor placement over raw distance; flirting with the right offers a better approach, but the fairway is wide and inviting for a confident start.
Where it bites
Miss too far right and native grasses await; left is safer but adds yardage and a tougher angle.
Course management
Shots to think about
Windy Day, 17th Hole—Short Iron Over Bunkers
Trust your adjusted yardage and commit to a punchy shot; swirling winds demand a confident approach.
Second Shot, Par 5s (No. 4, 9, 10, 15)
Play to your preferred wedge yardage and avoid getting greedy; layup zones offer safer angles for both approaches and escapes.
Long Par 4s into the Wind
Embrace the ground game—take an extra club and run it up if the approach angle allows. Kidd’s design invites creative entries.
Slippery Downhill Putts on Subtle Greens
Respect the movement; don’t overpower putts on these finely contoured surfaces.
Off-the-Tee, Framed by the Tetons
Use the distant peaks as your aiming guide but stay focused on the landing area; the dramatic backdrop can be misleading.
Escaping Bunkers After the 2024 Renovation
The new edges and improved sand favor aggressive escapes, but beware of false fronts and tightly mown surrounds.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Superb private-club conditioning with firm fairways, fast greens, and visually striking, freshly renovated bunkers.
Pace
Generally brisk; private club vibe means little waiting.
Vibe
Low-key luxury—upscale, discreet, and focused on the member experience.
Dress code
Traditional golf attire expected; collared shirts and proper golf shorts or trousers.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Altitude Adjustment
Driggs sits at 6,200 feet—expect 5–10% more carry on every club and adjust yardages accordingly.
02
Bring Layers
Mountain mornings can be chilly, even in summer; dress in layers and prepare for evolving weather by midday.
03
Practice Sand Play
With every bunker rebuilt in 2024, crisp sand technique could save the round—work on splash shots and trajectory control before teeing off.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2008
Course opens as Huntsman Springs, designed by David McLay Kidd
- 2013
First top-5 Golf Digest Best in Idaho ranking
- 2017
Peaks at #134 nationally in Golf Digest Second 100 Greatest
- 2019
Renamed from Huntsman Springs to Tributary
- 2023
Club announces major playability-focused bunker project
- 2024
Complete bunker renovation led by Kidd; course reopens with enhanced playability
- 2025
Maintains #3 in Idaho, #177 nationally in Golf Digest (Second 100 Greatest)
Stories & legends
What makes it special
The Bunker Renaissance of 2024
In 2024, every bunker was redesigned, some removed and many recut, with erosion-control technology beneath. The result: better conditioning, broader recovery options, and fewer soul-crushing blowups for everyday golfers.
Born a Champion—But Discreetly
Despite a championship pedigree and national rankings, Tributary has never sought superstar tournament fame. Instead, its mystique stems from exclusivity, stunning nature, and a membership-first experience.
A Name That Honors Waterways
Switching from Huntsman Springs to Tributary in 2019, the course rebranded to emphasize its integration with wetlands, constructed water features, and the vital valley ecosystem.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Nearly four million cubic yards of earth were moved to create the course.
2
More than 50 acres of wetlands are woven throughout the layout.
3
Entire property is sandcapped, giving year-round playability even after rain.
4
The 2024 bunker overhaul used advanced erosion-control materials—undetectable on the surface.
5
In a region best known for skiing and hiking, Tributary is quietly one of the Mountain West's elite private golf experiences.
Build the trip
If you're making a Teton Valley golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Teton Springs Resort & Club
Resort
Public resort access, mountain setting, varied routing
Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club
Resort
Classic Robert Trent Jones layout with mountain views
Star Valley View Golf Course
Public
Affordable, friendly local public option with big-sky valley vistas
Aspen Hills Golf Course
Public
Scenic, accessible 9-hole for a quick warm-up or decompression round
Driggs, Idaho, for best access to Tributary and the valley. Victor or Jackson can work well if you’re mixing in public or resort courses.
Course DNA
If You Like Tributary
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.8
Newport Country Club
Newport, Rhode IslandWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Newport Country Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.6
Warwick Country Club
Warwick, Rhode IslandScenery
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Warwick Country Club shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Tributary.
Strong DNA Match8.7
Sand Valley
Nekoosa, WisconsinWhy it matches: If Tributary is your kind of course, Sand Valley is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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