- Perfectly level DiscGolfPark turf tees surrounded by compacted gravel, which is then further surrounded by mulch.

- Easy to navigate, very intuitive, paths and white arrow signs to the next tees.

- Practice basket by the start of hole 1 to warm up your putt as well as plenty of space to warm up with approach shots.

- Hand painted tee signs with outstanding detail and painted to perfectly reflect the size and location of all trees/rough/water.

- There is a bell to ring to signal when clear of blind greens so the next group (if applicable) knows when to throw.

- Distance markers on the fairway of the longer holes so you know exactly how much distance is left to make it to the basket.

- Technical placement golf. There is zero poke and hope here. A well-executed shot is highly rewarded while a poorly thrown shot gets a proportional amount of trouble to how bad of a shot it was.

- Tucked away mostly out of the wind.

- Innova DISCatcher Pro 28's. The best baskets around and an industry standard I think.

- Some sort of elevation change on every single hole whether that is an uphill hole, downhill hole, a hole that has ups and downs, and even holes that play on sloped fairways.

- Breathtaking scenery in every direction.

- Water in play! Holes 13 and 14 play over a pond and, in my opinion, having water in play is something that needs to be there to really put a course into the top tier of courses.

- Challenging greens that demand angle and speed control.

(as a caveat before you read the cons - these are pretty nit picky, though worth mentioning, and hardly affect my opinion of the course, thus the 5/5 rating)

- No benches (yet). They are definitely needed with how long this course is and all of the hills. According to Paul, the benches are coming.

- No top of the world shot or huge open downhill carry. It is something I'd like to see with how hilly this course is and possibly give the player a chance to truly air one out after navigating their way through so many wooded fairways.

- No signature hole that I can think of, but this is actually a pro because all of the holes are so incredible. I can't think of one that is truly a cut above the rest, and that speaks to how excellent the course is. As I think about it more, I would probably have to pick either hole 13 or 14 as those bring the pond into play.

- Some/bunch of baskets are elevated, but not in a typical elevated basket fashion. The bottoms of the poles are in concrete and then left resting on the ground (look at the course pictures). A lot of the baskets play about 12-18" above the standard height. I'm not sure if this is so baskets can be brought in during the winter or so they can be moved around on the course without having to dig them up?

- The design slightly favors RHBH. I would like to see more fairways that bend to the right that cater to RHBH forehand or turnover shot. Overall, a pretty balanced course, though.

- Some of the tee pads play close together (holes 7/9). This could create issues during a tournament or if play gets busy during a weekend.

- 4'x8' tees. For a course like this, I'd prefer to see 5'x10' tees. The tee boxes are a half inch to an inch above the compacted gravel. When playing a course as magnificent as this I want a bit more space on the tee for demanding/power shots. I also don't want to start off the box and then have to actively think about making a step up onto the pad because that distracts me from trying to hit the technical line at hand.

- The flow of the course doesn't get back close to the parking/car until hole 15's tee pad. This isn't necessarily a con for me, but for some people it might. Just something to be aware of so plan ahead accordingly.

- No trashcans. Not an issue for me (pack it in, pack it out!), though some people might want them. I think it is better this way as it preserves the beauty.

At the time of playing this was my 162nd course and it is now #1 on my list of favorite courses. Upon arrival, you see the Caliber disc golf sign to know where to turn and the excitement begins to build. There are some parking lines painted on the ground and you are greeted by a very accommodating and pleasant host (Thanks, Paul!).



The course is nestled into the northern Idaho mountains a stone's throw from Schweitzer Mountain. Gorgeous views are abundant through the trees with sights of snowcapped mountains when I played in June.



The course was meticulously and methodically carved through the woods. It is extremely well thought out, with every tree left standing or removed for a specific shot shaping reason. You'll end up using a majority of the discs in your bag and tons of different of styles of throws to get into scoring position. I've never had to think so hard about how to play a course. It left me mentally exhausted by the end. You constantly have to play a game of chess with the course by picking your landing zones and knowing how you are going to meander your way up the fairway. You must always be aware of the angles of the disc to match the angle of the land otherwise you could be in for some rollaway potential.

Overall, I can't speak highly enough of Caliber Disc Golf Course. Paul is a wonderful guy and I hope to be back in the future to get another round in at Caliber and to play the new course he is working on building on his property. Caliber DGC is a true destination course and if you live within 300 miles (or more!) and don't make a trip to come play here, you are making a serious mistake. I've played a lot of 'famous' disc golf courses (Milo, Pier, Whistler's Bend, etc) and this one takes the cake.

+innova discatchers
+level turf tees, pro/am for almost every hole
+tee signs (hand painted)
+mature varied species trees
+shot variety: length, left/right, up/down, par4s & 5s,
+benches on a few holes
+excellent maintenance
+navigation: next tee signs for all
+practice basket

(nitpicking)
-bugs
-ptp/private $ (you get what you pay for)
-no top of the world/ panoramic/ amazing view /throw from above the trees
-no map
-gunfire in the distance
-missing benches after some uphill hikes to a tee, that's when i need the rest
-signs not sturdy enough to hang my bag on
-tall grass where the mower can't get to (water around the pond)

i played in the spring & everything was green & beautiful. The pond was full of water making 13&14 extra gorgeous with its glassy reflection of the manicured course around it. i would say these 2 holes were the highlight of the 2 rounds i played; that beauty and risk/reward of throwing over water is just great fun for me.
utilized every disc in my bag with all the different shots needed. it will test every part of your game; smart play rewarded, mistakes punished. stay in the fairway & par(or better) should be achievable, go into the woods & you might need some heroics to save par. i had to chip out of the woods more than once. there are a few holes that it's hard to know where to throw on your first go around (a sign can only do so much). 18 is a fun downhill par 4 with a sloped green that finishes next to the house providing a possible gallery to put that added pressure on your last putt. it is pretty long & up and down, so bring your water & hiking legs.
paul is building another adjacent (longer)course. If he makes another great course like caliber, sandpoint will be a top disc golf destination.

- Best host I've met in my travels. 12 states and over 200 courses.

- Nicest tee pads in the country. No transition. Perfect amount of sand to turf ratio. Extremely compacted front and rear gravel sections.

- Pro and Am pads on nearly every hole.

- Intricate greens. None of the greens sit in a field. All greens are intentionally designed with consideration given to each specific hole's scoring average. Most greens with roll-away potential have been terraced to eliminate some of the "luck factor".

- Well-delineated fairways. Each hole has a unique shape and the holes do not blend together. They are each memorable in their own way because they require a specific set of shots to achieve desirable results.

-Perfect use of elevation change that requires a firm understanding of nose angles.

- Intentionally designed landing areas allow for opportunities to "learn the course" over time for improved scoring.

- Manicured fringe, semi-rough, and rough. The better the shot, the better the result. The alternative is also true.

- Discatchers. One of the better targets on the market though I personally prefer the Prodigy T1. No real complaint here.

- Some elevated baskets to enhance the intricacy of putting greens and create scoring separation on some holes.

- MASSIVE ACE POT each season.

- Thousands of pounds of broadleaf clover has been planted.

- Incredible variety of tree typology. Every tree that grows in the Inland Northwest is on this property.

- Stunning views of Schweitzer Mountain.

- Negligible wind even when local town is 30+ mph. The course is tucked back into the woods.

- Nice clubhouse and disc selection.

- Seasonal.

- It should cost more to play.

- No carts....yet.

For some perspective, this course is nicer than Pier Park, Blue Ribbon Pines, VisionQuest, Horning's Hideout, Wildcat Bluff, Hanging Oaks, Shady Oaks, SeaTac, Blue Mountain, Milo McIver, Shelton Springs, Rolling Ridge and so many other "coveted courses" I've played. To play something of comparable quality, one would have to travel Highbridge, WI and catch the courses when they are in perfect condition. Paul never lets the grass get above ankle height. He is a madman and is working on the second installment at his property.

Lovely scenery. Great quality tee boxes. Varying terrain and thoughtful hole-design makes for many unique shots and a course with character.

None really, just that a few holes off-fairway was pretty deep rough, full of plants that made finding discs a bit tricky.

Paul is obviously passionate about maintaining and improving the course, and it shows. This place is a gem of North Idaho.

Excellent Overall Design - Fairways are well designed with landing areas for both sets of tees taken into consideration in the design of the par 4's and 5's. Long tees are designed for 425'+ throwers, short tees for 300'-425'. Strategic small groups and single trees in most fairways make the decision of shot shape and choice of desired landing area very important. The majority of all holes have adequate room to work a disc R to L or L to R off the tee.

Elevation Changes - For a good number of the shots faced elevation will need to be a major factor in disc and shot selection.

True Par 4's and 5's - The forest canopy makes playing high, over the top shots on all but one of the par 4's and 5's extremely difficult. The punishing thick rough also makes this playing style very risky. Eagles on this course will be very rare.

Tees - The turf tees provide an excellent teeing surface. The turf is the same material used for DiscGolfPark tees.

Balanced for Lefties Versus Righties - Overall, throwing left finishing versus right finishing shots seems to be well balanced on this course.

Dedicated Owner - This is by far the best feature of this course. It is hard to believe one person could accomplish what has been done on this property. An estimated 3,000 trees were felled and stumps removed on some challenging terrain to make this course possible. Improvements are continually being implemented. Plans are in the works for novice friendly tees, a clubhouse, and best of all, a second even longer course on adjoining property which has been purchased.

Rough - The rough can be very punishing. Thinning along the fairways and around the greens is planned. A significant amount of time is likely to be spent looking for errant shots.

Signage - Tee signs are planned for a future improvement.

Unnatural Elements - The dirt road down hole # 2's fairway, and the power line crossing the fairways of # 13 and # 14 are minor detractions from the overall natural beauty of the rest of the course.

Two and a Half Hour Plus Rounds - Not a large drawback, but this is not a "play a quick round after work" type of course.

Fitness Factor - The elevation changes make this course very challenging for anyone with mobility issues.

8,736' from the long tees and 7,772' from the shorts.
Premiums are placed on hitting fairways and being able to scramble when a shot is missed.
350'+ power required for a decent chance to shoot under par from the short tees.

Blatant Personal Opinions:
I estimate I have played over 3,000 distinct holes. My number 1 (#11, 776' par 5) and number 2 (#4, 612' short and 717' long par 4) all time favorite holes are at Caliber. If I sat down and made an actual list, I think another 3 or 4 from this course would make my top 15, and only 3 or 4 here would not be in my top 100.

I have the distance to birdie every hole from the short tees, but finishing a round at even par feels satisfying. My guess would be that even par from the short tees would be a 960ish rated round.

I am a big fan of courses with significant elevation changes. I really enjoy the additional challenge of trying to determine how the disc will react to traveling faster downhill and slower uphill. Caliber hits the sweet spot of just the right amount of elevation change for me.

Once the finishing touches are in place, I am positive a 5 star rating will be justified and I will increase my rating at that time.

Update: A year after my original review and the addition of tee signs, benches at almost all tees, and thinning of the rough justify raising my rating to 5.

Second Update, May 2021: OB added on multiple holes, primarily on downhill shots behind the pin and along property lines. OB is stakes with strung rope. Mulch added around baskets to help prevent skips on approach shots.

When I say it's the best course I've played I mean it. I've traveled quite a bit in the Northwest and have played Shelton Springs, Milo McIver State Park, Farragut State Park, Pier Park, along with countless other amazing courses. Calibur takes the cake. The grounds are maintained beyond belief and have opened my eyes to what is possible for a privately owned Disc Golf course. The use of elevation is exciting and unique. The course design was well thought out and offers differing levels of challenge. Placement is important on the par 4's and 5's, and if you don't perform your game plan you will find trouble. With that being said, the course is super fair.

The middle section of the course reminds me heavily of Hillcrest DGC (home of the Canadian Nationals). Tight, well carved out fairways playing through dense woods. Be ready to shape some shots.

There is a water feature in play towards the back half of the course. An elevated par 3 with a small hillside behind the basket that reminds me of hole 16 at Trojan Park in Oregon.

There are so many holes that are memorable for their own reason. If you have the chance to get out to Sandpoint to play this place and support the course DO IT. You will not be disappointed.

When I played it, there were no tee pads. I've learned that turf tee pads have been recently installed.

Edit 10/13/2019 - DiscGolfPark style turf teepads have been installed.

Let'me just start this by saying this is the best course I have ever played. Everything about its construction and vision spells quality and professionalism for our sport.
Paul has built a real gem of a course.
Once you get to the club house and see the manicured green of hole 18 you know your in for a real treat.
After a short little strole you find your self at hole 1 which is one of the best starting hole I have played. A nice down hill shot to get your wings warmed up on. From there you start to wined your way through the forested land with lots of elevation changes,clover filled far ways,and lots of challenging par 3,4s and 5s. All the tee pads are constructed from the latest turf that have been secured on extremely well built wood boxes and back filled with the perfect gravel which leads to great run ups and solid footing with low physical compaction in any weather. Currently there are pro and advanced amateur pads in place with am pads/family friendly pads coming in the future. There is definitely a separation between the pro and advanced Amateur pads for the professional player. Amateurs will find lots of challenge to progress there game.Once you get off the tee you will find yourself in some of the most far challenging farways you could ask for. There are really no holes that favor either a right hand or a left handed players. You just have to play clean smart golf to get low scores. Yes the rough is rough when you get in it but if you find yourself there you didn't execute your shot on the generous farways and should be penalized for it. As Caliber is a newer course and has only been built by a one man wrecking ball you can expect to find some areas that need attention but chances are the next time you play it won't be there and you would only be knit picking. For me words will never be able to tell you how good this course is and how good it will continue to improve for all of use. You just need to go play it to find out for yourself.

The only con is I am not a better thrower.

If you want a challenge for any level of your game you need to stop by and say hi to Paul and go see what Caliber of a player you are.

Beautiful course layout. Awesome turf tee pads. Varied terrain and elevations. Nice fairways.

The rough is REALLY rough. If you don't place your shot or hit a tree you may be looking for your disk for a long time.

Clearly unfinished but still a good course that is fun to play.

Where do I start!?

Paul, the property owner, is a great host and has created a true gem of a course to play.

This course has everything that an avid disc golfer looks for in a top tier disc golf course. It has wooded yet fair fairways, elevation changes, challenging par 4's and par 5's that require accurate distance placement shots, reachable par 3's and even has a downhill over the pond shot!

Caliber has truly shown me something we are not accustomed to here in the northwest. The course is constantly getting better every round, as Paul continuously does work on improvements. The teepads started originally as dirt but are currently being retrofitted with turf teepads. Turf teepads?! We don't have those around here!

All in all, if you are traveling through and have the time, this is a MUST play. Catching a round with Paul is always a blast and you can sometimes catch a couple of the locals there too who are very friendly.

Only cons would be that its not 100% to where the finished version of the course will be. But when it's done, I think it will be hard to knock it in any way.

Can't wait to make another trip out!