There are some River Birch golf course facilities in the US, and they are located in various states and have different ownerships. One that tops in the Google search results is located in Star, Idaho, outside Boise. The other River Birch golf courses are in Amory, Mississippi, and Bamberg, South Carolina.
Identifying which one you refer to saves your precious time and prevents any wrong phone calls, and that comes first.
Four listings, three real courses
Here is every River Birch that turns up in a search, and how to tell them apart.
| Which one | Where it is | Phone | How to recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Birch Golf Course | Star, Idaho | 208-286-0801 | 3740 N Pollard Lane, about 20 miles west of Boise |
| River Birch Golf Club | Amory, Mississippi | Local listing | 60007 Birchwood Lane, formerly known as Ackia Golf Club |
| River Birch Golf Course | Bamberg, South Carolina | 803-245-8432 | 128 Paw Paw Road, formerly Paw Paw Country Club |
| A fourth listing | Twin Falls, Idaho | Same as Star | Not a separate course, as explained below |
This last line is a mistake in data and not a golf course. There are some sites that list River Birch under Twin Falls; however, the number that they give is actually for the Star and even the cart charge is the same as the Star’s. This Twin Falls is three hours away from Star, and thus, if you follow this listing, you will be going to the wrong side of the state.
One thing to check before driving to the Idaho course
This needs to be clearly highlighted and not hidden. There is inconsistency among directory listings when it comes to whether the Star course is operational.
On the whole, the majority of directories list it as an operational public course with season from April through October, rates, and active status. Nevertheless, one prominent golf directory indicates that it is a non-operational site. This particular directory is inconsistent on its own, as it provides two separate sections and ratings for one scorecard.
Nothing in local news or from the course itself announces a closure, and the weight of evidence points to it operating. But the sensible move is a phone call to 208-286-0801 before you make the drive, rather than trusting any listing including this one.
This is a good approach to take in a small town. Aggregator information can get old, ownership shifts may not be reported, and a two-minute phone call resolves it.
River Birch in Star, Idaho
This is the course that everybody means. It is located at 3740 N Pollard Lane, Star, which is a rapidly growing city situated on the Boise River, about 20 miles west of Boise.
| What you want to know | The answer |
|---|---|
| Type | Public, with no membership needed to book |
| Opened | 2004, credited to John Boehm |
| Par | Listed as both 72 and 73 depending on the source |
| Length | Published between roughly 6,756 and 7,080 yards from the back |
| Turf | Ryegrass fairways with bentgrass greens |
| Season | April through October |
| Practice | A driving range with about 40 tees, chipping area and putting green |
| Policies | Walking allowed, no metal spikes, singles welcome, no fivesomes |
The disparity in published numbers is greater in this instance than at most courses. Yardage ranges from 6,756, 6,974, 6,993 and 7,080, and the par is listed as either 72 or 73. The scorecard most frequently referred to is the one showing the black tees at 6,974 yards. None of this affects what club choice one makes, but it is good to know if two publications show you something different.
As for the golf itself, the consensus is about broad fairways that have matured since 2004, and trees that come into play that never would have mattered before. There is water on hole one. The theme here is that it is a fun, affordable public course, rather than a championship layout. One Golf Digest review panel rated it a good value with variety.
What it costs in Star
Rates sit in a comfortable middle band for the Boise area, and the cart is charged separately.
| What you are booking | Weekday | Weekend | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 holes | $52 | $62 | Holiday rates follow the weekend |
| 9 holes | $39 | $49 | A reasonable gap if you only have half a day |
| Twilight | $39 | $39 | Roughly two to three hours before sunset |
| Senior | $50 | $50 | Listings differ on whether the threshold is 55 or 60 |
| Junior, 17 and under | $26 | $26 | Among the better junior rates in the valley |
| Cart, 18 holes | $21 | $21 | Per person, with nine holes at $14 |
| Walking | Permitted | Permitted | Pull carts are $5, and a trail fee applies for your own |
Playing 18 holes on weekends, therefore, comes to $83 with the cart included, matching the amount mentioned in one listing of Golf Digest. The twilight price of $39 is the bargain regardless of whether you play on weekdays or weekends, but from 4pm, the twilight and winter prices apply for as many rounds as you play.
There is one caveat in relation to the senior rate. The age limit is given as 55 in one case and 60 in another case in the same listing.
Which tees to play in Star
Five tee sets cover a wide range, and the forward options are genuinely short.
| Tee set | Yardage | Rating | Slope | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 6,756 | 70.9 | 118 | Low handicaps, though the slope is modest |
| Blue | 6,302 | 68.7 | 111 | Strong players wanting a comfortable round |
| White | 5,879 | 66.4 | 106 | The default for most regular golfers |
| Orange | 5,446 | 64.6 | 100 | Shorter hitters and improving players |
| Red | 4,803 | 61.5 | 96 | Beginners and juniors, rated 65.8 for women |
These numbers come from a single rating scorecard. Another scorecard has a longer scorecard with the same course at approximately 6,974 yards, and this is also part of the same yardage difference debate mentioned above. The slope remains moderate regardless.
Slope in the 110 range from the back tee indicates that this is a forgiving course. This is a positive rather than negative attribute. Every game doesn’t need to be a test, and a course where the mid-handicapper finishes with the same ball they started with has its merits.
What golfers say about the Idaho course
The sample size is small, so read these as indicative rather than settled.
| What is being rated | Score | What it reflects |
|---|---|---|
| Friendliness | 4.8 | Staff come through as the strongest impression |
| Pace of play | 4.8 | Rounds move, which is a genuine selling point |
| Conditions | 4.6 | Turf quality gets consistent praise |
| Value | 4.2 | Fair for the Boise market |
| Layout | 3.8 | Pleasant rather than memorable, by most accounts |
| Amenities | 3.3 | The weakest category, and the clubhouse is modest |
The average rating across several reviews for the course is 4.0 out of 5, with everybody agreeing to recommend it. This is consistent with how the course presents itself: fast, friendly, clean, and without false pretensions.
Where it sits among Boise-area golf
Star is on the western edge of the Treasure Valley, so this course competes with a cluster of public options rather than standing alone.
| What you are after | How River Birch compares | The trade |
|---|---|---|
| A quick, friendly round | Among its strongest suits, with pace rated 4.8 | The layout is pleasant rather than memorable |
| Value for the valley | Mid-market at $52 on a weekday plus $21 for the cart | Boise municipals undercut it, resort courses beat it on polish |
| A forgiving course | Slope in the 110s from the back, which is gentle | Low handicaps may find it short of a real test |
| Practice before a round | A range of roughly 40 tees plus short-game areas | Clubhouse amenities are the weakest rated category |
| Bringing a junior | A $26 junior rate and forward tees under 5,000 yards | Worth confirming age limits when you book |
The honest read is that River Birch works best as a regular round for people living out toward Star, Eagle and Middleton rather than as a destination somebody drives across the valley for. Reviewers who like it tend to like it for exactly that reason.
River Birch Golf Club, Amory, Mississippi
Should you be located in northeast Mississippi, you have another and more challenging golf course.
It was built in 1993 and operates out of 60007 Birchwood Lane, Amory, Monroe County, having been in operation under the name of Ackia Golf Club for some time. The course plays par 72 measuring 7,246 yards off the black tees, with a rating of 74.4 and a slope of 134, making it much harder than the Idaho course.
The greens are Tifdwarf Bermuda, the course plays year-round, and the carts are included in the greens fees. The course is classified as semi-private, but public play is permitted. Reviews note large fairways, with water and bunkers playing into holes and good rolling greens.
River Birch Golf Course, Bamberg, South Carolina
The third club is found at 128 Paw Paw Road, Bamberg, in the area of South Carolina known as Thoroughbred Country.
Established in 1981 under the name of Paw Paw Country Club, this club was designed by Russell Breeden, who is well-known in Carolina golf courses. This is an 18-hole par 72 facility that is played off four sets of tees and has Bermuda greens and is said to have an abundance of water hazards and wooded holes and undulating large greens. Golfers can walk or ride on the course.
Telephone: 803-245-8432. The distances of this course vary widely from source to source, hence consult the course itself.
Where to follow them
Each course keeps a different footprint online, and in every case a phone call is more reliable than a listing.
| Which course | Where to look | What is worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Star, Idaho | Facebook, plus riverbirchgolfcourse.net | Facebook is the channel that exists for this course |
| Bamberg, South Carolina | riverbirchgc.com | Also reachable by email through the course |
| Amory, Mississippi | Directory listings | No prominent official social presence surfaced |
| All three | By phone | The only way to confirm status, rates and tee times |
There is no official Instagram, X, or YouTube account associated with any of the three classes. The only available social media channel for the Idaho class is Facebook, so be careful of any social media accounts that claim to be any of these.
Final take
If you Googled River Birch Golf Course and have ended up on this page, then chances are you are looking for Star, Idaho: an 2004 public course situated west of Boise, 6,974 yards in length, charging $52 on weekdays with the cart being additional, fast rounds and helpful staff.
Call 208-286-0801 before heading out to be sure about its operating status, as there are conflicting reports about it being open and none is worth your time if proven false. However, if you mean Mississippi or South Carolina, that would be totally different golf courses in other states.
Frequently asked questions
How many golf courses are called River Birch?
Three separate courses share the name, in Star, Idaho, Amory, Mississippi and Bamberg, South Carolina. A fourth listing placing one in Twin Falls, Idaho is a data error that repeats the Star course’s details.
Where is the main River Birch golf course?
The one that dominates search results is at 3740 N Pollard Lane in Star, Idaho, roughly 20 miles west of Boise. The number is 208-286-0801.
Is River Birch in Star, Idaho still open?
Most listings show it operating with an April to October season, but one major directory marks it as closed. Call 208-286-0801 to confirm before making the drive.
How much does it cost to play River Birch in Idaho?
Around $52 on a weekday and $62 at weekends for 18 holes, with the cart charged separately at $21 per person. Twilight drops to about $39 either day.
Who designed the River Birch Golf Course in Idaho?
John Boehm is credited with the design, and the course opened in 2004. It has ryegrass fairways and bentgrass greens.
What par is River Birch Golf Course?
The Idaho course is listed as both par 72 and par 73 depending on the source, with published yardages ranging from about 6,756 to 7,080. The Mississippi and South Carolina courses are both par 72.
Is River Birch in Idaho a hard course?
Not especially. The back tees carry a slope in the 110s, which is forgiving by modern standards, and reviewers describe wide fairways with trees that have matured into play since 2004.
Which River Birch course is the longest?
On published figures, the Mississippi course at Amory, which plays 7,246 yards from the black tees with a 74.4 rating and 134 slope. It is a considerably sterner test than the Idaho layout.
What was River Birch in South Carolina called before?
Paw Paw Country Club. It opened in 1981, was designed by Russell Breeden, and sits at 128 Paw Paw Road in Bamberg.
Does River Birch in Idaho have a driving range?
Yes, with roughly 40 practice tees, plus a chipping area and a putting green. Amenities score lowest of any category in reviews, so expect functional rather than lavish.
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