Best of Tahoe Golf

by Doug Saunders

The golf season in the Tahoe area is brief, lasting only from May to October, but for those six months, it's easy to see why playing the game in the mountains is such a joy. There are over 30 tracks around the region, offering everything from relaxing nine-hole courses to some of the finest private clubs in the West. With so many choices, we've compiled a guide to the best options, making it easy to find a round that suits your game to a tee.

Best Course for Beginners

Carson Valley Golf Course

Recipient of the National Golf Course Owners Association's Player Development Award, this pleasant location along the Carson River in Gardnerville is dedicated to making the game fun for juniors, beginners and families. Owner Tom Brooks has built a series of forward tees on this simple 18-hole course so that kids and parents can play together.

Most Memorable Hole

The 13Th Hole At Coyote Moon Golf Course

This Truckee course leaves many lasting impressions, but its par 3, which features a drop of 135 feet to a green fronted by a stream, will stay with you forever. You'll want to hit two less clubs for this downhill shot, and the green, which seems pretty small from the tee, is actually a fairly large target.

Best Blast From the Past

Old Brockway Golf Course

This vintage Kings Beach course was built in 1924, and the owners have made a point of maintaining its original charm—they even offer the opportunity to play a round with hickory-shafted golf clubs from the era. While trying to hit the ball with this old technology, you'll not only gain a renewed appreciation for modern equipment, but will have a hard time believing that the course record of 31 was shot here in 1931 with bygone gear.

Best Spot To Unwind

Brooks' Golf Bar & Deck At Edgewood Tahoe

Genoa Lakes Resort's clubhouse is impressive from the 18th tee, but persistent winds keep you indoors. The Old Tahoe–style rooflines and heavy beams of the clubhouse at Old Greenwood are also great. But nothing beats Brooks' Golf Bar & Deck at Edgewood. This comfy collection of tables and chairs surrounding a fire pit and overlooking the shores of Lake Tahoe make it the best spot to add up your scorecard.

Best Private Club to be a Guest

Lahontan Golf Club

If you don't have a membership at a private club, it's nice to know a few folks who do, especially if it's at Lahontan in Truckee's Martis Valley. This Tom Weiskopf course is big, bold, playable and peaceful, with all the amenities of a first-class private club. A stroll down the 14th fairway is great just for the Sierra views.

Best Private Club Value

The Timilick Club

Looking for private play but want to pass on the pricey prerequisite real estate purchase? Truckee's highly anticipated Timilick Club is the only private course in Tahoe that doesn't require property ownership to join. Designed by Johnny Miller and John Harbottle III, the 7,000- yard championship course tucked into 475 wooded acres in Martis Valley celebrates its grand opening June 30.

Most Inviting Tee

1st Hole At Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club

There are many appealing tee shots around Tahoe, but none call you to the course quite like the 1st hole at Whitehawk Ranch in Clio. The tee for this par 4 is tucked under three large pine trees, and the hole breaks out into a meadow overlooking Mohawk Valley. Standing here in the early morning will get you thinking about playing 36 holes.

Toughest Par 4

1st Hole At Tahoe Donner Golf Course

There are many from which to choose, but the 452-yard (from the tips) 1st hole at Tahoe Donner is a brute. It's a long uphill, and the slightly lefttilting fairway can easily send balls into the thick trees lining the course. The fairway narrows thanks to a large pine 175 yards from the two-tiered, well-bunkered, very fast green. Members regularly play it as a par 5, and if they make it in 4, they consider themselves fortunate.

Best Event To Meet The Masters

Legends Reno-Tahoe Open At Montrêux Golf And Country Club

Head out to Reno's Montrêux July 28–August 3 and watch with wonder as the gang from the PGA TOUR tees it up for the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. This Jack Nicklaus signature course is one of the toughest around, but TOUR players make it look easy with a winning score about 15 under par. You might pick up a few pointers and see why these guys are so good.

Best Reason To Drive North

Plumas Pines Golf Resort

When it comes to deals, many courses offer twilight rates after 2 p.m. or even earlier. But if you need a reason to drive up the pleasant Route 89 to Graeagle, you can head to Plumas Pines for a golf and dinner package. Monday through Friday after 1 p.m., for $95, you can play a round and then enjoy an excellent dinner at Longboards Bar & Grill looking out over a stunning summer sunset.

Best Instructors

Brian Eilders, Old Brockway Golf Course; Peter Smith, Northstar-At-Tahoe Resort Golf Course

Brian Eilders at Old Brockway has been teaching for nearly two decades, and his solid presentation of the basics has been a boon to local duffers. Pete Smith, Northstar-at-Tahoe's head pro, came to the Sierra from the Bay Area's venerable Olympic Club 16 years ago. He now runs several clinics for juniors and beginners, along with family and ladies' clinics.

Best Driving Ranges

Incline Village Championship Course, Resort At Red Hawk

Space restrictions make it tough to find a practice facility in the mountains, but two stand out. Incline's Championship Course offers 28 often-occupied stalls. In Sparks, the Resort at Red Hawk has the ultimate setup for practice, with its combination of driving range, chipping areas and the Hale Irwin–designed putting course.

Best Way To Get Serious

The Golf Academy At Old Greenwood

Get down to par at this 15-acre training complex, which boasts an indoor-outdoor hitting bay, 1,500 square foot learning center and extensive outdoor classroom. Golf pros, including an in-house fitness expert, evaluate students with a fourcamera system, comparing them to the likes of Woods and Sorenstam.

Best Course For Women

Incline Village Mountain Course

Ladies will love Women's Golf Week, June 6–15, featuring free clinics and a fashion show. Bring the next generation to Take Your Daughter to the Course Week, July 7–13, for free chipping clinics, playwith- a-pro and other activities. Additionally, Wednesdays throughout the summer, women can enjoy "6 After 6," six holes and a short clinic, followed by appetizers at the clubhouse for just $29.

Best Pro Shop

Resort Golf Shop At Genoa Lakes Golf Club And Resort

Every pro shop carries the obligatory balls, shirts, hats and shoes, but others take the shopping experience to another level. The Resort Golf Shop at Genoa Lakes offers great deals on golf attire, clubs and even jewelry, crystal gifts and formal wear. If you sneaked out to play 27 holes, you can pick up a nice gift here to get yourself back in good graces on the home front.

Best Walking Course

Lake Tahoe Golf Course

Let's face it, golf is supposed to be a walking game, and getting out of the cart is the best way to commune with your surroundings. Mountain courses can lead you to some real hikes, but for a great stroll through the grass, try Lake Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe. This public track runs across a broad meadow intersected by the Upper Truckee River. The course is usually very busy, so carrying a bag here makes even more sense.

Best Mountain View

Resort At Squaw Creek Golf Course

This is the Sierra after all, so choices abound. But for a gripping glimpse of the range's granite peaks, you can't beat those found at the Resort at Squaw Creek. From the 6th tee, the Squaw Valley massif spreads out before you, and the slopes of Headwall form the backdrop for the uphill shot from the fairway to the 13th hole. This is mountain golf at its best.

Greenest Greens

Old Greenwood

This Truckee track proves its grass is greener: It's the first golf course in the nation to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, and, along with sister course Gray's Crossing, is one of only 16 properties in the world to receive the Gold Audubon Signature Award.