After a decade of visiting Lake Tahoe and playing golf, I am finally ready to register myself as a golf expert on the Tahoe area. On my most recent trip to the lake, I confirmed most of my suspicions and even added a couple of new items to the list. Today we will be focusing on the criteria below in order to load you up with the vital information that you will need to plan your own Tahoe golfing experience.
Premier Public Courses
1. Incline Village - Championship
Nobody is really sure how I managed to miss this beauty for nearly a decade, but I finally took on the Championship course at Incline Village in 2021. The connection was immediate. With big white bunkers and tree lined Tahoe views framing every hole, it is easy to get swept up into the visual appeal of the golf course. Fortunately, the merits of the golf course itself are also solid. The golf holes are varied and options of interest are presented to the golfer with regularity.
By the time the sun set over the back nine, I knew there was a new beauty residing atop the Premier Public Courses category.
2. Edgewood
After nearly a decade at the top of the list, Edgewood has fallen off of the pinnacle of the premier public destinations here on pjkoenig.com. Through no fault of it’s own, the course lost by a slim margin but has a firm grasp on the #2 spot.
Edgewood is consistently kept in top notch condition during the season and after the pandemic hiatus, Edgewood will return as host to the annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in July of 2021. The atmosphere is sure to be electric with a lot of pent up demand for high quality entertainment and celebrity golf.
The real treat at Edgewood is what awaits the golfer on the finishing stretch of holes. Even though the first 15 are a lot of fun to play, the action goes up a notch on the finishing stretch of 16-18.
The stunning 16th at sunset
The 16th from above the green
The 18th hole at Edgewood
The short 17th
Designed by Jack Nicklaus and located just outside of Truckee, Old Greenwood is one of Tahoe’s fan favorite golf courses. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful, and It’s not uncommon to bump into Anika Sorenstam in the clubhouse. It is officially the top dog in what I like to call the “Truckee Triumvirate.” While a triumvirate is technically a regime dominated by 3 equally powerful rulers, someone always has an edge. In analogical terms, Old Greenwood is the Julius Caesar of Truckee.
I am not exactly sure who this Gray dude is, but I am pretty glad that he decided to do some crossing back in the day. Located just outside of Truckee, this Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy design is the second member of the “Truckee Triumvirate.” PJ’s on the porch is also a great place to dine in style. Side note: Gray’s Crossing was the site for the debut of Taylor Cole’s golf modeling career.
Taylor mulls over the a tough pitch or putt situation
There are some high quality interviews on Taylor’s bold golf style in the Instagram Highlight. Fanny pack discussion included.
5. Coyote Moon
One of Tahoe’s most unique designs, Coyote Moon is the wild card in the triumvirate. The golf course has several of Lake Tahoe’s most dramatic shots and plenty of unique golf holes to keep your crew interested throughout your round.
9 hole goodies
In 1934 and 1935 Bing Crosby hosted his original “Crosby” tournament at Old Brockway. Eventually the tournament would move down the state to a little place called Pebble Beach and morph into the ATT ProAm. Since it’s good enough for Bing and his friends, Old Brockway is more than suitable for you and your yahoo buddies. The course ranks high on the fun meter and provides some challenging options as you wind your way through the towering Tahoe pines.
This little number is located in the heart of Tahoe City and is an excellent stop for those looking to scratch that golf itch. The golf course is 2700 yards with 4 par 3’s, 4 par 4’s and one par 5. Perhaps the even better news is that after you are done walking the course, you can walk right on over to the local beach.
Value Propositions
1. Tahoe Donner
As I was looking up my images to post from Tahoe Donner, this was the only image I took from my visit years ago. That is my friend Joe and as you can tell, he is a fan of high value golf courses.
Pro tip: Since this course is extremely tight and narrow, I decided to hit my 3 iron off of every single tee box. My friends all thought I was stupid until I shot 74 and hit 14/14 fairways. It was enjoyable watching them look for balls in the woods and collecting just about every skins pot with pars. Adjust your strategy accordingly.
Update: After a renovation, I paid a return visit to Tahoe Donner in 2021. The course has retained it’s original vibes and routing, but the the golf course has been drastically enhanced with $2M worth of improvements.
Fairways widened for playability
Expanded and redesigned teeing grounds
Increased drainage and cart path relocation
All new greens with Creeping Bentgrass
More importantly, I got some decent photos to compliment Joe’s moves. You can read more about the course updates and book your tee time here.
Joining our group as we golfed the freshly renovated Tahoe Donner was the wildly popular Taylor Cole. Taylor made her original golf modeling debut in 2020 at Gray’s Crossing and she was immediately a fan favorite. When she is not impressing fellow golfers with her fashionable on-course ensembles, Taylor heats up the big screen on the Hallmark Channel.
Located in a meadow below the mountains, Lake Tahoe Golf Course is a William Bell designed golf course. This course scores high in the value category and is an excellent option to round out your South Lake Tahoe agenda.
UPDATE: In 2021, I revisited Lake Tahoe GC to confirm it’s status as the top value find in the Lake Tahoe area. Unfortunately, strong competition was brewing below and Tahoe Donner has overtaken Lake Tahoe Golf Course.
Extreme value and birdies are exciting.
The front nine at Lake Tahoe GC is beautiful but rather pedestrian. That experience changes as soon as you cross over the Slippery When Wet bridge on hole #10. The back nine provides a much more varied and exciting golf experience.
Real values begin to develop as you start to creep slightly outside of Lake Tahoe. Carson Valley is only a 40 minute drive from South Lake and a great place to check out if you are looking for quality golf that won’t break the bank. This Robert Muir Graves design is packed with mountain views and good times. We popped some champagne to celebrate.
Another serious value option in Carson Valley is Genoa Lakes. You have 36 holes available for play at Genoa Lakes with the Lakes course and the Ranch course. The Lakes course is the better of the two and is priced slightly higher because of it. Most importantly, the Lakes course was the scene of the first time that I made par on all 18 holes. That is right, no bogies, no birdies, just a par on every single hole. I was a little nervous on the 18th but I hit a beauty of a 3 iron that assured my place in record book history.
Nobody loves finding balls more than Taylor Cole
Nestled in the foothills of the Pah Rah Mountain Ridge in Reno is the critically acclaimed Red Hawk Golf Club. There are two golf courses to be enjoyed at Red Hawk. The Lakes course is designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and the Hills course is a Hale Irwin creation built upon land that was once a working ranch. The vibe is good at Red Hawk.
The golfing duo of Stephanie Gibri and Carolina Romero joined in on the action at Red Hawk Golf Club. These girls will easily take your money on the golf course and look good doing it. You would be foolish to not click on their names above.
Private Options
This post is intended to be a layout of the best options that a golfer visiting Lake Tahoe would have. The private options aren’t available to everyone, but if they do become available to you, I would jump on them immediately.
This Tom Fazio gem is in the running for the best golf course in the Lake Tahoe area. The clubhouse looking over 18 easily wins the best clubhouse in Lake Tahoe award. The course is typical Fazio mountain goodness with the highlights coming down the stretch.
2. Clear Creek
Designed by the architectural team of Coore & Crenshaw, Clear Creek is a mighty fine mountain design. The eye candy is almost as plentiful as the three putts that you will certainly experience. Sloped, tiered, and varied these greens ensure that the drama only begins once you reach the putting surface.
For those fortunate enough to be members at Clear Creek, the club also offers the use of a Lake House that resides just off of the 9th hole at Edgewood. It’s the perfect place for a summer celebration or a winter stay and ski.
The golf action at @clearcreektahoe is world class. What are some of your favorite Tahoe area courses? @renotahoe pic.twitter.com/FHdRHnIbI2
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) August 17, 2020
Schaffer’s Mill made its debut in 2008 and was immediately recognized as the best new private course in California by Golfweek magazine. This Johnny Miller and John Harbottle design is one of the finest private places in Tahoe.
Directly across the street from Schaffer’s Mill in Truckee lies my final private Lake Tahoe recommendation. Lahontan is an 18 hole Tom Weiskopf design that also includes a 9 hole par 3 course. Only a fortunate few walk these fairways.
The 2nd hole at Lahontan Golf Club with the Northstar slopes in the background
The following recommendations for lodging, dining, and activities in Tahoe are far from being a comprehensive list, but these are some of my favorite spots that I have visited. You won’t be disappointed with any of these.
Lodging
The Truckee Hotel - It’s old, it’s haunted, and it used to be a bordello. My kind of place.
Harrah’s in South Lake - Really nice updated rooms, 2 minute access to Edgewood, 10 second access to blackjack.
MontBleu Resort - Another great South Lake option with updated modern rooms, 1 min 45 second access to Edgewood.
River Ranch Lodge - Right on the American River, perfect proximity for rafting and access to Truckee and Tahoe North.
Granlibakken Resort Tahoe City - The full “cabin in the woods of Tahoe” experience. Right next to the Treetop Adventure Park.
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa - One of the hottest hot spots in Reno. Cool elevator.
Carson Valley Inn - The spot to be in CV.
Dining
PJ’s restaurant at Gray’s Crossing - Overlooks the 18th hole, delicious food, delicious view.
Garwoods Grill & Pier on the Lake - If I were you, I would order the scallops and make sure to sit out on the patio.
Za’s Lakefront - Solid pizza spot for some lunch action on the lake in Tahoe City.
Blue Lake Tavern - The aptly named tavern boasts some power packed pub options just north of Edgewood in South Lake.
Spindleshanks - Just off of the first tee at Old Brockway Golf Course.
The Lodge - A perfect place to dine after your round of golf at Tahoe Donner.
Brasserie Saint James - Located in the historic Crystal Springs ice and water building in Midtown Reno.
The Eddy - If you manage to make your way into Reno, this is the coolest spot in town.
The Pink House - You will be able to identify the Pink House in Genoa, because of it’s pink color.
Emerald Bay sparkles with that emerald sparkle.
Activities
Treetop Adventure Park - Swinging from the trees of Tahoe and zip lining back to safety. This was equal parts exhilarating, fun, and exhausting.
Emerald Bay - Perhaps the most stunning view in Tahoe is from above Emerald Bay, it’s easy to find by car and is worth any detour.
Raft the Truckee River - Ride that river hard.
Horse racing machine at Harrah’s Casino - You put in quarters and bet on plastic ponies. Then you scream and yell at the ponies to run faster with your friends. It pays out quarters. It is awesome.
The Genoa Bar and Saloon - It’s the oldest “thirst parlor” in Nevada and it has Raquel Welch’s bra hanging from the ceiling.
Decide that all non golf activities are foolish and go play more golf.
Taylor, Garrett, and myself managed to tackle all of the obstacles at the Tahoe Adventure Park. The zip lines are fun and the obstacles can be challenging. The rings were were probably the most difficult. check the Instagram Highlight to watch Taylor almost lose it.
With a multitude of golf and activities in the Lake Tahoe area, it’s placement as one of my Top 20 Golf Destinations in America is well deserved. The best part about a dynamic destination like Tahoe is that every visit is a unique experience. My latest trip to Tahoe was filled with Marshmallows, modeling, and general mayhem. I highly suggest checking out the action from my Instagram Story Highlight.
Leave only footprints behind. With the post pandemic boom, Tahoe is experiencing a dramatic swell in traffic to the destination, please be a responsible human being and pick up after yourself. Tahoe only stays as blue as we make it.