Lake Tahoe Golf Course

About Lake Tahoe Golf Course

Lake Tahoe Golf Course sits in South Lake Tahoe inside the Lake Valley State Recreation Area, a par 71 of about 6,800 yards that William Bell Jr. designed in 1959. The Upper Truckee River runs through it, and the Sierra Nevada rings the whole place. The hole the course puts forward is the sixth, a 150-yard par 3 over the river.

It's flat mountain golf: the map survey has only about 16 feet of elevation change, but the river runs beside 11 holes, water comes into play near 10, and three tee shots carry it. Trees line 13 holes and there are about 76 bunkers, so the river, the trees and the sand do the work. Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data.

The course is on state park land, and its future is tied to the river. California State Parks has been planning an Upper Truckee River restoration whose options range from keeping the course as it is, to reconfiguring it to give the river room, to removing it entirely. It's also Audubon certified, and the course lists hawks, eagles, black bears and beavers among the wildlife.

It's one of 36 courses Yoink watches in the Reno & Tahoe area, and the closest alternative is Tahoe Paradise Golf Course, about 1 mile away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.

What it's like to play Lake Tahoe Golf Course

There are about 76 bunkers out there, well above average, so a good bunker game pays. Water is in play on 10 of the 18 holes, and you carry it on 3 of them, so bring a few extra balls. 11 of the 18 holes bend, so position off the tee matters more than length.

Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).

How to get a tee time at Lake Tahoe Golf Course