The High Sierra region in California and Nevada is home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the United States. With towering peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and pristine forests, it’s no surprise that the area is also home to some of the best golf courses in the country. From challenging mountain layouts to serene courses that wind through alpine meadows, there’s no shortage of great public golf options in the High Sierra.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 13 best public golf courses in the Sierra Nevada. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer looking for a challenging mountain course or a beginner looking for a fun and scenic round of golf, there’s sure to be a course on this list that will suit your needs. So grab your clubs, hit the road, and get ready to experience some of the best golfing in the country!
In addition to the outstanding golf courses available in the Reno/Tahoe area, the region also hosts several major golf events that draw national attention. One of the most well-known events is the American Century Championship, which takes place each summer at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada. This celebrity golf tournament features some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment, and politics, and is broadcast live on national television.
Another major golf event in the area is the Barracuda Championship, a PGA Tour event that takes place each summer at the Montreux Golf and Country Club in Reno. This tournament features some of the top golfers in the world and is a great opportunity to see the pros up close and in person. The Barracuda Championship also offers a unique scoring format that adds an extra level of excitement to the tournament.
These events, along with the outstanding golf courses available in the area, make Reno/Tahoe a must-visit destination for any golf enthusiast.
Here is our list of the 13 best Public Golf Experiences in the Sierra Nevada.
Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, Stateline, NV
This championship course is open to the public and is consistently ranked among the top courses in the country. It offers stunning views of Lake Tahoe reflecting the nearby mountains and greens set just off the sand of North America’s largest alpine lake, but the 1968 George Fazio layout is super interesting as well with elevation changes, cool doglegs and plenty of water hazards. The par-5 16th plays right into the lake and starts one of the best finishing stretches in golf.
Old Greenwood Golf Course, Truckee, CA
This Jack Nicklaus signature course is open to the public. The course is set against the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains backdrop and features a mix of holes designed to challenge golfers of all skill levels, with wide fairways, well-placed bunkers, and fast greens. The course’s signature hole is the par-3 14th, which features an island green and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Old Greenwood Golf Course is fairly player-friendly as far as Nicklaus layouts go, but tackle it from the maximum yardage of around 7,300 yards, and it’s all the golf most players can handle.
The Golf Club at Gray’s Crossing; Truckee, Calif.
The Golf Club at Gray’s Crossing, another semi-private course with impeccable conditioning and views, is Old Greenwood’s sister course. Like Old Greenwood, it opened as a private club in 2007. Designed by Jim Hardy and player consultant Peter Jacobsen, this wooded course with Mt. Rose as its backdrop stretches to 7,466 yards from the way backs, but there are six sets of tees for everyone to enjoy. One of the highlights is the driveable par-4 sixth, which plays 304 yards from an elevated tee.
Incline Village Championship Golf Course, Incline Village, NV
The Championship Course at Incline Village will challenge golfers of all levels. The slope will leave even scratch golfers breathless with a slope rating that tops 140. With amazing scenery & demanding golf action, the Championship Course is high on the list of traveling golfers looking for the best from their High Sierra golf package.The Newly re-designed courtesy of golf course architect Kyle Phillips, course demands accuracy and gives players risk-reward opportunities over trees and bunkers.With two golf courses – the Championship and Mountain courses – Incline Village offers something for all level of golfer.
Coyote Moon Golf Course; Truckee, Calif.
With no homes in sight and one of the most dramatic par 3s you’ll ever play, Coyote Moon Golf Course is a must-play for any visitor to the Lake Tahoe area. Coyote Moon Golf Course has received numerous accolades and awards over the years, including being named one of the “Top 100 Public Golf Courses” by Golf Digest. Designed by Brad Bell, Coyote Moon Golf Course measures 7177 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 136 and a 73.7 USGA rating. The 13th is a 227-yard par 3 with a 200-foot drop. That could be an 8-iron for a good player, but you have to get it right because short is unplayable due to a creek that runs in front of the green, and long usually doesn’t work out too well, either. The 13th is hardly the only highlight, though. There are elevated tees everywhere, howling coyotes and a tough finishing stretch, highlighted by the par-4 17th, which plays over a lake and doglegs around the trees.
Northstar California Golf Course, Truckee, CA
This resort course is open to the public and offers a unique and challenging layout that winds through towering pines. Northstar California Golf Course has a unique layout that was seamlessly integrated with the rugged, wooded terrain of Tahoe. The front nine plays through a scenic, rolling valley, while the back nine plays through the towering pines of the forest. The first nine holes have a classic links layout and the back nine demands precision with its tree-lined fairways and small greens. Native vegetation and scenic water hazards are scattered throughout the golf course. The signature hole at Northstar California Golf Course is the par-3 15th, which requires a shot over a creek to a small green. The 18-hole golf course was designed by Robert Muir Graves, a legendary landscape architect. His designs are notorious for integrating rugged, wooded sites with wavy bunkers and putting surfaces.
Grizzly Ranch Golf Club, Portola, Calif.
Originally opened as a private club in 2005, Grizzly Ranch Golf Club survived the economic downturn that followed and reopened as a semiprivate course, giving visitors and locals alike the feel of a high-end exclusive club. This Bob Cupp design, which can play more than 7,400 yards, has it all — meadows, a couple blind shots, a reachable par 4, creeks, ponds doglegs, plenty of Douglas Firs and outstanding conditioning. The layout features a mix of holes that are designed to challenge golfers of all skill levels, with fast greens, deep bunkers, and strategically placed hazards. One of the standout features of Grizzly Ranch Golf Club is its commitment to preserving the area’s natural beauty. The course is built around natural features such as rolling hills, rock outcroppings, and native grasses, creating a golf experience that is both challenging and in harmony with its surroundings.
The Dragon at Nakoma Resort; Clio, Calif
The Dragon will slay many golfers as its difficulty level is one of the highest in the State. A one-of-a-kind golf course located in the heart of the High Sierra Designed by Robin Nelson, one of the most respected golf course architects in the world, The Dragon is a true masterpiece that offers a unique and unforgettable golf experience. The course is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and features a layout that is both challenging and scenic. The Dragon takes you on a journey through towering pines, rock formations, and water features, offering a golf experience that is as beautiful as it is challenging. It’s also one of the better deals in the area, up there, with courses that charge two or three times as much in the Truckee area. From the first hole through the 18th, the views never stop.
Lakes Course at Genoa Lakes Golf Club & Resort; Genoa, Nev.
There are two courses at Genoa Lakes Resort — the Lakes and the Ranch — and both of them are excellent and, more importantly, different. The Lakes Course, designed by John Harbottle III and Peter Jacobsen, is laid out on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with the Carson River coming into play on 14 holes. The Ranch Course, on the other hand, offers a more traditional parkland-style golf experience, with rolling fairways, mature trees, and a variety of elevation changes.
Resort at Red Hawk, Sparks, NV
This public course offers two distinct 18-hole layouts that are well-maintained and offer a challenging and scenic golf experience. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the Lakes Course is one of two excellent golf courses at Red Hawk Golf and Resort, which also includes the Hale Irwin-designed Hills Course. The Lakes is arguably the best public-access course in the Reno area. It tips out to nearly 7,000 yards with natural lakes, springs, cottonwood trees and more than 100 bunkers. The signature hole is the par-3 17th, which can play 240 yards — completely over water.
Plumas Pines Golf Resort
Plumas Pines Golf Resort is tucked away amid the mature pine trees of the Plumas National Forest at the middle fork of the Feather River. The beautiful terrain offers plenty of variety, from tumbling hills to gently rolling meadows. There are more than 60 lakes interspersed throughout beautiful forested landscape and through the treetops you’ll catch glimpses of the stunning mountains that surround the resort. At 6,421 yards, it’s a relatively short golf course but there are a few holes where you’ll pull out the driver. The challenging layout has plenty of places where you can get in trouble. Careful course management will serve you well on this golf course. Your accuracy will also be tested with the narrow fairways and tricky doglegs.
The Golf Club at Whitehawk Ranch; Clio, Calif.
Carved from the High Sierra’s Mohawk Valley, a hidden gem in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This 18-hole championship course was designed by renowned golf course architect Dick Bailey, and features a unique blend of mountain and meadow terrain. The course is known for its stunning scenery, with views of the Mohawk Valley and surrounding mountains from nearly every hole. Another semi-private club built within a residential development, the course is always in excellent condition, has excellent practice facilities and can be played for considerably less than courses like Old Greenwood and Schaffer’s Mill.
The Ridge Golf Course – Auburn Ca
The 18-hole The Ridge Golf Course in Auburn, CA is a public golf course that opened in 1999. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., The Ridge Golf Course measures 6749 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 144 and a 73.4 USGA rating. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, The Ridge Golf Course in Auburn, California, offers a challenging and enjoyable golfing experience for players of all skill levels. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this 18-hole championship course is known for its beautiful views, challenging greens, and meticulously maintained fairways.The Ridge Golf Course offers a variety of holes, with some featuring elevated tees and others requiring precise shots over water hazards or bunkers. The course is also known for its exceptional scenery, with views of the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Sacramento Valley from several holes.
A few of our favorites didn’t quiet make the list.
Carson Valley Golf and Country Club Located in Gardnerville, Nv- The Carson Valley Golf Course is a more affordable option for golfers in the Lake Tahoe region. The course is known for its friendly atmosphere and challenging layout, which runs along the Carson River and is blanketed by 100-year-old cottonwood trees, making it a stunning fall golfing experience. The course is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer and wild turkeys, that add to the natural beauty of the setting.
Tioyobe Golf Club – Washoe Valley Nv – Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Toiyabe Golf Club (formerly known as Thunder Canyon Country Club and Lightning “W” Ranch Golf Course.) has a picturesque landscape of shimmering lakes, meandering streams, and towering pines. This course has a traditional layout that features contoured fairways and fast, generous greens. There are nearly 50 bunkers strategically placed throughout and water comes into play on 14 holes. Elevated tees provide spectacular views of Mt. Rose and Slide Mountain. The golf course is challenging but still player-friendly with seven sets of tees.
Old Brockaway Golf Course – Kings Beach Ca. – Old Brockway Golf Course is a scenic nine-hole course that offers spectacular mountain vistas and panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. The charming landscape is sprinkled with towering Jeffrey pines, meadows, and meandering streams. It was the first nine-hole course in the country to become certified as an Audubon cooperative sanctuary. The classic layout features tight fairways and postage stamp greens, putting a premium on accuracy and careful strategy. Bunkers and water hazards provide even more challenged. Old Brockway Golf Course has always been a local favorite and it has been host to countless celebrity golfers including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Joe Kennedy.
