Golf
A Local’s Guide: My Favorite Reno Tahoe Golf Courses
Trevor Curry
My name is Trevor Curry, and I’m a PGA Golf Professional who has lived and played golf in the Reno Tahoe area since 2009. While I teach golf for a living, I can’t get enough — I tee it up every chance I get.
I put this list together to highlight a few local favorites and sort them into two buckets: Beginner-Friendly or Fair Yet Challenging. All of the courses on this list are in my regular rota. Some days, even a pro like me needs a boost of confidence. If that is the vibe, I will opt for a Beginner-Friendly course. Other days, I want to put my head down and grind out a good score on a tough track. No matter which of the courses below I play, I know I am going to have a fantastic experience!
Beginner Friendly Options
Everybody who golfs started somewhere! Getting into the sport can be daunting for first-timers and beginners, but fear not! There are several courses that are accommodating for newbies.
Washoe Golf Course
Any list of golf courses in Reno Tahoe would not be complete without the inclusion of Nevada’s oldest golf course. Washoe Golf Course was founded in 1917 and has since provided an excellent learning environment for beginner to intermediate golfers.
I first played Washoe during college back in 2009. It offered an affordable way for a young buck on a budget to play golf. The course is very walkable if you are looking to save some dough or get some exercise. Walking a golf course is a lost art, and Washoe offers a way to get back to golf’s roots!
This course is surrounded by a fair amount of trees, which is lovely during the summer months and can provide some respite from the frequent winds that pick up in the summer afternoons. Still, the fairways are generous in their width. The layout of the course is such that a newer golfer doesn’t have to worry about losing too many golf balls. The greens at Washoe are small, offering some challenge to golfers of higher skill levels.
Sierra Sage Golf Course
Sierra Sage Golf Course is located just north of Reno and offers a relatively forgiving layout — as long as you keep your ball out of the sagebrush (hence the name)! The course is well-maintained during peak golf season (end of May to the beginning of September) and has one of the best public practice facilities in the area. The lack of trees on this course means shade is hard to come by, so prepare with sunscreen and a big hat! Early morning rounds, when the wind is calm, are serene and relaxing. This course has a walkable layout for those wanting a little more connection to the environment.
Lake Tahoe Golf Course
This is what I call forgiving golf with a killer view! Lake Tahoe Golf Course combines forgiveness with natural beauty. It’s the perfect place to fit in your tee time while also making the most of what the region has to offer (and, trust me, you can’t visit without seeing the world-famous lake). During the summer months, golfers can escape the high desert heat and revel in the cooler Sierra air while they improve their swing. If you are like me, you love a cold beverage after a round. My go-to spot after playing Lake Tahoe Golf Course is Tahoe AleWorx, which is a short 6 minute drive back to South Lake.
Old Brockway Golf Course
Old Brockway Golf Course is a cute, family-owned 9-hole course that sits across the street from Lake Tahoe’s North Shore. Every hole boasts incredible lake views.
The course layout is relatively straightforward, but an errant shot into the forest will have you scratching your head!
There is nothing like a post-round burrito. T’s Mesquite Rotisserie has the biggest and best burritos in North Lake Tahoe! The 12-minute drive from Old Brockway to T’s parallels the lake on Lakeshore Blvd. T’s is a cash-only establishment, so bring some cash or hit the 7-11 next door to T’s for the ATM.
Fair Yet Challenging
Ready to prove your skills? Reno Tahoe offers some phenomenal options for golfers who love a stern test and want more challenges on the fairway! I always recommend that my students play the proper set of tees for their ability, but if you feel brave, these tracks are best played from the back tees or one set up if you’re a moderate swing-speed player.
Reno Tahoe absolutely delivers when it comes to Fair Yet Challenging golf courses. The following are my go-tos when I have my game dialed in! If you are traveling up to our beautiful home to challenge yourself, remember that the ball flies farther at elevation, about 10% more than at sea level.
Toiyabe Golf Club
Toiyabe Golf Club was built as a private club in the mid-90s and still retains the best parts of that old-school vibe. This establishment tells a tale of two nines: The front nine works away from the mountains into the valley, whereas the back nine plays up into the pine trees of the surrounding National Forest. Demanding tee shots and undulating greens create a fun experience for skilled golfers. The Washoe Zephyr is the breeze that kicks up in the afternoons. Toiyabe is calm and scoreable in the mornings, and the afternoon winds create, in my opinion, a really fun challenge for those who can control their ball-flight.
The clubhouse at Toiyabe Golf Club is a grand structure that is worth exploring. Make your way up to the restaurant on the second floor for lunch with exceptional views of Mt. Rose! Most locals are familiar with Nevada’s state drink, the Picon Punch. Grab yourself a Picon Punch and hang out on the deck and watch golfers hit their approach shots into the 18th green.
Lakeridge Golf Course
Ah, the quintessential Reno golf course. Tucked into the hills on the west side of town, Lakeridge Golf Course has an abundance of trees, doglegs and fast-undulating greens. While this spot doesn’t hold the title for the longest course in town, your accuracy and short game better be dialed! Be sure to bring your cell phone or camera to snap a quick selfie or group photo from the tee box of the 15th hole. This hole is a par 3 to a legitimate island-green with breathtaking views of downtown Reno. I intentionally used a different picture for this article so as to not ruin the reveal!
Lakeridge is located near the heart of town, which opens up a plethora of food and beverage options. If you love sushi, Reno is known for all-you-can-eat sushi deals. Tokyo Sushi is wildly popular with locals and the 10-minute drive routes past the Peppermill Resort and Spa, if you are the gambling type.
Old Greenwood Golf Course
Think you’re ready to go pro? Then Old Greenwood Golf Course is where you should schedule a tee time. The host of a PGA Tour event, this Jack Nicklaus Signature course is long — and I do mean really long. The back tees tip out at 7,500 yards; a bomber’s paradise! Towering pines, deep bunkers, and glimmering ponds require laser focus.
Be sure to save some time after the round to explore downtown Truckee. Restaurants, bars, and eclectic shops cater to the whole group. My two favorite coffee shops for a pre-round java are Drink Coffee Do Stuff and Coffeebar.
Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is possibly the most famous place to play in Reno Tahoe, as it hosts the American Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament, every summer. Charles Barkley, Miles Teller, Larry the Cable Guy and Steph Curry are just a few of the familiar faces you can see during this event.
The course is always perfectly manicured and offers a fun challenge that winds amongst the pine trees before turning towards the lake on the 16th hole. Stay on your game when on the par 3 17th hole, which plays directly alongside Lake Tahoe; a shot missed here might end up on someone’s beach towel!
A Few Fairway Picks to Get You Going
Of course, these are just a few of my favorite golfing spots. With a few visits and talking to other locals at these courses, you’ll find many more fantastic places to tee it up in Reno Tahoe.
I hope this is a useful starting point for you, regardless if you’re getting into the sport, booking a trip with friends, or looking for a new place to test your mettle. I encourage you to check out each course, regardless of skill level. My biggest tip: Be sure to play the proper set of tees!