Lake Tahoe / Nevada &amp; California

The take

Lake Tahoe is a geography test disguised as a golf trip. The lake is the brand, Edgewood is the famous round, and Truckee/North Tahoe supplies most of the usable golf depth. Get the base wrong and you will spend the trip admiring scenery through a windshield.

The headline is Edgewood Tahoe, a 1968 George Fazio design later updated by Tom Fazio, sitting at more than 6,200 feet on the South Shore and home to the American Century Championship. It is Tahoe's postcard round, but the identity is really made by the closing stretch: 16, 17, and 18 finally bring the lake into the golf in a way that feels like the trip you paid for.

Read the full take

The more serious golf version lives north, around Truckee. Old Greenwood is the Jack Nicklaus championship test, carved through 600 acres of pine and anchored by big, strategic targets. Gray's Crossing gives that side a faster, meadow-style companion. Coyote Moon adds the wilder forest round. Schaffer's Mill is the access play if you can get on. Tahoe is not one compact resort. It is two or three different trips sharing the same lake.

The best version is not "play everything near Tahoe." It is South Shore/Edgewood plus casino-lake energy, or Truckee/North Shore for better course depth and mountain rhythm. Crossing the lake repeatedly is the amateur tax. Pick a side, then build the tee sheet.

Best version

For a golf-first group, stay in Truckee or North Lake and play Old Greenwood, Gray's Crossing, Coyote Moon, and Edgewood as the big scenic spend. For a couples/lifestyle group, stay South Shore or at Edgewood and accept that the best golf depth will require driving.

Skip if

Groups that need one simple resort bubble.
Travelers who hate driving between bases.
Value-first groups in peak summer.
Golfers expecting Bandon/Pinehurst depth in one compact footprint.

Insider notes

For a golf-first group, stay in Truckee or North Lake and play Old Greenwood, Gray's Crossing, Coyote Moon, and Edgewood as the big scenic spend.
For a couples/lifestyle group, stay South Shore or at Edgewood and accept that the best golf depth will require driving.

The courses

7 core rounds. Scan first, then click into the course detail when you want the full read.

Full destination course detailsExpand this section for the deeper course reads, then click again to hide it.Expand

4.8(186)

180 Lake Pkwy, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448, USA

(775) 588-3566

Must play

Edgewood Tahoe

Designer: George Fazio; Tom Fazio updates
Year: 1968
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,529 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: 2026 posted daily rates run roughly $275 in May, $325-$350 in June, $450 in July/August/early September, and $300 in October; twilight is lower where offered. Cart, GPS, and range balls are included.

Edgewood is the famous one for a reason. Holes 16 through 18 finally put Lake Tahoe in the round instead of just near it. Just do not pretend the whole course is 18 holes of shoreline theater. It is the trophy round, not the entire Tahoe golf argument.

Strengths

Lakefront closing stretch
American Century Championship host
Strong resort setting
Memorable visuals

Weaknesses

Premium pricing
Scenery can outrun architecture in places
South Shore location is not ideal for every route

Must play once

0/5

Signature holes: 16, 17, 18

4.7(182)

12915 Fairway Dr, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

(530) 550-7010

Must play

Old Greenwood

Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Year: 2004
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,518 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: Premium public/resort rate; Tahoe Mountain Club stay-and-play guests receive the lowest publicly available golf rates and preferred access.

Old Greenwood is the best argument that Tahoe is more than Edgewood. The 6th is the risk/reward par 5 you remember, and the 7th brings a Redan-style contour into a mountain setting. It gives the trip a serious golf backbone, especially if you base in Truckee.

Strengths

Strong Truckee anchor
Nicklaus design
Mountain setting
Serious test

Weaknesses

Premium cost
Not lakefront
Can feel stern for weaker players

Must play

0/5

Signature holes: 6, 7, 15, 18

4.6(150)

11406 Henness Rd, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

(530) 550-5800

Strong play

Gray's Crossing

Designer: Peter Jacobsen / Jim Hardy
Year: 2007
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,466 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: Premium public/resort rate; 2026 opening is scheduled for April 24, with stay-and-play packages available through Tahoe Mountain Club.

Gray's Crossing is the sensible Truckee companion. It is firmer, more open, and a little less bruising than Old Greenwood. That makes it useful, not secondary. The best North Tahoe itinerary usually needs both.

Strengths

Strong Truckee pairing
Scenic
Playable width
Good resort infrastructure

Weaknesses

Less trophy value than Edgewood
Premium summer demand
Still route-dependent

Strong play

0/5

Signature holes: 5, 8, 12, 18

4.3(196)

10685 Northwoods Blvd, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

(530) 587-0886

Strong play

Coyote Moon

Designer: Brad Bell
Year: 2000
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 7,177 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: 2026 posted rates run roughly $150 early/late season before 1 p.m., $120 after 1 p.m.; peak season runs about $225 before 12:50 p.m., $195 early afternoon, and $165 after 3 p.m. Shared cart and warm-up balls are included.

Coyote Moon is the mountain-golf personality round. It feels less manicured and more wild than the resort options, which is exactly why some groups will prefer it. It is also the course where a ball can disappear into pine shadows and nobody will feel sorry for you.

Strengths

No homes on course
Strong mountain feel
Memorable setting
Good Truckee fit

Weaknesses

Not as polished as resort peers
Can be penal
Weather/conditions matter

Strong play

0/5

Signature holes: 5, 13, 14, 17

4.7(99)

9000 Heartwood Dr, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

(530) 582-6964

Strong play

Schaffer's Mill

Designer: Johnny Miller / John Harbottle
Year: 2008
Par: 71
Yardage: Approximately 7,000 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: Access-dependent private/resort club rate; public access is limited and should be confirmed directly before planning around it.

Schaffer's Mill belongs on the list if you can get on. If not, Tahoe has enough public golf that nobody needs to invent access drama. This is the quiet luxury round, not the trip anchor.

Strengths

Strong club setting
Quality routing
Truckee location
Private-club polish

Weaknesses

Access-dependent
Not a normal public assumption
Less useful without confirmed lodging/member path

Access play

0/5

Signature holes: 7, 10, 12, 18

Image coming soon

4.3(67)

955 Fairway Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451, USA

(775) 832-1146

Strong play

Incline Village Championship Course

Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Year: 1964
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 7,100 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: Public seasonal rate; verify current Incline Village rates and residency categories.

Incline Championship is a smart North Shore piece. It is not the course to cross the whole lake for if your itinerary already works, but it can make a North Shore base click.

Strengths

Good North Shore location
RTJ Sr. pedigree
Playable mountain setting
Useful support role

Weaknesses

Less destination pull
Seasonal window
Can be logistically awkward from South Shore

Strong support play

0/5

Signature holes: 7, 10, 16, 18

4.2(198)

1 Genoa Lakes Dr, Genoa, NV 89411, USA

(775) 782-4653

Strong play

Genoa Lakes Lakes Course

Designer: Peter Jacobsen / John Harbottle
Year: 1993
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 7,350 yards
Difficulty: Medium
Green fees: Public daily-fee rate; verify current seasonal pricing.

Genoa Lakes is a practical pressure valve. Use it when price, availability, or South Shore routing makes sense. Do not sell it as the Tahoe headline.

Strengths

Better value
Open valley setting
Easier fit for some South Shore routes

Weaknesses

Not on the lake
Less iconic
Should not replace Edgewood/Truckee anchors

Useful play

0/5

Signature holes: 9, 14, 17, 18

Full course library

Where to stay, eat, and stray

Lodging

Where to stay

Edgewood Tahoe Resort

Stay here if Edgewood and the lake are the whole point. It is the cleanest luxury play on the South Shore and the only lodging choice that makes an Edgewood-first trip feel truly frictionless. It is not a value decision.

The Cottages at Old Greenwood

This is the smartest lodging upgrade for a golf-first Tahoe group. You are not paying for lakefront theater. You are paying to make the best golf side of Tahoe easier.

Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe

The Ritz works for a luxury Truckee/North Shore version. It does not solve South Shore logistics, because physics remains undefeated.

Dining

Where groups actually eat

Trokay

Trokay is the chef-driven Truckee dinner. Use it for the grown-up night, not after the group has spent six hours in carts and wants burgers immediately.

The Sage Room

The Sage Room is the classic South Shore move. Tableside Caesar, steak, view, casino gravity. Nobody is discovering a culinary revolution here, and that is fine.

Evan's American Gourmet Cafe

Evan's is the South Shore food-first answer. If the group actually cares about dinner, this beats wandering into the casino hallway and hoping for greatness.

Things to do

Beyond the golf

Lake day or boat rental.

South Shore casinos and nightlife.

Truckee mountain-town afternoon.

Planning mechanics

Logistics

Flights, driving, walking

Flights

RNO is the clean answer. South Shore is roughly 60-75 minutes in normal conditions; Truckee is roughly 35-45 minutes. Weekend traffic, weather, smoke, and construction can change everything.

Ground transportation

Rent cars if the group is playing multiple sides of Tahoe. South Tahoe Airporter can move people from RNO to South Shore, but it does not solve a golf itinerary that jumps between Edgewood, Truckee, Incline, and Genoa. Ride-share exists, but Edgewood's own FAQ says local drivers are limited. Believe that before a 6:40 a.m. tee time teaches it to you.

Walking

Most Tahoe golf is cart-friendly mountain/resort golf. Confirm course rules, but do not build a walking-first trip here unless the course specifically supports it.

Weather

When the trip works best

Late May-June

Good if courses are open and the snowpack cooperates.

July-August

Warm, busy, expensive, and prime.

September

Often the sweet spot with fewer crowds and strong conditions.

Planning ranges

Cost and value levers

Edgewood

$275-$450 posted 2026 daily rate depending on month; twilight lower where offered - The scenic spend.

Old Greenwood / Gray's Crossing

Premium Truckee public/resort rates - Best golf-depth spend; lodging packages can improve access/rate.

Coyote Moon

$120-$225 posted 2026 seasonal range - Strong support round with better value than the trophy plays.

Itinerary builder

Build your itinerary

The sample on the right is an illustrative Streamsong example.

It is meant to show the depth and shape of a real plan. Build your own around your group, dates, rounds, lodging, dining, and travel timing.

Build my itinerary

Illustrative sample output

Streamsong in 3 Days: 4 Rounds, Mixed Group

3 nights at Streamsong Lodge covering all 3 courses plus a repeat of whichever lands best with the group. With a mixed-skill group and a social thread running through the trip, the sequencing matters: start approachable, build toward bold, and protect evenings for the group to decompress together.

Recommendation

Start with Red to set the right tone for mixed players, not Black. Black's scale can deflate weaker players early and that poisons the rest of the trip.

Day 1

Morning: Arrive, check in to Streamsong Lodge, and get settled without rushing. Arrival timing is unknown, so do not force a same-day round.

Afternoon: If arriving early-to-midday, use the practice facilities to shake off travel; skip forcing an afternoon round on an unknown schedule.

Evening: Make this the nicer dinner night. Gather the group, debrief the plan, and use the evening to build energy for the heavy golf days ahead.

Insider note: Day 1 is the setup day, not a golf day. Burning a round here on travel legs is the most common mistake groups make at Streamsong.

Day 2

Morning: Tee off on Streamsong Red first thing. It is the most balanced course and the right anchor for a mixed-skill group on fresh legs.

Afternoon: Afternoon round on Streamsong Blue. It is more open and wind-affected, which rewards better players while staying manageable enough for the group.

Evening: Keep dinner casual and on property. Two rounds is a full day and the group needs to recover, not power through a production.

Insider note: Red in the morning lets the group settle in before Blue asks harder questions in the afternoon wind.

Day 3

Morning: Play Streamsong Black. Use it as the bold contrast round the guide describes, not as the centerpiece, and set expectations accordingly for higher-handicap players.

Afternoon: Replay the course that resonated most with the group. Red is the likely call for mixed groups, Blue for stronger players who want another look.

Evening: Final evening on property. Keep it relaxed since departure timing is unknown and no one should be grinding through dinner logistics.

Insider note: Black is the experience round, not the best round. Frame it that way for the group before the first tee so no one is quietly disappointed by the rougher edges.

Tradeoffs

Four rounds in two full golf days is aggressive but workable at a comfortable pace. The plan keeps Day 1 golf-free to protect legs and group cohesion rather than chasing a fifth round nobody would enjoy.

Black is scheduled for Day 3 morning rather than being skipped. It adds useful contrast and a memorable moment, but it was deliberately placed after the group already has two courses under its belt rather than as an opener.

The nicer dinner was placed on Day 1 rather than a golf day. This protects energy on the days that matter and gives the group something to build toward without splitting a long golf day around a formal meal.

Book first

Book all four tee times at Streamsong before lodging fills. The property manages its own tee sheet and availability tightens fast in peak season.

Confirm Streamsong Lodge rooms for all three nights in a single block. A small group of 3-4 makes this manageable, but winter weekends can still book out early.

Arrange caddies for at least Red and Blue if the group is open to walking. First-time looks benefit significantly from local knowledge on both courses.

Watchouts

Two rounds on Day 2 is the heaviest ask of the trip. If anyone in the mixed group is a high-handicapper or infrequent player, build in flexibility to skip the afternoon Blue round rather than grinding through it.

Streamsong is genuinely remote and there is no nightlife option off property. Groups expecting energy beyond the lodge bar will be disappointed, and that expectation gap kills trip morale faster than a bad round.

Black's scale and difficulty can frustrate less experienced players, especially after already playing 36 holes the day before. If the group's weakest player struggled on Day 2, consider swapping Black for a Red replay.

LodgingExpand

Pick South Shore for Edgewood, casinos, and lakefront energy. Pick Truckee/North Shore for golf depth and cleaner routing to Old Greenwood, Gray's Crossing, Coyote Moon, and Schaffer's Mill. Trying to split the difference usually just means more driving.

Luxury lakefront resort

Edgewood Tahoe Resort

0/5

Best for: Edgewood-focused trips, couples, and premium South Shore stays

Cost: Ultra-premium lakefront pricing; summer and event dates run high.

4.7(3,175)(888) 881-8659

180 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449, USA

Monday: Open 24 hours

Pros

Best Edgewood access, lakefront setting, luxury resort feel, strong couples fit

Cons

Expensive, South Shore base is not ideal for Truckee depth, venue construction may affect parts of the property through early 2027

Course-side cottages / townhomes

The Cottages at Old Greenwood

0/5

Best for: Truckee golf groups and stay-and-play access

Cost: Premium multi-bedroom cottage pricing; stay-and-play packages can improve golf access and rates.

4.7(47)(530) 550-7007

13051 Fairway Dr, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

This is the smartest lodging upgrade for a golf-first Tahoe group. You are not paying for lakefront theater. You are paying to make the best golf side of Tahoe easier.

Pros

Course-side at Old Greenwood, private-home feel, kitchens/decks, Tahoe Mountain Club access, best fit for Truckee golf routing

Cons

Quiet neighborhood feel, not lakefront, limited nightlife unless you drive into Truckee

Luxury mountain resort

Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe

0/5

Best for: Northstar / Truckee luxury base

Cost: Ultra-premium mountain resort pricing.

4.4(1,704)(530) 562-3000

13031 Ritz Carlton Highlands Ct, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

The Ritz works for a luxury Truckee/North Shore version. It does not solve South Shore logistics, because physics remains undefeated.

Pros

High-end service, North Shore/Truckee access, strong winter/summer resort amenities

Cons

Not lakefront, expensive, drive to Edgewood is real

Boutique South Shore resort

The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa

0/5

Best for: Couples, smaller groups, and South Shore luxury without the Edgewood price posture

Cost: High seasonal boutique resort pricing.

4.5(1,188)(530) 541-5263

4104 Lakeshore Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA

Monday: Open 24 hours

The Landing is the quieter South Shore alternative when Edgewood lodging is either too expensive or too much of the trip. Good for a mixed group that wants comfort without living inside the golf property.

Pros

South Shore location, spa, lake-oriented boutique feel, easier Edgewood access

Cons

Smaller footprint, less group-house energy, still not ideal for Truckee golf

North Shore resort / spa / casino

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

0/5

Best for: Incline Village, North Shore lifestyle, and calmer lakefront energy

Cost: High seasonal resort pricing.

4.5(2,959)(775) 832-1234

111 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, NV 89451, USA

This is the North Shore polished option. It works if the group wants Tahoe to feel like Tahoe, not just a golf commute with pine trees.

Pros

Incline Village base, resort amenities, lake access, casino on property, good North Shore rhythm

Cons

Less late-night energy than South Shore, drive to Truckee/Edgewood still matters, can feel isolated for nightlife groups

Rental homes / cabins

Truckee rental homes

0/5

Best for: Golf-first groups of 4-12

Cost: Wide range by size, location, and peak season.

For buddies trips, Truckee rentals may be the best overall fit. Just make sure the house is actually near the courses you want. "Tahoe area" can mean "enjoy your 42-minute morning commute."

Pros

Best group space, close to Truckee golf, flexible evenings, good value per player if booked well

Cons

Quality varies, no resort service, requires cars and planning

Casino / lake-area hotels

South Lake Tahoe casino hotels

0/5

Best for: Nightlife, Edgewood, and value-flexible groups

Cost: Wide range; weekends and events spike quickly.

Use South Shore if the group wants nights out. Do not use it and then complain about the drive to Truckee.

Pros

Casino/nightlife access, close to Edgewood, broader lodging inventory

Cons

Less golf-retreat feel, traffic, weaker access to Truckee courses

Mountain village lodging

The Village at Palisades Tahoe

0/5

Best for: Value-minded groups, summer mountain activities, and Palisades/North Tahoe add-ons

Cost: Seasonal condo-style resort pricing.

4.5(105)(800) 403-0206

1960 Olympic Vly Rd, Olympic Valley, CA 96146, USA

This is a lifestyle/value alternative, not the pure golf answer. Use it if the group wants Palisades, biking, hiking, and a cheaper mountain-village base.

Pros

Apartment-style inventory, restaurants/activities nearby, good non-golf mountain base

Cons

Not a golf-first location, far from Edgewood, requires driving for marquee rounds

DiningExpand

Dining should follow the base. Truckee has the better serious food scene. South Shore has casino classics, late-night convenience, and the Edgewood lakefront. North Shore is calmer and more seasonal. Book one real dinner, then keep the rest close.

Fine dining / Truckee

Trokay

0/5

Best for: One serious dinner if the group is based north

4.8(130)(530) 582-1040

10046 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

Monday: 5:30 – 8:00 PM

Trokay is the chef-driven Truckee dinner. Use it for the grown-up night, not after the group has spent six hours in carts and wants burgers immediately.

Pros

Most ambitious Truckee dining, tasting-menu energy, strong special-occasion fit

Cons

Expensive, not a rowdy buddies-trip room, awkward from South Shore

Classic steakhouse / South Shore casino

The Sage Room

0/5

Best for: South Shore steak night

4.1(794)(562) 325-0049

6511 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90601, USA

Monday: Closed

The Sage Room is the classic South Shore move. Tableside Caesar, steak, view, casino gravity. Nobody is discovering a culinary revolution here, and that is fine.

Pros

Old-school casino steakhouse feel, easy for Stateline lodging, reliable celebratory energy

Cons

Not modern or subtle, not worth crossing the lake for

Fine dining / South Lake Tahoe

Evan's American Gourmet Cafe

0/5

Best for: South Shore couples or smaller groups that want the best food over the loudest room

4.6(255)(530) 542-1990

536 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA

Monday: Closed

Evan's is the South Shore food-first answer. If the group actually cares about dinner, this beats wandering into the casino hallway and hoping for greatness.

Pros

Intimate cabin setting, polished food, stronger culinary play than most casino-adjacent options

Cons

Not built for loud 8-man trip energy, reservations matter

German bierhaus / casual South Shore

Himmel Haus

0/5

Best for: Beer, schnitzel, and a night that does not require linen

4.7(2,000)(530) 314-7665

3819 Saddle Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA

Monday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM

Himmel Haus is the correct call when the group needs big beers and real food after golf. This is not a tasting-menu night. This is survival with schnitzel.

Pros

Fun group energy, near Heavenly, useful casual dinner

Cons

Not refined, can get busy, wrong fit for a luxury dinner

Late-night burgers / casino-adjacent

Lucky Beaver

0/5

Best for: Burgers, post-casino food, and groups that missed dinner like amateurs

4.4(3,621)(775) 580-7770

31 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449, USA

Monday: Open 24 hours

Lucky Beaver exists for the part of the trip where planning has failed but hunger has not. That is a real use case.

Pros

Late-night usefulness, casual, easy South Shore location

Cons

Not elegant, not destination dining, can feel chaotic

Post-round patio / Truckee golf dining

PJ's at Gray's Crossing

0/5

Best for: Gray's Crossing, Old Greenwood, and low-friction Truckee meals

4.3(95)(530) 550-5801

11402 Henness Rd, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

PJ's is where you eat when the itinerary is working. Finish the round, stay put, order properly, and do not create a 40-minute dinner problem.

Pros

Public restaurant, great golf setting, perfect after a Truckee round

Cons

Not a destination dinner from South Shore

North Shore dinner

The Soule Domain

0/5

Best for: Incline/Kings Beach stays and a quieter serious meal

4.6(498)(530) 546-7529

9983 Cove St, Kings Beach, CA 96143, USA

Monday: 5:30 – 8:30 PM

Soule Domain is a North Shore precision play. Lovely if you are nearby. Annoying if you are forcing it from the wrong base.

Pros

Intimate cabin feel, established North Shore option, better for small groups

Cons

Not convenient from South Shore or Truckee if timing is tight

Healthy casual / South Lake Tahoe

Sprouts Natural Foods Cafe

0/5

Best for: Breakfast, lunch, and hangover repair

Sprouts is not trying to be the big night. It is where you go when the body submits a formal complaint after steaks, altitude, and casino drinks.

Pros

Fresh, fast, casual, genuinely useful between heavy dinners

Cons

Not a group dinner, not a golf-trip centerpiece

Truckee dinner / bar

Moody's Bistro Bar & Beats

0/5

Best for: Truckee-based groups

4.5(851)(530) 587-8688

10007 Bridge St, Truckee, CA 96161, USA

Monday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM

Moody's is a smart Truckee dinner: real town energy without turning the night into an expedition.

Pros

Strong mountain-town fit, good group energy, less resort-contained

Cons

Reservations and peak dates matter

Lakefront resort dining

Edgewood Restaurant / Bistro Edgewood

0/5

Best for: Edgewood stay or post-Edgewood dinner

4.1(134)(866) 712-8310

180 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449, USA

Monday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

The obvious dinner if staying or playing at Edgewood. Sometimes obvious is correct.

Pros

Zero logistics after the trophy round, lake setting, premium feel

Cons

Expensive, tied to South Shore base