Snow-capped Hills Encircle Lake Tahoe (NV) [1]
They say that the Lake Tahoe area's thinner air makes your golf ball travel farther. Whether the difference is noticeable or not, though, it's only one of many reasons to pack up the clubs and hit the links. With over 30 golf courses along or near Lake Tahoe – Eastshore Drive, enthusiasts of high quality golf amidst a stunning mountain atmosphere find plenty of options.
At around 6,000 feet, the alpine quality of Lake Tahoe invites golfers to breathe in cool fresh air on some of the most famous courses in the West. Rather than avoiding 'water features' and contrived hazards, negotiate ponderosa pine copses and clear mountain streams. Renowned course designers Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Robert Trent Jones Jr. create distinctive experiences that accentuate the region's qualities.
While golf courses along Lake Tahoe – Eastshore Drive attract professionals to their greens, including the 1985 Senior Open and the 1980 U.S. Public Links Championship, the crowds converge during Tahoe Celebrity Golf Week. Each year Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course hosts over 80 A-list professional athletes and entertainers along with droves of spectators. Book your trip early to get a close look at your favorite celebrity.
Other notable courses along the byway include Incline Mountain Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course that includes no artificial landscaping. Instead, the links use existing topography to challenge golfers' accuracy and skill. Another course from the same designer actually qualifies as an Audubon certified cooperative sanctuary. Resort at Squaw Creek, surrounded by healthy wetlands, sets an example of environmentally conscious golf.
With over 300 sunny days a year, Lake Tahoe – Eastshore Drive provides plenty of opportunities for the perfect day on the green. The region's topography allows for a beautiful morning on the ski slopes followed by an afternoon on deep green fairways for the best day ever.
