Golf at Incline Village

Lake Tahoe has always been known as a year-round playground and Incline Village, nestled on Tahoe’s northeast shore, is no exception to that reputation. When the snow melts from the scenic runs at Diamond Peak Ski Resort, the fairways come alive at the Golf Courses at Incline Village. Renowned golf architects, Robert Trent Jones Sr. and his son Robert Trent Jones Jr., captured the essence of mountain golf in two brilliantly designed golf courses. Located in Incline Village, both 18-hole courses contain challenging holes and excellent lake views.

Besides birdies and bogies, Incline Village offers an expansive 37,200-square-foot recreation center, five court tennis complex with full amenities and an outdoor pool facility. Near the recreation center, on the corner of Highway 28 and Southwood Boulevard, Incline Village’s new skateboard park was opened to the public in July 2001. The park is the home to many skateboarders who like to show their stuff and learn new tricks. With nature as the backyard, village visitors can also enjoy many mountain biking and hiking trails, capped off with a “must-see” excursion along the world-famous Flume Trail.

Lake Tahoe does imply water, and that’s truly the headliner of this show. Whether you’re hoping to jet-ski, parasail, water ski, wakeboard or kayak, rental facilities are conveniently located within Incline Village. Get aboard a 55-foot catamaran for a scenic sail, enjoy a romantic evening dinner cruise, or simply drop a line to catch a prized mackinaw. Additionally, nearby Sand Harbor invites sunbathers to kick back and relax with its incredible white sand beaches and granite boulders that dot the shoreline. There are so many ways to fill your days and nights that the best advice one can give is to just stay, play and enjoy. For lodging information or to book reservations, call 1-800-GO-TAHOE.

Incline Village’s Championship Course

Mark Twain once called Lake Tahoe, “the fairest the whole earth affords,” and the area continues to marvel its guests. Typically thought of as a ski destination, Lake Tahoe and the North Shore town of Incline Village surprises visitors with the famous Championship Golf Course. In a sprawling mountainous setting next to Lake Tahoe, the18-hole, par-72 layout stretches over 6,900 yards from the tips, where it carries a course rating of 73 and 137 slope.

You’ll notice greater distance with every shot on this 6,500-foot-high track. Tightly cut fairways bordered by towering pines demand accuracy as well as distance. Golfers are faced with bunkered greens and lateral water hazards on almost every hole.

The Championship Golf Course’s season typically runs from early May until mid-October (weather permitting). Daily green fees are $125 and include golf cart. Twilight play starts at 4:00 p.m. with $65 green fees, including cart. The Championship Course also offers a driving range, practice putting and chipping greens, tournament services, pro shop, professional club-fitting, premium rental clubs and PGA Class A lessons by appointment. A variety of food possibilities are available at Chip Shots Patio BBQ and Bar and The Bunker Snackbar.

Reservations can be made daily from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. at 866/325-8801 and from out of area call 866/925-4653.

Incline Village’s Mountain Course

With spectacular green sites and contours, the Mountain Course at Incline Village demands more accuracy than distance. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this natural course has no artificial landscaping and is a real delight to play. Surrounded by towering pines with no harsh transition areas, the Mountain Course is recognized as one of the finest executive layouts in the world. The 18-hole, par-58 track features 14 challenging par-3s that average over 150 yards, and four par-4s with elevated greens. Every hole on the 3,513-yard course offers Lake Tahoe vistas.

The Mountain Course clubhouse contains a full-service pro shop, rental clubs, lessons, a snack bar and tournament services. A typical season for the Mountain Course begins in mid-May and continues to early October, weather permitting. Green fees are $50 per player and include a cart. Twilight play begins at 4:00 p.m. for $30 and includes a cart services. For reservations, call toll-free between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. at 866-925-4653, or 775-325-8801.