First, if you look up Nakoma Golf Resort on the internet, it will tell you it's in Clio, but the road to the resort is the Portola McLears Rd. (A-15). The resort is a few miles up that road. They have an elegant lodge for guests with a putting green behind the lodge. Most rooms have a little patio that looks out to hole #8. A beautiful par 3. Billed as a hidden gem in the Lost Sierra, Nakoma Resort is a terrific destination resort. The club house, built from a Frank Lloyd Wright original design is spectacular and beautiful. The fireplace in the dining room will astound you. We were greeted like we were the most important people on the planet by Tracy and Wes. They have everything you need in the pro shop. The course was originally designed to be extremely difficult where even a good shot was not left unpunished. Over the years they have softened the greens, leveled a few sloping fairways, and toned down a few dog legs. Still, even with that, it can be a demanding course where even a scratch golfer can meet his match. They call it the Dragon Course. Indeed. The dragon slayed me. BUT! There is not one thing that would make me not want to come back. Every hole is unique, beautiful, and a thinking golfer can make the round more enjoyable by strategic planning and well placed shots. The fairways sport tight lies, and can be generous. There are numerous cape and bay style bunkers strategically placed throughout the course to make life interesting. Almost every green is guarded by at least one bunker. The greens are super quick, undulating, and as tricky as they come. If you want a true challenge, this course is for you. If you go there with your family, forget about your score, enjoy the spectacular views on each hole and of the surrounding forest and mountains. My favorite hole is #10, only one of the many elevated tee boxes. From the tee box it overlooks a spectacular water feature that guards half the fairway and the green. I highly recommend both the resort and the course.
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Date Played: July 11, 2016 | Cost: $80.00
This is a beautiful, well maintained course. We went there late w/o a tee time and Carla and Leo in the pro shop were very accommodating. Secured the twilight rates. Prime times are $129. There are 18 separate and distinct holes with a picture opportunity every time you turn around. Part of the course is open and the rest meanders through a forest of pines. There are houses, both permanent and seasonal rentals throughout the complex, but none really inhibit, nor detract from the experience. The fairways are generous and the greens are large. Undulations and doglegs pepper the course and the greens run fast and true. The main thing that stood out to me was how green everything was. The course itself can be a challenge for discriminating golfers from the back tees, and a comfortable challenge from the whites for those who prefer yardages within their range of expertise. Money wise, the fees are a little steep, but worth it for the experience.
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Date Played: July 11, 2016 | Cost: $69
This course supplies you with an abundance of oak studded hills, elevated tee boxes, myriad sand traps (48 to be exact), and fantastic water features. Located 2 minutes drive from the town of Auburn in the Sacramento foothills you'll be surprised at the rustic and "out of town" feeling the course provides. Robert Trent Jones Jr. provided another fantastic golf venue. Typical of his design, the course provides the best defense it can which requires a strategic offense on the part of the player. The undulating fairways and greens add to the thoughtful planning golfer's need to employ to well placed shots and wise choices of clubs. The course has been labeled "difficult" by some, but really, it's a just a good test of a golfer's mettle. I like courses that provide a challenge, and have played many RTJ courses. I would suggest playing the course twice. Once to get the lay of the land, and once to really make a go of it. Every hole is distinct and has its own personality. This course has lots of character and it is well maintained. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The pro shop is well stocked. The restaurant has excellent food. This course is well worth the price of admission.
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Date Played: July 9, 2016 | Cost: $50
This is a wonderful little nine hole course. Beautiful views. Plenty of par 4's, one par 5. First couple holes are alpine woods tree lined. The rest of the course is more links style. It has one very uphill par three that can add strokes to your score if you are not careful. The whole course is VERY well maintained, green, and the ball stands up well in the fairway. Greens are business envelope size, smooth and true. It's a great course to get in a quick nine with your family or on your own while you are vacationing in the Tahoe area. The staff is friendly and the pro shop is stocked with all you need, including a snack bar with sandwiches, and soft drinks.
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Date Played: July 7, 2016 | Cost: $32
I played this course at the suggestion of a member of the club. Wow! The service is top-notch. The facilities are superb. The locker room is just like the ones you see the pro's use on Tour.
The course is a RTJones' design. Lot's of traps. Lots of terrain changes. The fairways are crisp. The ball stands up well which gives us who hit the big ball first a fighting chance. The rough is adequate enough to steal your ball on an errant shot. It's best to play with a member to get the skinny on where to hit for best results. Super rolls on drives. The greens are fast and true. Each hole is unique with views of the Sierras and the Sacramento valley and old growth oaks and pines that are peppered with manzanita. There are some homes on the course, but not so close that they make you afraid to hit a slice. I really liked #14, a down-hill par four, followed by the signature hole #15 that requires an accurate shot across the lake.
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Date Played: July 6, 2016 | Cost: $225.00
If you want a place to hit a few balls around, cheaply, it would be a good place to go. There are dry areas. There are a couple of cute holes.
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Date Played: June 8, 2016 | Cost: $20
Cute little 9 hole course. Narrow fairways, target golf, smallish greens. Good one if you are passing through or want to get in a quick nine.
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Date Played: June 1, 2016 | Cost: $12
