
Courtesy of Paul Hamill

Courtesy of Paul Hamill

Courtesy of Paul Hamill


Kirk H. Owens



Lonna Tucker

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VANCE FOX, Vance Fox


Courtesy of Paul Hamill

Courtesy of Paul Hamill
Overview
Back in the 1960s, a forest south of Truckee, Calif., served as a location for the filming of the popular TV western “Bonanza.” Now, the area near Lake Tahoe is a gold mine for impressive golf experiences, with a half-dozen high-end public courses, including PGA Tour host site Old Greenwood, and a couple of private gems. And in terms of gold, the standard for golf-and-ski living in all of America is Martis Camp. We say that emphatically because nowhere else can residents and their visitors play a mountainous and challenging Tom Fazio layout—Scottie Scheffler won the U.S. Junior Am here—and when winter arrives, take a quick shuttle from home to a private ski lift for the slopes at Northstar. Fazio has called this site one of the finest natural pieces of property on which he’s ever created a golf course. It has pines, firs, hemlocks and rocky outcroppings on nearly every hole, particularly the 18th, where the clubhouse sits atop a 70-foot-high wall of granite behind the green. Fairways are broad, though hazarded by squiggly bunkers in certain spots, and some greens have trunks of tall Ponderosa pines uncomfortably close. So gorgeous is Martis Camp that one critic called it “a private-gated national park experience.” The many amenties feel both natural for the setting and fanciful at the same time. The 18-hole putting course, now popular among high-end resorts, is among the best of its kind, winding through the multi-million-dollar properties. There is an 18,000-square-foot Family Barn that hosts activities all year long—the Beach Boys have played there—along with bike and walking trails, and a private beach and dining option on the shores of north Lake Tahoe. Three restaurants on site, ihcluding one for fine dining, can keep you on the property for days, and there's even a cool "Lost Library," a cozy cabin tucked in the woods, replete with relaxing porch swings, that offers a quiet escape. Bonanza? Martis Camp fits that bill.
About
Awards


Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
2023-'24 ranking: 134th.
Previous ranking: 145th.
Highest ranking: No. 145, 2017-'18, 2021-'22.
Best in State: Ranked 17th, 2013-'14, 2023-'24. Ranked 18th, 2015-'20. Ranked 19th, 2011-'12, 2021-'22.
Current ranking: 17th.
Previous ranking: 19th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Beautiful Tom Fazio designed mountain course in the Sierra Nevada range near Lake Tahoe that is a very good test of golf. Excellent conditioning and smooth, quick greens make for an enjoyable day. Staff and membership were very accommodating. Don't pass up the opportunity to enjoy this course if offered the chance."
Read More2024
Review
“Do anything you can to get an invite to Martis Camp. It's a magical place. The smell of pines fills the air and the scenery is stunning. This is not an easy course, so bring your "A" game. The thin mountain air will help you get a little extra distance and the conditions are as good as it gets. From the extensive practice facility to the 18th green, Martis Camp is a masterpiece."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the most visually stunning courses you will find that isn't built on a coastline. Tall pines, winding terrain, and attention to detail everywhere."
Read More2023
Review
“bring your A game to score well here."
Read More2023
Review
“Excellent private mountain course."
Read More2023
Review
“Elevation 6200 ft. , located in Truckee, CA approximately 45 minutes southwest of Reno, Nevada. Tom Fazio course that opened for play in 2008. The bunkers were recently redone by Fazio and filled with Augusta White Sand. A beautiful, tree lined mountain course with with a great variety of holes with nice elevation changes and scenic views. The par 3 , third hole over a large pond and the par 3, 17th hole on the side of a hill are breathtaking."
Read More2022
Review
“Great Fazio. Greens are firm and fast as is the whole course. Bunker restoration is excellent. This is a fair hard test of golf. Great aesthetics."
Read More2021
Review
“Super nice facilities, though I do wonder about the maintenance costs if a recession ever hit the tech industry. This is a very beautiful, Tom Fazio designed course with some wonderful views and vistas. The shot values of the course unfortunately don't live up to the setting. Good, but not great."
Read More2018
Review
“Challenging course with great views of the Mountains. Fazio at his best."
Read More2018
Review
“Beautiful mountain course and a good test of your skills."
Read More2018
Readers
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