Clear Creek Tahoe
Carson City, NV, United States • Private
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Overview
One gets the feeling Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw looked long and hard at this mountain property on the east side of Lake Tahoe before agreeing to take the job. On one hand the site is gorgeous, an elevated evergreen forest with views of the surrounding Sierra Nevadas and distant valleys. One the other, it was far more rugged than they prefer and would prove challenging to link up 18 well-connected holes on such vast terrain. Ultimately, beauty won out and they were able to find enough calm ground—especially from holes ten through 15—to make the journey around it seem meditative and not a lurching, adrenaline-filled rush. The boulder-strewn site recalls parts of Rock Creek Cattle Company in western Montana, currently No. 56 in the ranking, and the off-site views and the way fairways and greens blend into the native grasses and conifers brings to mind Gozzer Ranch, ranked No. 37. Pretty good company.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Inaugural appearance on our national rankings in 2023-'24.
2023-'24 ranking: 131st.
Best in State: Ranked second, 2015-'24.
2023-'24 ranking: 2nd.
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
“There's a ton of great golf within an hour of Lake Tahoe, but this is one of the best. Coore and Crenshaw have done it again. 2nd best course in the state of Nevada, built in 2009, this is one of their best-designed courses. A slightly elevated tee on 1 starts the day with a gettable par 5. An uphill par 3 is your second hole of the day before getting to the super elevated tee box (highest point on the course) and a 10-second tee shot that majestically travels 200 feet down to the fairway below of this 508-yard dogleg right par 4. This place is phenomenal and it doesn't stop there. The course mixes it up beautifully with par 3's ranging from 148 to 237, par fours from 320 and 337 to 470 and the aforementioned third hole at 508. The 635 yard 13th....bring all you got. The scenery is beautiful, with towering pines and native areas that break up fairways and isolate greens. You can certainly get lost in the beauty of the area. When Coore & Crenshaw think this is their prettiest course, it's definitely something special. Welcome to God's country."
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent routing thru the mountains. Lots of unique holes and a very diverse set of greens. Playable off the tee with interesting topographical changes. Plenty of options around the greens and risk/reward off the tee. Extremely scenic."
Read More2024
Review
“Beautiful Coore/Crenshaw design in the Sierra Nevada range. Large, fast, undulating greens provide great challenge even with a caddie who knows them well. Club selection is also a high priority with the altitude. The staff was quite welcoming so if you're offered the chance to play here, don't turn it down."
Read More2024
Review
“Delightful, beautiful, thoroughly enjoyable, challenging shot makers' course! Difficult greens with very tricky topography require patience and precision."
Read More2024
Review
“Although there are houses in the area, there were none in sight of the course. The best Coore/Crenhsaw I have played that include Bandon, Streamsong, Cabot, Sand Valley."
Read More2023
Review
“Don't try and bite off more than you can chew, otherwise you will not enjoy this fantastic course! Despite the elevation it seems to play "long." It is just a great test of golf with well thought out design and well positioned bunkers to offer many risk/reward choices through the round. The use of terrain changes is magnificent and having the Sierras as a backdrop just enhances the course even more. Fairways are ample but lined with pines and the greens are fast and true. Do not pass up a chance to play here!"
Read More2022
Review
“Clear Creek opened for play in 2009 and is located 7 miles southwest of Carson City, Nevada. The elevation is 6200 ft, so the ball flys around 10% further than at sea level. It was designed by Coore and Crenshaw and features mountainous terrain on the front nine and a more flatfish terrain on the back nine. The holes are beautifully framed by Jeffrey Pines and features fantastic topography, including the downhill dogleg right par 4 third hole that drops 200 ft to the fairway. The fairways are wide and the greens are large, but it’s the green complexes that make this course challenging. The greens have significant undulations with false fronts and multiple tiers. The 6th green is especially brutal, where a missed downhill putt can roll 20 yards off the green. Overall, a great course and one of the best in Nevada."
Read More2022
Review
“LOVE this course. Wonderful variety and very distinctive holes as each is unique but fits together perfectly. Green complexes are masterful. Hard course but very fair. Firm and fast and in excellent shape."
Read More2021
Review
“The back nine is magical. What a wonderful setting. The absolute best of Tahoe (and I think mountain) golf. Elevation change is a routing challenge that shows itself on the front nine. Wonderful overall setting, amenities, and experience. Very, very good, just not transcendentally great."
Read More2018
Review
“Very good Coore/Crenshaw layout. Heavily treed with lots of variety and fun holes. The greens are huge and heavily contoured...maybe a bit over the edge but fun to figure out. The altitude adds to the difficulty. Great staff, great views and a great place to play."
Read More2018
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