golf course near south lake tahoe

Golf Course Near South Lake Tahoe

Looking for a golf course near South Lake Tahoe where you can enjoy championship golf without spending the entire day getting there? Genoa Golf Club is located just across the Sierra Nevada in Carson Valley, offering a scenic change of pace within an easy drive of South Lake Tahoe.

Surrounded by mountain views, wetlands and the open landscapes of Northern Nevada, Genoa Golf Club gives Tahoe-area golfers a different kind of round while keeping the trip close enough for a morning, afternoon or full-day golf outing.

The club features two distinctive 18-hole layouts, the Lakes Course and the Ranch Course. The courses are located just two miles apart but offer very different playing experiences.

Two Championship Courses Near South Lake Tahoe

Golfers making the short trip from South Lake Tahoe will find two championship layouts at Genoa Golf Club.

The Lakes Course is a links-style layout with rolling fairways, wetlands and the Carson River shaping much of the round. Water affects play on 14 holes, making accuracy and course management important throughout the course. It was co-designed by PGA Champion Peter Jacobsen and John Harbottle III.

The Ranch Course provides a contrasting desert-style golf experience with broad views across Carson Valley and the surrounding mountains.

Together, the two layouts give golfers the opportunity to experience two very different sides of golf in the Carson Valley.

Public golfers can currently book tee times at the Lakes Course. The Ranch Course reopened on June 1, 2026 and is currently available to Genoa Golf Club members and their guests.

A Different Golf Experience Just Outside Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is known for its alpine scenery, but heading over the mountains into Carson Valley changes the landscape quickly.

At Genoa Golf Club, golfers trade dense mountain surroundings for wide valley views, wetlands, rolling fairways and the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada.

It makes the Lakes Course a good option when you want to add some variety to a Lake Tahoe trip without planning another long-distance excursion.

You can leave South Lake Tahoe in the morning, play a full 18-hole round and still have plenty of the day left to enjoy either Carson Valley or Tahoe.

Championship Golf With Plenty of Variety

The Lakes Course gives golfers more to think about than simply hitting the ball as far as possible.

Water, wetlands, fairway positioning and approach shots all play a role in how you manage the course. Multiple tee options also allow golfers to choose a distance that better suits their ability.

Golfers can expect:

  • Multiple tee options for different skill levels
  • Rolling fairways and strategically placed water
  • Holes that reward both distance and accuracy
  • Driving range and practice facilities
  • Putting practice areas
  • A championship layout suitable for experienced and recreational golfers

The Lakes Course has also previously hosted a U.S. Open Qualifier, adding to its credentials as one of the more accomplished golf layouts in the area.

Golf With Sierra Nevada Views

Part of the appeal of playing Genoa Golf Club from South Lake Tahoe is that you remain close to the Sierra while experiencing it from an entirely different perspective.

The Lakes Course sits against the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, while wetlands and the Carson River help shape the course landscape.

For golfers visiting Lake Tahoe, that provides an opportunity to experience another side of the region without travelling far from where they are staying.

Instead of simply adding another Tahoe activity to your itinerary, you can make the round itself part of your trip.

More Than a Round of Golf

There is no need to drive straight back to South Lake Tahoe after finishing your round.

Genoa Golf Club offers facilities that make it easy to spend more of the day at the club, whether you are visiting with friends, family or a larger golf group.

Golfers have access to amenities such as:

  • Golf shop
  • Practice facilities
  • Equipment rentals
  • On-site dining
  • Golf outings and group events
  • Membership opportunities
  • Stay-and-play options

Genoa Golf Club also offers organized golf outings, making the property suitable for company events, tournaments, group trips and other golf gatherings.

A Golf Course Near South Lake Tahoe Worth the Short Drive

When searching for golf courses near South Lake Tahoe, it is easy to focus only on courses immediately surrounding the lake.

Genoa Golf Club gives golfers another option without requiring a long road trip.

Genoa is roughly 19 to 20 miles by road from South Lake Tahoe, with typical driving estimates of around 30 to 35 minutes. Actual travel time can vary with traffic and mountain road conditions.

That makes the Lakes Course particularly convenient for golfers staying in South Lake Tahoe, Stateline or the surrounding area who want to fit a full round into their trip.

An Easy Golf Day From South Lake Tahoe

A round at Genoa Golf Club can fit comfortably into a South Lake Tahoe itinerary.

Book an early tee time and return to the lake for the afternoon, or make golf the centerpiece of the day and spend some additional time exploring Carson Valley afterward.

The proximity also makes Genoa a practical choice for:

  • South Lake Tahoe residents looking for another course to play
  • Visitors planning a Lake Tahoe golf trip
  • Groups staying around Stateline or South Lake Tahoe
  • Golfers looking for a day trip away from the lake
  • Corporate and group golf outings
  • Friends planning a weekend round

You get a noticeably different golf environment without having to spend hours travelling between destinations.

Conveniently Located Near South Lake Tahoe

The public Lakes Course is located at 1 Genoa Lakes Drive, Genoa, NV 89411.

From South Lake Tahoe, Genoa is approximately 19 miles by road, with the trip commonly estimated at a little over 30 minutes.

Because driving conditions around the Sierra can change, golfers travelling from Tahoe should check current road and weather conditions before leaving, particularly outside the main summer golf season.

Once you arrive, you can check in, warm up at the practice facilities and settle into your round without turning the trip into an all-day drive.

Make Genoa Part of Your Lake Tahoe Golf Trip

If golf is part of your South Lake Tahoe getaway, there is no reason to limit your rounds to courses directly around the lake.

The short drive into Carson Valley opens up another style of golf and another landscape altogether.

The Lakes Course combines championship design, water, rolling terrain and Sierra Nevada views, giving visiting golfers a round that feels connected to the Tahoe region while being distinctly different from playing beside the lake.

For golfers staying several days in South Lake Tahoe, Genoa Golf Club can also work well as an additional round alongside the area’s Tahoe courses.

Plan Your Round at Genoa Golf Club

Whether you are visiting Lake Tahoe for a golf trip, planning a weekend round with friends or simply looking for another golf course near South Lake Tahoe, Genoa Golf Club offers an easy escape into Carson Valley.

The Lakes Course is open for public play, with tee times available through Genoa Golf Club’s booking system.

Make the short drive over from South Lake Tahoe, warm up at the practice facilities and enjoy a championship round surrounded by Sierra Nevada and Carson Valley scenery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Genoa Golf Club from South Lake Tahoe?

Genoa is approximately 19 to 20 miles by road from South Lake Tahoe. Typical driving estimates are around 30 to 35 minutes, although travel time can change depending on traffic and mountain road conditions.

Is Genoa Golf Club a public golf course near South Lake Tahoe?

The Lakes Course at Genoa Golf Club offers public tee times. The Ranch Course is currently available to Genoa Golf Club members and their guests.

How many golf courses does Genoa Golf Club have?

Genoa Golf Club has two championship 18-hole courses, the Lakes Course and Ranch Course. The courses are located approximately two miles apart.

What type of golf course is the Lakes Course?

The Lakes Course is a links-style layout featuring rolling fairways, wetlands and the Carson River. Water affects play on 14 holes, and the course was co-designed by Peter Jacobsen and John Harbottle III.

Is Genoa Golf Club good for a golf day trip from South Lake Tahoe?

Yes. With Genoa roughly 30 to 35 minutes from South Lake Tahoe under normal driving conditions, golfers can comfortably travel to Genoa for an 18-hole round and return to the Tahoe area the same day.

Has the Lakes Course hosted competitive golf events?

Yes. Genoa Golf Club states that the Lakes Course was previously home to a U.S. Open Qualifier.

Does Genoa Golf Club have practice facilities?

Yes. Practice-facility hours at the Lakes Course coincide with Golf Shop hours, allowing golfers to warm up before their round.

Can I organise a golf outing at Genoa Golf Club?

Yes. Genoa Golf Club accommodates golf outings and group events in addition to individual rounds.

Can visitors from South Lake Tahoe play the Ranch Course?

Not through normal public tee-time booking at present. The Ranch Course reopened on June 1, 2026 and is currently designated for Genoa Golf Club members and their guests.

How can I book a tee time at Genoa Golf Club?

Public golfers can use Genoa Golf Club’s online booking option to check and reserve available Lakes Course tee times.

The Lakes Golf Course Hours of Operations

  • May 1st – August 31st. First tee time 7:00AM. Last Tee time 4:28PM.
  • September 1st – September 30th. First tee time 7:30AM. Last Tee time 4:28PM.
  • October 1st – October 14th. Firsttee time 8:00AM. Last Tee time 4:28PM.
  • October 15th-November 1st. First tee time 8:30AM. Last Tee time 4:28PM.
  • Practice facility coincides with the Golf Shop hours. 7:00AM – 4:30PM.

The Lakes Golf Course Rates

TimeSunday – ThursdayFriday – Saturday
Before 12:00PM$100$110
After 12:00PM$75$75
After 2:00PM$50$50
After 4:00PM$35$35