By TJ Lester ·
Courtesy Grizzly Ranch Golf Club ·
18 holes | Par 72
Yardage | 5,374-7,411
Slope | 129-140
Rating | 71.1-74.9
Grizzly Ranch Golf Club opened in 2005 as a private country club. Now, the course is semi-private offering tee times to the public. It was designed by Bob Cupp, an exceptional architect who has won 11 Best New Course awards. The property is surrounded by more than a million acres of protected state and national forest land, which forms a true mountain golf experience.
The course is aptly named, playing to a grizzly 7,411 yards from the back tees, but there are four tee boxes to choose from allowing one to pick the ideal length for an enjoyable round. Unlike many mountain golf courses, Grizzly Ranch does not have any ridiculous elevation changes or forced carries. It plays fair for all levels of golfers.
Before teeing off, make sure to use the top-notch practice facility. There is a spacious driving range with the much-appreciated, but rarely seen, pyramid-shaped stack of range balls. The putting green is true and resembles the greens found throughout the course and the short game area has a sand trap to practice explosion shots.
The most difficult hole at Grizzly Ranch and in the High Sierra is Hole 3 and is a monster of a par 5. It is slightly uphill and is 640 yards from the back tees. Two enormous shots can still leave you with a middle iron into this green. Laying up on this hole is incredibly difficult since the fairway pinches in and gets narrow at about 175 yards from the green. The approach shot into this green plays uphill over a large hazard that forces the third shot to be all carry. Par on this hole is exceptional.
Hole 18 is a marvelous finishing hole with the clubhouse perfectly framed by Crocker Ridge. It is a par 5 that measures 530 yards from the Medal tees. There is a creek that runs along the right side that will capture any pushed drive. The ideal line off the tee is to aim at the covered bridge in the distance. The second shot may present longer hitters with the option of going for the green in two, but that is risky with a lake on the left side and a small green. A fantastic finishing hole that can end a good score or add to one.
Grizzly Ranch is located just a short hour drive from Reno and Truckee. There are stay and play packages available with onsite lodging at Wolf Tree Cabins. For more information and tee times, call (530) 832-4200 or visit grizzlyranch.com.
