It is difficult to pin down a description of the Championship Course in Incline Village. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., it opened in 1964 and plays 7,106 yards from the black tees to 5,208 yards from the green front tees.
Courtesy IVGID
18 holes | Par 72
Yardage 2,571 to 7,106
Slope 127 to 146
Ratings 66.5 to 73.9
It works its way through tall pines, as most courses in the area do, and provides some fantastic lake views. Fairways are ample and the greens are large and well trapped. Nothing jumps out as difficult, but it has nuances galore. It is more rolling than hilly, but you seldom have a flat lie. The greens are where the test really begins. They are undulating, but the whole green is sloped according to the terrain. As a result, the general rule that the putts break away from the mountains and/or break toward the lake may not apply. Do not be surprised if you have a long day on the greens.
[blockquote3]
“The greens are where the test really begins.
They are undulating, but the whole green
is sloped according to the terrain.”
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Many holes are picturesque, but to me, hole 7, par 4 is the signature with 300 to 407 yards. From the tee, you get a great view of Lake Tahoe as the hole moves downhill and doglegs right. On the far side of the dogleg are three large sand traps that spell “USA.” A stream runs across the inside of the dogleg, but does not come into play off the tee. A lay-up will leave a short iron into a long and shallow green that slopes hard, right to left. This is the most difficult green on the course to read, so take your time and look at the break of the putt, as well as the overall slope of the green. Your putt may break uphill.
Hole 18, par 4 is a strong finishing hole of 413 to 264 yards. The hole is an uphill dogleg left and your tee shot must carry a sand trap at the corner of the dogleg. However, you must also avoid three sand traps on the far side of the fairway. If your tee shot travels too far right, you may end up in the trees.
Courtesy IVGID
The second shot is uphill to a long, narrow green. Remember to add at least one club to your club choice. (Before you tee off, check the pin location because you have no idea where it is from the fairway.) There is a stream short and right of the green to catch a very wayward shot.
The name Championship Course is accurate. It has all of the elements of a genuine championship layout. It may not seem all that difficult, but since the greens are so tricky to read, making putts and getting it up and down can become quite a chore. Don’t be surprised if at the end of the round your score may be a bit above average.
For more information or to book a tee time, visit yourtahoeplace.com or call (775) 832-1146.
