Playing Gray's Crossing the evening before also allowed us to squeeze in a bonus round and take advantage of a GolfMoose voucher for Squaw Creek. Technically, I did play one more round after this at t... Continue »

Playing Gray's Crossing the evening before also allowed us to squeeze in a bonus round and take advantage of a GolfMoose voucher for Squaw Creek. Technically, I did play one more round after this at the Tahoe City 9-holer, but that one is not on GK yet. As for Squaw Valley, I wouldn't pay rack here, but the GM deal was pretty solid for a round in season. It was busier than we expected and we were too worn out to slow-play behind other groups, so we did have to get creative with our own layout. It wasn't ideal, but we eventually got all 18 holes in as the groups out on the course were kind of scattered and it allowed us to jump in where we could find openings and play a few holes at a time. Conditions here were disappointing for a "resort" course. It seems clear the golf course here is somewhat of an afterthought and I'm sure it's difficult to maintain given its location on a major ski resort and a short summer season at the resort. The tee boxes were sometimes OK and sometimes just dirt and weeds. The fairways were generally fine. The rough was a mish-mash of a bit of everything. Then there are some deep native areas (swampland) that you'll want to avoid because it's almost guaranteed a lost ball. The holes up on the hillside had a greener look, but were also pretty soft and chewed up from tee to green. Bunkers were okay enough. Greens weren't too bad. A little thin in spots and sometimes a tad bumpy, but mostly rolling decently. The lackluster conditions mar what could be a pretty good golf course. The layout is very challenging and unique, and though they bill it as a "links" it really isn't because there aren't many ground-play options. There are a lot of forced carries and false fronts lined with thick grass, so you still have to keep the ball up in the air if you want to have a chance at scoring well. It also got pretty windy as the round went on, which added another level of challenge. In terms of quality, Squaw Creek doesn't come close to measuring up to the region's other great resort courses. It just feels a bit run down and in need of a good renovation. Also, I should mention the parking situation is rough right now as they are doing a lot of construction outside the resort. You can valet up top or just drop your bags off, then it's a long walk from the self-parking to the pro shop. The signage is lacking here, so there really are no signs to direct you to the pro shop. I wandered around awhile before finally finding it and then it took them about 20 minutes to get my bag from up top to the starter area. Again, golf seems to be an afterthought, especially for those not staying at the resort.

Played here 5 years ago and vowed to never return, but gave in to peer pressure and came back. Due to a junior's tournament we started on the back nine. Playing from the whites. Lost 4 balls in the... Continue »

Played here 5 years ago and vowed to never return, but gave in to peer pressure and came back. Due to a junior's tournament we started on the back nine. Playing from the whites. Lost 4 balls in the first 2 holes. So frustrating, difficult links conditions.
We were calling it Squaw Swamp instead of Squaw Creek.
The front nine is a mountain course, and while difficult, not nearly so much as the back nine.
The saving grace was that we had a Hot Deal on Golfnow and only paid $40 instead of $99. Needless to say, I never want to set foot on this property again!

The Resort at Squaw Creek GC is - as the name implies - part of the larger resort grounds and conference/hotel complex of the same name. The majority of the course is laid across the flat Olympic Val... Continue »

The Resort at Squaw Creek GC is - as the name implies - part of the larger resort grounds and conference/hotel complex of the same name. The majority of the course is laid across the flat Olympic Valley and is very reminisent of a Links style layout, though the first 4 holes are carved into an adjacent hillside. Still, even these four holes generally play flat though narrow due to the trees which line the fairway. Also the greens were pretty flat, no major undilations but instead very gentle contours. There are no real structures built along the course, water does factor on 4 holes though the primary hazard is the dense valley grass should a ball be delivered with an overbearing hook/slice or top.

The tee boxes were level and pretty clean, good attention to these boxes even on the par 3s. The rough and fairways were at times lacking on certain holes, I can distinctly recall large areas of exposed dirt and exceptionally thin fairway/rough, though this issue was not rampant through the entire course, only in select areas. The sand was playable as it was possible to get under the ball and deliver the ball cleanly, no issues with being too damp. The greens were not a high point of the course - bumpy, with uneven grass growth made for an untrue putting experience.

To sum up, the conditions of this course would be reviewed as average to below average if this course was situated at a lower elevation. Considering the climate/conditions though, this wasn't too bad of a course especially in consideration of other courses in the area. I genuinely enjoyed playing this course as the setting was wonderful, and with the elevation of the course at 6300 feet the ball really flies; the starter advised clubbing up one but I would recommend clubbing up two, normally I'm 150-160 with my 8 iron but on this day my pitch (normally 125) was just fine.

The Resort at Squaw Creek Golf Course Review
Lake Tahoe Golf Course Reviews

Played it on Sept 20. The course is very narrow in a number of spots. You have to carry marsh land on many tee shots and on some approaches to the green. Not a great course for the inconsistent gol... Continue »

Played it on Sept 20. The course is very narrow in a number of spots. You have to carry marsh land on many tee shots and on some approaches to the green. Not a great course for the inconsistent golfer. Customer service was great and the course is in a beautiful location. It is cart path only for the whole course but that may change in the future.

The Resort at Squaw Creek Golf Course Review
Lake Tahoe Golf Course Reviews

First time to play the course. Did not know until after arriving they were holding an employee golf tournament. Play was very slow. Starter advised us after we had played nine holes that the course wa... Continue »

First time to play the course. Did not know until after arriving they were holding an employee golf tournament. Play was very slow. Starter advised us after we had played nine holes that the course was cart path only unless the player has a handicap flag. Others advise me that the course is normally deserted. I guess I was just unfortunate to pick a day when the employees were holding a golf tournament. Good for them; unfortunate for me and my playing partner. Would not go back. Not worth the price.

I have played this course a lot and it just keeps getting worse all of the time. It started off as a good track and has been maintained poorly. I know its in the mountains but come on. Having been a p... Continue »

I have played this course a lot and it just keeps getting worse all of the time. It started off as a good track and has been maintained poorly. I know its in the mountains but come on. Having been a pass holder here and having played with many out of towners, I can tell you that most people are more than a little unhappy to find out that with your $125 green fee you get to hit into a net, putt on really poor greens, and hit great shots that may not stay on the crowned fairways. Most people i saw play there for the first time had their ass handed to them. Also most people lost at least 5 balls in 18 holes.
This course does have some things going for it. It is at a hotel and if you are staying there that is worth something. Also the views are awesome and the layout is pretty good ( just not the course shaping ).
Final verdict = You'll find better courses for this for 1/2 the price.

Played this course with a friend on 5/27/09. We were the 2nd group off the teebox without any crowd at all. The back 9 was still closed, the starter told us they had some flooding problems due to th... Continue »

Played this course with a friend on 5/27/09. We were the 2nd group off the teebox without any crowd at all. The back 9 was still closed, the starter told us they had some flooding problems due to the snow runoff so they were "making sure it dried out completely" before allowing any play. This means we made the tour of the front 9 twice. The fairways are tree-lined and pretty narrow for the most part. The rough is severe! RTJ Jr did a nice job of putting together a very interesting trek for the front 9 through gaps in the mountains and trees. The course advertises itself as a "links" course, but the front 9 certainly doesn't play like a true links course. This is the first time I've played this course, and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, having just opened the course for play . . but the greens were not good. They were very bumpy and slow. They did not roll true at all. I really like the layout, and wish we had the opportunity to play the back 9 to get a complete picture of this course. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Customer service is taken very seriously at Squaw Creek and it shows. I will come back to play this course again so I can see the back 9 and pass a true judgment on the course.