Dragon at Nakoma Golf Resort: #18
The par-4 18th hole at the Dragon at Nakoma Golf Resort is called "Englightenment."
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Rating Index Rating
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4.7
224 Reviews (224)
5 Stars
132
4 Stars
59
3 Stars
18
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
96.6%
Recommend this course
201 out of 224 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
7 Reviews (7)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.5
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
7 out of 7 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
7 Reviews (7)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.5
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
7 out of 7 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 72
Length 7015 yards
Slope 139
Rating 72.0

Nakoma Golf Resort (previously known as The Dragon at Gold Mountain) is a scenic wonder that will help golfers realize what's so special about Reno and the High Sierras as a golf destination. Challenging play team with unbelievable scenery, giving players a day on the links they won't soon forget.

Playing to more than 7,000 yards from the back tees, Nakoma will challenge even scratch golfers with an imposing slope rating of 147. With five tee settings, however, Nakoma Golf Resort has proven to be a golf course that will delight all levels of golfers, as its combination of hazards and risk-reward opportunities make it a challenge worth taking.

But the scenery doesn't end on the golf course at Nakoma, which features spa villas and other amenities for golf travelers. Add to that a remarkable clubhouse designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and you'll easily see why Nakoma Golf Resort has its own special place in the Reno and High Sierras golf scene.

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The Dragon at Nakoma Golf Resort
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Course Details

Year Built 1998
Golf Season May 1 - Oct. 31
Architect Robin Nelson (1998) Mark Miller (1998)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Pull-carts No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire. No denim. Collared shirts must be worn at all times.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

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Reviews

4.7
224 Reviews (224)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

One tough Puppy

The setting is beautiful. If you haven't played this course before don't expect to score very well as there are several holes that require course knowledge and then a flawless shot. Severe sloping fairways, undulating greens, etc, A true test of golf. High handicap golfers shouldn't expect to score well.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

SLOW play & Poor Course Management

I had high expectations to play the Dragon for the first time. I was very disappointed for many reasons.

1. Not greeted on arrival, asked for help with my bag, or given any info on where to check in. I had to ask everytime I needed to find something.

2. Check in was ok, she was very friendly, but reservation was not updated and was not told had to purchase range balls separate.

3. Range was mediocre at best with no chipping area.

4. Was told by the greater out front that "there is no Starter so you can go off as soon as you are ready". So after hitting a few balls, my buddy and I teed off.

5. We caught up to the group ahead on #2 and that's when we started waiting on every tee box, and all fairway shots.

6. When we made the turn after 9 and got to the 10th @2:40 after starting, there were 8 people waiting to tee off on 10. Apparently 2 foursomes stopped to get drinks and then jumped back in.

I went back into the Pro Shop (no staff outside or at the turn), and asked about options. We were told we could play the front 9 again, as it should be relatively open. It was not, and therefore went back in and got a 50% refund.

In summary the course management was poor to non-existent and heard from another golfer the average round can take between 5-6 hours.

I will not go back and know there are many other courses nearby that offer a premium experience for comparable rates.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/19/2016

I play here all the time and it is a 3 hour course. I would never expect to fly around on a Saturday though and if your not in a foursome than you will have to wait. Golf is intended to have 4 players in each group. The chipping area is just to the left of the driving range near the bocce courts FYI.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Dragon

Wow this place was great! Little wet first thing in the morning but did dry. The greens were very challenging. Loved it!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart

playing at The Dragon

I thought we would be finish playing by noon or , T time was 7.38. We had to wait at least 10-15 minutes on every hole. Two of us quit after nine whole which took over 3 hours to finish.

Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

NOT what we were expecting

Pace of play was good but that was just because there was no one out there... No one should pay full price to play this course. The staff was great, very helpful in every way. The course is not in that great of shape. From sideways tee boxes to the bumpy greens.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Best Golf Experience Ever

This is a challenging course, no doubt. The slopes are steep on some holes. There are plenty of bunkers and many of the greens are elevated. The greens were OK and fast, but not too fast. I played in the afternoon on a weekday and had the place to myself. The views are spectacular. One hour away from Reno. If you haven't played the Dragon, my only question is, why not?

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Customer service

We had to "cancel" because of an illness. Called Dragon and we set up a later date even bough we had missed the 24 hour deadline. Very gracious. Much appreciated

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The Dragon

Worth the drive from Reno love this course. Seems the tee time price of $115 is causing them a very lack of players. Played on a Saturday morning and never seen a group on the course. Had lunch on the deck at noon and only 2 groups went off the 1st tee for over an hour. Seems a lower rate would create more players creating more revenue for them. I do only play with deals won't pay full price.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

A difficult course worth playing

The Dragon has teeth and a lot of fire, so bring some golf balls to play. From the opening tee shot to when you putt on the 18th green, you will find this course to be very challenging. Play the tees that are within your handicap because playing from the tips isn't for a 14 handicapper even. The Dragon is in very good condition, but remember that this course is built on a mountain side so it has quite a few side hill lies. Get a course guide and read it as you play because it will

help you place your tee shots and recovery shots along with your second and third shots on the par 5's. I don't know how much play this course gets, but our threesome could play at a leisurely pace and did not ever hold anyone up until the 16th hole when a single came up behind us and we let him play through. Playing this course is an experience that you will have a love/hate experience, say you will never go back, but will come back again anyway.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nakoma The Dragon

Many of the greens had a fungus- shiney and bumpy which made it difficult to putt. It ate us alive... Blind shots. A lot of our foursome left behind a lot of expensive golf balls. The course is difficult but the pin placement was incredibly difficult. We have played this course annually but will likely skip it next year.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Challenging beautiful course

Course has tees for every level of golfer, but don't expect a walk in the park. You have to think your way around. The setting is dramatic-well worth the time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best in the west

Excellent course, very well maintained, fast greens, every tee box a picture post card. Well worth playing but try to bring your A game...

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Amazing venue

Mountain golf at its finest. A bit of a car ride but we'll worth it. Super cordial staff. Fantastic layout. Would highly recommend. Bring plenty of golf balls!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

"Specular Views & the 18th. Hole is the most Amazing we have ever seen"

Loved our experience, and looking forward to coming back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

SandOnTheGreens

Pace of play was awesome. Could not see the group in front or behind us. Very relaxing. For the most part the fairways are tight, and if you slice or hook your ball is gone. Great place for a day of golf.

The greens were sanded and very wet at the beginning of the round.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great place to play

Great place to play friendly staff. challenging course but fun to play very professional atmosphere. Scenery is spectacular I highly recommend it for all golfers to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Exciting challenging fun

Play course about 5 times a season. Always a lot of fun. Greens much slower this year. Helps with approach shots and putting. Nice change. Highly recommend. Must play if you're in the area.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Magnificent!!

Truly amazing course start to finish. Beautiful scenery and wonderful views throughout. Greens and fairways in great shape as was the entire course. Staff was wonderful and very helpful.

Course was challenging and requires good tee shots and positioning to have a fighting chance.

Highly recommend and can't wait to play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Poor weather
Used cart

Will be back when better weather conditions

Unfortunate weather conditions, but awesome course and challenging to say the least!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The Dragon Prevailed

The Dragon at Nakona is a blast to play...beautiful mountain golf course with breathtaking views. The course is in great shape with difficult approaches to the greens. Overall a challenge to play but rewarding in many other respects. The staff was great...beautiful facilities...and great food services. Thank You!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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