Northstar California Golf Course

About
Northstar California Golf Course has a unique layout that was seamlessly integrated with the rugged, wooded terrain of Tahoe. The front nine plays through a scenic, rolling valley while the back nine plays through the towering pines of the forest. The first nine holes have a classic links layout and the back nine demands precision with its tree-lined fairways and small greens. Native vegetation and scenic water hazards are scattered throughout the golf course. Strategically placed sand bunkers add another challenging element. The signature hole at Northstar California Golf Course is the par-3 15th, which requires a shot over a creek to a small green.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 72 | 6781 yards | 72.4 | 139 |
Blue | 72 | 6322 yards | 70.7 | 133 |
White | 72 | 5849 yards | 68.5 | 125 |
Gold | 72 | 5390 yards | 65.1 | 119 |
Maroon | 72 | 5390 yards | 64.8 | 122 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black M: 73.0/140 | 436 | 540 | 162 | 376 | 415 | 211 | 592 | 396 | 398 | 3526 | 387 | 340 | 299 | 180 | 514 | 185 | 452 | 365 | 572 | 3294 | 6820 |
Blue M: 70.9/135 | 409 | 517 | 137 | 349 | 371 | 184 | 566 | 383 | 379 | 3295 | 355 | 330 | 287 | 161 | 467 | 155 | 372 | 356 | 544 | 3027 | 6322 |
Blue/White M: 69.7/128 | 391 | 517 | 135 | 349 | 350 | 158 | 522 | 383 | 354 | 3159 | 336 | 332 | 287 | 150 | 467 | 155 | 372 | 292 | 494 | 2885 | 6044 |
White M: 68.8/127 | 391 | 493 | 122 | 327 | 350 | 158 | 522 | 364 | 354 | 3081 | 336 | 318 | 270 | 150 | 452 | 119 | 337 | 292 | 494 | 2768 | 5849 |
White/Gold M: 67.0/123 | 365 | 455 | 122 | 327 | 311 | 158 | 481 | 338 | 327 | 2884 | 294 | 319 | 270 | 132 | 452 | 119 | 337 | 292 | 383 | 2598 | 5482 |
Gold M: 66.2/122 W: 70.2/136 | 364 | 457 | 113 | 315 | 305 | 135 | 481 | 338 | 330 | 2838 | 296 | 295 | 251 | 132 | 427 | 102 | 313 | 292 | 384 | 2492 | 5330 |
Maroon M: 62.7/108 W: 64.8/122 | 317 | 335 | 103 | 262 | 294 | 123 | 361 | 287 | 252 | 2334 | 216 | 248 | 248 | 94 | 354 | 78 | 306 | 203 | 380 | 2127 | 4461 |
Handicap | 9 | 3 | 13 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 16 | |||
Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 7 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 17 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 12 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
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Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u000005532684 on 06/16/2023
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Photo submitted by Toby8102335 on 08/28/2022
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Photo submitted by schming on 09/18/2020
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Photo submitted by schming on 09/18/2020
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Photo submitted by schming on 09/18/2020
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Photo submitted by u000004910399 on 08/02/2020
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green and snow Photo submitted by sunnyaa on 06/05/2016
Northstar Golf
The conditions of the course were disappointing especially the greens. It looked like the course had not been maintained during the closure.
They are running low on carts and are encouraging players to walk.
Beautiful Course
Northstar is such a beautiful course. There are so many interesting holes with many risk reward opportunities. Overall the course was in very good shape. The greens were very slow and a little bumpy in spots so it took some time to adjust. Due to the pandemic there is very little to shop for in the pro shop. They have a snack bar operating but be warned in order to get a beer you must purchase a sandwich or wrap.
Overcharging and Under-delivering
I've played the Northstar course dozens of times over the years. My wife and I own a fractional share in a property in the village, so we've been going every summer for the last 18 years. This used to be a very well-kept property. Last year, conditions had deteriorated significantly, but we attributed that to a bad winter and late snow. This year, however, overall course conditions are even worse. Many of the greens are un-puttable (if that's a word). in places the greens have gone to seed., while on the same green there are bare patches. Fairways are only playable using winter rules (in July!) .
Vail Resorts has abdicated their responsibility to maintain the course. Although they had almost three months (while the course was closed due to the COVID outbreak) , it appears that they did nothing to prepare the course. No seeding. No repairs. Just mow and open. To charge $90 for the online rate, and $100 as the "rack rate" is inexcusable.
There are many other more playable and enjoyable options in the Tahoe/Truckee area for the same or less money. Go to one of them.
Whatever, Northstar - times have changed?
I had an 8:20 tee time this morning. Called the pro shop before, leaving a message to question reviews within the last week of players truly disappointed in current (not past) course conditions. The voicemail still says closed for season - huh? Then, No return call back. No overpriced green fees from me! Sticking to the core courses up here: Gray’s, old Greenwood, heck maybe even Ponderosa if they call me back. Seems like a change in personnel needed. PS the call back doesn’t require laid off COVID 19 workers.
Horrible greens. Just opened for summer. Fairways ok. Rough is way too think for this type of course in non/tournament time.
As stated, ok overall for just opening for summer but horribly slow greens and way too deep rough.
Course in bad shape...should be disclosed and discounted
They should be disclosing how bad the greens and overall conditions are and discounting the price dramatically because of it. I played another course in slightly better condition recently that both disclosed the conditions ahead of time and only charged half of the regular green fees.
We stopped even attempting putts a couple holes in and just took a standard 2-putt for the rest of the round.
Scenic Twilight
3 of us really enjoyed 1st trip to Northstar. Thought the design was interesting & fair, 3 out of the 4 par 5's are risk/reward off the tee, Driver to try and get home in 2 or play for par with 3W off tee. The meadow front 9 is straightforward & back 9 in the trees gives interesting options off tee, & huge elevation changes for such short holes. Staff (pro, bartender, cart kid, snack shack) could not have been friendlier. Coming in on 18 out of the shadows with a sunlit 18 green was a brilliant end to a great day. Although we couldn't make a birdie on the day, we had a ton of pars & the scratch player in our group had 2 eagles on the front (par 5 & a chip in on a par 4)
Yup, there are about 4 greens (#5 & about 3 on back where the greens don't get much sun) that are in rough shape after a historic winter, if those greens cause a 3 Putt then take a 2 Putt & enjoy the views.
Hole in one
Course was very diverse, sage brush desert meadow on front night, then pine forest right back nine. Was awesome as my buddy Mike Lyons aced #13, hole! Group in front of us witnessed it as well as groups behind us. Unfortunately bar was closing at 6 when we finished so drinks were limited. Staff was awesome though.
Love Tahoe, Truckee and have lived in the area for 10 years. This course location is Beautiful. Front 9 open back 9 narrow which made it fun. First off 2 temporary greens about 10' across. BOOO! ALL of the greens that you could play were terrible. The ball would jump all over the place. Grass, no grass, grass...... The fairways were just as bad. Soggy, dirt, grass, no grass and I am talking about the middle of the fairways. For $65 I was VERY disappointed!! Probably won't be back for a while. That course will NOT be in good shape this year, it's getting too late in the year and it's in such bad shape. Sorry to say all this but I was NOT happy at all. I drove from Sac to meet friends and that's what I got, we.
Don’t Waste Your $
Please do not waste your money. Course conditions especially the greens were terrible . There were two or three Temporary greens one of which was a laughable 45 yard par three, all with automatic two/putt. Many of the greens were so bumpy with lots of brown spots and small mounds. We paid $90 per person but I wouldn’t even pay $20 to play on such a poorly maintained course. On the positive side the layout is terrific especially the more challenging back nine nestled in the pines. Staff were all great except for one who asked us how our round was and before we could finish he said “I know...the greens suck”—-he then said we could go spend $250 to play Edgewood—-he then made excuses saying that “what do you expect after a winter of 600 inches of snow?”
I didn’t respond but had I replied to his comment I would have said, “well Edgewood had the exact amount of snow as Northstar did and it is in pristine condition”
Hopefully the owners of Northstar Golf will read this and other poor reviews and put the $ into making this course pristine like it used to be. Until they do something about the horrible condition of this golf course, we will not return.

I do agree that conditions were not up to standard after a huge snow year and cold Spring and June.. Some Tahoe courses have struggled more than others. Edgewood repaired many greens and fairways earlier this year, and with $300 green fees they have a much bigger maintenance budget. We are a mid level value play and perhaps not fair to compare a $60-90 course to the $200-$300 courses. Golf consumers have many choices in our area, and can choose an expensive higher end course if that suits their needs.
All 18 greens are open and course is very playable now. Last year the course was perfect and we hope this winter will allow for a much better season next year. We value our golf guests and hope you will give us a chance. For $65 we are the value play in Tahoe-we can be a fun and enjoyable experience.
Beautiful Location Decent Course
The location and vistas were awesome. The staff was super friendly. However, the conditions were subpar. The worst thing was the two temporary greens. The 45 yard par three was laughable. The greens were uneven.
If the course was In top condition, it could be a contender.

This was the most damage ever for some Tahoe area courses coming out of a huge winter. The recovery has been slower than expected, but all 18 greens are open now, and the course is getting better everyday.
Course pricing is very low for Tahoe-a great value.
Rough Shape
This course reminded me of a typical municipal golf course on the front 9. The front 9 is close to “links style” while the back 9 is tucked into the trees. They gave a small discount for the course being in such rough shape (they had 3 temporary greens at this time). In my opinion, there are too many other courses in this area I would rather play than to play Northstar again.

Course has improved after a huge winter snowpack. All greens are playable now, and getting better everyday. At 1/2 to 1/3 the price of some of the other area courses, this is still the value play in Tahoe. Give it a try-low twilight rates.
Horrible conditions
Had we have known how bad the course was we never would have paid $60.00 for it. There were at least 5 greens that weren’t open. We should have been told how bad the course conditions were before purchasing our rounds of golf. Shame on you

Course was rough after a huge winter -50 feet of snowfall.
It is now very playable and a great value in Tahoe. Most Tahoe courses were rough in June-much better in the Fall this year. Great twilight rates!
Course in Great Shape
It's always a pleasure to play here. Course is in great shape along with really nice greens. Very busy day and slow with a 5 hour pace of play.
Sorry your experience was not good Paul.
All 18 greens are open now after a slow recovery. Last winter did the most damage in 40 years, but is getting better everyday. Prices less than half of other area courses make it a great value