Northstar California Golf Course

As a pass holder last year and paying customer this year, I can honestly say that this course is long overdue for some much needed maintenance. Last year 3-4 of the greens were closed a majority of the summer months with temporary greens being set up ~100 yards short of the actual green. This year, I had hopes that work would have been performed with the course being closed until July, but my hopes were unfortunately denied. Many of the greens & fairways have dead spots and the overall condition of the course is a 2/5. I won’t be returning here any time soon.

My understanding is that due to COVID, the course opened later than usual this season. So here in the first week of August, there were some spring conditions, mostly on the greens. They were sanded and slow, but showing signs of life. The rest of the course was in good shape.
I love this track because you get two completely different experiences between the nines. The front nine is open in the meadows, and the wind can present some challenges. The back nine winds above the treeline and tightens up dramatically. Fun challenge.

We make it a point when we come to Lake Tahoe to play this course.
Staff is always helpful and friendly

Average clubhouse and practice putting and chipping greens but the driving range was closed. Friendly, helpful staff following COVID-19 precautions. For a mountain resort course in the Lake Tahoe area I expected it to be in much better overall condition: the greens had been punched and sanded weeks ago but they were still very bumpy and slow, the tee boxes were not well maintained with bare spots and weeds. The fairways were the best kept parts of the course. The rough was very deep and weedy. The layout is quite challenging from the blue or back tees.

The back nine was beautiful however the course was in terrible condition. The tee boxes were overgrown the fairways were patchy at best and the greens felt more like fairway. If the course were in better condition it would be a lot of fun, open in the front and lots of trees on the back but not worth the money til they fix it

This was such a disappointment!!
We have plYed the course many times.
It was in such poor shape won’t plY it agIn .
We paid for 18 holes and only played 9.
VERY DISSATISFIED!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

As stated, ok overall for just opening for summer but horribly slow greens and way too deep rough.

Front 9 relatively open and plays through the meadow, back 9 tightens up through the mountainside and into the woodlands. Course is short & rough is relatively forgiving, so a good opportunity for those who hit a long drive to get some swings in with their long irons. The scorecard has a helpful little tip for each hole, which I found to be a nice touch. Will definitely get back out on this course soon.

I was a little disappointed in the condition of the greens, fairways and tee boxes!

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.

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.