Tom Weiskopf was one of the most under-appreciated golf course architects in America. From Forest Dunes to Seven Canyons, most of Weiskopf’s efforts fly under the radar. Every time that I find myself on one of Tom’s courses, I am always pleasantly surprised. Lahontan at Lake Tahoe was one of those examples. Here are my takeaways and photographs from my visit to Lahontan.
Hole #1 - Par 4 - 423 yards
This opening dogleg right is defined by the large Ponderosa Pine just off of the left hand side of the fairway. Most drives will find it to be out of the way, but a drive a little too long and a little too left will find that it obstructs your path into the green. In my case, I just hit a little draw around the tree from 143 yards away and holed out for an opening eagle.
Hole #2 - Par 5 - 627 yards
Since I was already two under after just one hole and riding a near perfect round of golf, I decided it would be a good time to pound one into the woods on this monster of a par 5. Even with a good drive, most golfers will need 3 good shots to navigate the woods and find the putting surface on this peninsula green. Keep in mind that the golf ball flies much further up in Lake Tahoe. I estimate it to be a full club difference.
Hole #3 - Par 3 - 182 yards
The first par 3 at Lahontan is as scenic as it is challenging. With the green speeds up, anything beyond the green here will be a real challenge. I found the back left bunker and even with a near perfect bunker shot, still had twenty feet left to save par.
Hole #4 - Par 4 - 410 yards
For most golfers, the 3rd hole will play nice and short. An iron into the middle of the fairway will leave a fun uphill approach to a green tucked into the trees. Accuracy is a premium on the 4th hole.
Hole #5 - Par 3 - 210 yards
This downhill par 3 will play a little shorter than the yardage indicates. With a green sloping away from the player and speedy surfaces, distance control will be key here.
Hole #6 - Par 4 - 482 yards
This lengthy and beautiful par 4 requires a drive that will stay short of the pond leaving a mid or long iron into this green. Watching your golf ball fall across the backdrop of Northstar Ski Resort is fun, but even more fun when it is headed right towards the flag.
Hole #7 - Par 5 - 563 yards
If you can avoid staring directly into the fairway stripes, you should be able to reach this par with two solid strikes of the golf ball. The multi tiered green provides most of the interest on the 7th. Even after 3 good shots, I was still left with a challenging 2-putt to save par from the front of the green.
Hole #8 - Par 4 - 463 yards
This devilish little dogleg requires two well placed golf shots. The pro move is to pump one down the middle with a little draw. Like many of the holes at Lahontan, a golf ball over the green can be difficult to get up and down. Be mindful of the pin location and be sure not to short side yourself here.
Hole #9 - Par 4 - 348 yards
The short par 4’s on any golf course are almost always my favorite. The 9th at Lahontan is no exception. There are several options from the tee and a well placed fairway bunker that weeds out all indecisive and poorly struck golf shots. The end result is a golf hole that is fun to navigate. I tried to sneak a long iron down the fairway but caught the fairway bunker and increased my approach difficulty by 150%. I managed a par regardless.
Hole #10 - Par 4 - 428 yards
Not a bunker is to be found on the 10th hole. This uphill and straightaway par 4 is about as pedestrian of a golf hole that you will find at Lahontan. The undulations around the green give the hole some character.
Hole #11 - Par 3 - 212 yards
The 11th hole is a gorgeous little number playing across a meadow and into a grove of wondrous Ponderosa Pines. I like to hit it nice and tight here on the 11th to avoid having to deal with the two tiered green.
Hole #12 - Par 5 - 594 yards
The most photogenic golf hole at Lahontan is also one of the most fun to play. This golf hole feels like an adventure from the elevated tee box all the way down to another peninsula green. Most golfers will take 3 shots to find the putting surface and careful attention must be paid to avoid the sand and water.
Hole #13 - Par 4 - 415 yards
The 13th is a beautifully bunkered medium length par 4. Feel free to challenge the bunkers down the right hand side, but be warned that things are gonna get real difficult if you find yourself in those fairway bunkers. If you do end up in the fairway, you will have a good look at another two tiered green.
Hole #14 - Par 4 - 449 yards
The 14th was an easy favorite for me as a golf photographer. With the last of the evening’s light shimmering across the fairway, it was one of my favorite moments from the round. The golf hole itself is a fairly straight forward par 4 with two big and glorious bunkers. The best line is just to the left of the fairway bunker.
Hole #15 - Par 3 - 239 yards
I had a squirrel watching me on the 15th tee box, so the pressure was really on for this 220 yard golf shot. Unfortunately, I dumped it in the front left bunker. The proper play is towards the right center of the green. Any golfer should be excited to escape with a 3 here.
Hole #16 - Par 3 - 158 yards
Back to back par 3’s are always fun and this short downhill shot pairs up nicely with the lengthy 15th. The wise golfer takes note of the pin position and selects a club that keeps you below the hole. Another multi tiered green awaits you on the putting surface.
Hole #17 - Par 5 - 621 yards
After back to back par 3’s, Lahontan finishes with back to back par 5’s. It’s almost as cool as the 5,5,5,3,3 stretch at Inwood Country Club. The 17th at Lahontan plays long and offers multiple fairways to chose from on your second shot. I prefer waiting until the 3rd shot to cross the hazard.
Hole #18 - Par 5 - 511 yards
The 18th at Lahontan is a great opportunity to go out in style. This short par 5 only offers a trio of bunkers around the green as protection from reaching the green in 2 shots. The pro move is to get your second shot up around the green and then get up and down for birdie. This strategy will ensure that you head back to the clubhouse with a smile on your face.
