Grizzly Ranch Golf Club
Portola, CA, United States • Public
Overview
Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills 50 miles northwest of Reno, Grizzly Ranch is getaway, escapist golf and a refreshing trek through nature. When given such serenity and untouched natural beauty, it’s important not to overcook the design. The late architect Bob Cupp didn’t. He layered the holes onto a basin of forest floor with minimal buildup, directing them easily up and down the tilted property and positioning the greensites in ways that mingle thoughtfully with creeks and dry washes.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked 95th, 2021-'22.
Best in State: Ranked in the top 40, 2011-'14.
2023-'24 ranking: 55th.
Previous ranking: 42nd.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Less than an hour from Reno and just over an hour from North Lake Tahoe / Truckee, this course is worth the mundane drive to get there. Mountainous terrain with rolling fairways among the large elevation changes on the course makes for a fun round. A couple of split fairways on the back take the driver out of your hand, something I'm not a fan of, but all in all this place should be on your list. Beautiful setting and a fair, fun course. It's a top 100 public course in the country so get there if you can."
Read More2024
Review
“Really fun Bob Cupp design in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. The course had a nice variety of holes. Wonderful views with very good playing conditions throughout. The staff was very welcoming. The course is a little out of the way but definitely worth a visit."
Read More2024
Review
“Each hole feels like it is in a world of its own! A nice golf experience!"
Read More2024
Review
“Grizzly Ranch is a beautiful golf course set in a pine-filled environment about an hour north of Reno. This course made the tail end of the top 100 public list a couple years ago, so it should be judged in that context. I found good variety here, with engaging shots over a beautiful mountain landscape at mile-high elevation. This is a good golf course. I found it most engaging off the tee, with approach shots lacking a bit of character and memorability. My favorite holes involves obscuring something either from the tee or the approach, a feature in evidence at #s 3, 4, 8, 10, 11 (great green!), and 17. I hold it back from greatness due to two awkward par fives on the back nine, with the 12th needing perhaps an extra back tee, and the 18th trying too hard to fit in a water hazard when it needs more width."
Read More2023
Review
“Terrific layout variety, excellent conditioning. Definitely check your yardages relative to the terrain slopes and extra distance at elevation."
Read More2023
Review
“A very nice mountain course in which the design gives the player a little of everything. Par 5's too long and tight for the average player."
Read More2023
Review
“Wonderful isolated course winding through rolling hills. Good variety of lengths of holes and good use of the topography."
Read More2022
Review
“Overall, this course provided an outstanding and entertaining golf game with 18 distinctive well- conditioned golf holes challenging the player throughout. The course included a good variety of straight short and long holes with an equal number of moving left to right all bordered by large mature pine trees and natural vegetation and grasses. No two holes were remotely similar. Natural and manmade water features have been incorporated into the layout impacting both drives and approach shots on several holes (examples would be 3, 4, 9, 12, and 18). The conditioning of the overall course was very good. The fairways were firm, fast and expansive. The bent grass greens appeared extremely healthy and were firm and fast. Unfortunately, several exhibited instances of fungal growth which impacted pin placement locations and putting. The greens were medium to large in size with moderate contouring and tiers requiring accurate approach shots to score effectively. Golf facilities and quality of the staff for a remote course were impressive providing an outstanding overall golf experience."
Read More2022
Review
“A beautiful public mountain course located in Portola, California, 40 miles north of Reno and worth taking the trip out to play. The holes are tree lined and there are beautiful views throughout the course. Course conditions are superb, plush fairways and the greens are receptive and roll true. A great collections of holes."
Read More2022
Review
“Beautiful mountain layout in the absolute middle of nowhere. Lots of variety and shot options, great conditioning, and widely spaced tee boxes to enhance playability. There are a few awkward holes on the back 9 but overall worth the excursion if you're in the Sierras."
Read More2022
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