Quick Answer
- Most exclusive: Martis Camp (Tom Fazio, private chairlift to Northstar, $4M–$25M).
- Best value luxury: Schaffer's Mill and Old Greenwood / Gray's Crossing.
- Nevada tax advantage: Clear Creek Tahoe and Montreux — no state income tax.
- Lowest cost / rental income: Tahoe Donner and Northstar — the only golf communities that allow short-term rentals.
- Remember: club membership is almost always a separate purchase from the home — see the membership cost guide.
The Tahoe–Truckee corridor holds the densest concentration of luxury real estate in the Sierra — and most of it sits inside a handful of private golf communities. They look similar from the highway and are anything but: course pedigree, club culture, price, membership cost, and rental rules vary enormously. Here's the honest, side-by-side guide I give my own clients before they tour a single one.
How to choose a Tahoe golf community
- Course & club pedigree — Fazio, Weiskopf, Nicklaus, Coore & Crenshaw. Each has a different feel and waitlist.
- Vibe — ultra-private and estate-oriented (Lahontan, Martis Camp) vs social and family-forward (Schaffer's Mill, Tahoe Donner).
- Price band — from the $400Ks at Tahoe Donner to $25M estates at Martis Camp.
- Membership cost — often a separate purchase from the home. See the full Lake Tahoe golf club membership cost guide.
- Short-term rental rules — most private clubs restrict or ban it. Check the STR rules by jurisdiction.
The communities, compared
| Community | Course | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martis Camp (CA) | Tom Fazio | $4M–$25M | Legacy, amenities, ski access |
| Lahontan (CA) | Tom Weiskopf | $2.5M–$6M | Privacy & tradition |
| Schaffer's Mill (CA) | Miller / Harbottle | $1.5M–$4M | Value luxury, families |
| Old Greenwood & Gray's Crossing (CA) | Nicklaus / Jacobsen | $1.5M–$5M | Two courses, lowest entry |
| Clear Creek Tahoe (NV) | Coore & Crenshaw | $2M–$10M | NV tax, new build |
| Montreux (NV) | Jack Nicklaus | $1.5M–$8M | Reno access, gated |
| Tahoe Donner (CA) | Public 18 | $400K–$3M | Value & rental income |
| Incline Village (NV) | Robert Trent Jones ×2 | $1M–$10M+ | Lakefront access, NV tax |
| Northstar (CA) | Resort 18 | $1M–$5M | Ski-in, rental income |
California vs Nevada — which side fits you
The state line runs through the lake, and it matters. California communities (Martis Camp, Lahontan, Schaffer's Mill, Tahoe Donner, Northstar) hold the marquee Truckee clubs. Nevada communities (Clear Creek Tahoe, Montreux, Incline Village, Glenbrook) add no state income tax — which for many buyers outweighs the membership math entirely. With dual-state licensing I work both sides.
Buying as an investment
If rental income is part of the plan, membership cost is only half the math — the other half is whether you can rent the home at all. Most private golf communities prohibit short-term rentals; Tahoe Donner and Northstar are the golf communities that genuinely work as STRs. Full breakdown in the golf-community investment guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most exclusive golf community in Lake Tahoe?
Martis Camp is widely considered the most exclusive — a Tom Fazio course, a private chairlift to Northstar, and homes from roughly $4M to $25M. Lahontan rivals it for privacy and a more traditional golf-club feel.
Are there golf communities on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe?
Yes — Clear Creek Tahoe near Carson City and Montreux near Reno are the main Nevada-side private golf communities, plus Incline Village's two public courses. Nevada has no state income tax.
Which Tahoe golf community is best for short-term rental investment?
Tahoe Donner and Northstar allow short-term rentals. Most private clubs — Martis Camp, Lahontan, Schaffer's Mill — prohibit rentals under 30 days.
Want help choosing? Call me at (530) 317-0373 or reach out here and I'll walk you through the trade-offs for how you actually plan to use the place.