Undoubtedly, the area’s best course is the Sierra Star Golf Course. The Sierra Star golf season generally runs from late May to early October. Here, you’ll be surrounded by avid and enthusiastic golfers who are there to test their mettle on one of the region’s most challenging courses.
The Sierra Star Layout
Designed by Cal Olsen and built in 1999, the Mammoth Sierra Star Golf Course layout is ideal for experienced players. This 18-hole, par-70 course runs through mostly bent greens, with rye and bluegrass fairways for that extra padding. The fairways are often lined with trees to add an extra dimension to the game. You can take advantage of practice and chipping green lawn, with swing nets, club rentals, and more.
The course rating and slope come in at 65.6/116 white 71/133 black. Black tees play to 6,708 yards, blue tees 5,980 yards, white tees 5,430 yards, and red tees 4,912/4,802 yards.
The entire course is a full mile and a half (8,000 feet) above sea level and the highest-elevation 18-hole golf course in California. It boasts one of the highest in the entire United States.
The Challenge
For better or worse, the course is extremely challenging. Even avid players will have a tough time navigating numerous traps, like false fronts, backs, and humps. The course is demanding, but rewarding.
To top it all off, the course is actually hard to navigate simply due to its elevation. Players accustomed to low elevation may have a tough time staying fully “in it.” We recommend visiting the course after at least a day in the mountains. Rent a cart and use your in-house professional to help get through the high terrain.
Sierra Star Golf Tee times run from 7 am to about 3-4 pm, weather pending. Call ahead for all tee times as well as information in upcoming Sierra Star events.
The Views
The game may be a challenge and the season shorter than we’d like, but the experience of playing golf in the mountains is unbeatable. Visitors have reported wildlife, such as deer and black bears. Others have discussed inspiring views of the Sherwin Range waterfalls and relaxing post-game breaks at the clubhouse.
Reach out to us for more details on our available 1849 Mountain Rentals. We have more than 75 different properties, each with its own special something.
