Nakoma Golf Resort

The Dragon at Nakoma occupies a distinctive site in the northern Sierra Nevada near Clio, California, roughly thirty miles northwest of Truckee. Designed by Robin Nelson and opened in 2000, the course sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation within the Nakoma Golf Resort, a development conceived around Frank Lloyd Wright's unbuilt 1923 clubhouse design for a different site. The property's architectural theme draws from Wright's original plans, though the golf course itself is a contemporary Nelson design that works with the mountainous terrain and ponderosa pine forest characteristic of this region. The routing moves through varied elevation changes and incorporates natural rock outcroppings, seasonal creeks, and meadow areas that open views toward surrounding peaks. Nelson's design emphasizes strategic options from the tee and approaches that reward local knowledge of how the ball reacts at altitude and on the firm, fast-running conditions common to high-elevation courses in the Sierra. Several holes play across or along ravines, and the layout generally favors accuracy over distance, though the thin air affects club selection throughout. Nakoma Resort includes The Dragon alongside a second Nelson course, The Bear, offering members and resort guests access to thirty-six holes in a relatively remote mountain setting. The courses serve a mix of destination visitors and seasonal residents drawn to the area's recreational opportunities. The resort operates with lodging and dining facilities that reflect the Wright-inspired architectural vision, creating a cohesive aesthetic environment distinct from typical Sierra golf developments.