Traveling to Sacramento

I'll be visiting Sacramento, California for 10 days at the end of December and the start of January. I've played in the Bay Area quite a bit when I lived there 10 years ago, but never in Sacramento. I'll probably drive out to Yocha Dehe, that sounds very interesting. And I gather Teal Bend is one I shouldn't miss? How about great deals for fun, interesting courses? And are there any good driving ranges, especially on the west side, especially ones open late? Thanks for any help!

[url=http://www.darkhorsegolf.com/]Darkhorse[/url] and [url=http://www.ridgegc.com/]The Ridge[/url], both in Auburn (north on I-80). I would definitely go check those 2 courses over nearly anything else in the greater Sac area.

Play [b]YochDeHe[/b] last. It will ruin you for any other Sacramento area courses. (Or play it exclusively. It is that good.)

[b]Teal Bend[/b] is not a die-for course in my opinion.

[b]Ancil Hoffman[/b] has a lot of high-profile events played there. You might try it just to say you did.

There are a lot of courses in the area. Over 10 days you could play two a day and still have more to go. However, many are similar.

The recommendation to play foothill courses by [i]Yrrdead[/i] is valid. There is some variety, but the weather has to be watched closely.

In your time frame, always call the course the day before you play to find out the conditions. Some are prone to severe drainage problems.

GWD, I take it the Haggins Oaks Alister Mackenzie course isn't that enjoyable? I've always been curious, but don't seem to hear very good things back. I guess it's usually super busy too. Are slow rounds the problem, the design, maintenance? What gives? Thanks.

Haggin oaks is a dump. The store has a lot of retail stuff and several outdoor trackmans but their range is on matts. The main course is a bit of an old boring layout, with a freeway next to it on one side and train tracks on the other with homeless meandering around that edge. Ignore the architect - it's just a muni that gets way too mich play because of it's location is close to loads of people. The maintenance is very worn muni.

Hoffman is a good course for the local, but not a destination course.

Teal is close to the airport and drains well.

Yochi rules.

Go to the foothill courses like The Ridge, Dark Horse, etc etc.
Dark Horse was suppose to be a private country club and has my favorite design, but they ran out of money when the housing market burst, so they have this really awesome layout and course design, but the club house is just a double wide temp building. They completed the bathrooms and it's funny that the bathrooms are nicer than the club house.

Basically, avoid courses in flat areas of the valley. There are 76+ course within an hour of Sac, so you have lots of choices.

in January 2014 I played Winchester CC on a cold rainy day. The course held up quite well, with fast sloping greens and elevation changes from tee to green.

The kindness and thoughtfulness from the staff was the best I've experienced at almost any other course, including exclusive private clubs. Partway through the round, two pro shop people came out in a power cart to see how I was doing and to offer me hot coffee or a toddy.

The rate was not inexpensive ($100+), but I thought it was totally worth it.

[quote name='Matt J' timestamp='1448810984' post='12658910']
GWD, I take it the Haggins Oaks Alister Mackenzie course isn't that enjoyable? I've always been curious, but don't seem to hear very good things back. I guess it's usually super busy too. Are slow rounds the problem, the design, maintenance? What gives? Thanks.
[/quote]

[i]finalist[/i] pretty much nailed the Haggin Oaks situation. Not much more that I can add.

Catta Verdera is open to public play on Mondays. You should add it to the list above that includes Yocha-De-He, Ancil Hoffman, and DarkHorse.

www.cattaverdera.com

Winchester is awesome but I heard they were having some issues with money and upkeep. This was awhile back so it might have changed. Its the hardest course I have ever walked as a spectator. Especially that hill from 17 to 18. If its in good shape its beautiful and challenging. Yolo fliers is in woodland also and they have pre qual for Q school there, its a decent track.

Thanks for all the tips! I'll definitely let y'all know how it goes.

How about driving ranges? Anything good, especially late night?

[b]Haggin Oaks[/b] apparently has a 22-hour driving range in summer. Winter hours are variable...call them. Haven't been there myself. It is off mats as are most of the ranges in the Sacramento area. But the mats have automatic tees of some sort!

[url="http://www.hagginoaks.com/driving-range/"]http://www.hagginoaks.com/driving-range/[/url]

[url="http://www.yelp.com/biz/haggin-oaks-golf-complex-sacramento"]http://www.yelp.com/biz/haggin-oaks-golf-complex-sacramento[/url]

[url="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32999-d4082334-r244809683-Haggin_Oaks_Golf_Complex-Sacramento_California.html"]http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32999-d4082334-r244809683-Haggin_Oaks_Golf_Complex-Sacramento_California.html[/url]

Others include [b]Bing Malony[/b] and [b]Cordova[/b], which are lighted but are not LATE night ranges.

Thanks for all the info. I also found a Groupon deal, $40 at the Haggin Oaks driving range for $18.40 with the checkout code "GIFT20".

https://www.groupon.com/deals/haggin-oaks-golf-complex-1-4

Would echo others here.
Darkhorse is a fantastic layout and my favorite of the few I've played north of Vacaville.
Yocha Dehe would run second for me.
I also enjoyed Turkey Creek and Morgan Creek (Kyle Phillips course - Cal Club refurb and Kingsbarns designer FWIW).

See you're a PNW fella. When we were in our mid 20s - pre 9/11 - we popped down to North Bellingham and Lake Padden a lot. Easily the two best bang for the buck courses within Greater Vancouver/Whatcom County, late 90s early 00s.

Another vote for Darkhorse and Cattaverdera, both interesting, fun, and challenging. I do like Ancil, an old school tight, tiny greens, solid conditioned muni, very Sacramento Valley feeling with the trees and being near the American River. Haggin is fun to visit to check out their proshop and try out clubs. The Mackenzie course is okay.............. Teal is a very solid option as well, again, very valley feeling with the trees and such, great greens, challenging layout IMO.

And another for Darkhorse and catta verdera. One correction on catta it's closed on Monday and open to the public everyday except Saturday. Morgan creek is terrible by the way. While I can see the potential it's in serious disrepair and imo not worth the money or trip. Yocha as many have said is probably the best public course in the area. There are some well regarded places farther up the hill but they are all closed for the winter. I've not played it but have heard great things about Winchester. I was under the impression that the public rates were pretty high though. So long story short Darkhorse is absolutely the best course for the money in the area.

[quote name='Cboom12' timestamp='1449341170' post='12684412']
And another for Darkhorse and catta verdera. One correction on catta it's closed on Monday and open to the public everyday except Saturday. Morgan creek is terrible by the way. While I can see the potential it's in serious disrepair and imo not worth the money or trip. Yocha as many have said is probably the best public course in the area. There are some well regarded places farther up the hill but they are all closed for the winter. I've not played it but have heard great things about Winchester. I was under the impression that the public rates were pretty high though. So long story short Darkhorse is absolutely the best course for the money in the area.
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I played Morgan Creek about a month ago. It is in HORRIBLE condition. That course use to be in such great condition many years ago. It's a shame.

[quote name='poppyhillsguy' timestamp='1449425714' post='12687362'][quote name='Cboom12' timestamp='1449341170' post='12684412']
And another for Darkhorse and catta verdera. One correction on catta it's closed on Monday and open to the public everyday except Saturday. Morgan creek is terrible by the way. While I can see the potential it's in serious disrepair and imo not worth the money or trip. Yocha as many have said is probably the best public course in the area. There are some well regarded places farther up the hill but they are all closed for the winter. I've not played it but have heard great things about Winchester. I was under the impression that the public rates were pretty high though. So long story short Darkhorse is absolutely the best course for the money in the area.
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I played Morgan Creek about a month ago. It is in HORRIBLE condition. That course use to be in such great condition many years ago. It's a shame.[/quote]

Ya it's really a joke. My wife grandparents used to live out there and it used to be so nice. I've tried to keep giving them chances but I'm pretty much done with it until it either gets sold or new management.

Well, I've taken Morgan Creek off my list!

[quote name='Boney' timestamp='1449729409' post='12702134']
Well, I've taken Morgan Creek off my list!
[/quote]

Sooooo...let's see the list of courses that are in the final running.

Also, how many rounds do you expect to get in over the 10 days (weather permitting)?

One last thing, and a boost for foothill golf, is that your time slot is also the most severe fog season in the Sac Valley. Consider some bail out courses in the foothills that are above the fog.

[b]Yoche DeHe[/b] can be fog free as well as the two decent Fairfield courses ([b]Rancho Solano[/b] and [b]Paradise Valley[/b]), which are just out of the bowl-like valley. However, they can experience some overflow fog. Call ahead.

My plans haven't completely firmed up yet, I have to contact folks I'm visiting. I'm hoping I can get 5 rounds in. Maybe more?

Top choices so far, in rough order:[list=1]
[*]Yocha Dehe - A bit pricey, but sounds great
[*]Darkhorse, The Ridge - Everyone seems to like them, maybe above the fog, and reasonable at about $40.
[*]Ancil Hoffman - Inexpensive, a Sacramento landmark it seems.
[*]Catta Verdera - About $60, but all the great reviews make it tempting.
[*]Turkey Creek - Seems another solid choice up the hills a bit.
[*]Whitney Oaks - Natalie Gulbis' [url="http://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-natalie-gulbis-mytown-0808"]favorite course[/url] in the area? $26 from GolfNow.
[/list]

[quote name='Boney' timestamp='1450129857' post='12720236']
My plans haven't completely firmed up yet, I have to contact folks I'm visiting. I'm hoping I can get 5 rounds in. Maybe more?

Top choices so far, in rough order:[list=1]
[*]Yocha Dehe - A bit pricey, but sounds great
[*]Darkhorse, The Ridge - Everyone seems to like them, maybe above the fog, and reasonable at about $40.
[*]Ancil Hoffman - Inexpensive, a Sacramento landmark it seems.
[*]Catta Verdera - About $60, but all the great reviews make it tempting.
[*]Turkey Creek - Seems another solid choice up the hills a bit.
[*]Whitney Oaks - Natalie Gulbis' [url="http://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-natalie-gulbis-mytown-0808"]favorite course[/url] in the area? $26 from GolfNow.
[/list]
[/quote]

Looks like an excellent list. Hope the weather holds. Enjoy!

Oh, and I have a free round at (the infamous) The Ranch in San Jose, so I might as well use that.

The Ranch near San Jose is about a 2 hr drive from the Sacramento airport.

A few years ago some friends who had played (& liked) the Ranch took me there. It's a course that most likely should never have been built. It's on a steep hillside, and is power cart only.

A few of the treks between green and the next tee box seem to go on forever. Because of the severe changes in elevation, it can be challenging to gauge how far to hit shots.

If you have a free round, and are willing to drive that far from Sacramento, then go for it.

[quote name='Boney' timestamp='1450156745' post='12722058']
Oh, and I have a free round at (the infamous) The Ranch in San Jose, so I might as well use that.
[/quote]

Still a rip off.
After the now closed Shadow Lakes, the worst course I've played in California.

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1450162608' post='12722230']
[quote name='Boney' timestamp='1450156745' post='12722058']
Oh, and I have a free round at (the infamous) The Ranch in San Jose, so I might as well use that.
[/quote]

Still a rip off.
After the now closed Shadow Lakes, the worst course I've played in California.
[/quote]

Didn't realize Shadow Lakes had closed. Not a fan of that course at all.

[quote name='pappaf2' timestamp='1450202774' post='12723802']
[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1450162608' post='12722230']
[quote name='Boney' timestamp='1450156745' post='12722058']
Oh, and I have a free round at (the infamous) The Ranch in San Jose, so I might as well use that.
[/quote]

Still a rip off.
After the now closed Shadow Lakes, the worst course I've played in California.
[/quote]

Didn't realize Shadow Lakes had closed. Not a fan of that course at all.
[/quote]

It just happened at the start of the month, their notification called out a combination of the drought and lack of demand to require keeping 36 holes open.

Just for info. Whitney oaks is pretty beat right now. I played it the other day and the burmuda grass is dormant and looking pretty rough. I wouldn't pay full price to play there.

Thanks for the info!

Bumping this thread. Headed to Sac for the first week of April. Can anyone comment on DarHorse’s condition? Is this still considered a must play if visiting the city? Thanks!

Sounds like Yocha Dehe is the play and not Dark Horse. I keep bumping this too early before the West Coasters are awake.