Sacramento Area Courses

[SouthBayGolfer]

Searched through the first few pages of this subforum and haven't really found one topic talking about Sac area courses. 

 

 

What is your favorite place to play in the area? What is the course with the best value? What course do you go to when you want to beat the heat or smoke? 

[mark174ace]

As far as beating the heat on the golf course you would have to drive to the coast or Lake Tahoe to avoid the heat. You could go to Napa / Sonoma where the temps are typically at least a little cooler.

 

Within an hour of Sacramento I have always enjoyed Yoche Dehe and Darkhorse the most.

 

Yoche Dehe has a really nice power carts and the course is always in very good shape. They have refrigerators every 4 holes full of cold bottled water (complimentary). The course is out behind Cache Creek casino so it is not cheap, but if you do not mind the heat the afternoon rates can be reasonable. 

 

Darkhorse has always been a great layout, but since the new ownership has taken over it is in much better shape with primo sand in the bunkers.

 

Alternatives

 

Chardonnay in Napa County is typically in good shape, but can be a very difficult golf course. There are some very tricky greens and 3-4 holes are downright weird on a putt putt golf level. I love their hot dogs lol.

 

Ancil Hoffman. A quirky tight muni course that has a lot of trees so that is probably your best bet if you play in the heat. Plenty of tress to park under until your turn to play your shot. Typically in decent shape, but I have not played there since May / June.

 

 

[SouthBayGolfer]

10 hours ago, mark174ace said:

As far as beating the heat on the golf course you would have to drive to the coast or Lake Tahoe to avoid the heat. You could go to Napa / Sonoma where the temps are typically at least a little cooler.

 

Within an hour of Sacramento I have always enjoyed Yoche Dehe and Darkhorse the most.

 

Yoche Dehe has a really nice power carts and the course is always in very good shape. They have refrigerators every 4 holes full of cold bottled water (complimentary). The course is out behind Cache Creek casino so it is not cheap, but if you do not mind the heat the afternoon rates can be reasonable. 

 

Darkhorse has always been a great layout, but since the new ownership has taken over it is in much better shape with primo sand in the bunkers.

 

Alternatives

 

Chardonnay in Napa County is typically in good shape, but can be a very difficult golf course. There are some very tricky greens and 3-4 holes are downright weird on a putt putt golf level. I love their hot dogs lol.

 

Ancil Hoffman. A quirky tight muni course that has a lot of trees so that is probably your best bet if you play in the heat. Plenty of tress to park under until your turn to play your shot. Typically in decent shape, but I have not played there since May / June.

 

 

Some good options but a little bit away from Sac. 

 

Yoche is amazing and I always score well there, but they definitely bumped the price up since covid which kind of sucks. I remember getting out there for 50-70 bucks after 12:00 several times in the past. Seems like that is a pipe dream now. 

 

Darkhorse is a pretty nice track as well but had a bit of a snafu getting some customer service from them in regards to using a gift card. 

 

I played Ancil last Tuesday. Was in decent shape but not amazing. did a super late tee time (4:12) and it was still pretty busy despite 100 degree temps. I forgot how many trees that course has! tore me up.  

[mark174ace]

The thing with Sacramento is if you want to play nice golf courses you have to be prepared to drive 60 -90 minutes to get there. Personally I do not mind and it beats still living in the Northeast not playing golf 6 months out of the year.

 

Yoche Dehe, Darkhorse, Poppy Ridge, and others are a nice problem to have lol.

[SouthBayGolfer]

1 hour ago, mark174ace said:

The thing with Sacramento is if you want to play nice golf courses you have to be prepared to drive 60 -90 minutes to get there. Personally I do not mind and it beats still living in the Northeast not playing golf 6 months out of the year.

 

Yoche Dehe, Darkhorse, Poppy Ridge, and others are a nice problem to have lol.

Lucky enough to get out at Valley Hi pretty regularly which is always in great shape. I haven't been disappointed with some courses around roseville and folsom, just not poppy or yocha quality. 

[Steve P OAK]

Teal Bend is always in good shape and a nice layout.

[SouthBayGolfer]

On 8/20/2021 at 1:34 PM, Steve P OAK said:

Teal Bend is always in good shape and a nice layout.

I can agree to that! 

[jjr]

Ancil Hoffman in Carmichael is a must play!

[mark174ace]

Someday someone in the middle of the night is going to cut down that tree on the 16th hole lol.

[jjr]

No way, that tree is awesome!

 

Unless you hit low or play the up tees.🤪

[mark174ace]

Can we compromise and just trim it a little? Between that tree and the green side bunker the only thing missing on that hole is the clown's nose.  All kidding aside it is a nice little course with interesting characteristics.

[SouthBayGolfer]

On 9/7/2021 at 10:27 AM, mark174ace said:

Someday someone in the middle of the night is going to cut down that tree on the 16th hole lol.

I played there a week and a half ago and had an average round but it was highlighted by 2 great shots to make a tap in birdie on 16. Went left of the tree amazingly but still had 167 yards in from my drive and ran a 6 iron up to about 2 feet. I could probably play that hole 10 more times and not repeat those two shots. It is hard to think that it's a par 4. 

[SouthBayGolfer]

17 hours ago, jjr said:

No way, that tree is awesome!

 

Unless you hit low or play the up tees.🤪

I hit my long clubs pretty low, zero chance of clearing the tree unless I tee it up high and hit it high on the face but then I only get like 200 yards of distance. 

[jjr]

Lol, it's not a little course, I'm 62 and play a combo tees, tips and Blue tee's, it's all I want.

 

Anyway I love the tree because it requires a high cut just not too much or you're blocked out.

 

A trim would be fair.

[SouthBayGolfer]

On 8/20/2021 at 1:34 PM, Steve P OAK said:

Teal Bend is always in good shape and a nice layout.

Just played Teal Bend week and a half ago. It was in good shape (not great) and has a good layout. Not sure if it is worth the $63 walking rate. I think I would rather play haggin oaks for a bit cheaper. If darkhorse wasn't such a hike I would play there a lot more often. 

[John Wenger]

Beat the Heat — Apple Mountain, Castle Oaks or The Ridge 

Best Value - Ancil Hoffman, Cherry Island, Teal Bend

Best Courses - Public: Yocha Dehe, The Ridge. Private: NorthRidge, Del Paso, Valley Hi, Cameron Park

[mark174ace]

Ancil Hoffman is also good for beating the heat because of all the trees. You can just stay under a tree while waiting to play your next shot. Castle Oaks is generally nice, but really fell apart this summer. They get most or all of their water from the prison across the street and something happened with the prision cutting them off. I do not know the whole story, but CO was pissed. 

 

 

[chussey]

The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton is a fantastic course and usually in great condition. Highly recommend. 
 

Love Darkhorse but that place is being mismanaged in my opinion; every time I’ve played out there it’s been a 5+ hour round and not a single marshal in sight to keep everyone on pace. I refuse to play there unless I’m one of the first groups off since it’s just so slow….

 

 If you’re feeling adventurous, check out The Links at Rolling Hills up in Corning. Very long, windy and incredibly tight fairways. Designed by John Daly a while ago…played it once and it was in good condition. 

[mark174ace]

I play Spanos Park a few times a year and it is definitely what I like to call a "sneaky" tough course. I played there back in the summer very early one morning. I was on the practice green and the guy in pro shop was announcing the next group on the tee. Well he must have known this one guy real well because he was busting his balls over the pa system. The dude on the tee box without hesitation dropped his driver on the ground, turned his back to the clubhouse, bent over and proceeded to drop his shorts all the way to the ground and moon the guy in the pro shop. I am still traumatized by what I saw lol. 

 

 

[John Wenger]

On 1/21/2022 at 7:43 AM, mark174ace said:

Ancil Hoffman is also good for beating the heat because of all the trees. You can just stay under a tree while waiting to play your next shot. Castle Oaks is generally nice, but really fell apart this summer. They get most or all of their water from the prison across the street and something happened with the prision cutting them off. I do not know the whole story, but CO was pissed. 

 

 

Yeah I had heard they lost their water rights and now that course is complete crap in summer. Such a bummer, it’s a great lay out!

[Shakester]

The Ridge is a great course and the best I’ve played in the area.  

[3OffTheBox]

On 1/20/2022 at 7:23 PM, John Wenger said:

Beat the Heat — Apple Mountain, Castle Oaks or The Ridge 

Best Value - Ancil Hoffman, Cherry Island, Teal Bend

Best Courses - Public: Yocha Dehe, The Ridge. Private: NorthRidge, Del Paso, Valley Hi, Cameron Park

 

Two mentions of the Ridge, but no mention of Darkhorse? I'll admit pace can be an issue at times but that layout is better than Yocha or The Ridge.

[3OffTheBox]

My list for what it's worth:

Beat the Heat — Apple Mountain, Alta Sierra. Get as far up the hill as you can.

Best Value - Mather Golf Course. Sac County Muni. Great staff, Jack Flemming Design.

Best Courses - Darkhorse. Period. Stop. Play early, pace of play can be an issue.

[John Wenger]

4 hours ago, 3OffTheBox said:

 

Two mentions of the Ridge, but no mention of Darkhorse? I'll admit pace can be an issue at times but that layout is better than Yocha or The Ridge.

We’ll have to agree to disagree, I don’t think Darkhorse’s layout is better. I’d 

put it close to Yocha and Ridge if they took better care of it, but there’s some goofy holes I don’t like

[mark174ace]

I play all three and I have Darkhorse as my #1. Great ball strikers layout where it is accuracy over power. I will admit people that are really bad will struggle something awful with all the lateral hazards. Yoche Dehe is a great facility and well maintained, but most holes are not memorable. I really like the short par 4 8th hole and the 15th hole. The Ridge is nice enough but imo there are a couple holes that are ridiculous. The mens club on the weekend can bring play to a grinding halt when some of them are standing over 3 footers like their life depends on it. 

 

 

6 hours ago, John Wenger said:

We’ll have to agree to disagree, I don’t think Darkhorse’s layout is better. I’d 

put it close to Yocha and Ridge if they took better care of it, but there’s some goofy holes I don’t like

 

[John Wenger]

14 hours ago, mark174ace said:

I play all three and I have Darkhorse as my #1. Great ball strikers layout where it is accuracy over power. I will admit people that are really bad will struggle something awful with all the lateral hazards. Yoche Dehe is a great facility and well maintained, but most holes are not memorable. I really like the short par 4 8th hole and the 15th hole. The Ridge is nice enough but imo there are a couple holes that are ridiculous. The mens club on the weekend can bring play to a grinding halt when some of them are standing over 3 footers like their life depends on it. 

 

 

 

Haven’t ever been stuck behind the mens group, but don’t play out there often enough to see that. I’d put the ridge over dark horse when it comes to ball striking since it’s 400 yards shorter and statistically just as difficult. Both courses are about even when you look at slope and rating so it’s really more of a preference thing, but I’ve always found it easier to score at Darkhorse (when the course isn’t in crap condition.) 

[mark174ace]

On 9/8/2021 at 11:08 AM, SouthBayGolfer said:

I hit my long clubs pretty low, zero chance of clearing the tree unless I tee it up high and hit it high on the face but then I only get like 200 yards of distance. 

 

I finally made a 4 on that hole. Not going to lie it felt pretty damn good lol. 

[SouthBayGolfer]

1 hour ago, mark174ace said:

 

I finally made a 4 on that hole. Not going to lie it felt pretty damn good lol. 

A 4 on that hole is equivalent to a birdie in my mind! 

[mark174ace]

8 hours ago, SouthBayGolfer said:

A 4 on that hole is equivalent to a birdie in my mind! 

Yep. Usually that hole is a 5 for me. 

[SouthBayGolfer]

Beat the Heat — Apple Mountain, Darkhorse

Best Value - Apple Mountain, Darkhorse

Best Courses - Yocha Dehe, Darkhorse

 

Honorable mention, Mather is a good value, layout could be more difficult. Rancho Solano is a great course, especially if you are meeting up with someone from the bay area. Wildhawk if my driver isn't behaving too well since it is a pretty open course with wider fairways.