I was in the Sacramento area for a couple days and hit up Deepsea14 for a round. We did a last minute quick pick and chose Empire Ranch in Folsom. This was my first time playing here and conditions ... Continue »

I was in the Sacramento area for a couple days and hit up Deepsea14 for a round. We did a last minute quick pick and chose Empire Ranch in Folsom. This was my first time playing here and conditions were decent all around. Check in was simple with all the Covid restrictions in place.

The layout is basically two different style tracks. The front nine is a basic flatland course that winds around some houses. Fairways are generous and heavily watered to keep the dark green lush appearance. Mud balls are easy to come by when in the fairway. A couple of water features on the front nine help with the aesthetics of the layout.

The back nine has some hills involved to change things up. Luckily I had my forecaddie (Peter) with me to help navigate me through the twists and turns of the course.

Greens throughout were nice. They held well struck shots and rolled at a medium pace. Most greens had some subtle undulations in them that were deceptive in both the lack of perceived break and the extra amount of break. The greens rolled smooth and were tricky enough to make you pay attention but not so miserable you pulled your hair out.

Fairways on the back nine had a few more brown and thin spots but still a pleasure to hit from. I’d rate the fairways on the front nine at an 8 and the back nine a 7.

Most tee boxes were in decent shape though one was in poor condition. Rough was just thick enough to make it a challenge but still easy enough to get a full club on the ball. Sand traps were the weak link with the dirt being more hardpack.

We were behind a tournament so POP was on the slower side but not too bad. Overall, it was a solid track that was worth the entry fee.

Played Wed 3/18, 8:40 tee off, 3 1/2 hr as a 2 some. Rained the previous 8 hrs, and rained on and off for the first 2 hours. Cart path only and range was closed. Course in great shape. Fun, hilly t... Continue »

Played Wed 3/18, 8:40 tee off, 3 1/2 hr as a 2 some. Rained the previous 8 hrs, and rained on and off for the first 2 hours. Cart path only and range was closed. Course in great shape. Fun, hilly track, HUGE greens. For the most part a good layout. #12, i think is a long par 4... we played the tips/blues at 6500, but this hole was 460 par 4 and really uphill... doesn't really fit with rest of the course. Make it a par 5 and par 72!!! The next tee up was 345. Doesn't make any sense. that being said, I would play here more often if it were more convenient for me.

Just wanted to update the Nor Cal folk on the conditions at Empire Ranch. Course is in really good shape. Played it Saturday 8/24 with an 11:30 Tee time. Greens are rolling great. A little slipper... Continue »

Just wanted to update the Nor Cal folk on the conditions at Empire Ranch. Course is in really good shape. Played it Saturday 8/24 with an 11:30 Tee time. Greens are rolling great. A little slippery on the downhill. Bunkers have plenty of sand and are in good shape. Fairways we're like carpet. The only down side was on a hot (100') weekend there was no beverage cart. Very little shade on this course also. Otherwise it was a fun round. The course is moderately challenging. Signature hole is 18. one of the 18th holes that is a par 3. Elevated tee box that drops probably 80-90 feet to the green. Plays anywhere from 220 - 190 and it's over water. Fun shot for what could be be your last of the day. used to be OB left, but they have since put houses over there and a large net to protect them so you can get away with the hook now.

Played 4/24 mid Am and the POP was 4.5 which was decent for Empire. Course gets a lot of play and is in mid-season form (pretty good or great everywhere) Greens are fully healed from spring aeration.... Continue »

Played 4/24 mid Am and the POP was 4.5 which was decent for Empire. Course gets a lot of play and is in mid-season form (pretty good or great everywhere) Greens are fully healed from spring aeration. A bit slow but all they would need is a closer cut and roll. They are relatively flat so the pace sped up a bit would be excellent. Fairways good to excellent some recently fertilized should disappear with tonight's watering.
Customer service good. No beverage cart out but the 9's come back to the club house. So supply up then. Good weather Good scoring. Good time.
My last review was June 2018 read for more info. Recommend

Played early 6/17/2018 agree with 2017 review about the details of the course. Staff is great the course is in summer condition. Good coverage and green conditions on course. Rough managable. Greens... Continue »

Played early 6/17/2018 agree with 2017 review about the details of the course. Staff is great the course is in summer condition. Good coverage and green conditions on course. Rough managable. Greens good to very good. Could be better if players fixed their ball marks! Maintained well most all areas.

Part of the pace of play issue maybe the policy of using the 10th tee putting players out on the back as the dew sweepers are making the turn. We (threesome) had a single in front of us front 9. Tee'd of 10 after waiting for a threesome put out in front of us. As we played the 11 a singel came through looking for an open hole. No luck for him at least two foursomes ahead of us.

Just something to get used to playing here. Otherwise a good track usually popular.

One of my favorite tracks in the Sacramento area. The course is always in great shape and a good mix of risk and reward shots.

Positives:
-As mentioned, always in immaculate shape.
-Greens were ... Continue »

One of my favorite tracks in the Sacramento area. The course is always in great shape and a good mix of risk and reward shots.

Positives:
-As mentioned, always in immaculate shape.
-Greens were smooth and rolled true.
-Fairways were in great shape for the season.
-Plenty of sand in the bunkers
-Well-stocked pro shop and nice bar and restaurant.
-Course requires a lot of thinking and uses every club in the bag
-Friendly pro shop and on-course staff

Negatives-
-Pace of play is always brutal. Weekend round is always 5+ hours.


A nice course that I love playing. Just wish that the pace of play was faster.

Played Empire Friday 7/15. Greens are in very nice shape and rolling pretty good. I wouldn't say they're fast but certainly not slow. Some areas of the fairways are cut a little tight and firm but ... Continue »

Played Empire Friday 7/15. Greens are in very nice shape and rolling pretty good. I wouldn't say they're fast but certainly not slow. Some areas of the fairways are cut a little tight and firm but overall not bad. Rough is in good condition. The 2 bunkers I visited had plenty of sand and in good shape. Staff there is very nice and friendly. Overall the course is in good shape and not one of the tougher challenges. The signature hole has to be 18. It's long par 3 that drops 80-100 feet in elevation and has OB just left of the green. It a fun hole. My partner had a BOGO which is why I played there. I live 4 miles from the course and rarely play for the following reasons. For the cost there are a lot better options in the Sacramento area. I think rack rate on the weekend is $67. The other reason is there is no shade on this course. It was over 100 on Friday and there is just no where to hide on this course. Maybe I'm a whimp but just thought you should know to prepare if it's going to be hot and you're going to play Empire.

Played the course Friday, April 1. Tee time was for 1230 pm but was delayed by course till 1245. Greens aerated March 22 and were about 80% playable with punch holes. Very slow green speeds. Paid... Continue »

Played the course Friday, April 1. Tee time was for 1230 pm but was delayed by course till 1245. Greens aerated March 22 and were about 80% playable with punch holes. Very slow green speeds. Paid $42 w/cart. Round took 5 hours 30 minutes to play! Waited on every shot. Group behind us had enough frustration and quit after 15 holes. Golf shop said morning tournament started 1 hr late and since they paid $5,000 it was too bad for the rest of the golfers!!

First time I'd been here since early Spring.

I was pleasantly surprised that the course was in GREAT shape despite the hot, dry year we have had weather-wise.

Pro Shop: Well-stocked, ProV1 Spec... Continue »

First time I'd been here since early Spring.

I was pleasantly surprised that the course was in GREAT shape despite the hot, dry year we have had weather-wise.

Pro Shop: Well-stocked, ProV1 Special for $39 per dozen. Staff was super friendly.

Bar/Restaurant: Nice selection of food, beverages, full bar. Cart girl was working even in 100+ heat. Friendly service.

Golf Course: I was very surprised that the greens were so soft in 100+ heat. I was able to be very aggressive with approach shots, got plenty of backspin. Greens rolled true, fairly fast. Fairways were in good shape, decent roll. Sand traps were decent for the Central Valley.

I'll definitely be back soon!