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Rating Index Rating
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3.4
472 Reviews (472)
5 Stars
79
4 Stars
201
3 Stars
110
2 Stars
46
1 Stars
36
Conditions
3.0
Value
4.1
Layout
3.8
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.4
73.7%
Recommend this course
374 out of 472 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
19 Reviews (19)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.1
Value
4.4
Layout
3.9
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.3
78.9%
Recommend this course
15 out of 19 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
39 Reviews (39)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.0
Value
4.1
Layout
3.8
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.2
71.8%
Recommend this course
28 out of 39 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Empire Ranch offers strong value for money, with notably friendly staff making every round feel welcoming. Pace of play consistently impresses, with morning rounds often finishing well under four hours.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6840 yards
Slope 125
Rating 71.4

Empire Ranch Golf Course, situated in the picturesque Carson Valley, features 27 holes of golf that overlook the Carson River. Located just minutes from downtown Carson City, Empire Ranch's three individual nines offer three different 18-hole combinations that have a convenient location but still provide a challenging golf getaway. The Comstock/River layout features lakes and wetlands coming into play throughout. The fairways are also well guarded by strategically placed bunkers. It provides a fair test, but the golf course is forgiving enough for beginning and intermediate players. In addition to the three courses, Empire Ranch also offers extensive practice facilities and a staff of PGA Professionals who can provide golf instruction.

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Empire Ranch Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1997
Golf Season Year round
Architect Cary Bickler

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

3.4
472 Reviews (472)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 13
Brunch 9
Patio Dining 8
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 17
Bunkers 10
Forced Carries 10
This course/club is great for:
Locals 19
Seniors 19
Playing Multiple Courses 14
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 16
Worth the Drive 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bargain in Carson/Washoe Valley Area

Empire was in as good a shape as I've ever seen Tuesday. I think they may have a new guy maintaining it. In fact I think he was on a mower on 17 as we finished and gave my partner a playing tip. LOL Anyhow, the tees were better maintained and marked.
We played the blues for the first time and I got a view of #8 on the Blue Course that I didn't know was there with T on far east side of that T box.
Couple of Tuesdays ago the sprinkers had run too long and there was mud in a lot of places but I hope whoever is maintaining this course now stays. Looks like he is going to start edging the cart paths also.
Ed

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great greens, fairways

Nice course, but slow due to 4some not letting 2some play thru. Otherwise good time.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

the greens were in terrible shape.

It was NOT noted on Golf Now that the greens were scored and sanded. If I had known we would not have booked at this course. I would recommend this course as it was a good value other than the greens.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun if you like to score

Reasonably priced & in decent shape. Had a great time but needed a more challenging course.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best value!

This course is the best value in all of Carson. It is challenging for experienced golfers yet playable for the less experienced. The staff are always friendly and helpful.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good Course for Intermediate Golfers

This course has some obstacles but is good for intermediate golfers without losing many balls. It was an interesting course and enjoyable.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great value, bland course

There are three 9's on this course which is nicely maintained; however, the course is very bland in the looks/asthetics department. There is a lot of environmentally protected areas but these areas do nothing to enhance the looks of the course and they need to be cleared of the garbage that has been thrown in them. The course is very flat and very walkable. On the positive side the course is in good shape and the greens roll pretty true, and is not crowded, my husband and I played in less than 3 hours.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great value...

This course offers playability for every golfer. It commands a golfers attention when strong breezes or winds appear. Greens rolled well and fairways well maintained. Wish there was more variation on course play red-blue, white-red etc.
Overall, great value and amenities.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Friendly staff, scenic course

Enjoyed the course on a very hot day. Cruised the fairly empty layout in 3 1/2 hours with my wife. A little confused at times with directions between the three nines, could use a few more signs to direct to correct holes . Overall a great time and would play here again.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good value for your money

Course was in pretty good shape - easy play for 4 players. Course took a beating during the cold months, but they've brought it back nicely. Food in restaurant was also real good. Would recommend.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fairways are not in very good shape

While the playing cost was very reasonable either because of spring weather or lack of attention resulted in standing water on fairways (could be over watering) and two par 4's with temporary tees up over 100 yards from normal location. There are a lot of great courses are great prices in the Carson Valley and I would give them a chance before returning to Empire.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Empire Ranch is a very nice player friendly yet challenging at times with beatiful majestic views of the sierra's.

I enjoy having the opportunity to refer to Empire as my home course. I'm roughly a six to eight handicapper so I enjoy the challenges Empire offers.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Value

The staff is very friendly. This club has three nine hole courses. The rates are very reasonable.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice track, bad shape.

Course is in terrible shape. Fairways have bare spots, one is even closed (reduced from a par 4 to a 3) due to lack of grass.

People are friendly, pace was good.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun course with options.

27 hole course, usually you can play the third nine for another 5 bucks!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

No better value

Come on, $12.00 with cart? The fact that it is taken care of and fun to play is a total bonus.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Conditions not as good as they used to be.

I have been playing this course once or twice a year for many years. My last visit was disappointing. There were several tees that were closed down and one par 4 was changed to a par 3 and had the fairway and tees closed. The rough was extremely long in some areas which made it hard to find golf balls. Areas that were recently mowed featured clumps of grass clippings everywhere. No grass catcher on the mower? The inexpensive price ($25.00) made it easier to deal with the poor condition but I still think they could do better.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Average course

Average course. They have 3 nine hole courses there and it was very easy to get mixed up to which green you were hitting to or even which tee was yours after you finished the prior hole. One long par four had to play as a par three because they were reseeding the fairway. It was an ok course but I have played better ones in Carson City.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice course and the fee is very reasonable

The only negative feedback for this course is that the grass outside of the fairway area is too thick. It is very difficult to find the ball and I lost so many balls as I don't want to delay the game.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Enjoyed the course

Will play here again. Everything was great while some fairways were under repair.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
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