Winchester Country Club

About
Winchester Golf Club boasts a championship course that was a collaboration between Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. The foothills of the Sierra Mountains serve as the backdrop to the course, which sits at a convenient elevation of 1,800 feet that puts it right above the fog but below the winter snows. The golf course also enjoys panoramic views of the Sacramento Valley. Massive rock outcroppings border the fairways, calling for some creative shot making. Accuracy is also a necessity with meandering creeks and bunkers coming into play on most holes. The layout is challenging but five sets of tees make the golf course approachable for a variety of skill levels. Winchester G.C. is not only well known throughout northern California, it has also been ranked as one of the 15 best in the state.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gold | 72 | 7144 yards | 75.1 | 139 |
Black | 72 | 6819 yards | 73.7 | 136 |
Tournament | 72 | 6557 yards | 72.4 | 135 |
Blue | 72 | 6363 yards | 71.5 | 134 |
Member | 72 | 6063 yards | 70.1 | 128 |
White | 72 | 5856 yards | 69.2 | 126 |
White (W) | 72 | 5856 yards | 74.6 | 137 |
Green | 72 | 5289 yards | 71.5 | 130 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gold M: 75.1/145 W: 82.0/154 | 428 | 199 | 433 | 564 | 384 | 416 | 172 | 385 | 517 | 3498 | 503 | 227 | 398 | 575 | 412 | 223 | 396 | 401 | 511 | 3646 | 7144 |
Black M: 73.8/142 W: 80.4/151 | 400 | 171 | 414 | 533 | 370 | 406 | 163 | 373 | 511 | 3341 | 481 | 212 | 379 | 566 | 388 | 192 | 387 | 379 | 494 | 3478 | 6819 |
Tournament M: 72.1/141 W: 79.0/148 | 400 | 171 | 378 | 533 | 329 | 379 | 163 | 373 | 488 | 3214 | 481 | 187 | 354 | 536 | 388 | 162 | 359 | 379 | 494 | 3340 | 6554 |
Blue M: 71.3/139 W: 77.9/147 | 375 | 163 | 378 | 509 | 329 | 379 | 145 | 353 | 488 | 3119 | 457 | 187 | 354 | 536 | 362 | 162 | 359 | 354 | 473 | 3244 | 6363 |
Member M: 69.9/135 W: 76.3/143 | 375 | 163 | 356 | 509 | 281 | 344 | 145 | 326 | 437 | 2936 | 457 | 165 | 316 | 502 | 362 | 139 | 359 | 354 | 473 | 3127 | 6063 |
White M: 69.2/131 W: 75.2/141 | 358 | 136 | 356 | 503 | 281 | 344 | 122 | 326 | 437 | 2863 | 432 | 165 | 316 | 502 | 326 | 139 | 331 | 335 | 447 | 2993 | 5856 |
Winchester M: 67.4/123 W: 72.8/133 | 334 | 136 | 356 | 503 | 257 | 344 | 122 | 279 | 394 | 2725 | 401 | 108 | 316 | 502 | 326 | 101 | 304 | 324 | 421 | 2803 | 5528 |
Green M: 66.3/118 W: 71.7/129 | 334 | 118 | 326 | 478 | 257 | 287 | 99 | 279 | 394 | 2572 | 401 | 108 | 305 | 466 | 287 | 101 | 304 | 324 | 421 | 2717 | 5289 |
Handicap | 6 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 7 | |||
Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 4 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 7 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
SnacksAvailable Facilities
ClubhouseAccolades
-
Golf Advisor: Top Courses in California (2018 #16)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
-
Photo submitted by the1Ivan on 05/11/2025
-
Photo submitted by blackmustang003 on 06/01/2024
-
Photo submitted by blackmustang003 on 06/01/2024
-
Photo submitted by u000006172335 on 02/06/2024
-
Photo submitted by kellyfox21 on 06/05/2023
-
Winchester CC, Hole 9, Par 5, 488 yds Photo submitted by DYakimec on 03/17/2020
-
Winchester CC, Hole 3, Par 4, 433 yds Photo submitted by DYakimec on 03/17/2020
-
Winchester CC, Hole 7, Par 3, 163 yds, Photo submitted by DYakimec on 03/17/2020
-
Winchester CC, Hole 10, Par 4, 503 yds Photo submitted by DYakimec on 03/17/2020
-
Winchester CC, Hole 15, Par 3, 162 yds Photo submitted by DYakimec on 03/17/2020
-
Winchester CC, Hole 18, Par 5, 511 yds Photo submitted by DYakimec on 03/17/2020
-
Photo submitted by u000002697163 on 03/10/2018
-
Photo submitted by u000002697163 on 03/10/2018
-
Photo submitted by u000002697163 on 03/10/2018
-
18th Fairway from Clubhouse Patio Photo submitted by Martorano on 03/05/2013
-
Matt Marx 4 Iron Hole 11 Photo submitted by Martorano on 03/05/2013
-
Matt Marx follow thru Photo submitted by Martorano on 03/05/2013
Not sure what Robert Trent Jones was thinking
The course was in bad shape. The starter warned us the Summer had beaten it up badly. Bad conditions are one thing, but the layout and massive over-contouring of the greens were brutal. It could have been so much better as a foothills course. Too many pinch points, over bunkering and wildly sloped greens seemed unnecessary. The par 3's were possibly the highlight, which is sad. You couldn't pay me to play this track again
Rough and muddy but great greens
The course probably could use a shutdown for a couple weeks to do serious maintenance and get grass on the fairways again. Additionally a few of the bunkers were nothing but rocks. It was amazing how pure the greens rolled with 75% of the course didn’t have grass. It only rained 1/2” the morning of and everything was a soupy mess with the dirt turned mud.
Horrible fairway Conditions
For the $150.00 green fees I would have rather played a municipal course twice with a 6 hour round than had to deal with the fairway conditions of this course. Between the lack of grass and the mud from over watering to "recover from the heatwave" per the marshal, the fairways were about 50% bare wet soil. NOT worth the money.
Price point is not right too much for so little
I didn't mind that the greens were aerated even though I wasn't told prior and they only had one nine open but the fact of the fairways were horrible there was no cook staff there so they had no kitchen or no food for anything and it was just a horrible place for a lot of money
Disappointing
We knew from previous reviews, the course was in rough shape and obviously undergoing a period of transition. However, we were surprised at check in when we were told matter-of-factly the back 9 is being aerated and we would have to play the front 9 twice. This was not indicated on the website nor GN. GN did offer us partial credit, but the course has again dropped the ball.
Enjoyable, fairways need serious work
Overall, a wonderful experience and I will be back once the fairways are in better shape; and they have a ways to go. Too many areas where there's little/no grass in large swaths of the fairway. Greens were in good shape, tee boxes were in excellent shape, but the fairways didn't seem like they belonged to the rest of the course. I liked the layout and amenities. Staff was fantastic.
Not worth it
For how much they charge for this course not with it. the course itself was in terrible shape. Soaking wet, every fairway was dead grass. Even the greens looked like a crater field. Second time playing it. Not worth the price of admission in my opinion. Pace of play was brutal. No marshal
Rough Shape
I have played Winchester CC 3 or 4 times prior. I love the layout of this course! Sadly, the fairways, particularly the front nine, were in terrible shape. Muddy, bare, very little grass. We ended up playing lift clean and place just to make things manageable.
Staff explained the fairways had been severely damaged by the heat. They were clearly in the process of a major reseeding project.
The staff is great, the course layout is awesome! The conditions were just really disappointing. I will try it again to see if the conditions improve, but I’d give it a couple months.
What Happened and why did the cost not reflect repairs?
This course used to be so prestigious and perfectly manicured. I even played here just a month ago and now it looks like it has been abandoned.
Fairways: 2/10
diseased grass patches and bare dirt areas covering throughout every hole. They efforts of verticutting were noticed but it is going to be a LONG recovery process
Greens: 8/10
still solid, some thin spots but for the most part, still great and very receptive.
Tee Areas:8/10
Well mowed and kept up - spongey and slightly longer grass than usual but given the heat wave, I don’t mind.
Views: 9/10
Still breathtaking views of both nature and the surrounding regions
Bunkers: 4/10
The borders were patchy and not clean edged like they usually are. Larger rocks (draining rocks at the bottom) have been cultivated up and mixed in with sand It seemed like they were missing several yards of sand in each bunker - fortunately I only had to hit one bunker shot
I understand that it is a private club and I, a non-member have the opportunity to play with the GolfNow access.. but good grief, $150 pp for the conditions yesterday (7/26) was laughable.
Course was burnt out then soaked in water.
Place was in bad shape greens were ok but otherwise terrible. Waiting forever on every hole then some jumped in front of us? Confrontation ensued anyway this place is WAY overpriced never going back.
Disappointed
I was expecting better for the price. Course was in tough shape, lots of burnt out grass areas. They are trying to salvage it with lots of water but then your ball plugs. Maybe better in the spring before it gets too hot.
There are better courses nearby for half the price.
Course review
Very disappointed for the amount paid. I expect pristine conditions, fairways are not good, lot s brown, I expect for the money solid green fairways, white fluffy sand traps. Many courses in the area for half the money and in much better condition. For the price this is a 2 out of 10.
Not worth the money
The course was not in great shape. Fairways were in poor condition with many places without grass. It was over watered and muddy in many places. Tee boxes were great. Greens were fine but lots of damage from ball marks. Slow play for the time of day. Staff was rude and unhelpful as a first time player at the course. Not what I expected for the most expensive course in the Sacramento area. Not sure that would play here again unless the conditions improved a lot.
Marshals don’t enforce pace of play rules
Saturday noon tee time took 6 hours to play so won’t be coming back - marshals were on course and apologetic for slow playing “members” . No enforcement of pace of play which is one of the key responsibilities of a Marshal! Can’t stand 6 hour rounds so telling everyone I know to avoid playing this course- just not worth it
Best course in area
This is the best layer out course in the area. The greens were incredibly fast today! I’ll be coming back soon.
Too expensive for what it is.
Pay half the cost and play Turkey Creek or Dark Horse or The Ridge. They are just a pretty, just as difficult and half the cost.
Pretty Cousers
Overall for the money I will play Turkey Creek or Dark Horse which are just as nice and half the cost.
I probably won't be playing here again. Just to expensive for what it is.