GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.3
734 Reviews (734)
5 Stars
318
4 Stars
318
3 Stars
63
2 Stars
24
1 Stars
11
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.1
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.1
92.1%
Recommend this course
679 out of 734 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
9 Reviews (9)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.0
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
88.9%
Recommend this course
8 out of 9 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
38 Reviews (38)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.1
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.4
92.1%
Recommend this course
35 out of 38 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Links/Parkland
Par 71
Length 6547 yards
Slope 127
Rating 71.5
Book a Tee Time at
Empire Ranch Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at Empire Ranch Golf Club
View more Hot Deals on

Course Details

Year Built 2002
Fairways Rye Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Brad Bell (2002) Kevin Ramsey (2002) David Dale (2002)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No

Available Facilities

Clubhouse
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.3
734 Reviews (734)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 10
Patio Dining 8
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 18
Elevation Changes 13
Water Hazards 11
This course/club is great for:
Locals 19
Seniors 11
Advanced Golfers 10
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 15
In the 'Burbs 15
Worth the Drive 12

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun course, great value.

The greens were very wet despite teeing off after 1 pm. Putts rolled true and tee to green was perfect. Staff was friendly and pace of play good. Traps were difficult as very little sand on top of hard clay.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Less than 3.5 hour round

Really enjoy this golf course. Went as a single and was joined by another twosome and we played in less than three and a half hours. Greens were quicker than I thought they would be which was nice. Very smooth rolling greens. Hot days but there is lots of water on the course and the cart girl was by us four times which was also nice. Would definitely recommend to anyone.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The greens need work

The last aeration on this golf course didn't take very well. The course layout itself was fine, but I've played all over the state, and I don't think I've ever seen greens this excessively large. Not really conducive to fast play if you got a 75 foot putt on three of the first four holes. I stood in the middle of one Fairway less than 120 yards from the green, and I was positive someone had left the flagstick out of the hole. I played with a man who is a member there who advised me to keep driving the car to the right after driving it for almost 30 yards I could see the pin in the back left of what I couldn't believe was still the green!!I Kind of silly

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun course.

Other than the greens which were recently aerated (which golf now let me know before booking) this course was in good shape. The course isnt too challenging but offers some holes that will test your ability. If the greens were in better shape this cours would get a 4-5 star rating from me.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Winter golf in August?

Normally Empire is one of the better courses to play in Sacramento. However 8/19 my foursome was shocked at the terrible conditions of the course. This summer in Sacramento has been hot and dry. Every hole on the course that day was drenched from over watering (0700 tee time) many of the greens and bunkers had pools of water. The shabby conditions of the course were bad but even more dismaying was NOBODY on the staff (not the starter, not the clubhouse attendant, not a greenskeeper) provided a word of warning. We were not informed that all of the greens had recently been punched and sanded.
When Empire is in its normal form the overall experience is generally 4-star, however based on my most recent experience I will not be returning for a long while, there are plenty of other golfing options.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course, poor course management policy.

I've played this course before, and it's and adequate challenge. At ten bucks as a hot deal on golfnow, it is, in fact, a hot deal. However, while darkness now falls at approximately 8:30, sprinklers were soaking both the course and the players by 8 and when we turned to the back 9, flag sticks had already been removed. I understand periodic watering on hot summer days, but full-blown course watering well before darkness is simply a poor maintenance practice and a disservice to golfers. Ardent golfers will play until they can't see the ball. Courses that shew them from the course before the day is over do a disservice to the game and to their clientele.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun in the Hills

So, $25 to play a well maintained and interesting course...can't beat that. The Clubhouse guys didn't think we'd finish after teeing off at 4:20, but we finished in complete sunshine. The last time I played here, about a two years ago, I was just beginning to play golf, and I had a real long day. The hills and doglegs destroyed me I guess. This time I found it much easier with a lot of "extra fairways" in the back, but I was able to enjoy the hills and elevated tee boxes. Nice course just outside of Sacramento and near Redhawk casino. I didn't get on the green on the signature 18th, but there's always next time.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Fun Course

This is a very nice course and the 18th hole is a nice drop over the water.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

In great condition!

This course is in great condition right now. Fairways are rolling great and greens are a little fast but rolling pretty true.

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

One f the fetures i like mt was the rolling greens nd in placement. This made it very challenging to read the greens.

I love a course that features PGA style challenges. This course was in great condition and well maintained.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Lots of fun

Great course with a wide open fairway. I was not able to see the greens on a few holes but that only added to the challenge. Very nicely taken care of with clear markings regarding length of hole, number of hole and cleanliness of hole. We had a great time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course, very nice staff, good food

Empire Ranch is a great place to play!! Other than the occasional slow play, everything is A OKAY!! One small issue for me would be to offer up a couple cold sandwiches on the mobile food/drink cart.

Staff and course conditions are EXCELLENT!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

pristine fairways and greens

Had a great time even if the group in front of us took too long per tee. Such amazing views. Excellent waling course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful Course, Great Layout

The course is very well maintained, pace of play for a Sunday afternoon was good, friendly and informed staff, an overall excellent value and golfing experience!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

nice track

several tee box options, nice layout, green speed good.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Good course but pace slow play not addressed

An above average course but no attention to slow play. Tee times just packed on top of one another. It's just too busy. Food is OK and the staff is friendly enough.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

My favorite public course in Sacramento County

The pace of play was fine until we got to the 10th. At the 18th, there were about two groups waiting when we got there. The course was in great shape as usual.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Very busy golf course

Nice golf course.
Well Maintained.
Driving Range needs to purchases club stands.
The food is overpriced.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Featured
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course is in great shape!

Empire Ranch is clearly working to improve the golfing experience at their course. The practice tee area has been completely redone - new distance markers, new hitting mats which are very nice. The cart paths have all been repaved. Course keeps getting better and better.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course has a nice layout but 5+ hour round is too long

The overall course was in good condition (fairways and around the green has too tight of lies for the average golfer), but the pace of play was way too slow. Took us over 5 hours to play and there was not a Marshall on the course. They should remove the starter and use him as a Marshall to speed up play.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Nearby Courses
El Dorado Hills, California
Private
4.5
2
Granite Bay, California
Private
4.8
5
Cameron Park, California
Private
1.0
1
Loomis, California
Public
4.8888888889
4
Fair Oaks, California
Private
0.0
0
Roseville, California
Private
5.0
3
Roseville, California
Public/Municipal
3.8667886293
719
Sacramento, California
Public
4.0909090909
11
Rocklin, California
Semi-Private
4.4492600423
1230
Carmichael, California
Public/Municipal
4.2832867784
545
Mather, California
Public
3.7708807592
791
Placerville, California
Private
3.0
3
Golf Packages

The Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
MONTEREY, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Poppy Hills Golf Course, Bayonet Course, Black Horse Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

The Inn At Spanish Bay Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Inn at Spanish Bay and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

La Quinta Resort & Club Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
LA QUINTA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at La Quinta Resort & Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of PGA WEST - Nicklaus Tournament Course, PGA WEST - Pete Dye Mountain Course, PGA WEST - Greg Norman Course, PGA WEST - Pete Dye Dunes Course, and PGA WEST - The Pete Dye Stadium Course.

The Casa Palmero – Pebble Beach Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

The Lodge At Pebble Beach Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account