Empire Ranch Golf Club, Folsom, CA

Played this course for the 2nd time last night and was very disappointed in the way we were treated. Paid a twilight rate and teed off at 5:50pm with the hopes of getting in 12-13 holes.

While playing the course (with temp of 102), was displeased with the fact that water was only stocked on one of the front nine holes and there was no drink/snack cart anywhere on the course.

While teeing off on the 9th hole, some moron who worked for Empire Ranch GC drove right across one of my golf partners as he was preparing to tee off. The guy was collecting flags from the front nine.

Right after we made the turn, the same moron drove up to us on the 10th green and said he was closing the course. This was at 8:15 with at least 30 minutes of daylight remaining. They had even shut down the clubhouse so still impossible to buy something to drink. Moron said he couldn't wait until dark to shut down the course. Wasn't the case when I played there a couple of years ago, nor has that been the case on any other course where I have paid a twilight green fee.

Will never go back there after that experience.

If you're struggling with your game, this is a great course to get back on track. It's fairways are large and forgiving. There are not a lot of mature trees and it can get very hot in the summer. The greens can be fast, but most of the Sacramento area courses have fast greens. Of the ClubCorp courses in the Sacramento area, I would rate Empire Ranch the easiest. Don't get me wrong, it's challenging and a enjoyable course. There is a big difference between the white & blue tee's. If you want more of a challenge, play the blue tee's. Enjoy your round.

Empire is a well maintained course with subtle but ever present elevation elements incorporated into the back nine. The fairways are wide within the first 200yds of the tee thus inviting the driver but most errant shots shots are punished by hillside lies or thick weeds. All-in-all a fair risk/reward course that rewards good long-hitters and crushes those that pretend to be.

Empire Ranch in Folsom -- great fairways and rock hard greens

I played Empire Ranch with my son for the first time in howling wind. The layout is not one that I admire -- very typical course built to sell homes. The fairways were immaculate but didn't make up for the rock hard greens. I think this course is about five years or so old and like Teal Bend, is taking it's jolly time in maturing. I wouldn't come back without playing many other new courses that I haven't played first. Other big minus is the driving range, which is a very long "drive" from the clubhouse and lacks any real set structure to help you practice. Used only for pre-round warm -up is O.K. Fron the back tees, several holes seemed more open from the tee but we found ourselves in rough that, in most instances, came easily into play at about 220 yards or so. Long hitters need to be cautious about the driver off the tee on several holes. All in all I give it a 5 or 6. Nothing special and nothing memorable. Sorry.