“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots, but you have to play the ball where it lies.”
– Bobby Jones
If you’re an avid golfer, then it’s more a way of life than just a sport of weekend hobby – much to the chagrin of your spouse, family, and boss! It’s also true that some of the best golfing and golf courses in the world are located in California, and our Sacramento capital region is no exception. With beautiful natural surroundings that encompass rivers, lakes, woodlands, and rolling hills and weather suitable for year-round golfing, Sacramento is a perfect spot to tee off for amateurs, enthusiast, and aspiring professionals alike.
In fact, there are at least 44 golf courses within only a 45-minute drive of the heart of Sactown!
Today, I’m going to bring you a quick profile of golf in the Sacramento region, including a very special opportunity for those who have always dreamt about living right near a golf course!
First, here are five of the highest-rated golf courses in Sacramento:
Timber Creek Golf Course
7050 Del Webb Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747
Winner of the Sacramento A-List best golf course for 2018, Timber Creek boasts perfect fairway and green conditions. With ponds, waterfalls, and shaded groves, it’s also one of the best-maintained courses you’ll find anywhere – the inspiration of course designers Billy Casper and Greg Nash. It’s also fairly challenging, but a hard day on the links will be well worth it when you hit the 19th hole – their Timbers at the Lodge bar and restaurant.
Granite Bay Golf Club
9600 Golf Club Drive, Granite Bay, CA 95746
It doesn’t get much better than a stunningly beautiful course in the foothills of the Sierras, close to the western shore of Folsom Lake with granite formations and plenty of mature oak trees on the horizon. Golfers are never disappointed spending the day at the Granite Bay Golf Club, as aside from its 18-hole course, they feature three renowned restaurants and plenty of activities and amenities for events and meetings.
Haggin Oaks
3645 Fulton Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821
Haggin Oaks actually is home to two separate championship courses, Arcade Creek and Alister Mackenzie. It was here that all-time great Ben Hogan won his first pro event way back in 1938, taking home a $35 prize at the Sacramento Open. Today, courses cater to beginners all the way up to aspiring pro golfers, and there is plenty of opportunity to work on your game at Haggin Oaks with their notable driving range with 100 hitting stations and top-flight pro shop.
Teal Bend Golf Club
7200 Garden Hwy, Sacramento, CA 95837
Designed by course architect Brad Bell and opened in 1997, Teal Bend sits right along the Sacramento River, with 250 acres of natural wetlands paralleling its well-groomed fairways. Teal Bend is also known for its fast greens, and the par-5, 512-yard hole number 17 will test even the most seasoned golfers!
Ancil Hoffman
6700 Tarshes Dr, Carmichael, CA 95608
Nestled in between the American River Parkway, Ancil Hoffman Park, and Effie Yeaw Nature Center, this signature William F. Bell course (he also designed Torrey Pines in San Diego as well as 200 other courses) first opened in 1965 and has been entertaining Sacramento golfers ever since. They have a five-tee placement system that makes the course playable for any skill level or age, and their pro shop is known as one of the best in NorCal!
Fun Sacramento golf fact:
Who is the best golfer ever to come out of Sacramento?
That’s an easy one, as Sacramentan Al Geiberger won 21 PGA and Champions tours during his storied career, including a PGA major in 1966, two second-place finished at the U.S. Open, and was the first ever player to break 60 on the PGA tour!
Other notable golf courses in the Sacramento region:
Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course
One of the newest – and most technical- golf courses in Sacramento has become increasingly popular.
Turkey Creek Golf Course
This Lincoln, CA course offers a unique experience, as golfers navigate between granite rock quarries, some of which are now lakes.
Sierra View Golf Course
Designed by architect Jack Fleming in 1953, Sierra View is a par-72 golf mecca!
William Land Park Golf Course
One of the oldest courses in the region, as the 160 acres upon which the modern course is built was donated by iconic Sacramentan Willian Land.
Bradshaw Ranch
One of the nicest public courses you’ll find, Bradshaw Ranch is the perfect place for beginners to tee off or those who want to get a quick 9 in after work.
Our special favorite golf course:
Morgan Creek Golf Course
8791 Morgan Creek Ln, Roseville, CA 95747
One of the most beloved courses among local Sacramento area golfers is the Morgan Creek Golf Course, located in Roseville. This top-rated eighteen-hole course was designed in the classic architectural style of Kyle Philipps, with professional-grade conditions integrating seamlessly into the natural landscape. However, this course will always prove challenging and test the limits of your technique, but equally rewarding, as no two rounds at Morgan Creek are ever the same.
Morgan Creek’s picturesque grounds are also the home to professional tournaments, amateur events, holiday gatherings, and plenty of weddings. Their golf pros and staff and restaurant are world-class, but Morgan Creek is still an excellent place for the family to unwind (and tee off!), with plenty of camps and summer leagues for the kids.
For those who only want to drive (their golf cart) a long chip shot to the Morgan Hills clubhouse, the Sun Valley Oaks offers high-quality homes in a private residential community.
Have you ever thought about living on or near a golf course?
Is it your dream to not only drive out to the links and play 18 once or twice a week, but to walk out of your front door and be so close to a golf course that you might hear “Fore!” while mowing your lawn?
The greater Sacramento area is home to several communities built just for golfers, such as the luxurious villas within Serrano Country Club, homes along the fairway at the Lincoln Hills Golf Course, and, one of my favorites, the Morgan Creek golf community in Roseville.
Take a look at this home for sale within Sun Valley Oaks near the Morgan Creek Golf Club – with a 0.5-acre lot and backyard big enough for you to set up your own practice area! It’s priced surprisingly affordable and mere steps to Morgan Creek, so you can tee off at any time!
You can take a virtual tour of this listing (and think about if you want a huge pool or a putting green in the backyard) here.
Or email me with any questions or to set up a private tour of the home at Courtney@CourtneyWay.com
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