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Golf Geek
Carmichael
2009-03-05
$16 (cart not included), played on Wednesday, March 2009 at noon
Ancil Hoffman is a fantastic, old-style track. The course was designed by William F. Bell, who also designed North Ridge Country Club in Fair Oaks (about 7 miles from Ancil). It is a wonderful walk, with the next tee quite close to all but one of its 18 greens.
Ancil is narrow and tough, with big trees, as others have noted. Its greens are slow and, unless recently mowed (as in, the morning of the day on which you are playing) bumpy and unpredictable, due to lots of poa, but you can make some putts at Ancil if you are on, because there is not much break. Ancil drains very well, so it is a great course during the rainy season.
If you tee off before 9:00 a.m. on the weekends, the pace of play is fine. If you start later than that on Saturday or Sunday, the course can resemble Bataan. It is hit and miss after 1:00 p.m. on a weekday. On weekday mornings, in many cases, you can zip around in under four hours, even if you walk, if you are lucky (call ahead to find out about high school matches, tournaments or other events).
The scenery is beautiful, with few homes in sight, and none near any of the actual fairways. Ancil is like a comfortable old shoe, but do not let its lack of pretension (t-shirts and jeans are fine and you will see lots of pickups in the parking lot) make you think it is easy. It will eat you up, and being long off the tee will do nothing for you if you are not straight. If you are a beginner, someone looking to play your "annual round," or if you want to take your young children out for their first golf experience, do NOT go to Ancil. It is way too difficult. To have fun at Ancil, you had better be focused and prepared. If not (or if you care not about score), drink heavily.
Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
$16 (cart not included), played on Wednesday, March 2009 at noon
Ancil Hoffman is a fantastic, old-style track. The course was designed by William F. Bell, who also designed North Ridge Country Club in Fair Oaks (about 7 miles from Ancil). It is a wonderful walk, with the next tee quite close to all but one of its 18 greens.
Ancil is narrow and tough, with big trees, as others have noted. Its greens are slow and, unless recently mowed (as in, the morning of the day on which you are playing) bumpy and unpredictable, due to lots of poa, but you can make some putts at Ancil if you are on, because there is not much break. Ancil drains very well, so it is a great course during the rainy season.
If you tee off before 9:00 a.m. on the weekends, the pace of play is fine. If you start later than that on Saturday or Sunday, the course can resemble Bataan. It is hit and miss after 1:00 p.m. on a weekday. On weekday mornings, in many cases, you can zip around in under four hours, even if you walk, if you are lucky (call ahead to find out about high school matches, tournaments or other events).
The scenery is beautiful, with few homes in sight, and none near any of the actual fairways. Ancil is like a comfortable old shoe, but do not let its lack of pretension (t-shirts and jeans are fine and you will see lots of pickups in the parking lot) make you think it is easy. It will eat you up, and being long off the tee will do nothing for you if you are not straight. If you are a beginner, someone looking to play your "annual round," or if you want to take your young children out for their first golf experience, do NOT go to Ancil. It is way too difficult. To have fun at Ancil, you had better be focused and prepared. If not (or if you care not about score), drink heavily.