ALERT: (Aeration Alert)
Will be aerating the greens 9/29 & 9/30.
* Please note that although we put a great amount of effort into forecasting course maintenance, we still recommend you contact the golf course to confirm this information.
Practice Facilities
- Driving Range: YES/Grass & Mats
- Sand and Chipping Area: YES
- Putting Green: YES
Dress Code
- Collared Shirt Required
- NO Jeans
- Bermuda Lenght Shorts Only
- Softspikes Only
Rated BEST Value "Worth The Green Fee" in Northern California by Greenskeeper.org Members & Staff:
(2006)
Rated BEST Value "Worth The Green Fee" in the Sacramento Area:(2005)
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Hole 18 [VIEW]
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As you walk up to the first tee, you see the land drop away at your feet and realize that this is going to be a special course. Cut through the towering pines on a piece of land that I’m not sure I would’ve seen “golf course” as the best use, Apple Mountain Golf Resort is the definition of the phrase ‘elevation change’. Opened in 1997, and designed by Algie Pulley and Brad Bell the course doesn’t look long on the card and doesn’t really play long from any tee, but if you can’t hit it straight, and the right distance, and you can’t read these tricky greens, you’re in for a long day.
200 yards off the first tee is about right on the first hole. Then, a recurring theme, you’ll hit your approach over the hazard to the green tucked in the trees. The second is the first of 6 amazing par threes. It’s a shallow green way down the hill. Long is trouble because the green slopes back down to the creek, and short is sandy or in the junk. The fifth is a monster par 5. It’s a double dog-leg, and there really isn’t room to hit driver off the tee, unless you can really hook it around the corner. Your second shot is all about placement, and then your third is uphill, through a little canyon to the long narrow green. Whew. But wait, there’s more. Ok, now take out the stick and rip one on number 6. You need all you can get to set up for a second shot that’s steeply uphill. Par is a great score on this hole. The seventh is another great par 3, perched on the side of the hill. Don’t go left, or you’re headed down the hill. The ninth is another one to let the shaft out on the driver. It’s a reachable par 5 if you get it down the hill far enough. The approach is back up the hill, so factor that in when you pull a club.
Grab an excellent hot dog in the shop and head for number 10. Evidently there was some redesign going on here, as you’ll see the short game practice area, which is obviously a recycled former green. However, it’s a rare thing I find a short game area this good. You can hit 65 yard pitches, various length sand shots and chips from all sorts of uphill, downhill and sidehill lies. The tenth is almost reachable with a big drive, but left is big trouble. Check the pin on number thirteen, and leave your ball under the hole, especially if the hole is cut near the big ridge in the green. Fifteen is a postcard par 3. It’s similar to the seventh, but shorter and tighter. Again, left is trouble. Sixteen is a dog-leg left par 5, and the crazy thing about this hole is that it’s relatively flat. Eighteen will take your breath away, even after 17 beautiful holes before it. The fairway is way down below you off the tee, curves a little to the left and climbs back up the hill to the clubhouse. It’s a reachable par 5 and a great birdie opportunity to finish your round on high note, mountain pun intended.
I had a perfect early fall day to play Apple Mountain. The course was in nice shape. The fairways were really good, the greens were fast and true, and the rough was long enough to make trouble, but not so long you’re looking for your weedwacker. The tees were pretty good, though there are a few that could use some leveling out. The only sand I was in was around the practice green, and it was a little wet and heavy, but consistent. The pace of play was fine on a Tuesday during the day, and the marshal was very nice about keeping things moving, as we were following a couple slow groups, and being pushed by the antsy group behind us.
Overall I highly recommend Apple Mountain. It’s an incredibly beautiful layout for a pretty reasonable price. I got a Tuesday deal on the Apple Mountain website. Hit them straight or pay the price, but even if you’re spraying them around, the beautiful surroundings will more than make up for it.
