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Bing Maloney Golf Course Sacramento Yardage: 5,912 (Red) to 6,588 (Blue) White Tee Rating/Slope: 70.0/119 Fees: $34.50 Weekdays, $44.50 Weekends (with cart) Driving distance from Vacaville: 35 miles Telephone: (916) 433-2283 On the net: www.capitalcitygolf.com
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By Tim Roe/Sports Editor
Right on the money.
Bing Maloney Golf Course in Sacramento delivers exactly what it promises ... a solid, tree-lined course with the chance to hit your target score.
It also won't hurt your wallet. You can walk this course during the week for $21.50, one of the cheapest fares you'll find for a regulation-length course anywhere.
Actually, the name could be Big Maloney. The white-tee distance is a whopping 6,548 yards, and the reds play an almost unheard of 5,912 yards and a par 73.
Fear not. The white-tee slope is just 119, because the 54-year-old greens are as flat as they are receptive to long irons.
Despite the length, there are just two par-4s more than 400 yards in length. Of course, another three are more than 390 yards, and three more are more than 370.
Throw in three par-5s more than 510 yards, are you've got the idea. Make sure your driver is warmed up.
Again, don't be too scared. The front nine in particular offers generous landing areas, so you can be a little wild. The back side is a little shorter but much tighter, with trees especially left off the tee.
The start is very wide, including a 397-yard (from the white tees) par-4 to open your day. The slight dogleg left has one bunker left of the green, but provides a great chance to start your day on a positive note.
Highlights on the front side include the third hole, a short par-3 over water to a small green with bunkers left and right; and No. 9, the longest hole on the course but a par-5 with one of the widest fairways you'll find anywhere.
The back side begins with arguably Bing Maloney's best hole, a dogleg-left par-4 with a big bunker fronting a wide but shallow green.
Hang on, because No. 10 starts a three-hole stretch that may derail your hopes for a banner day. No. 12 is a killer, a 430-yard, dogleg left par-4 with a huge oak in the middle of the fairway 100 yards off the tee.
Get strokes back at the end, a gentle par-3 at No. 16 followed by the two shortest par-4s.
Plusses at Bing Maloney include a gentle, flat track that is easy to walk, with enough variety to prevent boredom. There isn't a whole lot to make you say "Wow," but style comes with a price.
The (low) price may be the greatest drawing card, although after a half-century the word is out and you may have some waits at tee boxes. Of course, that's another reason to save the money on a cart and walk for $21.50, $31.50 on the weekends ... a deal that may just be too good to pass up.
Directions - Take Interstate 80 east to Sacramento. Take Highway 50 east to I-5 south. Take the Florin Road exit east. turn left on Freeport Road. The course is on the right.