Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club
About
Carlton Oaks Country Club is the only public Dye Design golf course in San Diego. The course is covered with hundreds of mature trees interspersed with sparkling blue lakes and meandering creeks. The layout offers a diverse mix of holes that all possess a unique character. They all offer different challenges in the form of either water hazards of strategically placed sand traps along the fairways. Tricky pot bunkers and interesting elevation changes were also incorporated into the design as well as Dye's signature railroad ties. There are five very different sets of tees that offer a challenging round from the back tees but also enough playability to appeal to a range of skill levels. In addition to the enjoyable layout, Carlton Oaks is one San Diego's most centrally located courses, sitting just minutes from downtown and many of the city's major attractions.
Course Details
Rentals & Services
Practice & Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Lodging
Available Facilities
Available Activities
Golfer Photos
-
Photo submitted by jlbsam on 08/12/2026
-
Photo submitted by jlbsam on 08/12/2026
-
Photo submitted by farfromarz on 10/04/2024
-
Photo submitted by farfromarz on 10/04/2024
-
Photo submitted by u000005356432 on 09/25/2024
-
Danny Boy shot 42 on the back Photo submitted by phurst3611 on 07/24/2023
-
Photo submitted by mxxmares on 07/16/2023
-
Photo submitted by mxxmares on 07/16/2023
-
Photo submitted by AlexMathews on 03/06/2023
-
Photo submitted by HKgolfgoon on 10/18/2022
-
Photo submitted by HKgolfgoon on 10/18/2022
-
Photo submitted by u314161476313 on 09/06/2022
-
Challenging hole with nice view Photo submitted by u314162273561 on 06/05/2022
-
Photo submitted by erpgolfer on 03/27/2022
-
Photo submitted by erpgolfer on 03/27/2022
-
Brown Fairway. I think this is the 9th fairway but it is typical of all fairways. Photo submitted by sherpaboy on 02/12/2022
-
Sandless bunker showing maintenance neglect. This is on the 9th hole drive landing area. Photo submitted by sherpaboy on 02/12/2022
-
From the 9th fairway looking at the 2nd green. Photo submitted by sherpaboy on 02/12/2022
-
The 5th tee box and fairway Photo submitted by sherpaboy on 02/12/2022
-
Between the 4th and 5th holes. The fourth green complex. Photo submitted by sherpaboy on 02/12/2022
-
From the 10th tee box Photo submitted by sherpaboy on 02/12/2022
-
Photo submitted by Andre1879710 on 12/01/2021
-
Photo submitted by lleegill on 09/16/2018
-
Hole 18 Photo submitted by u000003557755 on 06/05/2017
-
Patio and Putting Green Photo submitted by u000003557755 on 06/05/2017
-
#5 green much improved! Photo submitted by thevaporz on 06/16/2015
-
#10 off the tee looking over to #18 approach over water Photo submitted by thevaporz on 06/16/2015
-
#15 546 yds par 5 Photo submitted by thevaporz on 06/16/2015
-
Photo submitted by thevaporz on 06/16/2015
-
Photo submitted by thevaporz on 06/16/2015
-
Photo submitted by Ryan9699255 on 08/12/2013
-
Nice fairways...and beautiful scenery! Photo submitted by taz104 on 07/15/2013
-
Photo submitted by GreenandGold12 on 06/28/2013
Golfer Reviews
It's a Decent Price Because the Course Itself is in Terrible Shape
I've played this course almost a dozen times. The staff is awesome and the cart service is always excellent.
The pace of play the last couple times was almost six hours but this time around was 4 1/2- not bad for a challenging track.
The driving range could definitely use some work but is adequate.
The 3-star rating falls solely on the course's condition. Aside from a number of the back tee boxes being completely overgrown and unplayable (which is not reflective in their scorecards or on the GHIN), the fairways and their surrounding areas don't appear to have been maintained in a very long time. The bunkers are never consistent and the greens always seem to have several types of grass: making for inconsistent rolls and speeds for the green. There were also multiple times where my drive found the absolute middle of the fairway, but was somehow on top of weeds or other material that has no place to be in a fairway.
The club has been declaring a renovation is coming for some time now but it could possibly only be lip service. It's a shame they don't take better care of it because it is one of the best layouts in California- especially the back nine!
We all hope to see a better kept course in the near future and take on the looks of even a fraction of how nice the course used to be, but it leaves people like myself skeptical at best at this point.
Great layout
This course is a championship layout but it has not been kept up. The good part is that efforts are being made to improve conditions. I felt it was worth playing despite the somewhat rough conditions.
lousy conditions.
Carlton Oaks used to be a great course, but not any more. the greens are infested with clover, the fairways are rough with big patches of bare dirt, the tee boxs are not too good either. if you happen to get off the fairway, the "rough" is like driving on the moon. also, the bunkers are unplayable. The city of SD ownes the course, but hasn't maintained it and however has the contract to run has not spent any money. Turn it into "affordable housing"
Unsatisfactory
I never leave bad reviews but this course is run down. There are many areas where there is no grass on the fairway. The greens are ok. Play somewhere else, there is a glitch, I can’t click on the stars. The staff is awesome, the pace of play is average.
Super Friendly Staff
Super awesome staff! Kind of a dog track. No offense, but terrible conditions. I live in Colorado and we’re in a bad drought, but all of our courses are in way better shape. Again, super awesome staff, but not sure I’d play here again.
Use to be..
such a well conditioned, challenging layout, now it is just challenging. Fairways and greens are spotty with one green scorched.
THE COURSE NEEDS ATTENTION !
I PLAY HERE 3 OR 4 TIMES A MONTH ! CONDITION WISE THIS IS THE WORST IVE SEEN IN A LONG LONG TIME ! I, WITH THE CURRENT CONDITION THAT THE COURSE IS IN WOULD NOT RECOMMEND PLAYING !
Terrible conditions better courses for cheaper or same price
Not a single good lie on the course no matter where you hit it, greens are fine if you can find your ball in the fairway to hit it there. So many white spots balls get lost in the fairway and you play off of dirt or sand most of the time. Very disappointing.
Bad condition and slow pace
8am Sunday tee time, round took OVER 5 hours due to overbooking. Many dirt fairways. Greens were nice. At $85, it should either be faster or nicer. Won’t be going back for a while; maybe the reno will fix it.
Prequalifier course
There is no excuse for needing a kidney belt anywhere you drive on that course.