Carlton Oaks GC
A view of a hole at Carlton Oaks Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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3.1
1882 Reviews (1882)
5 Stars
242
4 Stars
672
3 Stars
454
2 Stars
280
1 Stars
234
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.4
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.5
62.5%
Recommend this course
1208 out of 1882 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.1
53 Reviews (53)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
21
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
5
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.5
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.5
64.2%
Recommend this course
34 out of 53 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
140 Reviews (140)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
48
3 Stars
36
2 Stars
19
1 Stars
18
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.6
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.6
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.4
66.4%
Recommend this course
93 out of 140 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Carlton Oaks features a challenging Pete Dye layout that consistently earns praise for its interesting design and playable greens. Exceptionally friendly staff and affordable pricing make this a rewarding value for San Diego golfers.

About

Holes 18
Type Resort/Public
Par 72
Length 7304 yards
Slope 142
Rating 75.1

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.

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Carlton Oaks Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1958
Golf Season Year round
Architect William W. Mast (1958) Perry Dye (1989)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $15.00 - $25.00
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Lodging

Lodging Available

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards
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Reviews

3.1
1882 Reviews (1882)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 37
Patio Dining 20
Watching the Game 20
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 54
Water Hazards 53
Undulating Greens 41
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 44
Locals 35
Walkers 24
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 38
In the 'Burbs 35
Worth the Drive 26

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Wish they would spend more on the course maintenance

This used to be one of my favorite courses in SD. A Pete Dye masterpiece that has been let go it appears. The fairways were terrible with very little grass and while the greens were a bit fuzzy on the front the back nine greens were fine.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Previously Played

Rough day on the course.. I’m sure the course plays well in the spring but the soil is cooked. Lots and lots of dirt (make sure you hit it straight!) and riding in a golf cart is a very bunpy ride just a heads up. Teed off around 10:45 and didn’t get to hole 14 until 3:30pm. Ended up calling it quits on 14 as we were on pace for a 7-hour round of golf. Course was the most backed up I’ve ever seen. On a positive note huge shoutout to Angeline the cart girl she makes an absolute gem of a transfusion. Will be back for the drinks.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good times

We had an awesome day at the golf course today. Beautiful weather and greens.

Will definitely be back.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Disappointed

Course was in awful shape. Don’t recommend. Def won’t be back

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Needs help

The tee boxes were the only place there was grass. The course is in rough shape. Fairways have little grass and when driving the cart feels like you are driving a 4x4 because it so bumpy

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Terrible fairways

The course is in bad condition. Fairways are a mixture of dirt, sand, mud, many different grasses and weeds. Ground under repair areas haven’t been touched in ages. Looks like most of the course should be ground under repair. Greens were on and tee boxes were ok. The only other course worse I’ve played is Eagle Crest up in Escondido which is under new management now. Maybe this course needs the same

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

This course needs work

Played this course 30 yrs ago when it was a prestine track . It has really degraded as far as general course condition . Fairways and sand traps appear to receive little mntce while the greens are ok . I did notice a lot of dump trucks coming and going so maybe the time has come the owners are putting some money back into the course which really does have a nice layout from original design .

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

This course has a great layout

I like the layout of the course they need sand in the bunkers and grass will grow in the fairways eventually tee boxes and greens are very nice I would definitely come back and play this again very challenging course the 18th hole looks gorgeous

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 33
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Diamond in the rough

I probably couldn't afford to play this course if it was returned to its 60's glory. It's a thinking-player's course. You have to plot your way around. The greens were OK, but a little mushy.

Cart is included and it's a fun layout. Great patio for a post round beer.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course layout with courteous staff but corse conditions not so good. Fairways poorly maintained, greens in fair to good conditions but sand traps appear to be forgotten about and for the most part are more like dirt pits. Hope it improves, used to be beautifully maintained in the past

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Have to shared the ride with the person I who was coughing most of the time, feel very uncomfortable

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best Bang for your Buck!!

A very nice and well maintained course for the green fees especially here in San Diego. Staff is very friendly. from the Pro Shop, Course Marshall, Cart Lady, Restaurant Personnel (when I was looking for the restroom), to the person at cart return whom thanked me for playing Carlton Oaks. I’m sorry I didn’t catch any of your names but thank you for a great experience and fun filled day playing golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging course

You are challenged at every hole. Even the slightest miscue and you will find yourself in trouble. Greens are excellent. Lots of trees and undulations. Restaurant and bar are excellent, great food and amptosphere. Outstanding and friendly service, great place to relax after a round. Highly recommended.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great bones but terrible shape

Currently the course is very dried out and not in the best shape. Greens and fairways are barely okay - but there’s no rough anywhere on the course. Good luck if you miss the fairway. Wish they put the money in the course deserves since it’s a good track.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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