Carlton Oaks GC
A view of a hole at Carlton Oaks Golf Club.
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3.1
1875 Reviews (1875)
5 Stars
241
4 Stars
669
3 Stars
452
2 Stars
280
1 Stars
233
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.4
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.5
63.0%
Recommend this course
1202 out of 1875 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.0
49 Reviews (49)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
20
2 Stars
9
1 Stars
5
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.3
Layout
4.0
Pace
3.1
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.3
59.2%
Recommend this course
29 out of 49 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
65.7%
Recommend this course
92 out of 140 reviews
Read Reviews

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
1875 Reviews (1875)

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 89
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Wet

Tight course. As expected with all the rain it was wet

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Value

Stay in the fairway or it can be troublesome. $75 included the cart, easy to get a tee time, conditions are great on the course, if you hit off course at all, you're looking at tough terrain. Great course for a casual round.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice Greens Condition

The greens were in great condition, fairways practically non-existent. Having the good greens made the round worthwhile.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Slow slow slow

After 15 holes we had been on the course for 5 hrs already. We stopped playing and grabbed a beer and wings which was the best part of our day. The Marshall drove by twice but he didn’t even say Hello to us. They really need to speed up terrible golfers. This course is not worth the money.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Course needs work

Once you got to the green, the greens are great, but getting to the green the course is not in good shape.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course Condition

Gopher holes everywhere on the fairways!!!!

Disappointed that the high green fees did not reflect the bad condition of the course.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Golf is Expensive with Carlton Oaks you get what you pay for

I’ve played almost every single course in San Diego Carlton Oaks has a nice layout. But the course is in rough shape. It’s not worth more than $40 to play with a cart. But with that being said, you won’t find a full 18 with a cart for $40. If you are new to golf this is a good bang for your buck.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great course for the cost during the weekdays. Too expensive on weekends for course conditions. Plays pretty long so is a challenge but fun water features and some tight hole designs.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 20
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Wasted talent

Carlton oaks was designed by a Pete Dye family member .

The layout is awesome

HOWEVER it’s zero taken care of

Do not pay more than 40 bux to play here

Do not expect much and you’ll be fine

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played

Gopher Heaven

I keep hoping conditions get better, but they got a bit worse from the last time I played in May 2025. The bunkers have minimal sand, the rough is a mine field due to gophers and the fairways camouflaged with thin grass and many many bare spots. The greens were ok and playable. I wouldn't play there again for a while, probably once I hear from word of mouth that the course has improved. I understand that money is probably tight and I'm sure there are some kind of water restrictions. A superintendents job with a good budget is made a lot easier. I'm sure the super here has his hands tied and is doing the best he can with the budget he was provided.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
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