Carlton Oaks GC
A view of a hole at Carlton Oaks Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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3.2
1919 Reviews (1919)
5 Stars
249
4 Stars
683
3 Stars
465
2 Stars
284
1 Stars
238
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.4
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.5
63.7%
Recommend this course
1234 out of 1919 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
82 Reviews (82)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
29
2 Stars
11
1 Stars
7
Conditions
2.9
Value
3.7
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.4
67.1%
Recommend this course
55 out of 82 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
144 Reviews (144)
5 Stars
18
4 Stars
48
3 Stars
43
2 Stars
17
1 Stars
18
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.6
Layout
4.0
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.4
68.8%
Recommend this course
99 out of 144 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

3.2
1919 Reviews (1919)

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 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

I’ve always loved the layout of Carlton Oaks. Over the years the wild card has always been the course conditions and maintenance quality. This round, my only minor comments are that some of the tee boxes are in need of repair, and the greens were very hard and not as receptive to pitch shots as usual. The latter is just a matter of allowing for lots of rollout. Putts roll well, bunkers are in good shape. I really enjoyed my round and I will be back.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/17/2024

Thank you for your kind words about Carlton Oaks and for pointing out areas for improvement. We're working on the tee boxes and adjusting the greens to ensure an even better experience on your next visit.

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice course and its at the right price

Got an early tee time for myself because the boys could come out to play. I ended up trailing another single, but he asked me to play through as I caught up to him and ended up with a two-some another hole ahead. The fairways were good and the greens were tricky with the morning dew. The par 5s are fun, too.

One issue was we had to tee off from the side of the tee box on one of the later holes because the groundskeeper had the sprinklers on and didn't turn them off as we came up. He just waved at us...other than that, this is a nice course and its at the right price.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/17/2024

Thank you for sharing your experience and highlighting both the positives and the issue with the sprinkler. We apologize for any inconvenience and will address this matter to ensure a better experience next time.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 97
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Nice day out!

Hadn't played this course in awhile, but glad to have come back. Met some great guys to play with as I was a single. Course looked pretty good and the greens were challenging. Great day anyway!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/30/2024

Hello, sd711m. Thank you for visiting us at Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very Very Slow

Seems like they overbook most afternoons. Piled up 3 groups on the same tee box after the first hole. Need better spacing. If you don’t care about waiting then it’s a nice course but very hard to get in a rhythm when it’s almost a 8-10 min wait per stroke.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/17/2024

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, u314161658935. We are going to pass on your feedback to the team. Thanks for visiting Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club, and we hope to see you again in the future.

Played On
Reviews 65
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor

Embarassing

About the only thing good I can say is that the staff is friendly. Otherwise, the course is in terrible shape. It is hard to understand why the owners/management care so little for course maintenance. Save your time and money and play elsewhere. The $80 or so they charge is total ripoff for a course in this horrible condition.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/17/2024

We deeply apologize for the condition of the course during your visit and appreciate your feedback about our staff. We are actively working on improving the course to ensure better experiences in the future.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Worst ever

If you like Gopher holes, Crap grass. Bear spots. And dead grass, this is the place for you.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/17/2024

We are sorry to hear about your experience and are taking steps to improve the course conditions. Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
1.0
Previously Played

Unbelievably BAD

In the 10 years I have been living in this neighborhood, I used to believe in the potential for this course. Its layout should be bringing in groups of golfers, friends and great players alike from far and wide, but instead it has brought out a clientele that has not learned the etiquette of the game, the power drinkers, and where a 5 hour round is the normal (even 5-somes out there!!). There are more gopher holes in this course than imaginable, weeds, standing water and mud lining every hole. I understand that San Diego has to either choose the private route if you are fortunate enough, $250 rounds (just a few left) or $60-$80 courses. This is what San Diego is offering these days. However this course is a disaster. Borderline unplayable. The only grounds keepers seem were working on a patch of rocks between holes picking out random grass blades. Meanwhile no sand in the bunkers (pure rocks), treacherous holes, high weeds and slow furry greens with divots.

The management of this track needs to make a decision: get your act together and work on this course, or get somebody that will. It’s a treasure of east County and you are ruining it. Really. Fix this place. Take care of it, and have some pride in the game we all love and respect. Until this happens I encourage everyone to spend their money at either Singing Hills, Steele Canyon, or even mini golf. This place is gouging the golf enthusiasts for a “less than 1 star” experience.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 63
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Carlton Oaks golf

Greens a bit slow/shaggy. Bunkers so so, but a nice Perry Dye layout and price is right

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/17/2024

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, u000001110178. We are going to pass on your feedback to the team. Thanks for visiting Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club, and we hope to see you again in the future.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
2.0
Previously Played

Neglected/closing down?

Fairways were poor. Greens were good. Anything on the side of the fairways was absolutely neglected and completely bumpy. Clumpy dirt and weedy grass. In general, it seemed like the course was on their way to closing down and selling out. I have played there 15+ times over 10 years and this was the worst I’ve ever seen in this course

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/17/2024

We're truly sorry to hear about your recent experience and the condition of our fairways and surrounds; this is not the standard we aim for. Thank you for your loyalty over the years, and we appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback as we work towards improvements.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Worst course in SD

I’ve been playing golf for 40 years - never been held up on the first tee for a hour with nobody playing because I didn’t pay enough online - course conditions are horrible -

$10 might be worth it

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/17/2024

Hello, ttripp22. Thank you for reviewing the course. We would like to apologize for your recent experience.

We're sorry to hear you were less than satisfied during your round. We pride ourselves on our providing great service and the high-quality standards we maintain.

We would like to make things right. Please reach out to our management team at the pro shop.

We hope to hear from you soon.

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