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
1885 Reviews (1885)
5 Stars
243
4 Stars
673
3 Stars
455
2 Stars
280
1 Stars
234
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.4
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.5
62.9%
Recommend this course
1211 out of 1885 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.1
54 Reviews (54)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
20
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
5
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.5
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.5
64.8%
Recommend this course
35 out of 54 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
135 Reviews (135)
5 Stars
18
4 Stars
45
3 Stars
36
2 Stars
19
1 Stars
17
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.5
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.4
66.7%
Recommend this course
90 out of 135 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
1885 Reviews (1885)

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 8
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 95
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course condition

Course needs maintenance from the fairways to the greens

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Decent size for price.

Greens are slow and overly complicated, a lot of dirt areas, undergrown grass

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course is a train wreck

Great staff but the course conditions are poor. Needs a complete overhaul. Felt like we were playing on cement

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great course, but not spectacular

Tee Boxes: Very good condition.

Fairways: Fair to good condition; many areas of bare ground.

Traps/Bunkers: Very firm, with little sand on top.

Greens: Firm.

I love the course layout, but it has been in better condition overall. I would gladly pay more to see improvements in the fairways and bunkers.

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

It’s not what it used to be.

I’ve been playing Carlton Oaks for many years and it’s been getting worse and worse. The course itself is in such a terrible state. Overgrown tee boxes, horrible fairways, and sand traps that destroy your clubs. There are 1/2”-2” rocks in every sand trap and I’ll tell you what you won’t know until you hit one. And I’m not talking OB traps. I’m talking green side traps. Full of rocks. For the price ($80 on weekends) just pay the little extra and play somewhere else. I’m not trying to be a Karen or complain but even with living less than 5 minutes away I won’t be playing here again. For winter golf there’s no reason the grass should be that dead on every part of the course except the tee box.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 131
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Disappointing

No starter for my 10:30 tee time. No course marshaling. Massive wait on every tee box. Broken sprinklers throughout the course with many unforeseen water hazards. 19th hole incredibly slow providing snacks at the turn. Shabby range. Not worth the fees. I’d avoid this track.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 41
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

back in time

just takes you back in time in a very good time...

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
1.0
Previously Played

Horrible shape

The only good is you can get lit. The course is BAD

They need bill Murray becaue the gophers are out of control!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pretty rough

They have let this course go. The fairways are in rough shape. I could have used a 4 wheel drive golf cart. A couple of the greens are in bad shape. The gophers are out of control everywhere. The bunkers are hard pan. The track itself is long and challenging. The young man in the pro shop was very nice. To many other options in the area than to play here. Would I recommend this course to someone else? If they’re going to pay for your green fee then yes go ahead.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 64
1.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/08/2023

Hi, golfbuddy5657. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We see you rated the course 1 star and are interested in learning what we can do to improve for your next visit. We take single-star feedback very seriously at our course. You are welcome to comment further or reach out to our team in the golf shop. We always appreciate the feedback. Thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Wouldn't play here again.

Course in terrible shape. Water pools everywhere, hence ground was churned up by electric carts. Very little evidence of grass, as a consequence, couldn't get any bounce off the turf with any club.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/08/2023

Hi, u314162188897. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We see you rated the course 1 star and are interested in learning what we can do to improve for your next visit. We take single-star feedback very seriously at our course. You are welcome to comment further or reach out to our team in the golf shop. We always appreciate the feedback. Thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 160
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/08/2023

Hi, Pablo7216916. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens are in good shape, fairways aren’t

Greens are legit and in good condition. The tee boxes were mostly in good shape and mostly level. They are a little furry right now, but it’s November and so that’s OK. The issue with this course is the fairways, they Just aren’t in good shape.

Range mats are below average and need replaced. Putting green is legit.

Bc of the fairways and it’s every fairway, the right price is $40 mid week with a cart and weekends $50 a person.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/08/2023

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, u000006553565. 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.

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