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
1896 Reviews (1896)
5 Stars
243
4 Stars
676
3 Stars
460
2 Stars
281
1 Stars
236
Conditions
2.6
Value
3.4
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.5
62.8%
Recommend this course
1217 out of 1896 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.1
64 Reviews (64)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
25
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
7
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.5
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.3
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.5
64.1%
Recommend this course
41 out of 64 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
141 Reviews (141)
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
47
3 Stars
40
2 Stars
19
1 Stars
18
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.5
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.4
66.7%
Recommend this course
94 out of 141 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
1896 Reviews (1896)

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 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
2.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/10/2023

Hello, u314162163871. Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review. We see you rated the course 2-stars and are interested in learning what we can do to improve for your next visit.

We take customer feedback very seriously at our course. Please reach out to our team in the golf shop and tell us what's on your mind.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/13/2023

Hi, tnelson8. 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
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

This is a dog park.

Absolutely the worst condition course i have very seen.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Not bad

Definitely not a bad course, pace of play is quite slow, but still had a good time.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
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
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/13/2023

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bunkers need lots of work

The bunkers and traps are terrible. They haven't been maintained. They are hard packed - might just as well be hitting off the cart path.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/13/2023

Hello, icepir82010. 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 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Greens - Fairways OK

The greens were in great shape as well as the tee boxes. The grass was a bit sparse and really short on the majority of the fairways. But the pace of play was excellent and the course layout is beautiful.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Needs a lot of maintenance

Pace of play was glacial. Saw the "ambassador" once the whole time. Fairways are like hitting off concrete. Only bright spot was the drink cart.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
First Time Playing

A day of golf

Haven’t played much in San Diego, but decided to play somewhere not too far from Mira Mesa so location was convenient. Course greens were good, tee boxes grass a bit long and interesting golf layout. Lots of dirt & bare areas on the course. On the weekdays, there doesn’t seem to be any marshals so pace of play was very, very slow so we weren’t able to finish 18 holes before dark even though started at 12:30pm.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 136
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best conditions

We enjoyed the pace and conditions. Most improved!

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

Horrible!!!

Good layout, but horrible conditions, bare dirt everywhere, long grass on tees, greens very sketchy, ranger was worthless at moving people along.

Golf carts are awesome, best part of the experience.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 136
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Challenging course with too much dirt

Well I golfed here once before and had my best round ever. Which is weird because this time the course seemed 5 times more difficult this time around. Its a good layout and a great challenge if you like that. If you come when its busy and you're rushed It might not be as enjoyable. Its a difficult course that can still test a seasoned golfer with multi tiered greens and almost every t shot being over or next to a hazard.

Biggest negative was the mantainance. The fairways were just dirt and muddy in places and many of the bunkers and sand traps were just hard mud or dirt. It was nice to not have to rake in exhange for a regular bunker experience.Ambassador came around regularly to monitor pace of play. saw the cart girl 2 times at least. The elaves were a problem too .I lost 2 very findable balls just because they dont rake the leaves enough and it takes forever to find one whenn you do.

Employees were all great. Cart was provided. good drink selection. i would come back again .just maybe in the spring. when its hopefully greener.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 132
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

carlton oaks

Work on tee boxes, very shabby. Course is improving, still needs lots of work. Snack bar should be open. French fries, ok.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

A great course but needs a little more upkeep

I like playing Carlton Oaks whenever I'm in town although this time the course was a little ragged. The greens were in great shape and for the most part, the ball rolled well. I don't know why but the tee boxes weren't cut so the grass was quite long, not a big deal. The fairways were ok but not in the best shape. The bunkers weren't the best, I was only in 3 - the first was more like dirt and my club bounced, the other 2 were ok but there wasn't a lot of sand...not a lot of raking going on out there. All the staff I interacted with were very pleasant.

Not withstanding the above, I will definitely be back.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Price to Value....4 stars

I'm always conflicted about Carlton.... The price is better than it appears, primarily because of the superior layout....a real test of your skill. Repaired alot of divits on the greens and like your reviewer, bald fairways are a bothersome. I always enjoy this course rough as it is.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
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