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
1920 Reviews (1920)
5 Stars
249
4 Stars
683
3 Stars
465
2 Stars
284
1 Stars
239
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.4
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.5
63.5%
Recommend this course
1234 out of 1920 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
83 Reviews (83)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
29
2 Stars
11
1 Stars
8
Conditions
2.9
Value
3.7
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.4
66.3%
Recommend this course
55 out of 83 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
140 Reviews (140)
5 Stars
16
4 Stars
45
3 Stars
43
2 Stars
17
1 Stars
19
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.5
Layout
4.0
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.4
67.1%
Recommend this course
94 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
1920 Reviews (1920)

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 137
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
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good deal for the price

Had an enjoyable experience on the course. Yes, the tee boxes need trimming and some areas on the fairways are questionable but I enjoyed the greens nd the diversity of the holes. I will come back again

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great quiet place

The course is decades old but still unknown throughout San Diego. I enjoy not playing with hundreds of people at a time

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Carlos Tea

I didn’t like this course . It was dirt everywhere. Not a good layout

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Maybe, Years Ago!

It's very possible this course was very nice many years ago! The best part of the course are the greens; they are very good. The worst part of the course is the tee box (very long grass) and the fairways (very little grass with many, many no grass areas. The greens are very nice and it appears all of the effort in maintaining this course go into this area. The course is not worth your money.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 140
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

The cart girl at the course did a great job and whoever is her boss should give her a raise.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

A Challenging Value

There was not a starter at the first tee, so the threesome I was supposed to be ended up as a single all day. I enjoyed that, but it made every shot a wait for the twosome ahead to clear the landing area. The fairways were decent but spotty at times. the greens were wet from being watered, and that slowed the putts. The greens looked fast, but putted slow on this particular day.It was very breezy at 1:00 when I started, but the wind died down at the turn. The course was playable in both conditions. I enjoyed the layout, but the course is definitely rough around the edges. Fortunately, there is enough shaded trees in the teeing areas to make the wait easier to take, The differing tee boxes made the course very approachable and I had no difficulty finding the tees I preferred. It's a good test of golf, and the value is certainly there if you decide not to be too picky. Would I play here again? Sure, but not tomorrow. I need a rest from the 127 slope. ;)

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Walked

Good Value

Great staff. Had a great time. This is a value course with a great history.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/21/2022

Hello, u314159783734. 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
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Fun, challenging layout; inconsistent course conditions

Carlton Oaks is a big course with a deceptively challenging layout from the tips, though there are plenty of tee boxes for an enjoyable round for all skill levels. Pace of play is good during the week with only the occasional weekend slowdown, and it is enjoyably walkable for its 7,304 yards.

Tee boxes are occasionally overgrown, fairways can be patchy, and greens can be slow with less break than you might expect. Despite these course conditions that fluctuate from fair to mediocre, the beautiful 18-hole layout will have you coming back for more.

There is a large practice putting green, an irons-only driving range, and a small short-game practice area with dramatic slopes that force you to practice a variety of difficult shots.

The pro shop staff and cart attendants are always friendly, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.

Decent food at the grill, highly recommend the black & bleu burger.

Overall recommended, though I wish the grounds were kept in better shape. If you need pristine conditions, stay away. If you can look past the imperfection, I guarantee you'll love the course.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
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
Perfect weather
Used cart

HK's review

The course was in decent shape, the greens rolled nicely. It can be tricky for high handicapers.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 33
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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