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
1922 Reviews (1922)
5 Stars
250
4 Stars
684
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
63.3%
Recommend this course
1236 out of 1922 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.3
83 Reviews (83)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
26
3 Stars
28
2 Stars
11
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.0
Value
3.8
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.5
68.7%
Recommend this course
57 out of 83 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
141 Reviews (141)
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
46
3 Stars
43
2 Stars
17
1 Stars
18
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.6
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.4
68.1%
Recommend this course
96 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
1922 Reviews (1922)

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 4
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/15/2022

Hello, 4charliegolf. We appreciate the review. You rated us 2-stars which means there is room to improve on your recent experience at Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club. Let us know, in the comments, how and where you would like to see changes from the course. Thanks for the feedback!

Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/14/2022

Hello, Piercehuang. Thank you for leaving us a review. We are sorry to hear your experience was anything short of 5 stars, but we hope you will give us another try in the future. Thank you for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Was Great

This is a Dye designed course (the son not Pete). They used to hold qualifiers here and the conditions were great. Now, the classic Dye wasteland bunkers are filled with rocks, weeds and dirt. The fairways are patchy clumps of grass and dirt. The layout is great but the course is in need of some serious TLC. The place has been sold and the new owner wants to turn it into a park style course and litter it with condos. This must be the only reason it’s not being taken care of…

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/16/2022

Hello, gougle. Thank you for taking the time to review and leave your feedback on your recent round with us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and we apologize if we missed the mark. Please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop with any additional concerns. Thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good Value

This was obviously a good golf course in the past. It has some really good holes and some tough greens. The staff were all very friendly.

Unfortunately, the fairways were not in great, but the price we paid reflected it and was fair!

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/16/2022

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, Lloydh. 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 3
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course has gone downhill.

The fairways are in horrible shape. There is no difference between fairway and rough.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/08/2022

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, acemada. 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
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/07/2022

Hi, u314162091649. 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 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

OMG

THE COURSE IS LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND I WILL NOT BE GOING BACK. THE FAIRWAYS WERE DIRT AND THE GREENS WERE IN FAIR CONDITION. I HAVE SEEN BETTER COW PASTURES.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/01/2022

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, 2funfred2. 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 4
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2022

Hi, timbiel. 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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/01/2022

Hi u314159980982, thanks for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry your experience didn’t match your expectations. It was an uncommon instance and we’ll do better in the future.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any further comments, concerns, or suggestions you wish to share. We would love to make things right if you give us another chance.

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Goat Ranch (that's an affront to goats, btw)

Pete Dye is rolling over in his grave. At the pro shop, they tell you the grass is dormant. More like the dirt is dormant. The fairways lack much of any kind of grass (mostly dead weeds). I don't think they've watered in months - a drive in the fairway will just keep bouncing. The bunkers are like concrete. If you happen to get in a green-side bunker, just pick you ball up and take a double. Occasionally you find a "Ground Under Repair" sign. Any golf course with any self-respect would rename the entire golf course "Ground Under Repair". The rough and areas between holes is completely unmaintained. They have an epic gopher infestation. It's really a shame. The layout of this course is phenomenal. The management of it is as bad as it could be. I couldn't believe it cost more to play here than it does at Torrey Pines (for a resident). I will not be returning to this course until they do a major overhaul.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/01/2022

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, u000003689345. 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 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Horrible conditions

Conditions were so horrible You couldn’t tell the difference from the doing and fairway. Patches of crab all over the fairway. Bunkers were as hard as packed dirt

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/01/2022

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, rayj619. 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 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout, terrible conditions

Played here multiple times, I love the course layout, lots of potential, but the conditions are the worst that I have ever seen them. Tee boxes and greens fine, but fairways are terrible. I couldn’t tell where the fairways were on some holes. Probably won’t be back for awhile, until it gets maintained, and that’s even if they decide to maintain it.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/01/2022

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, MLazaro858. 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 12
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Dog track! 5 1/2 hours! Snack bar rude and lame

It is a travesty what has happened to once was a great course. PT courses are exceptional and very hard. This thing is a joke. They are only watering the greens and around the green. The rest of it is literally an area you would run your dog out if you didn’t care about your yard. Not to mention it to 5 1/2 hours even after calling the pro shop asking for help to move things along. I have not played in a year and will not be back. Might as well close it and build condos….

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/28/2022

Hello, dwhwylie. Thank you for leaving us a review. We are sorry to hear your experience was anything short of 5 stars, but we hope you will give us another try in the future. Thank you for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Too bad nice layout

This being a Pete Dye layout. Has a lot of potential but lack of grass on the fairways and overall condition is not good.. The greens are the only thing keeping the scores together.

Staff is doing a great job for what they have.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/28/2022

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, FrankWGarcia. 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 24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

No Progress

I haven’t played here in a while, it seems to be worse. The first hole has about 6 different grasses or weeds in the fairway. To many other better courses around to play here for me, I won’t be back.

Conditions Poor
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/28/2022

Hello, u000005867318. 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.

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.

Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Horrible!

What a shame! This course must have been amazing when it opened. But it has been so neglected it is in the worst shape. Avoid this place. Not worth $1/round.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/28/2022

Hello, Chad1056069. Thank you for taking the time to review and leave your feedback on your recent round with us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and we apologize if we missed the mark. Please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop with any additional concerns. Thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/28/2022

Hello, u594641361. Thank you for leaving us a review. We are sorry to hear your experience was anything short of 5 stars, but we hope you will give us another try in the future. Thank you for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/28/2022

Hello, u314162348106. Thank you for taking the time to review and leave your feedback on your recent round with us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and we apologize if we missed the mark. Please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop with any additional concerns. Thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/03/2022

Thank you for reviewing us, Bompton69. We see you rated the course 3-stars and are interested in learning what we can do to improve before your next round. Feel free to comment on this review or reach out to the team in the golf shop. We always appreciate the feedback. Thank you for playing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club, and we hope to see you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Great Round!

I played here on Feb 21, 2022. It was a great round. Despite it being President's Day, we were able to get out 10-15 minutes early and didn't have too many hold ups. Course is in good shape. Bit of advice, play from the tees that correspond you. It is already a hard course. Don't make it any harder on yourself :)

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/23/2022

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

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