DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1559 Reviews (1559)
5 Stars
802
4 Stars
473
3 Stars
154
2 Stars
64
1 Stars
66
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.7
85.4%
Recommend this course
1367 out of 1559 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
31 Reviews (31)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.6
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
2.9
StaffFriendliness
4.1
96.8%
Recommend this course
30 out of 31 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
84 Reviews (84)
5 Stars
35
4 Stars
29
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
3.9
88.1%
Recommend this course
74 out of 84 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The course layout consistently earns top praise, with scenic views and a challenging design that rewards repeat visits. Fairways and greens hold up well, and the overall value makes it a worthwhile destination for golfers seeking quality at a reasonable price.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7005 yards
Slope 139
Rating 74.7

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, DarkHorse Golf Club tumbles across a magnificent landscape that once served as a cattle ranch. The course incorporates a variety of elevation changes that range from subtle to dramatic. This tough layout is definitely not for the faint of heart. From short par 3s to monstrous par 5s, this course has a little bit of everything. The severely sloped greens demand accuracy and the bunkers were strategically placed to provide a multitude of shot-making opportunities. Tricky doglegs and uphill and downhill lies aren't the only challenges you'll face, there are also several water hazards that come into play throughout and an abundance of trees that make it even more difficult to navigate your ball. DarkHorse G.C. is situated 50 miles east of Sacramento and though it might be a bit of a drive to get there, local golfers consider the round well worth the trip.

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Course Details

Year Built 2002
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Keith Foster (2002)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS Yes
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, MC, AMEX, Discover
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code No Denim, Collared Shirt Required

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in California (2014 #4)
  • Golf Advisor: Golfers' Choice (2014 #32)
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Reviews

4.0
1559 Reviews (1559)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 20
Watching the Game 8
Brunch 6
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 65
Bunkers 62
Undulating Greens 56
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 59
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 55
Locals 37
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 67
In the 'Burbs 16
Convenient to the City 8

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 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Darkhorse Review 6/29

Course is in great shape, just didn’t see any ball washers throughout the course on any of the tees.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very nice layout and challenging

This is a beautiful course set in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The clubhouse consists of the greeter/cashier and very nice restrooms. This course has the nicest practice range setup of the over 24 different public courses I’ve played in California, Oklahoma, and Texas. They have patio covered mats with TopTracer available with their average range ball prices. The course is beautiful and not for the beginning player unless you live close. As a special touch, they provided free bottled water throughout the couse.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 285
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent

This course is amazing and it only gets better the more you play it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Slow - but fun

For a Monday holiday I expected the course was going to play slow, but could have been better had there been a marshal on the course to help encourage slower groups to pick up the pace. 18 holes on 5 hours was a bit much. The course was in fantastic condition and greens rolled true. Definitely will play again!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Lack of Amenities and Course Management Not Worth the Money

The golf course is beautiful but lack of amenities and course management (no marshal, etc.) make it not worth the money/time. My wife and I went out as a 2-some and got through about 5 holes before running into a back up due to a 5-some playing. None of the players appeared to know how to play or etiquette of the game (let faster groups play through within reason). The 5-some created a big back up. There was NO course marshal to be found. I tried calling the club house but no one answered. In fact, the number is an 800 number which means it is managed by a central facility and you can't get in contact with anyone at the course for support. Absolutely ridiculous that one can't get in touch with the club house to resolve issues. There is no course management. They just want your money and then say too bad so sad if there are any issues. Additionally, the "club house" is just a small shack with no services other than to pay for your round and "maybe" buy a can of beer if they can scrape one up. No food, no bar, no anything other than a small shack. Don't recommend this course for the lack of course management alone!

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course Crunchy Staff

Always love playing this course. Their staff though. Way too cool to want to deal with their clients.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 152
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing

brutal

excellent course to test your skills but as my partner kept saying one needs to be a "billy goat". it was definitely a work out climbing those hills just from the cart path to wherever ones ball ended up. loved the course and will definitely play it again in the future. incredible test of ones golf skills

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Slow going

A great course with challenging layout. Slow play, nearly 5 hours for the round. No marshal on the course to encourage slow players to pick up the pace on a holiday weekend. Despite this, was a great experience. Well maintained and very nice greens. Would definitely play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course!

Played this course for the first time and had a great time! It ate too many of my golf balls but that wasn’t the course’s’ fault unfortunately. 🤣The course is beautiful! Bonuses included a shaded driving range, free bottled water throughout the course and ended up with free hot dogs (not sure if that’s ongoing or not). Highly recommend!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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