DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1558 Reviews (1558)
5 Stars
802
4 Stars
472
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
85.3%
Recommend this course
1366 out of 1558 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
4.5
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
4.0
84 Reviews (84)
5 Stars
35
4 Stars
28
3 Stars
15
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
1558 Reviews (1558)

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 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best golfing in the Sac Metro area

Hands down the best public course you’ll find in the area. Challenging yet playable in a beautiful foothills location.

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

Beautiful Course

First time playing this course. It was a beautiful morning, crisp chill in the air and plenty of dew on the ground. From the first elevated tee and throughout the course layout each and every tee box had its own unique view of the gorgeous hills in Auburn. Although I usually dislike car path only rules (it always takes up extra time ) the condition of the fairways were incredible especially with all the weather this past winter. Challenging course as there're some wide open fairways but many narrow ones also, that require accuracy hitting your targets. Lots of water, fairway bunkers and being in the middle of the Forrest, Big Trees! Overall a very excellent 18 holes and I will return and they've have a very interesting membership package I'm exploring.

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

Well managed course

The sand in the bunker is PGA tour quality. Amazing

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Green with envy

The greens were rolling smooth and true allowing me to score 3 birdies and 2 pars on the back nine.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

great course

Love playing this course. Always in great shape. It was wet and had some standing water but that is to be expected after all the storms we have had. Did not take away from the great course.... Just made me walk from cart path. Traveled 1.5 hours and it was well worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course, Great Value

We played on a weekday afternoon. It was cart path only but we still managed to get done under 4.5 hours with no one in front or behind us. The course doesn't appear to drain to well so expect soggy conditions after rain. It's a challenging layout, good greens and definitely good value.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

New favorite course

I’ve played many amazing courses, primarily in Arizona, but there was something special about dark horse.first of all the conditions weee remarkably good considering all the rain we’ve had recently. Secondly, the layout of the course was really fun. It offered the right amount of challenge and requires a lot of strategy. And above all else, the views were spectacular. There wasn’t an ugly hole on the entire course. This might just be my new favorite course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

A MUST PLAY!

Incredible course with stunning views. Will definitely play again. Long, immaculate condition and very fun and challenging layout. Stunning! A must play in the area!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 284
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 284
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 284
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Dark Horse

Had a great time playing a round. I would like to see how the fairways, bonkers and greens will look in the summer. Had a good amount of rain/snow this year.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course but dropped the ball the day we were there

Unfortunately our tee time was pushed back almost a full 2 hours past when we were scheduled. they had no carts available for us due to a tournament earlier in the morning that was shotgunned on both sides. We paid full price just over 140 for 2 people . This was pretty disappointing considering the price and the cart issue . The staff was scrambling to fix what was going on and they were nice to us but I feel the cost should have been a fraction of what we paid. I’ll go back in the future I understand mistakes happen but to me the experience wasn’t remotely worth 140$+ for 2 people. If I wanted to tee off at 3pm I would have just paid twilight pricing from the beginning.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 284
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
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