DarkHorse GC: Aerial
View of a green from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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3.9
1532 Reviews (1532)
5 Stars
790
4 Stars
460
3 Stars
153
2 Stars
63
1 Stars
66
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.8
Amenities
2.6
82.8%
Recommend this course
1341 out of 1532 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
23 Reviews (23)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
2.5
StaffFriendliness
4.1
91.3%
Recommend this course
21 out of 23 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
83 Reviews (83)
5 Stars
35
4 Stars
22
3 Stars
17
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.8
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
3.9
84.3%
Recommend this course
70 out of 83 reviews
Read Reviews

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

3.9
1532 Reviews (1532)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Mr Grinch

Many issues. 1: tried calling 1.5 hrs week before for tee time, no answer. Charged $4+fee to do online. 2. Called twice day before tee time and put on hold twice 5 minutes 3: When I arrived the guy said Hi and I responded saying my tee time, Guy said Hi, I'm ////.

I replied again with my tee time In case he didn't understand. THE DUDE THEN STARTED SCOLDING ME FOR NOT REPLING "hi" BACK! Then wanted to charge me $15 each for playing before noon on their special. That's why I tried calling the week before to find out the details of the coupon. It was waved. I really would have been POed to pay the $15 because they were 20 behind the start time. Putting me at noon anyway. And it was cartpath only with no water on fairway.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 51
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

It was OK

It was cart path only and should have been 90* rule. Too much walking up and down the hills. Don't know why you cant take your cart in the parking lot. Made it a pain to get your clubs.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 38
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great track

Great track not too far from Sacramento not too far from the people that live up in the mountains that can’t golf because of snow to drive down to. The greens were exceptional the course conditions were great. It’s a very challenging course on some holes. You do have some uphill and downhill. Overall it’s a beautiful course

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

11.5.2022

We played as a fivesome and waited on every hole. Our T-Time was 12:40. We had two two-somes in front of us and a foursome in front of them. The course is challenging but not 5 hiurs and 20 minutes tough, even in light intermittent rain.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

I just have to say it…

Already wrote a review, but I have to say it again, the dude and his son who run this place are the absolute worst. Words can’t describe how awful their customer service is. I don’t think I’ve ever had as bad customer service in my life. If you’re going to play golf in the Auburn area go ahead and play Alta Sierra or The Ridge. You will get a great course and experience compared to this place.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

What a joke.

2 of the guys out of my group of 8 couldn’t make it unexpectedly and these clowns who run the golf course charged me for both of the greens that didn’t get filled. Guy working the register was rude and slow. They don’t have a club house or places to hang out so good luck hanging out after your round. It has been multiple times where the people running this place have been obnoxious and rude. Course is decent, but not worth the money for what you get. Won’t be back.

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

Great course

Country club feel with excellent fairways and greens. Best course in Auburn.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout!

Country club feel with excellent fairways and greens. Best course in Auburn!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 34
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 26
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

5+ Hour round

Course is beautiful as always, the grounds crew does a stellar job. Five plus hours for a round tho made it hard to enjoy. 10 minutes at each tee box and each approach and the par 3’s all had a line. Never saw a marshal out there.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great course, but...

Got our cooler searched and beer was a no-no, but they lack a choice of beer at the facility. Why do they do that? Then, the carts are designed to stop when you get close to what they consider a no-cart zone, but these include spots in the rough. Why even have carts if they are so limited? I love this course, not sure I'm returning.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Course

The only thing missing in this golf course would be a nice diner w/bar to have a nice lunch or dinner after a beautiful round of golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Rounding into form

Greens getting close to perfect. You can tell that the staff is working hard to improve conditions. Has a casual atmosphere that may not be for everyone, but I enjoy the country vibe mixed with an exceptional, playable layout with great risk-reward holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Need work

I got there early to hit a few balls off the driving range, but it was down, and I didn’t get an email stating the driving range was down. After waiting 45 minutes and starting to golf the golf carts kept saying we were in off limit areas in the fairways and 5 ft into the rough of various holes. Driving range was down.we finished our round in about 5 hours. The whole day was a mess. I will not be heading back to dark house any time soon.

Thank you!

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

There are several area within 5-60 yards of the greens that need complete re-seeding or sod. At most courses that would be considered “ground under repair”, except no repair has been undertaken.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
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