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 1
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Course and danger everywhere

it was definitely one of my top courses I've ever played at and very challenging. They had bunkers everywhere and I found them all. I am not a great golfer what was surprised I only lost 4 balls.

I'm not sure I would ever play that course again with the cart on past only rule in effect as walking up and down those Hills wore on my old out of shape body.

All in all we had a great time my son and I. we're ready to return when you can take carts onto the course

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
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 34
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Drying out

After three weeks of rain was amazed at how good the drainage is. cart path only was understandable but it would have been even better for a mountain goat.

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

Good

It was a good course. No clubhouse & the hotdog guy was off so no food.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best around

Dark Horse Golf Course is an outstanding track and has the best greens around. Come play if you like a challenge. One of the top courses in California. Hidden gem

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Well kept course but lacks amenities

The course is in great shape, the pace of place can be a bit slow

Here's my issue. I called ahead of time to see what type of food/beverage service was available since there is no clubhouse. I was told they had a beverage cart going around as well as snack stop at the turn. The Bev cart only came around once on hole 3, the stop at the turn was closed. For a soley golf only experience this place is nice, for a fun outing with some buddies I'd look elsewhere.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very enjoyable round of golf

I went to Darkhorse with my brother who’s visiting from Colorado. We both thought the course was in much better condition than a lot of other courses we played during his visit. There were some soggy spots, but it had just rained quite a bit a day or two before. I’m sure we’ll be back when he visits next time when it’s warmer.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

AWESOME EXPERIENCE

Love the course. Would play there again FREQUENTLY.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser

They could do better

Played as a twosome on a weekday. Round took slightly more than 5 hours. We never saw a marshal. Group in front had open space in front of them..

Course conditions were good, except the traps hadn’t been raked in days. Two workers were out raking traps as we played through (by hand).

I like this course, but I don’t believe they care about the golfer’s enjoyment. No clubhouse, no cart person. It is unfortunate, because it is a well designed course with so much potential.

Conditions Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent course

Amazing fairways and tricky greens. Outstanding views while you play

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

Google Tyler McPhillips..

All you need to know about this courses terrible management will become very apparent..

Too bad a decent course is run by horrible people.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Outstanding

Great Weather awesome staff great course very scenic and fun to play!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Previously Played

google owners son Tyler McPhillips before playing

Dark horse is sub par from where it once was and you better make sure you have your whole day free because you’ll spend a minimum of 5.5 hours out here in a cart. No Marshall, no Starter (no announcing tee times either, complete guessing game out there), they can’t even figure out how to put an igloo cooler full of ice/water on the course. Water sits out in your standard office cooler in direct sunlight all day and during the summer it is borderline undrinkable as it’s almost boiling hot. Been out there several times since new ownership and owners son irunning the “clubhouse” (little shack that was the bathroom before). Probably an experiment to get him some “hard working experience” after his daddy had to shell out almost 2 million dollars for the violent case below !!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
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