DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1564 Reviews (1564)
5 Stars
804
4 Stars
474
3 Stars
154
2 Stars
64
1 Stars
68
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.0
Pace
3.8
Amenities
2.6
84.5%
Recommend this course
1370 out of 1564 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.8
StaffFriendliness
4.0
91.4%
Recommend this course
32 out of 35 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
80 Reviews (80)
5 Stars
34
4 Stars
26
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.8
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
3.9
86.2%
Recommend this course
69 out of 80 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
1564 Reviews (1564)

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 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
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
First Time Playing

Wouldn’t want anyone to experience this

Was really excited to play this course. The layout and conditions were great. The cart girl was polite and made an excellent drink. The starter was remedial at best. Pace of play is currently at 3 and a half hours to complete 12 holes. Pro shop doesn’t seem to care. Carts in disrepair as well. Not worth the 100 bucks

Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Scramble

Greens were wet but in good shape fairways were in good shape. Always seem to be short staffed. There is no clubhouse here so don’t think your’re going to eat or drink after your round.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 48
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

Don’t go as a single

If you go as a single and hope that they pair you up with other player, good luck. It would have been nice to play with other golfers but the course management doesn’t seem to care and take no effort to ask if you care to play with other people. Don’t go as a single…

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Used cart

Pace of Play

Pace of play was terrible. After almost 4 hours we had only completed 12 holes and so we quit when we were facing an almost 6 hour round.

Conditions Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

down hill

I haven't played this golf course in years, but loved the challenge and layout of the course. It was sold about 6 years ago with new owners promising upgrades. They have done so with the driving range facilities and better sand traps, but elsewhere have failed to follow through. When purchased the owners talked about a new clubhouse, but now what used to be a pro shop and restaurant is a walkup desk and food is available at a food truck. There is no longer drinking water available on the course so bring something. The ball washers have disappeared which is just lazy and unprofessional, along with nowhere to stow trash you might have out on the course which is gross. I wanted to clean out our cart but couldn't find anywhere to put cups/wrappers on course or even when I returned the cart, so just left it. While there is no drinking water on the course, the fairways are way overwatered. In the middle of August, the fairways "giggled" when walked on in some places, cart marks let huge indentations in others and on more than one occasion the ball buried itself on the drive. As noted by others areas around sand traps are not well maintained. It does look like the new owners are just going through the motions. I would still recommend the course as it is fun and challenging, but someone needs to take better care of this place and invest the money to upgrade the non golf facilities.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Hidden Gem

Great course conditions, carpet Fairways, smooth greens, Great layout. Had a great time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best "value for the money" course we have played this year.

My wife and I play a lot of courses, and we both agree that this was the best "value for the money" course we have played this year. This is a wonderful course that is in great shape, and the price point is very reasonable. Highly recommended.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Fluff the bunkers!

Friendly staff, great layout.

The sand traps have beautiful white sand in them,

but compacted. Bounced my 60 degree wedge like skipping rocks!

Come on guys, fluff yer sand a little!

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

So dissapointing

Started with the starte bumping our tee time up 10 minutes. Told me we had a 12:00 start when in fact it was 12:10 on golf now. So straight to the tee we went. The sand traps were so bad. They have all this great sand in them but the water in them made them ALL hard pan. Not sure why the grounds crew hasn’t done anything to keep the traps in half way decent order…

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