DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1572 Reviews (1572)
5 Stars
805
4 Stars
478
3 Stars
155
2 Stars
65
1 Stars
69
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
83.3%
Recommend this course
1375 out of 1572 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
42 Reviews (42)
5 Stars
16
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.1
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
4.0
85.7%
Recommend this course
36 out of 42 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
69 Reviews (69)
5 Stars
29
4 Stars
26
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
4.0
87.0%
Recommend this course
60 out of 69 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
1572 Reviews (1572)

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 Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

New Golf Carts Need fixing!!

The GPS restrictions on the carts are horrible. We would get stopped in the middle of the fairway, no where near “restricted zones”. Mentioned it to the staff and he could have cared less. It took at least 25 extra minutes to play the course because of the stopping and starting of the carts. I would not go back and play the course until this is resolved. Oh, and a trash can or two on the golf course wouldn’t hurt either.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Irrigation a little uneven....some very wet spots, some araes around greens dying....otherwise beatiful!

Great practice facilities, new carts, fabulous hot dogs!!!!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
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 Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Recommend

The course has consistently improved over the last few years. Staff was great.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Won’t be coming back

This course used to be great back in 2004-2008. The owner and GM aren’t friendly at all. Greens are beat up, fairways are wet. Used to enjoy this course but the lack of amenities, unwelcoming staff, and course conditions will keep me from coming back. The Ridge in Auburn is a much nicer course.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Not well informed

Overall average course with great surroundings but could have been better informed on no clubhouse and little drinks and no food until hotdogs stand showed up tee boxes very spongee

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Staff(GM) was rude

The staff at the check in was rude, inconsiderate, and refused to help us. We went to the check in as we were making the turn and looking for something to drink and I walked up and another player in my party was having difficulty with the staff, and I just walked up and I was told by the person that "he's frustrated because we aren't making up our mind". Remember, I just walked up - this was my first impression. I looked at the guy - and said, that was rude as I just walked up. I grabbed my drink and left. Apparently, this went on more with my other party and when we were leaving I said to the GM(apparently this person was the GM???) that he was rude to me and I won't be coming back. I later heard from my party that he told them that it "wasn't his job" - so the GM of the course tells clients that it's not his job to help provide them drinks? Really. Won't be going back which is unfortunate as the course is fun to play.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
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 Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A Mediocre Experience

Having played this course periodically since 2004 it has definitely seen its ups and downs. The layout has always been fantastic but the pace of play is poor with no marshall. Amenities are limited due to the lack of a clubhouse. Another small pet peeve is that they won’t let you take a cart to the parking lot. Therefore if you’ve got some physical limitations (bad knees) it makes schlepping your own clubs a little annoying.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times 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 Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Darkhorse golf course

The owner keeps making the course better and better. The sand traps are superb as are the greens. They recently got new carts and put in a TopTracer range. A clubhouse would be nice but if you are all about the golf, this place is the best!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Over watered the sand traps. Greens are in excellent shape save too many unrepaired ball marks. Front desk staff service is good.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hesitate

The course has a very nice layout and the holes are very entertaining, and very fair. The course needs maintenance and upkeep. The pace of play was very very slow. Four hours and 45 minutes is more than I can take. I quit four holes early.

This could be a great facility with the right management.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Hot weather
Used cart

1st Time Back (since COVID began)

Course interesting as always…was very please to see the minor changes to #11 which now allows a 14-handicap like me have a “regular” chance to par what I thought was a terrible hole.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Could be better

Course was super wet, greens are beat up from ball marks. the employee who checked me in wasn't very friendly. I used to play here a lot back in 2006 and I liked it way more back then. Overall conditions were much better and they had a clubhouse back then.

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