DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1560 Reviews (1560)
5 Stars
803
4 Stars
473
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
85.5%
Recommend this course
1368 out of 1560 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
32 Reviews (32)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.6
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
2.9
StaffFriendliness
4.1
96.9%
Recommend this course
31 out of 32 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
85 Reviews (85)
5 Stars
36
4 Stars
29
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.7
StaffFriendliness
3.9
88.2%
Recommend this course
75 out of 85 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
1560 Reviews (1560)

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 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
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course with right amount of difficulty.

1. Grass cutters often very inconsiderate when mowing. They will drive up right near you with engine running or continue to mow very close. And they refuse to move out of the way when directly in front of you.

2. Number 11 is a par six for the majority of players. Make the hole more playable by removing the trees at the corner of the first dogleg. That would make it a legitimate par 5.

3. The sand traps are over watered. They bottoms remain hard until noon.

Otherwise I enjoy the course very much.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course…needs food/clubhouse

Had a good time golfing here. Fairways and tee boxes are well taken care of. 3 big problems I have with this course. 1. Greens are totally riddled with divot marks! I’ve never seen so many divots not repaired properly on virtually every green.

2. NO FOOD! Was there on a Sunday and there was ZERO food being offered. A small bag of chips and a pre made subway sandwich in a fridge, doesn’t count as food. We saw the “beer cart” come around ONE time the whole round. Was extremely disappointed with this, to the point that I don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon.

3. No trash cans on the entire course…??? Seems silly to not have a single trash can!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser

The greens are really beat up and the course in general is very soggy.

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

Awesome course!

Very well kept course to play on and definitely the best bang for your buck in the area!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Reno Rob

Great course and pace of play perfect. No pressure. Just a perfect relaxing day. Last time we played, second cut a bit thick (for us non PGA guys), but have golfed here 15x since last year and not finished for the year. Bring friends out next week! Two hour drive totally worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A lot more TLC needed

Course definitely can have great potential but it was really beat up. There was no sand in the carts to fill divits and fairways are very chunked up.

For the cost of this course is charging they could definitely do a lot better in maintaining it compared to other courses in the area

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great layout with elevated tees.

A challenging course with opportunities to score. We played the white tees.

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

Should have been Winter Rules

Played midday first day of August. No rain (typical NorCal summer) YET the course was absolutely soaked!!!! Standing water in the fairways, squishy greens and tee boxes that not only were soaked but a challenge to find a level lie and grass shorter than the second cut of rough!!!!

As you can imagine, the course was lush green but…the volume of water that has been dumped on the course to achieve the aesthetic borders on glutinous given the severe drought conditions in the state as farmers are shut off by government rationing!!! As the afternoon temperatures increased, the evaporation effect raised the humidity levels to that of a summer round in Florida!!!

Best compliment I can provide is the greens rolled true but obviously slow and the practice facility was adequate.

Be prepared with your own snacks/drinks as the “clubhouse” is one guy at a sliding window “snack bar” building that doesn’t even have bottled water for sale!!!

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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