DarkHorse GC: Aerial
View of a green from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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3.9
1534 Reviews (1534)
5 Stars
791
4 Stars
461
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
2.7
83.0%
Recommend this course
1343 out of 1534 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.7
StaffFriendliness
4.1
90.9%
Recommend this course
20 out of 22 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
1534 Reviews (1534)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great conditions very slow pace of play

Had a good time, course conditions are the best in the area. The only problem was the incredibly slow pace of play. The twosome in front of us were sharing clubs and spending forever to search for balls. No course marshal to speed them along the entire round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Lacking Amenities and the course was booked to tight. We waited at every hole.

The Golf carts were dated, no wind shield, no ice chest or comfortable seats. No clubhouse. The golf shop staff person was bent out of shape for having to provide a receipt. The Course had far too many ropes and we mise-well have walked the course.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Spectacular Foothills Course

This course is framed beautifully by the foothills and Oaks. There is a great pattern of terrain changes and interspersed creeks to provide shot making challenges and aesthetic balance.

The staff were friendly and courteous.

The pace was slow, even for a weekend, but anyone out there for the first time would be apt to slow down a little just to take it in.

The only other drawback was the conspicuous absence of trash bins at the tee boxes.

Overall the views, condition of the course and the challenge for any skill level were more than enough to rate this course so highly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 30
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Disappointing

Played on Father’s Day, no carts were available at tee off. The pace of play was atrocious, people in front of us were constantly taking way too much time searching for balls. No etiquette, no Marshall. I’ve never played a course that had so many un-repaired ball marks and divots. We had to skip 4 holes otherwise it would have been a 7 hour round. For $50a person I would expect much better. Great layout and a beautiful course but I’d have to reconsider playing here again.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Where was the water???

Played on a very hot day and there was no water on the course. I take that back…there were a few coolers (electric) that had water but they weren’t plugged in (no power to them) so the water was about 90 degrees. Not difficult to have water stations with cold water and cups. Employees at the “pro shop” weren’t very friendly and seemed put out that we were there.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
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 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great Golf Course

The course and practice facility are in tremendous shape. Best in the area. But that’s where the rave reviews end. If you like to have a cold drink on the course, or after your round, go somewhere else. If you want to ride in a nice, up to date cart, go somewhere else. If you’re looking for a reasonably clean restroom on the course, go somewhere else. If you expect to have a course marshal keeping up the pace of play, go somewhere else…

The course itself is fantastic. Most everything else is a disappointment

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The course is one of the best

It is challenging and a great place to test your skills I would recommend the play here to anyone.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 45
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great Track

Played here many times but I would say conditions the best I've seen. Pace of play was excellent. Appreciate the fact that they actually take care of there bunkers that seems to be rare these days . Great mix of holes. Enjoyed

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very disappointed

I never leave reviews. But, this was a really negative experience. There was no organization or order to the whole process. The course was way overbooked. We waited 10 min at every tee with 1-2 groups waiting behind us. We were rushed the entire time. The facilities are lacking and inconvenient.

I really like this course and have played here multiple times. It has been progressively worse each time. We left after 9 holes even though we paid for 18. We will not be back. I know this doesn’t really matter in the big scheme of things, but you have lost me and my family as a customer.

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

Great Layout

The course is in great condition. The driving range is state of the art.

It’s everything else that falls short of what should be a great experience…

We didn’t get our carts until 2 minutes before teed off. The carts were old and in poor condition.

There was a fivesome in front of us, which contributed to our slow, 5.5 hour round. No marshals or refreshment carts on the course and the small, temporary snack bar was closed by the time we made the turn. The restrooms on the course looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in weeks. Trash cans in restrooms and on tee boxes where overflowing.

Bottom line.. Great track, but everything else sucked

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Fun course

Not for beginners. Great shape. Just need some new carts pro shop and a restaurant.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

My favorite golf course!

Darkhorse golf course is a challenging course in immaculate condition. There’s constant maintenance and upkeep which continues to make the course a jewel for the avid golfer. With 5 sets of tees, Darkhorse offers a range of difficulty from beginner to professional.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 19
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 Fair
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