DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1561 Reviews (1561)
5 Stars
804
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
85.6%
Recommend this course
1369 out of 1561 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
33 Reviews (33)
5 Stars
16
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
3.0
StaffFriendliness
4.1
97.0%
Recommend this course
32 out of 33 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
86 Reviews (86)
5 Stars
37
4 Stars
29
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.7
StaffFriendliness
4.0
88.4%
Recommend this course
76 out of 86 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
1561 Reviews (1561)

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
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fantastic course. One of my favorites. Bit of a long drive so I don't play here often enough.

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

Good course, but could be great

This course is definitely above the average courses in a 50 mile area. The sad part is, it’s not playing up to its potential as a great course. It has absolutely no amenities (clubhouse, restaurant, bar, etc), but that’s ok it’s just about the golf right? We had to wait on almost every hole at a 7am tee time for a husband and wife ahead of us. They have great layouts and possibly enough sand in the bunkers, but none were raked at all after being drenched by sprinklers the night before making them almost unplayable. Probably 50% of the flags were loose or at an angle to where they would stop a ball from going in. Maintenance aerating greens as we were playing with no heads up at booking or by starter prior to round. New housing construction that will make a naturally beautiful course turn into a suburban course. What a gem with potential decreasing its value for making the trek to play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Ron

Course superintendent,Ryan has done unbelievable job keeping course in the best shape ever. Through the heat of the summer months the course is in great shape. PGA Pro Jason Harrington is the most professional anchor for the check in procedures when you arrive M thru F. He also is an excellent teaching Pro. The owner has put all his time and $$$ into making this one of the best golf courses in Northern California!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good course to play

It was a fun course to play. Some pretty challenging holes but not alot of hazards

Bunkers were in very good condition. Cart girls about every 4 holes. Good food on the turn as well. I definitely enjoyed the golf but the pace of play was bad. They need a Marshall to keep pace of play for sure. It’s quite a drive from bay area but worth playing at least once.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Fantastic course. Definitely forces you to think about each shot. I’d recommend a course guide/book. Range was great, price was great, and course was overall in great shape. Tee boxes were a bit ragged in places but it worked out.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 35
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Dark Horse

Overall the course is in excellent condition. Greens excellent, very puttable. Hole #11 is just a beast, bogey here feels like a birdie. Course very playable from the white tees. Will definately be back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

beautiful course

Loved the course. Well laid out. Beautiful. Great practice range.

Played on a very hot day. Water coolers were all empty even though we played early. Would have been nice if they were checked and filled.

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

Course is Awesome Shape!

This is an update to my previous review on July 8th, 2022.

The bunkers have been restored to their prestine conditions which in turn earns a 5 star review for course conditions and my overall rating. Additionally, it appears someone took the time to clean the toilets! Way to go Darkhorse! I can hardly wait for the new carts to be delivered. Keep up the good work. Consider setting off bug bombs in the bathrooms a few times a year to manage the spiders and spider webs and setting out some garbage cans and ball washers.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Absolutely beautiful

This was our first time at this course, it won’t be our last. The staff was also very friendly.

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

Don’t miss the opportunity to play DarkHorse

The course is in better and better shape every time I play there. The owner clearly wants the golfer to have a quality golf experience.

Great layout. Great warmup facilities. Hot food at the turn waiting for you. Greens putt true. Tee selection to challenge every handicap level.

Go play... you won’t be sorry.

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

Great course!

Lots of elevation changes, beautiful holes, and challenging. I liked the top tracer set up for the driving range too. No clubhouse though so bring your own food and drink.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Amazing day

Course could use a few more carts. Folks working very nice! Wonderful day, will not be disappointed. Bring your own Food and Drink and you will love it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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