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

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Great Course, horrible pace and facilities

This used to be a great course. I still play there, but plan on a 5-5.5 hour round.

What could help is them getting a marshall and just adding garbage cans to the tee boxes. There is no place to out trash and folks throw it where ever.

If they want to charge $70/round, they should provide what other courses are nearby for that price

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

We are from out of state. We have come every year for 7 years to play in Northern Cal. We always include Dark Horse as one of the courses we play because of the beautiful environment. Keep up the good work!

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

Beautiful

This course is beautiful and very challenging, I recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy golf and see deer and turkeys roaming about.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good layout for golf, but over priced!

Course has a great layout, but way over priced for what you get. Carts are old as dirt, sand traps need some work, no clubhouse to enjoy a nice drink afterwards… this course should not be more than $40

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Great track. Very challenging but fair. Great condition. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Will definitely play again in the near future.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
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 Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great day

The course was great. Challenging for a 12 handicap at times which made it fun. Traps were the nicest I’ve seen in years and I play a lot of places

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

facility & play

Course great shape, Staff/service great.

Pace of play was a little slow BUT, the course is pretty challenging, especially for beginners. One needs to play the course several times to learn layout and greens.

off-course amenities - not much to speak of.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Stunning

Coolest course I have played in a very long time, awesome pace of play and extremely challenging. The course is immaculate and will land in one of your top ten public courses.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

The BEST public course in the area

First time playing this course. It is a bit of a drive into the woods, but it is an INCREDIBLE layout. Very impressed with the condition of this course. The greens were recently aerated, so I didn't have the smoothest putts. However the green layout are very challenging (steep slopes and undulations). The views of the entire course are incredible.

However, the amenities are severely lacking. There is no clubhouse or Pro Shop (just a check-in shack), and there is no bar/patio area to enjoy post round drinks. Also, no Cart girl. The golf carts were old and very basic.

Overall, it needs significant facility upgrades, but the course itself is THE BEST course in the region. The golf is incredible.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Very Confusing Place

Fantastic golf course layout in so so shape with no clubhouse or pro shop or restaurant or cart girl. Trashy municipal golf course carts. These guys AERATED the greens on front nine the morning I was there and didn't tell me or offer a discount. Back nine start as a single and making the turn a sign says "front nine closed, play back 9 again" so I go back to shop window and the guy tells me he didn't know they were aerating today. Total lie or utterly incompetent staff doesn't communicate with golf course maintenance on such a important and vital task that affects golf operations? Inconsistent mowing and mohawks everywhere. Have a gem and ruining it by being lazy and manipulative.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
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 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Pleasant Surprise

Had a little bit of a drive but worth it. Really enjoyed the course. The driving range had track tracer monitors for you to use. Conditions of the course almost perfect. A few blind tee shots hurt the score. Looking forward to the next time.

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