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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

DARK HORSE GOLF COURSE DEBACLE

WHEN WE ARRIVED AT DARK HORSE THEY DID NOT HAVE A GOLF CART AVAILABLE FOR US. WE WAITED 20 MINUTES TO GET A CART. WE STARTED ON THE BACK NINE.. WHEN WE MADE THE TURN ONTO THE FRONT NINE, THE STARTER HAD LEFT AND EVERYONE WAS NOW TEEING OFF ON THE FRONT NINE. THIS SLOWED PLAY DOWN AND WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO FINISH FOUR MORE HOLES. WE PLAYED A TOTAL OF 13 HOLES. WE WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE A CART AVAILABLE.FOR US AND FOR PUTTING PLAYERS AHEAD OF US ON THE FRONT NINE. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FINISH OUR ROUND. INADDITION, OUR CART DIED ON US AND WE WALKED WITH OUR BAGS ON THE LAST 5 HOLES TO THE PARKING LOT. I FEEL FOR OUR INCONVENIENCE WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED WITH TWO FREE ROUNDS OF GOLF AT DARK HORSE. PLEASE RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Replay

Except for the cart path only requirement due to the heavy rains, had a wonderful time. Recommend the white tees if your handicap is 15 or more. You'll have much more fun.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course well on its way back

Great layout, lots of elevation changes and challenges. Was in terrible shape for many years and has now been restored to greatness by new ownership. Simple starters shack vs. fancy clubhouse is just fine with me. Food cart on weekends; but no restaurant is also good enough for me. No post-round bar; but places to hang out and enjoy the view after with friends. New range with Top Golf technology is a big all-weather plus. Kudos to Randy and his team for bringing this jewel back to life better than it ever was before!

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

Great course with amazing views throughout.

Course was in fantastic shape. Greens were punched less than 2 months ago and they were running pure! We were stuck behind a 22 person tournament and it caused a little slower pace of play (not the courses fault). However it was a great experience. Will definitely drive 2.5 hours back to this place again.

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

Darkhorse 11/5/2021

Dark horse is always in great shape and maintenance is always being done. A great place to play. Great staff. Great value. Highly recommend this course.

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

Wonderful time

Course was in great shape. Greens alittle slow but in good condition. Very fun to play.

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

Beautiful Course

I have played here several times now with a friend. We really enjoy every round on this beautiful course, always welcomed by friendly staff. Today, arriving early, we wanted to hit a few balls but there were none on the range. We talked with the pro shop person, who gave us a small bucket. This gesture was very appreciated, and makes us want to return to this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Wish this was closer to home

Loved the course layout, elevation and greens. Only complaint is that literally after the first hole you're almost guessing which hole is next because none of them are marked and none are marked for yardage. Would still play again tho.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

Poor management

Great course,poor management, under staffed, over booked, terrible greens, carts are from the 90’s, range balls are older then the carts, employees are rude, no marshals, no starter, i think 6 people do the job (kinda) that 20 people normally do, the new owner fixed the course up nice, but he gives no craps about his customers and it shows.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

marshall

let at hole 12 nobody works the course

some people need a clue that 4 hour round should happen most often

The clueless need to stay at the muni courses and play your 6 hour round

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great looking course

Beautiful course and great price. Was a little soaked in a few spots and the ball was plugging and the bunkers were as hard as the fairways but the greens were excellent

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

tee time cancelled

My tee time was cancelled and i was not notified until 10 minutes until my tee time. i had to drive an hour to get to the course. a little more heads up cant be too much to ask. wont try this course again.

Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Great course lots of good looks love the last 2 holes

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice course

Really nice course and a very quick pace of play. I believe that because of the relative high green fees this course is much less crowded than all the other courses I usually play. Which makes for a quick pace of play...unless you unfortunately get stuck behind a slow group. Which can happen but not for me today.

I think the course should reassess their green fees. I know I would play it more often if they were more competitive. It's a beautiful course and in great condition.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
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