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Rating Index Rating
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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
4.2
21 Reviews (21)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.7
StaffFriendliness
4.1
90.5%
Recommend this course
19 out of 21 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
82 Reviews (82)
5 Stars
35
4 Stars
22
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.8
Amenities
2.7
StaffFriendliness
3.9
84.1%
Recommend this course
69 out of 82 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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DarkHorse Golf Club
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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 6
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Challenging greens

Hit a lot of greens but you’ll 3-putt lots, too. Very slopy with the speed they’re at.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Slowest rounds ever

5 hours and 15 minutes to play 15 holes, gave up. Last 3 times we’ve played there it has been 5 hours plus, unacceptable. Was considering a membership there but not until they make changes, a marshal might help.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
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 Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Dark Horse golf course review

Outstanding layout and very beautiful golf course. Perhaps one or two holes a little ? strange such as # 11 but many really interesting holes.

Absence of pro shop and clubhouse a downer for sure, especially for a course of this quality.

Driving range - when I was there this a.m. very few stalls had golf balls. The balls are very old.

If the course's infrastructure was a good as the golf course would be fantastic. Sad and hope it gets better.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The course is in amazing shape and the practice facility is the best I have ever used.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Very nice

Tees were manicured, fairways were wide and like a carpet, greens were good but not perfect due to recent aerification. Bunkers were a true joy to play out of. Very fun and well maintained course. I wish it was closer to home. Still worth the hour drive.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 12
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
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Hidden Jem

Hidden jem of a course for those willing to make a trip to play. Course has a lot of elevation and will make you think on what shot(s) to play or attempt if brave enough. Lots of side slopes in the fairways will have you playing with the ball above or below your feet more often than not, so having confidence in hitting from those types of lies is a premium. Course over all is challenging but rewarding when the right shots are made. When you get too far out of the correct lines or off the fairways the holes play much harder, so keeping the ball in the short grass will keep the score card looking a lot better. Just took a friend/coworker there for his first time and he loved playing there. Already wants to go back for another round and some redemption.

The addition of Top Tracer on the range is very nice as well.

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

I love this hard yet beautiful Golf Course

I wish this course had more money, because it is truly a great course! But it need things: well maintained carts, more accessible greens (your cut off and walking the last 100 yards- slowing play). A marshal- we had a 5 some in front of us that I’m sure didn’t start that way. I’m nitpicking because none of this will keep me from playing it again..

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Golf Now, Please Notify

Great course. Perfectly laid out. Golf Now didn’t notify us at that greens had just been punched. Extremely disappointing. Not the courses fault. Go direct to book or make the call to Darkhorse prior to booking.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
First Time Playing

Charged me after I canceled. Only care about money

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
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
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

This is a beautiful course. Second time playing here, and look forward to next round.

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

Sanded Greens

It has been a few years since I have played Darkhorse and I remembered really liking the corse but feeling like they needed to do something with their bunkers. So having heard that all the bunker had new sand and the corse was looking great, I was much anticipating this round. I was a bit disappointed to make the hour long drive, pay full price and show up to see freshly punched and sanded greens…While I completely understand the necessity of aerating the greens. It is a bit disappointing to be expected to pay A full weekend rate and not get a full golf experience.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

really liked the course but for the first time green were sanded and horrible

really enjoyed the lay out of each hole but the grees were sanded and horrible for my first time at the course coming 1 1/2 from Elk Grove

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
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