DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1552 Reviews (1552)
5 Stars
798
4 Stars
470
3 Stars
154
2 Stars
64
1 Stars
66
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.8
Amenities
2.7
83.5%
Recommend this course
1360 out of 1552 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
26 Reviews (26)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.0
Amenities
2.8
StaffFriendliness
4.1
92.3%
Recommend this course
24 out of 26 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
87 Reviews (87)
5 Stars
35
4 Stars
29
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
3.9
87.4%
Recommend this course
76 out of 87 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
1552 Reviews (1552)

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 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Staff Lacks Knowledge

We were charged more than my GolfNow receipt indicated that I owed to the Course. When I questioned the overcharge, he said I had to pay a booking fee. I told him that was not accurate as he could see that it was waived on my receipt. He said he didn't know anything about that and he didn't know how to refund my $$$. Finally, he just gave me cash. This course needs a education if they are going to take GolfNow reservations.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

DarkHorse is a great place.

Everyone was super nice and made us feel welcome. Then the corse was

Amazing. Lots of hard fun different style of holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Lots of potential, just needs some TLC

One of my favorite courses. Greens and most fairways are in good shape. Bunkers need a lot of TLC. Also there’s a lot of native grasses encroaching. Not sure if their plan is to rewild some parts of the rough or if they are just overwhelmed with spring vegetation growth. But if they can get the rough and bunkers under control the course will be solid. Hope to see things continue to improve. If it does, it’ll be a hidden gem!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
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 Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Nor cal hidden gem!

Ok, so this rating is for the Golf course side of things only.

I’m not sure what’s going on with the pro shop or F & B but the course is awesome! Great layout, great upkeep by the agronomy team and the most sand I’ve seen in a bunker in CA in a long time, lol.

Got a great deal for an early tee time as well so that never hurts. If you’ve never played here before or are wanting to play somewhere north of Sacramento then look no further.

If this track was on the ocean or closer to a city it would command over 450$ for sure. Hidden gem if there ever was one!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

What a Crime

Beautiful layout but typical California public golf. I’m from the Bay Area but live in WA state now, having lived in TX and GA. I only see course conditions like this in CA, where I play several times a year. Weeds everywhere. Greens were great. Layout incredible. Bunkers have been forgotten. The course crew doesn’t rake them so players probably realize this and don’t either. Barely enough sand and for a course in a state with beaches it’s a crime ! Maybe CA golfers don’t know any better. Dark Horse must have one guy on staff. No attention to detail. With all those beautiful homes recently built around the course I expect something will have to change. PLEASE, for the love of the game sell the course to someone who knows golf and agronomy.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Cutting Fairways and Greens at 9 AM on a Saturday?

Stacked tee time sheet. Maintenance guy cutting the fairways, impacting the lies. Cuts the edge of the greens, impacting your approach. Stares at you as you putt. No wonder you have 5:20 rounds, you’re blocking play! Oh, and great job yelling at your workers too, “those plants must be 40 inches apart!!!!” Who knows what 40 inches apart is? Get new leadership on the maintenance team, the course isn’t what it used to look like, and being a horrible person to patrons and your employees isn’t a good look.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Gone downhill

In my opinion, darkhorse has gone downhill in the past few years. This used to be my favorite course in the area; good pace of play, great conditions, etc. both of these qualities have diminished terribly. Played yesterday and there was no starter or Marshall. Pace was decent until hole 3, then realized I was stuck behind a 6-some! After following for a few holes without a thought to let us play through I called the pro shop and told them they have three groups backed up on one hole because of a 6-some, the response from the shop attendant was “I don’t know maybe it’s a birthday party or something, I’m the only one here so I can’t go out there”

Conditions of the course have also deteriorated over the past few years. Many areas that should have been marked ground under repair were not, and many areas were too muddy to walk through, leading us to lose many balls in what would initially look like the middle of the fairway.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Worth the Trip

Came to play Dark Horse driving in from Reno. Great course to play with some degree of difficulty. Cart Path only due to majority of fairways still in soggy conditions from weather. Will definitely be back for another round

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Still Wet & SOggy

We took carts but was a waist of money and time, since they were not allowing any carts on course.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Amazing day of Golf!

We had an amazing day of golf! I will definitely be back

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Needs a 90 degree rule instead of cart path only

Great track but quite hilly with wide fairways that require a lot of walking with cart path only rule. I understand they are trying to preserve the fairways which were quite wet when I played. Greens are good with average speeds and few ball marks.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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