DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1572 Reviews (1572)
5 Stars
805
4 Stars
478
3 Stars
155
2 Stars
65
1 Stars
69
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
83.3%
Recommend this course
1375 out of 1572 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
42 Reviews (42)
5 Stars
16
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.1
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
4.0
85.7%
Recommend this course
36 out of 42 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
69 Reviews (69)
5 Stars
29
4 Stars
26
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
4.0
87.0%
Recommend this course
60 out of 69 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
1572 Reviews (1572)

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 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great day

If people would fix their Ball marks the greens would be prefect.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Just a wonderful course to play. Will definitely come back again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

What a gem

Really impressed with the course. Green and in great shape. Beautiful par 3 and par 5 holes . Pace of play was good.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Always in good condition

Played this course many times, and it's always in good condition. We had an early tee time, and the first few holes were pretty wet from the overnight watering, but it wasn't too bad. Made it a little hard to judge green speeds, especially as the morning went on and greens dried & firmed up.

I just wish they had a good place to hang out after the round and have a few cold ones.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

What a course

WOW what a course played the blues very challenging a beautiful course the fairways are great, the rough is thick but fair and the greens are fast but true. Although it's a little ways from me it is worth the drive, love the elevation changes bring your A game to score well bunkers great finally a course that took care of the course and bunkers during the Covid deal. Staff was great and water station on holes great on a very hot day will be back. Only thing is need some new range balls will get after they get some golfers back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Poor

Poor service, 4 groups all booked at 950am, staff needs friendlyness lessons. Won't come back for a while.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful But Tough

This is such beautiful golf course,, I would definitely recommend it to everyone, but bring your A game course make you pay for your mistakes, greens are in excellent condition but very challenging, some fun elevation changes, I’m definitely coming back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Painfully slow play

I'm in the midst of the round 3 hours 45 minutes into the round only on number 12 tea box waiting for 10 12 minutes on every shot no Marshalls to Speed play along other than that it is a good course a fun course difficult and challenging course but very frustrating you're waiting 10 minutes every shot

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
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 Fair
Amenities Poor
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
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Course

Awesome course, beautiful condition!!!

People whine in some reviews about “amenities”

They had bathrooms, great driving range, cart girl and food at the turn. I don’t need a fancy restaurant when playing golf. Perfect day, awesome course and people were helpful. Only issue was hard to find yardage on holes. It was my first time so maybe they have a system I just didn’t figure it out. But that did not diminish how perfect the course was and a great day all in all. Highly recommend.

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

Secret perfect course

Best driving range in the area. Look, if the carts were new, or they actually had a clubhouse, bar, restaurant, or the staff was better....then this would be a $100+ course. The grass, bunkers, and overall course layout is amazing. The final 5 holes are some of my favorite in golf. It’s a mammoth course from the Tips but they still grant you 2 short par 3’s and 1 drivable par 4. Uphill, downhill. Sideways fairways, sideways greens... It’s a near perfect course. Best sand in the world.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
2.0
First Time Playing

Course was fine but

Every thing else was a mess the bathrooms were disgusting. No toilet paper in the stall.

No water in any water jug on the course nor anyone driving around selling anything.

For 70+ dollars I will not be going back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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