DarkHorse GC: Aerial
Aerial view from DarkHorse Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1551 Reviews (1551)
5 Stars
797
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
83.4%
Recommend this course
1359 out of 1551 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
25 Reviews (25)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
2.7
StaffFriendliness
4.1
92.0%
Recommend this course
23 out of 25 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
1551 Reviews (1551)

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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Birthday celebration

Good times had by all.

I was told at the turn we were playing 25 min behind that’s not hard to do when the course is soaked and no carts allowed on the grass anywhere.

That leads to a lot of walking. That leads to a delay on every hole. So the marshal needs to take that into consideration.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Winter at Darkhorse

Great day!! Amazing course I can’t wait to play this summer. Challenging as most shorts are target specific.

Pace of play was tough only due to frost delay. Being my only round there I can’t give any other rating than this experience.

Off course amenities are slim. Small club house and refreshments are served out of trailer. This is due to slowdown in progress caused by Covid. Plans for new infrastructure are happening soon.

Course was very very wet after a week of rain. I’m sure come summer I’ll have Darkhorse in my regular rotation of courses!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Divot city. Please fill the divot repair bottles on the carts.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Slow round, course lacks the little things

5.5 hour round, tee boxes double stacked. Not sure if the was a frost delay or not, but when we checked in they didn't say anything to us, and we teed off on time but were waiting at the tee box behind the group in front of us on every hole. We hadn't had ran in two weeks but 1/3 of the holes were cart path only still (mainly the par 5s). They have super nice golf carts and a trackman driving range, but have no trash cans on the course, no ball washers, and no club house at the turn. Their "hot dog stand" was closed as well.

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

Golf promise

Always a joy and a great outing. The greeensare in super shape. Did I mention January! I can’t believe more golfers are not coming out.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

cant believe it took me this long to find it

I loved this course - zero complaints and can't wait to go back. some exciting hole layouts - tons of sand. not easy but I didn't find it as crazy hard as Apple Mountain. I wish I lived closer to this place.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

The fairways and greens were extremely well taken care of. The staff is friendly but bring some food. They had a cart girl and food truck only.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great course

The course was in great condition even with all the recent heavy rains.

Greens are good and very fast.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Too much walking

Course was very soggy so carts confined to path. Understand the need for it but should have been told prior to round. Too much walking for a 75 year old man.

Greens in great shape. Just too much walking of a very hilly track.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Owner

Very nice course i was told the driving range was closed just to see the next customer receive ok to use the range. We had a 4th player cancel out due to illness but still got charged for the round

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
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 Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice Horse

The course considering time of year very good. Pace was super fast not a lot of players. Very disapointed they didn't even have the hot dog stand open of a place to get some type of drink. Build a club house and if you don't want to run it rent it out.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Great Track

I love the variety of hole layout, varying par 3 distances and tee choices. Truly a course for all abilities. Easy from the forward tees, tour level from the tips. You get to decide if you want to have fun or a challenge.

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