DarkHorse GC: Aerial
View of a green from DarkHorse Golf Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.9
1529 Reviews (1529)
5 Stars
789
4 Stars
458
3 Stars
153
2 Stars
63
1 Stars
66
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.0
Pace
3.8
Amenities
2.6
82.6%
Recommend this course
1338 out of 1529 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
27 Reviews (27)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.9
Pace
3.9
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
4.1
88.9%
Recommend this course
24 out of 27 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
87 Reviews (87)
5 Stars
36
4 Stars
24
3 Stars
17
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.8
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
3.9
83.9%
Recommend this course
73 out of 87 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.

Book a Tee Time at
DarkHorse Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at DarkHorse Golf Club

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)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

3.9
1529 Reviews (1529)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pretty crowded. Pace of play is important. Would really try and start a range ring program to keep players moving. 4hr 30min pace is better. We were over 5 and groups were dropping out behind us.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good Course, SlowPlay

Course is in good shape and the weather was beautiful for November. To the 11:10am tee time on Saturday, November 9th, you suck.

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

Slow Play

Very slow play. Started at 12:30 and finished at 5:15pm in the dark. Need a Marshall on the course to move slow players along on Friday -Sunday

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great golf

Course lacked ball washers, club house, and restaurant, but greens were in great shape and fairways well maintained. Not a resort, but a good solid course. I’ll definitely play here again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Great course, excellent condition. The food/beverage and golf shop options could be better

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Whenever I'm in town, I make sure I play Darkhorse. I love this course, which is in the best condition in the last ten years. If I lived in the area, I would play here all of the time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Golf with friends

The course is a truly challenging layout. The greens are very fast, very receptive, and have undulations. Definitely worth playing and will play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
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 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Ok

Course not in best condition. Cart stopped working after 2nd hole. Price wasn’t bad for cart and 18.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Glad I had a big discount

If I remember correctly, this course was hailed as one of the best courses in the area when it opened. It is definitely not that now. Feels like they are not that committed to truly being a top=tier course. Just OK maintenance, Will not likely make the drive to play here again.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays Once 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 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 11
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Experience

Checking in is an absolute mess. Paying is one thing, but making folks fill out form for carts is just not a pleasurable customer experience, Not to mention it delays the process of getting ready to play.

The course has always been great. The ownership truly only cares about profit, and not the people.

We have other choices…

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course

This course was suggested to us by the club’s pro at our home course in Reno due to being in the same general area as Winchester. Booked our time for 4 weeks out due to being in the area at that time. I started to get concerned due to some very negative recent reviews at another site. After playing it I don’t understand the negative reviews. The conditions were okay I know the area courses had some issues this summer due to the extended heat spell and there were some areas of the fairways that were a bit thin but we simply moved our ball to.were it was in better shape. Pace of play was slow due to a foursome in front of us taking the game a lot more seriously then their quality of play. They don’t have a clubhouse or restaurant so you are limited to the food truck on site which was fine for us but if your looking to relax after your round at a bar, this probably isn’t a course for you. Overall I would recommend this course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Dark Horse

The course was in great condition, including the greens. Why aren't there any ball washers? They are nowhere to be found so you better bring your own scrub brush.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great course for the money!

With the exception of the recently punched greens, everything else was in great condition. Pace was fast as we played in the afternoon.

Remember - please rake your traps! The sand they use here is the nicer than most, treat them with respect! We saw several traps on the course that were ignored by our fellow golfers. Hopefully the maintenance crews can get out a rake a few during the slow times?

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Nearby Courses
Auburn, California
Private
4.0
2
Meadow Vista, California
Private
4.2307056156
214
Auburn, California
Public
4.2496109555
93
Auburn, California
Public
2.0
2
Auburn, California
Public
4.2907888892
913
Auburn, California
Semi-Private
4.7319848293
340
Grass Valley, California
Semi-Private
4.0233125508
564
Cool, California
Private
0.0
0
Grass Valley, California
Semi-Private
4.6002178649
66
Lincoln, California
Public
4.2399341218
937
Penn Valley, California
Private
0.0
0
Lincoln, California
Private
4.6666666667
3
Golf Packages

The Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
MONTEREY, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Poppy Hills Golf Course, Bayonet Course, Black Horse Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

The Lodge At Pebble Beach Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

The Inn At Spanish Bay Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Inn at Spanish Bay and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

La Quinta Resort & Club Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
LA QUINTA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at La Quinta Resort & Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of PGA WEST - Nicklaus Tournament Course, PGA WEST - Pete Dye Mountain Course, PGA WEST - Greg Norman Course, PGA WEST - Pete Dye Dunes Course, and PGA WEST - The Pete Dye Stadium Course.

The Casa Palmero – Pebble Beach Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account