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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
819 Reviews (819)
5 Stars
327
4 Stars
349
3 Stars
97
2 Stars
25
1 Stars
21
Conditions
3.4
Value
4.0
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.7
78.5%
Recommend this course
736 out of 819 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
27 Reviews (27)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
11
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
2
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.4
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.2
63.0%
Recommend this course
17 out of 27 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.4
73 Reviews (73)
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
24
3 Stars
21
2 Stars
10
1 Stars
5
Conditions
2.9
Value
3.6
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.2
64.4%
Recommend this course
47 out of 73 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 71
Length 6739 yards
Slope 128
Rating 72.3

Castle Oaks Golf Club is situated on the historic Preston Farmlands. The Preston Castle, built in 1894 overlooks the rolling, oak-studded hills of the course. The course opened a century later but it blends in beautifully with the existing terrain, utilizing the Sutter and Mule Creeks and mature trees as natural hazards. When the golf course opened it was acclaimed as the best public course in northern California and it has remained one of the area's premier courses. The layout has an interesting mix of holes with some that are wide and forgiving and others that are narrow and play alongside environmental hazards. The meandering creeks and several lakes come into play throughout. There are many risk/reward opportunities and golfers will encounter several hazards and out-of-bounds off the tee, but overall the course is player-friendly enough to appeal to any skill level.

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Castle Oaks Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1994
Golf Season Year round
Architect Brad Benz (1994) Ross Forbes (1994)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in California (2015 #16)
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Reviews

3.8
819 Reviews (819)

Reviewer Photos

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Recommended
Handicap
Age
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Played On
Reviews 3
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Poor Condition

Having played this course many times over the years, but not in the past 5 years or so, I was excited, but found myself very disappointed with the course conditions. It's obvious the owners or management company are doing the very least possible to keep this once nice course, operational now. The pro shop is bare, with no merchandise what so ever. The course is brown the the greens are at best, average. I wouldn't play this course again in it's current state. Sad, especially with green fees being overpriced outside of Golfnow.com purchase.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Response from on 05/23/2025:
Appreciate the candid review. It’s unfortunate that the visit did not meet expectations, and we’re taking steps to address the issues. We hope there’s a chance to show a better experience next time.
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Closing

It was brought to my attention that the close is on the verge of closing if it doesn’t find a buyer soon. That’s not good for the area, potentially losing their home course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Love Castle Oaks..hav been going out there for years….first time giving comment..greens r in ok condition @ best..fairways need water..!..even driving range is bone dry to hit off of..course personnel are great..

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 86
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course condition degrading

I was disappointed by the dried out tee boxes and fairways on several holes. Some of the greens have some bad spots - dead / bare spots.

I got a deal price on TeeOff, so I can’t complain on the cost.

I hope the course turns things around for the summer time.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Proshop has no more merchandise. Empty

No course Marshall. Need more clean course restroom

All greens has perfect condition.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Maintenance

Cut the grass,clips of grass everywhere,balls were extremely hard to.find

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course closing

Rally like playing this course.Sad to hear that the course is closing. Will miss playing this course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Course is in bad shape

The fairways were spotty and had to play winter rules. The rough had not been cut and it was hard to find balls. The greens had a lot of bare spots.

I was told Troon Golf recently acquired the course. Perhaps the maintenance crew had been fired and not yet replaced, but the course was in a very poor condition.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 04/22/2025:
Thank you for the honest feedback. It’s disappointing to hear things went poorly, and we’re committed to resolving the problems you encountered. We hope you’ll consider giving us another try.
Played On
Reviews 34
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Go Elsewhere!

Agree with previous reviewers comments about the rough being WAAAYYY too long. Golf is supposed to be relaxing, but playing this course made for a very frustrating/non-enjoyable experience. Even if you manage to find your ball, it is impossible to hit out of.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Response from on 04/18/2025:
Thank you for posting a review. We’re sorry it didn’t fully meet expectations and appreciate knowing where we can improve. We value every opportunity to enhance our offerings and hope to do better next time.
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

The rough ate my ball

the course played fairly straight up with teh fairways in good condition. but the rough was ROUGH! the long grass was so deep that if you hit it into the rough that ball was GONE. or you spent 5-10 mins looking for it. so much grass clippings as well. the Tee boxes were alright not poor not amazing. long course, lots of drivers and long irons (from the blues).

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

They just don’t care anymore

This once great course has fallen into a terrible state of disrepair. Pro shop is barren, carts are worn but the worst part is they just quit mowing! When your approach shot rolls through the green to 1 foot off and you literally can not find your ball, you know it’s bad. When you can’t find your drive that went 2’ off the fairway but you find 4 others in 30 seconds, you know it’s bad! I get that you are closing the course on 4/30/25, but if you are not going to maintain it, shut it down and quit taking people’s money!

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The grass was very tall and the grass they dios mow wasn't bagged. I lost 9 balls...all great shots. The man who checked us in was rude. They ran out of beer. Not my best golf experience.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

Owner Selling the course

I was told by a resident that the owner is selling the course. Which would explain by the greens were very hard and the rough was very high. This course is usually is great condition this experience will not have me again this year.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 04/11/2025:
Thank you for sharing feedback. We’re very sorry your experience fell below expectations and are addressing the concerns you mentioned. We appreciate the opportunity to improve and hope you’ll consider visiting again.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Previously Played

The course is in rough Shape

Greens are in terrible shape, fairways are ok except the standing water in the low areas and some of the sand traps under water.

The rough grass is really high so don’t go off the fairways.

This course is going through ownership issues and is for sale. Hopefully it gets sold and things improve. I am a local to this course and want it to improve.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Response from on 03/31/2025:
Thanks for letting us know your thoughts. We understand there’s room for improvement, and our team is already looking into the concerns raised. We’d be grateful for another chance to provide a better experience.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Overall only fine. Pricey for the conditions.

Greens were yellow, spotty and firm.

Rough was us open length and in no way cut to the skills of the regular golfers who play this course the rough length easily added 30 minutes or more to the round. A lot of ground that should’ve been marked as GUR but wasn’t.

Trashes were all full with trash all over the ground.

Course could use some extra help and local supper to make it great.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 86
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Considering the amount of rain lately, the course was in very good shape.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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