9200 Inwood Drive, Santee, California 92071, US
(619) 448-4242
Location Map

About Carlton Oaks Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection

Carlton Oaks has a long history of tournament golf. Curtis Strange won the 1974 NCAA Championships on the course before Perry Dye redesigned the layout and stretched it to 7,400 yards in the 1980s. The Carlton Oaks Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection, offers 51 modernized, Asian-inspired rooms just steps from the clubhouse, its Oaks Bar & Grill and the outdoor pool and jacuzzi. 

Facts

Price Range$$
Property Class★★★
Acres168
Year Opened1958
Number of UnitsLess than 100

Amenities & Services

RestaurantsCasual
Room TypesRoom
Practice FacilityYes
Banquet SpaceYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?No
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at Carlton Oaks Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection

Reviews

3.1
1262 Reviews (1262)

Reviewer Photos

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Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Carelton ch-oaks

shut it down already.
the course deserves a peaceful ending.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/17/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review and leave feedback on your recent round with us, u749902259. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback is extremely important to us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and apologize if we missed the mark. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop at (619) 448-4242. We hope to hear from you soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/17/2023

Hi, SWAGGWALRUS. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We see you rated the course 1 star and are interested in learning what we can do to improve for your next visit. We take single-star feedback very seriously at our course. You are welcome to comment further or reach out to our team in the golf shop. We always appreciate the feedback. Thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Course is in best shape that I’ve seen.

Had the best day I’ve ever had on this course. Not crowded. Very friendly staff.
The course wasn’t all dried out. Actually had new green grass growing in the fairways.
Pace of play was excellent. Played a 4 hour round.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
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Commented on 03/17/2023

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, uBHDY1318BH. We are going to pass on your feedback to the team. Thanks for visiting Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club, and we hope to see you again in the future.

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Value

I have read reviews on this course and some not very good. I booked this on Golfnow and got a deal for $56 bucks for 2 players including cart. This course is not plush but in very decent condition. Hardly no rough spots and fairways and greens are in great shape. Its not country club standards but better than most Munis I have played lately with exception to Torrey pines and Balboa. Not an easy course. Lots of water and hazard areas . They have a great 19th hole with great service. I would come back again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Commented on 03/17/2023

Hello, arthur3085641. Thank you for visiting us at Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Horrible conditions!

This course is in absolutely horrible condition. Not even worth playing! Don’t waste your time or money! The carts have no windscreens either so it was really cold. Never again!!

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/17/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review and leave feedback on your recent round with us, u000006908409. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback is extremely important to us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and apologize if we missed the mark. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop at (619) 448-4242. We hope to hear from you soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Another course with atrocious playing conditions

I’m visiting from out of town. This is the 2nd course in a row with atrocious playing conditions. Tees not cared for. I saw a sign on one hole for “ground under repair.” Are they kidding me? The whole course is ground under repair! Fairways are pretty much non-existent. Some small patches of grass surrounding dirt or dormant grass. Bunkers not playable. The only saving grace are the greens which are not bad. And someone please tell me why this is also the 2nd course that doesn’t offer pull carts? Doesn’t anyone around here like walking a golf course without having to carry their bag for 18 holes?

I can’t say my experience golfing in San Diego has been enjoyable. Perhaps I have to significantly lower my expectations.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/17/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review and leave feedback on your recent round with us, u894307069. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback is extremely important to us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and apologize if we missed the mark. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop at (619) 448-4242. We hope to hear from you soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Very Poor Course Conditions

Sadly, this course could have potential but it just is not kept up. Lots of holes and torn up dirt. We saw workers all over but not sure they are making any improvements. For the price of $55.00 not close to being worth it. On a positive note the staff were all great especially the bartender in the bar/restaurant. She is a keeper so friendly and on top of everything

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/17/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review and leave feedback on your recent round with us, u000003484585. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback is extremely important to us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and apologize if we missed the mark. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop at (619) 448-4242. We hope to hear from you soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Horrible conditions

This course is a rip off. They shouldn’t charge any more than $30 for 18 holes. We felt like we were playing in the middle of a dump site. The golf carts should be 4x4 because the fairways are gopher homes — our bags almost fell off the cart a few times because the grounds are a MESS with barely any grass on them.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/17/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review and leave feedback on your recent round with us, angelabouchard. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback is extremely important to us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and apologize if we missed the mark. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop at (619) 448-4242. We hope to hear from you soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Challenging Green complexes but rough shape

Overall, it was below what i was expecting for an $80 round.

Mainly the lack of grass, and a decent amount of purely dirt bunkers. Fair amount of construction going on and just not great grass either in the fairway or rough.

Most the tee boxes were no where near flat, played blues and reds for our group and both were tough to find a flat spot anywhere.

Honestly don't think I will be back for a while until i hear the conditions have improved

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review and leave feedback on your recent round with us, Lilbecks07. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback is extremely important to us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and apologize if we missed the mark. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop at (619) 448-4242. We hope to hear from you soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Hello, u000001363587. Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review. We see you rated the course 2-stars and are interested in learning what we can do to improve for your next visit.

We take customer feedback very seriously at our course. Please reach out to our team in the golf shop and tell us what's on your mind.

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Disrepair

This course is in horrible condition. I’m used to muni courses and don’t have high expectations, but nothing was good (with the exception of the staff) about Carlton Oaks. Tee boxes, cart paths, sand traps, fairways, greens, and rough were all in bad shape. I should have known better. For $49 (including cart) what should you expect from a par 72 course? Too bad. This course has potential. Interesting layout would make for some challenging, fun holes if conditions were playable. Unless you’re an absolute hacker that doesn’t really care, I cannot recommend this course to anyone.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/17/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review and leave feedback on your recent round with us, mdiorio63. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback is extremely important to us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and apologize if we missed the mark. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop at (619) 448-4242. We hope to hear from you soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Not good

Good price. But terrible course. Patches of great grass but 90% of the course is burnt out or dirt

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Hi, u314161915923. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 71
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Hi, u4219705. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Hello, u314163653803. We appreciate the review. You rated us 3-stars which means there is room to improve on your recent experience at Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club. Let us know, in the comments, how and where you would like to see changes from the course. Thanks for the feedback!

Played On
Reviews 71
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Hi, u4219705. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club.

Played On
Reviews 16
1.0

Rude Staff

This course is in terrible shape with almost half the course being bare dirt. There are only two reasons to play here: the usually friendly staff and the online deals. I recently had a really bad encounter with a staffer. I parked my cart about 30 feet from a green. This was apparently too close and a staffer (not an ambassador) in a cart came rolling up. He started treating me like he had just caught me red handed taking a bulldozer to the green. He was oddly aggressive and threatening. I simply moved my cart and kept on playing, but the whole encounter was over the top and unnecessary. Considering the horrible condition of the course, the staff needs to be spending more time actually maintaining the course and less time hassling paying customers.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

A Gem way past its glory days

When I played this golf course over 25 years ago, Carlton Oaks was considered one of the top venues in San Diego. Now it is a sad lonely shell of it former glory. The Layout is still there, which is what make this a challenging golf course, but it is in such overall poor shape that it does not seem fun or fair. I constantly was looking for a flat spot on the tee boxes. Always looking for a patch of grass in the fairway to move my ball onto. Greens were hard rock and did not reward great approach shots. All the oak trees look like they are dead or dying. With the exception of a couple of par 3 holes, the course is overall not very pretty (I'm being generous). It's only worth playing because the green fees are usually pretty low on golfNow. Otherwise, it's not worth the drive if you pay over $40

Conditions Poor
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review and leave feedback on your recent round with us, Way1and. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback is extremely important to us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and apologize if we missed the mark. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop at (619) 448-4242. We hope to hear from you soon, and thanks for choosing Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Home course

I love playing here. It’s a bit technical and challenging and always requires me to play up to the course which makes me play better. The only thing I could give as a critique is that the grounds as far as 14,15,16 could use some love with all the foliage and such in the ground. I’ve lost a few balls due to just losing it in the leaves. Otherwise. Love this course

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/02/2023

Hello, justin1221. Thank you for visiting us at Carlton Oaks Lodge & Country Club. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

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