DarkHorse Golf Club

13450 Combie Rd, Auburn, California, 95602
Type: Public
No. Holes: 18
(530) 269-7900
Architect: Keith Foster (38)
                      
DarkHorse Golf Club, Auburn, California, 95602 - Golf Course Photo
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Detailed description of DarkHorse Golf Club

DarkHorse Golf Club, is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Auburn, California.

DarkHorse Golf Club first opened for play in 2002. The par 72 layout was designed by Keith Foster. Award after award has been showered on this course located in the gorgeous Sierra Nevada foothills.

The course located about 50 miles east of Sacramento. Head up 80 and hang a left onto Highway 49. The course was laid out on what was once a 1,100-acre cattle ranch and features magnificent elevation changes. But there is much more than that for those who truly love golf. Holes were gently placed into the curving valleys on the site; the greens are subtly contoured; the bunkers are strategically placed and offer a variety of different shot making opportunities.

Black tees: par-72, 7,096 yards (75.0/139)
Copper tees: par-72, 6,653 yards (72.2/136)
Blue tees: par-72, 6,364 yards (70.9/130)
White tees: par-72, 5,903 yards (68.8/126)
Jade tees: par-72, 4,978 yards (68.3/122)

 

This course has been reviewed 20 times
Golf Course ranker Photo

$46 (cart included), played on Thursday, June 2016 at 11:15 AM

Beautiful, wooded layout. No houses or distractions (except for deer feeding near the woods). A gem.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area
 
Condition of Course, Price, Food/ Bar facilities, Difficulty, Ambiance, Layout, No Houses on Course
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
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Value
Rank ID # : 028288
Golf Course ranker Photo
Folsom, CA

$101 (cart included), played on Saturday, October 2015 at

I played in a fundraiser but would play it any time. one of my favorite courses in the area. Staff are great

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Staff, Layout, No Houses on Course
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Value
Rank ID # : 027789
Golf Course ranker Photo
Sacramento, CA

$31 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2013 at 8am

This course is usually one of the best in the Sacramento Valley area. This time, though, the fairways were patchy, the greens had just been cut and sanded, and the bunkers were pretty close to not playable. Plus the starter made a big deal of us bringing bottled water (not beer, not sodas, just bottled water!) onto the course. My group will be back, but we're hoping for better conditions next time.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Worse than average course for the area
 
Layout, Pace of Play
Condition of Course, Staff
Layout/ Challenge
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Rank ID # : 020972
Golf Course ranker Photo
Sacramento, CA

$31 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2012 at noon

Love this course up in the foothills, but not too hilly. Fast greens.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Pace of Play
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 019496
Golf Course ranker Photo

$36 (cart included), played on Monday, October 2009 at 10am

My favorite course.

Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Layout, Price, Pace of Play
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
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Value
Rank ID # : 019378
Golf Course ranker Photo
Princeton Junction, NJ

$46 (cart included), played on Sunday, October 2012 at 10am

Great course in a beautiful setting. Challenging greens. Suffers from public golfers not taking care, e.g., bunker raking, repairing ball marks on the greens. Staff was friendly and helpful. Course is in a housing development but the houses are all set back and never in play. Some of the houses are spectacular. Probably the most space i have ever seen bewteen couse and houses on a course through a neighborhood. I would definitely play again.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play, Staff, Pro Shop
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 018992
Golf Course ranker Photo
Rocklin, CA

$36 (cart included), played on Tuesday, May 2012 at 8am

Great layout with superb bunkering. Beautiful site.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 017742
Golf Course ranker Photo
San Mateo, CA

$46 (cart included), played on Saturday, October 2011 at 10am

The course is perhaps 15 years old and I think has suffered because of our weak economy. Somehow they have kept prices down while maintaining the course very well. I recommend it.

Would travel: 60-120 Miles
Bottom line: I would play again, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Value
Rank ID # : 016118
Golf Course ranker Photo

$36 (cart included), played on Tuesday, April 2011 at 2pm

I escape once a year from the late Canadian winter for some golf, often to California. Since I found Darkhorse I have always built this course into my trip. This spring the course was suffering from weeks of heavy rains, but was still more playable than some others in the area. The greens were great. The price (with cart and GPS is spectacular), but the real strength is the course design. MANY interesting holes. Many choices to make. Difficult but not penal. Gino and his staff are friendly and reasonable. Quite unlike some courses that shun non-members like homeless people. I can hardly wait until my next round at Darkhorse!

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play, Staff
Condition of Course, Clubhouse
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Pace to play
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Value
Rank ID # : 014899
Golf Course ranker Photo
Folsom, CA

$41 (cart included), played on Wednesday, June 2011 at 8am

Great layout. Difficult course.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Staff
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 014352
Golf Course ranker Photo
Martinez, CA

$61 (cart included), played on Saturday, February 2011 at 10am

Very good layout. I always enjoy playing this course.

Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Ambiance, Staff
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 012975
Golf Course ranker Photo
Lincoln, CA

$26 (cart included), played on Tuesday, July 2010 at noon

I love the challenge of this course. As a lady I get some nice lady tee advantage but still a hard course at times especially # 2 wicked. I would recommend this course for any golfer. The more you play it the more you want to play it again.

Would travel: 20-30 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play, Staff
Houses on Course
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 010990
Golf Course ranker Photo
Cool, CA

$41 (cart included), played on Thursday, February 2010 at 8am

I didn't care much for this course the first time I played it a couple of years ago. I liked it much better this time. Previously, the layout was the only thing I didn't like about it. But, I think my opinion was slightly jaded because the people I played it with that first time spoke so highly of it and rated it higher than my favorite course in the area (The Ridge). My opinion was it didn't come close to The Ridge and I was disappointed with what I found at Darkhorse. This time around, I had lowered expectations of the course and liked it much better. The second hole on each side still seem rather goofy to me from a layout standpoint, but I rather enjoyed the course as a whole. The greens, in particular, were in fantastic shape - good speed, running smooth and true. I would recommend Darkhorse now, when I wouldn't before. The lone downside to it (other than holes 2 & 11) is its remoteness and the fact that I have to drive right by my preferred course in the area to get to Darkhorse.

Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play
Layout
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 009450
Golf Course ranker Photo
Penn Valley, CA

Guest (cart not included), played on Thursday, July 2007 at 10am

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Best course in the area
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Clubhouse
Price, Ambiance, Houses on Course, Pace of Play, Staff, Pro Shop
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 008505
Golf Course ranker Photo
Pebble Beach, CA

$36 (cart included), played on Thursday, July 2009 at 6pm

For inland golf-people, it doesn't any better. Architecture wise, better than San Francisco GC, Olympic Club (Lake), The Preserve (Carmel Valley).. That's right. Keith Foster is the new AW Tillinghast, or Alistair MacKenzie. Take your pick. Green complexes are as classy as their is in golf, in the world. You heard me. If you don't love this track, learn some more about the game, and consult your local PGA pro's for refinement. Read a Dr. Bob Rotella book or five. Conditions are not perfect, green conditions could be better, the sand is weak, as are the rakes, but who cares. Wanna pay $250.00 plus, with perfect conditions. Do you, really? Stop whining, then. The golf is absolutely marvelous. And you know that, don't you, darling? Think your way around this gem, and don't stop till you get enough. Whew. Thank you baby Jesus, for Darkhorse. Not a paid advertisement, either. Jt

Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play, Staff
Clubhouse, Food/Bar Facilities
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 008032
Golf Course ranker Photo
El Dorado Hills, CA

$41 (cart included), played on Tuesday, June 2006 at 8am

Greens were in excellent shape. The staff was super!

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play, Staff
Houses on Course, Clubhouse
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 007174
Golf Course ranker Photo
Sequim, WA

$36 (cart included), played on Sunday, June 2009 at noon

Greens are extremely difficult and I was having a bad all around day. But the course was great.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line:
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Staff
Difficulty
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 007112
Golf Course ranker Photo
Auburn, CA

$61 (cart included), played on Sunday, January 2009 at 10am

Considering the frosty mornings the course is in great shape. Truly a top 100 course. Mostly open space around course, few homes, none come into play.

Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout
Clubhouse
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 006044
Golf Course ranker Photo, Lance Kulman
Puyallup, WA

Guest (cart included), played on Wednesday, October 2008 at 10am

I enjoyed the photography and golf, but the course was in the middle of some maintenance and overseeding. The layout was magnificent and the difficulty high. Still it was a fair test of golf. Greens still were running about 10-11 on stimp.

Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level
 
Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play, Staff, Clubhouse, Pro Shop
Condition of Course
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 005103
Golf Course ranker Photo, Todd Lafferty
Pleasanton, CA

$56 (cart included), played on Saturday, June 2007 at 2pm

Stunning course that regularly finds it's way into the Golf Digest Top 100 courses in the nation. Definitely the best in the Sacramento area and worth a drive from just about anywhere. Play this one at least once.

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play, Staff
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 003801
4.5/5
Based on 20 reviews
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