Castle Oaks Golf Club
Castle Oaks Golf Club presents an 18-hole parkland layout carved through rolling hills and oak groves near Ione, California. This public course blends accessible playability with strategic challenges, set amid evolving conditions as maintenance efforts aim to enhance the fairways and greens.
Course Overview
Castle Oaks Golf Club, located in the rolling hills near Ione, California, offers a distinctive 18-hole layout amid a landscape defined by gently undulating fairways and pockets of native oak trees. This public course presents a thoughtful blend of challenge and accessibility, appealing to a broad range of golfers from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned players seeking to test their control and strategy.
The course’s parkland-style setting balances natural beauty with purposeful design. Fairways wind through a mixture of open spaces and tree-lined corridors, creating varied sight lines and shot opportunities. Bunkers are strategically placed to steer approach shots, while moderate elevation changes add subtle complexity without overwhelming playability. Greens provide receptive targets, demanding attention to pace and break to capitalize on scoring chances.
Castle Oaks’s conditioning has seen fluctuations, with recent efforts underway to revive the turf quality and overall course upkeep. Maintenance crews are actively improving fairways and greens, aiming to restore the course’s reputation for lush surfaces and fast putting conditions. Players visiting during these transition phases should expect variable conditions but will find the core design rewarding and engaging.
Facilities include a driving range, a practice green with a sand bunker, and a modest clubhouse that supports both golf and dining experiences. The pro shop provides customary golf merchandise, though selection is focused and primarily oriented toward men’s apparel. On-course electric carts are available and can ease navigation, particularly given the course’s gentle elevations.
The course’s location within easy reach of Sacramento and the Central California region makes it a convenient day-trip destination. Walking is allowed and enjoyable when weather permits, with textured fairways and natural contours inviting a measured pace. Good footwear is advisable due to some rugged patches during maintenance periods.
Castle Oaks Golf Club offers an honest golf experience framed by its natural surroundings and evolving care efforts. Those planning a visit should consider timing their rounds later in the season for peak conditioning while embracing the course’s blend of challenge and scenic calm.
Course Highlights
Castle Oaks features a classic parkland-style design with rolling terrain and mature oak stands that shape several holes. The routing combines straightforward fairways with hidden bunkers and subtle elevation shifts to test shot placement. The 12th hole stands out with a dogleg left bordered by mature trees and a well-guarded green, demanding precise iron play. Recent maintenance initiatives focus on conditioning fairways and fast, receptive greens, aiming to restore the course’s traditional character and challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Andrew C
I've played this course a few times but NEVER again. After checking in the pro shop took 20 minutes to get us our carts. They let out their friends before us who had checked in after us who stole our carts. The group in front of my 4 some was a group of 8-9. I called the pro shop and they didn't even send out a marshal. My group was not even able to finish because the group of 8-9 in front of us held us up. Also one of our carts died on the back nine. I should have demanded for my money back but was so upset i needed to leave. I would never play this course again because of the service from the pro shop. 0 out of 10. Find a better course to play. Wish i could have given 0 stars.
Justin M
Golf course is great. Staff in the clubhouse, restaurant, and snack shack are awesome. My issue is with a rogue marshal who came out and met us on our 2nd shot on the 1st hole. Our 2some was called to the tee by the starter at 945 am which was our tee time. We tee'd off at 948 and proceeded to follow the group in front of us. As we tee'd off we heard the starter call another group, 2some, to the tee box behind us. Normal day right....wrong in their Marshals eyes. The marshal comes up to us as we are about to hit our 2nd shot and says "I'm not in my marshal cart but you all hit out of turn. You went before you were supposed to and now you need to park at the edge of the fairway and let the group behind you play up. Don't move until they get to you then play with them as a 4some. Follow the rules. I dont want you pressing the group in front of you." The guy was rude and treated us like we have never golfed before. Needless to say I was pissed. We waited for the 2some behind us and they had no idea what was going on. We finished the hole and agreed this was no way to start a round We followed the starters instruction and didn't do anything wrong. It was a slow day and we even ending up playing through the group in front of us at their request. We did not press them they waited at the 5th tee box and were very nice. I called the clubhouse about this rogue marshal and they didn't have much to say. Anyway the guy talked to experienced golfers, 20+ years, and paying customers like we were children. I love this course and have played here for 8 years. 1st time I had an experience like this. This guy power tripped to a new level. Hope he feels a bit taller after shaking down a 2some who tee'd off when the starter called them up. His time would be better spent dealing with players taking tons of time looking for balls in ponds slowing down the pace of play. This was a ridiculous encounter and one I hope nobody has to deal with. Hold your marshals accountable. Don't let them brow beat people/customers who know how to play golf and know golf etiquette. Freaking ridiculous
Carrie Yoshida
Played this course yesterday --had very low expectations due to the reviews ---and the fact I played here in April and the course conditions were horrible. BUT.... The course has new management that takes over officially July 15th. They had maintence crews out working on the course--- the fairways were green the rough was cut back and they are working on getting the greens back n shape. Happy to see all this as I like this course--it is pretty and will NOW be worth the 45 minute drive. The staff are all super excited to see this happening and I think the future is bright for Castle Oaks---make the drive and play it!!
Carrie Yoshida
Played this course yesterday --had very low expectations due to the reviews ---and the fact I played here in April and the course conditions were horrible. BUT.... The course has new management that takes over officially July 15th. They had maintence crews out working on the course--- the fairways were green the rough was cut back and they are working on getting the greens back n shape. Happy to see all this as I like this course--it is pretty and will NOW be worth the 45 minute drive. The staff are all super excited to see this happening and I think the future is bright for Castle Oaks---make the drive and play it!!
Byung Il Ahn
Connor Millin
Super bummed with what this course has become as they try to figure out whether or not it will be staying open. I have always loved the layout and had great rounds here but the conditions are absolutely terrible right now. Tee boxes were thrashed, greens are beat to hell with dirt patches on most of them, and the rough that has always been a good kind of penal is now just a black hole for any ball that misses the fairway since the cuttings of whatever minimal mowing has occurred are just left there to dry out and cover everything up. It’s uglier than I expected. Really hoping they get things worked out because when I started playing here it was one of my favorite courses around and I’d gladly drive an hour to play it, but unless it does end up getting bought & I hear that conditions are back I’ll probably never go out to play it again. I get that they’re trying to do what they can to stay afloat for now but charging full price for a tee time with the current conditions is absolutely insane
Andrew C
I've played this course a few times but NEVER again. After checking in the pro shop took 20 minutes to get us our carts. They let out their friends before us who had checked in after us who stole our carts. The group in front of my 4 some was a group of 8-9. I called the pro shop and they didn't even send out a marshal. My group was not even able to finish because the group of 8-9 in front of us held us up. Also one of our carts died on the back nine. I should have demanded for my money back but was so upset i needed to leave. I would never play this course again because of the service from the pro shop. 0 out of 10. Find a better course to play. Wish i could have given 0 stars.
Stephen C
Beautiful course, kept in great condition. Greens were rolling fast when I played. Plenty of challenging holes. I really liked the food in the restaurant. Solid cheeseburger with nicely seasoned and crispy French fries. Service was very friendly as well. Can't wait to get back
Michelle Bissell
I've been playing this course since the late 1990's and enjoy the challenge it provides. It'll definitely test your patience and skill! The greens are normally in good shape and fast! The fairways can be challenging, most are moderately wide, with a few dog legs too. There are many hazards to watch for, especially the hidden sand traps! The electric golf carts are in good condition, they got all new one's two years ago I believe. The pro shop has a lot more golf attire for men than they do for women, and not a whole lot of variety. They have a driving range, a small pitching area with a sand trap and putting green for practice. Most of the staff members are friendly and knowledgeable. The golf instructor, Theresa, is good from what I hear. The restaurant (Caddy's) is nice, and open for dinner sometimes. The menu has a limited variety of hot and cold sandwich type food to choose from and the pricing is appropriate. However, the service is hit miss. I like that you can call and order items to go! The orders are usually ready when you arrive to pick-up. There's also a snack bar to grab hot dogs, chips, cold drinks/beer, etc.
Shirley Tierney
Book Your Round
Experience one of golf's most legendary courses
Direct booking • No commissions
Course Details
Access & Location
1000 Castle Oaks Dr, Ione, CA 95640, USA
Castle Oaks Clubhouse
Walking is permitted and recommended for those seeking a natural pace; sturdy footwear advised because some fairway areas may be uneven during maintenance.
Open to the public with tee times available; advance booking recommended during peak seasons.
Nearby Courses
