CARLTON OAKS GOLF RESORT
🇺🇸 Santee, CA, USA
Designed by Perry Dye, William W. Mast

Carlton Oaks Lodge occupies rolling terrain in Santee, a suburban community in San Diego County's East County region. Perry Dye designed the course with William W. Mast, opening it in the late 1980s as part of a resort property that includes lodging and conference facilities. The layout takes advantage of natural elevation changes and incorporates the area's characteristic Southern California landscape of native grasses, mature trees, and seasonal creek corridors.
The routing moves through varied topography, with several holes playing along ridgelines that offer views across the surrounding valleys toward the mountains that define the inland portion of San Diego County. Dye's design includes strategic bunkering and water features that come into play on multiple holes, requiring golfers to consider risk-reward decisions off the tee and on approach shots. The course measures over 6,600 yards from the back tees and presents a layout that accommodates both resort guests and local daily-fee players.
Carlton Oaks serves as a public-access facility that hosts regional amateur tournaments and corporate outings. The property's combination of golf, lodging, and event space makes it a venue for both recreational rounds and organized group play. The course conditions and playability reflect its role as a year-round destination in a climate that supports golf throughout the calendar, with the inland location providing warmer temperatures than coastal San Diego courses during most seasons.
Reviews
It’s a shame what this place has become. Once a gem is now a total S***hole. “The greens are nice” is the only compliment you’ll hear, and it’s somewhat true. The greens look ok and roll true. The rest of the course is a complete disaster area. Terrible tee boxes leading to “fairways” like a minefield. Maintenance is a low priority nowadays, obviously. The staff is friendly and the bar/restaurant is nice with great food. The golf course needs a redo, badly.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Carlton Oaks Lodge at Carlton Oaks Golf Resort has a Course Vaults score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 6 explicit golfer ratings.
Carlton Oaks Lodge was designed by Perry Dye and William W. Mast.
Yes. Carlton Oaks Lodge at Carlton Oaks Golf Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Carlton Oaks Lodge is 72.
Carlton Oaks Lodge plays 7,304 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Carlton Oaks Lodge is 142.