Darkhorse is in Auburn 50 minutes east of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada foothills between I-80 and CA 49 just south of Lake of the Pines.

The layout is a minimalist design over a large tract of a former cattle ranch with minimal disturbance to the existing land forms and vegetation. The golf course moves over rolling terrain in a scenic setting along tree lined fairways, wetlands, ponds, and streams with the strategic use of sand bunkering defending the fairways and greens. From the championship tees it's 7,053 yards, 74.5/138, course/slope ratings with four shorter tees, designed by Keith Foster.