Played Ram's Hill after all the hype I read. Review system is going to skew the ratings here but that is ok. It is a great course, good layout and conditions are almost ideal. That being said the s... Continue »

Played Ram's Hill after all the hype I read. Review system is going to skew the ratings here but that is ok. It is a great course, good layout and conditions are almost ideal. That being said the starter was not the nicest guy in the world, the food at the turn was just ok, and 36 holes was fairly priced. Great layout, great golf course, ratings system is giving a rating a bit too high but close. I loved it for golf's sake, everything else was just ok. Good for a once a year trip at lower than rack rates

What a gem!!!! The course had fallen on hard times during the recession but is clean and pristine. The design is challenging but fair, scenic vistas everywhere. The greens roll true - pick the line an... Continue »

What a gem!!!! The course had fallen on hard times during the recession but is clean and pristine. The design is challenging but fair, scenic vistas everywhere. The greens roll true - pick the line and trust it. They are also firm - you must hit short of the hole or with spin. The fairways are generous and rough that challenges you but is not penal. My favorite hole is #11 - downhilll par 5 that played into a breeze today. A stream runs down the left side all the way to the green culminating in a waterfall spilling into a lake left of the green. Tiered green that requires you hit to the right spot. There are LOTS of bunkers, but they are strategically placed and (unlike a lot courses I've played this year, even upscale courses) they have plenty of sand in them! Outstanding dirivng range where they tell you the actual distance to flags based on where they move the set-ups. Bar and restaurant serve delicious food. Staff is very accomodating. It is a ways out but well worth the drive! Several reasonable places to stay very close by. Wish I had stayed the weekend.

I waited a few days for my review because I wanted to digest it all. I can't think of any of my previous reviews in which I gave a 10 rating but I believe this course warrants such a rating. Thinkin... Continue »

I waited a few days for my review because I wanted to digest it all. I can't think of any of my previous reviews in which I gave a 10 rating but I believe this course warrants such a rating. Thinking back I could not find one darn thing to complain or even nit pick about.

Everyone else's review is consistent with what I thought, this course is just a top notch facility. This is a wonderfully designed course with a mix of short, medium and long par 4s as well as a good mix of par 3s and 5s. There are a lot of options off the tee. You can play conservative or aggressive. In looking back I played a little too aggressive off the tee because this course can be deceptive fro where you are hitting. I remember Johnny having a little wedge shot into a green and we could tell from the pin that you could run it long and it would come back to the pin. Johnny hit his shot long and we watched it roll back toward the pin then Ron and Vic proceed to follow suit and had kick in putts. However on another hole what appeared to be the same situation was not the case as the green was actually much flatter when we got up there.

I also remember that by about hole 14 or 15 of being physically and mentally exhausted. This course just required a lot of attention and concentration.

I love this course and already thinking about the next time I can get out here. The question is why haven't you played here yet.

My turn. I played out here this morning. I had an 8:50 time as a single. When I booked it over the phone, they made it sound like availability was limited even though the tee sheet turned out to be ve... Continue »

My turn. I played out here this morning. I had an 8:50 time as a single. When I booked it over the phone, they made it sound like availability was limited even though the tee sheet turned out to be very wide open. They told me they had another single lined up to play with me. I got there around 7:30 and the mens club group was heading out (11 players total). I hit the range and rolled some putts and then nobody was around once that group went out. Around 8:30, the pro shop guy came out and let me know I could head out whenever I wanted. I told him I'd prefer to wait for that other single so I wouldn't get on top of the mens club groups, but he let me know that other guy cancelled and I was the only one for awhile. I took my time taking lots of pictures and enjoying the round. I caught up to the groups ahead on the 6th, but then my cart died. I was at one of the furthest points from the clubhouse, so I had to wait about 10 minutes for a replacement, but those guys were super nice and got me a fresh cart as quickly as possible. I caught up to the groups again and then just slow-played behind them. Another single caught up to my on the 17th tee and we played it out together. Total pace of under 3.5 hours was great, so nothing to complain about. Being Monday, I ran into many maintenance workers on the course. With some rain yesterday and them still running the sprinklers this morning, things were very wet throughout the front nine. The workers were quick to get out of my way and they would stand by the sprinkler boxes to turn them off and let me play through. Obviously the maintenance crew is doing a great job because, as others have noted, this place is definitely in tip-top shape. I did not encounter any of the tee box issues those other guys did. I played the blues and they were fantastic throughout. Fairways and rough were in magnificent shape, though there were some coot issues on the 18th fairway along the water. They had put down the little white fertilizer pellets throughout many holes (fairways, tee boxes and rough). Those were only a slight detraction, though my driver head was all caked with white powder by the end of the round. Looked like a stockbroker's nose in the 80s! The greens were quite firm and fast, and you had to account for the roll-out on approaches and chips. When most greens are elevated and you can't really see what's going on, that makes for some uncomfortable shots. The putting surfaces were spectacular. Pure as pure can be! I was in a couple bunkers and the sand was excellent. I was surprised to see footprints in both of them, though, that didn't appear to be fresh (as in not from the guys ahead of me). With an army of maintenance workers out, you'd think they'd have all the bunkers fluffed to perfection every morning. As for the course, it's a very enjoyable layout with stunning scenery. As others have said, most tee shots lay out right in front of you and the landing areas are generally quite forgiving. The approach shots can get tougher with the tricky greens, big bunkers and false edges protecting them. There are some shorter risk/reward holes and some longer brutes, and ample tee box options to suit anyone's game. Having back-to-back par-3s at the turn (holes 9 and 10) is an unusual design feature. The staff was very nice, but it was definitely a more laid-back Monday morning with mostly regulars out on the course rather than the VIP treatment some have gotten. No bag attendant on duty or anyone wiping down my clubs at the end (which I hate anyway, though my driver did need a cleaning). No cart girl today. Also, you don't go by the clubhouse at the turn and there's not really any "quick" food/drink options that I noticed. I actually got there early planning to eat breakfast in the restaurant, but I didn't find anyone working in there. Thankfully, I had some granola bars in my bag and that had to suffice along with the waters they provide in the cart. Beyond some minor quibbles, I really, really enjoyed my visit to Rams Hill. I hope they do well this time around and hopefully they aren't pricing themselves out of business again with such high rack rates. The $20 I paid with my early bird email list voucher was the deal of the century. This is a very nice course and it'll be great if they keep up the level of conditioning. Is this a "bucket list" level course? Probably not. Is it worth the trek for anyone in SoCal, especially those of us who got that voucher? Hell yes!

Played 1-8-15 with Nick, Vick, Mike, and John late morning on a great day with no wind. This course is almost in perfect shape. I have played over a thousand different courses and its hard for me to t... Continue »

Played 1-8-15 with Nick, Vick, Mike, and John late morning on a great day with no wind. This course is almost in perfect shape. I have played over a thousand different courses and its hard for me to think of one in better shape then this one. From tee to greens this course was a treat to play, very enjoyable with great views of the surrounding desert. Rarely do you come across a course that treats you like an old friend from the moment you get there to the time you leave. I highly recommend to anyone in the area or not in the area (drove 200 miles) to get out and play this course.

Played Thursday in the late morning with fellow GK’ers Ringworld, Nickesquire, rgm2525 and weber2323. Just an exceptional golf experience. The course defined immaculate condition. The only slight blem... Continue »

Played Thursday in the late morning with fellow GK’ers Ringworld, Nickesquire, rgm2525 and weber2323. Just an exceptional golf experience. The course defined immaculate condition. The only slight blemish to perfect 10’s across the board (slight as in it got a 9 instead of 10) was some divot damage on the tee boxes. I blame this mostly on the players that don’t take a moment to bring the divot repair sand from their cart to the tee. There is never a long walk from the cart to the tee box. Speaking of the layout, a Tom Fazio design, it too is exceptional. It’s visually stunning yet not too intimating. All the par 4’s and par 5’s give you ample room off the tee box to hit the fairways or find the rough. Unless you severely hit a ball off line, it is hard to lose of ball off the tee off the golf course. You will however find many difficult fairway bunkers…I say that from first hand experience – lol. The green complexes are visual masterpieces, and my favorite aspect of the course. The greens are undulating yet fair with multiple tiers and the occasional false-front. They are guarded well but not excessively by bunkers. You won’t find that “impossible” bunker to save from but you will be tested every time when you miss the green. They are a blast. Regarding the service, from the moment you come to the guard gate to leaving, it’s cheerful and professional. The clubhouse although still in its final stages of finishing touches, has an accommodating proshop and excellent restaurant providing inside and patio dining. The practice facilities are excellent with a grass range where you can aim at well-defined mock green complex targets. There is a short game area and grass putting green that perfectly simulated the green speed and smoothness I found on the course. IMO, the only reason this course is available for public play is because of its newly opened and remote location in Borrego Springs. Yes, the drive is worth it, but it’s quite a drive from wherever you are coming from. If you can get to the course from its East side (desert side), I highly suggest you do. It might be longer from a millage standpoint but its smooth sailing. Access the course from the West side (mountain side), be prepared for a lot of single lane winding road. In addition you will be reaching elevations of over 4,000 feet on the pass so snow is a possibility. No matter, you need to make the drive to play this course!

Played the Golds (6830/73.2/137) as a 5some with Weber2323, JohnnyGK, RGM2525 & Ringworld in 4H, 45M on an absolutely beautiful day with the temperature in the mid to high 70's. Thanks much to Bill & ... Continue »

Played the Golds (6830/73.2/137) as a 5some with Weber2323, JohnnyGK, RGM2525 & Ringworld in 4H, 45M on an absolutely beautiful day with the temperature in the mid to high 70's. Thanks much to Bill & Rams Hill for having us out. I read the other reviews of people I know from experience to be good reviewers, saw all the 9.9's and still had to question the validity of those ratings. I have rated several hundred courses in the 8 years I have been a GK member. Only a select few did I rate above 8.5 overall. I can count on both hands the amount of 10's I have ever rated individual components of a course. Well, add me to the list, you could not get a golf course that allows the public to come in and play in much better condition than this course is. I gave this course four 10's and one 9 on the five individual components that make up the overall GK rating. The greens were firm, quick (sign out front said 11.8 on the stimp) and rolled about as smooth as a green could be. While they may be quicker, I have attended many PGA Tournaments over the years, and I have never seen greens that rolled any smoother. The fairways were lush, with almost complete thick coverage everywhere with few divots. The rough was also very lush, and it is just thick and long enough to make longer clubs a very risky play. The sand traps were immaculate. If you do not like a course with an abundant amount of traps that are manicured precisely around the edges and filled to the brim with soft, deep, fine sand, then you should not come to this course. As with my comments on the greens, I do not see how a course that allows the general public in could have their traps in better condition. The tees were flat out excellent, but not immaculate. I only rated them a 9, they were not up to the standards of the rest of the course. Few divots, mowed down close, well maintained. We had dinner at the onsite restaurant. Their happy hour prices were very reasonable. The food was very good, as was the selection. I liked the setup of the all grass driving range with the complementary balls. Most of the range is sand, with numerous grass greens set up as targets in 25-30 yard increments so you could hit almost any club and feel like you were hitting into a green. The customer service was excellent. We were greeted with a cart as we were getting out of our car to put our clubs on. That level of service continued all the way to the same person dropping us off at the car and cleaning our clubs after the round. Pro Shop and restaurant staff were also excellent. I especially liked the course layout. Tom Fazio design, I can see the high slope rating. Many holes are visually intimidating with 97 well placed traps and a decent amount of water. Four different sets of tees for men, all varied by 400-500 yards. The course was fair, not overly tight and an excellent test of golf. Very enjoyable round and worth the slightly over 400 mile round trip.

Wow. Allow that word to sink in because it has meaning and depth when describing this course. Let me say it again -- WOW!

Read previous comments and reviews on this golf course and personally I w... Continue »

Wow. Allow that word to sink in because it has meaning and depth when describing this course. Let me say it again -- WOW!

Read previous comments and reviews on this golf course and personally I was a little skeptical. So much so when I was given the opportunity to play this course I jumped at the chance to see for myself. And I am glad I did.

Pace of play was under 4 hours. No one in front of us and the threesome behind us only caught up to us finally after hole 14.

Greens are immaculate. They roll true; they roll fast and most important no subtle breaks. What you saw is what you got. Just pick a spot for your ball to hit and stroke away. You either execute or not but it's not the fault of the green. Green complexes, immaculate. No bare spots except where it was meant to be bare. This is a desert golf course with some pine trees thrown in for grins and giggles so there are waste areas.

Fairways are immaculate. I mean green with full coverage.

Bunkers, and I saw two/three of them are well stocked with sand. Should you find yourself in a bunker here it's white, fluffy, sandy beaches all the way. It was a hazard but a pleasure to hit out.

Rough is thick and definitely punishing. Also green with full coverage.

Tee boxes are flat, lush and level; also green with full coverage. It appears they rotate their tee boxes well.

You know when golf feels like work? For some reason it wasn't the case for this course. It was fun. The course sets up as what-you-see-is-what-you-get. You're treated to some of the best desert views and unlike Palm Springs where when the sun drops behind the mountains it gets dark quick, it wasn't the case here. As for the course, there are no blind shots. It's not target golf but instead easy to pick out targets to hit. There were no crazy bounces but definitely bail out areas for errant shots.

I enjoyed my time playing this course. It was a drive to get here but with their stay and play packages, it's a deal. Now would I recommend this course? Let me put it this way, this course literally has received my highest rating to date. Conditions are beyond reproach. The views spectacular and the pace of play speedy. So in a word, yes, I would recommend playing this course.

Check out my photos on my Instagram @ringworld on Facebook or even my blog with an even more in-depth description of the course.

Played here Saturday 1/3. Starting with the excellent range, everything about re-opened Rams Hill is done well. Outstanding condition, great layout, uncrowded - an absolutely great golf experience a... Continue »

Played here Saturday 1/3. Starting with the excellent range, everything about re-opened Rams Hill is done well. Outstanding condition, great layout, uncrowded - an absolutely great golf experience and well worth the drive.