Played the GK event first group out with Steve, Mark, and Tim. Great group to play with. This was my first time playing Rams Hill. I really enjoyed the design of the course. The course can be difficul... Continue »

Played the GK event first group out with Steve, Mark, and Tim. Great group to play with. This was my first time playing Rams Hill. I really enjoyed the design of the course. The course can be difficult in spots but fair. Solid 18 holes of golf. The greens were in overall good condition with the exception of the occasional patch in the green as Itslikeimsayin pointed out. The greens rolled smooth with medium/fast speed and held shots. The fairways had mostly good coverage with some thin areas that were mostly roped off to keep carts away. The rough had good coverage and was long enough to affect shots but not too penal. The bunkers were in good condition, fairway and greenside (I was in many). The tee boxes had good coverage and were reasonably level.

The Club House is very nice. The room our group had for food and after golf activities was large with windows overlooking the course and desert landscape. I thought the staff did a wonderful job serving the food, clearing plates, and filling water glasses. All the staff throughout the day were nice and eager to help. Most of all thanks to John for all the hard work he putts in organizing and running the GK outings.

Played in the lead group of yesterday's GK Plays here with Tim, Steve, and Wade. Fun times! After no one had teed off for a little bit, the starter let us go a little early. Then around the 6th hole, ... Continue »

Played in the lead group of yesterday's GK Plays here with Tim, Steve, and Wade. Fun times! After no one had teed off for a little bit, the starter let us go a little early. Then around the 6th hole, we got our first glimpse of the group ahead. The marshall came and told us he'd informed them to pick up the pace. We caught them on 10 so we went to get our tacos (thank you Rams Hill... nice touch!), and then I don't recall seeing them again until 17. Overall pace was generally in our control and we finished in about 4:30. Absolutely gorgeous day with blue skies, perfect temps and almost no wind.

Course conditions are decent based on Rams Hill standards and good relative to most other courses. Most of the greens are quite good, but a few have poorly repaired rectangular patches that are much softer than the rest of the green, so the ball rolls oddly through those spots. (9 & 17 come to mind where this impacted me.) Otherwise they're medium-fast, smooth and medium firmness. Fairways are decent; a far cry from the conditions during the first few years of Rams Hill's resurrection. They look good from afar but on top of the ball they're a little thin and there are some bare/thin spots around. Rough was sometimes more preferable than the fairways, providing lusher/fluffier lies. Also seemed overwatered in spots. My approach to 7 from the right rough was very muddy under the grass. Blue tee boxes were good. The two bunkers I was in were both very good. Overall conditions are very good compared to most Southern California courses, but the last couple years are a definite step down from the exceptionally high standards Rams Hill set for themselves five or six years ago. If I want to get really nitpicky, my caramel apple cookie was unfortunately overbaked, negating the wonderful sticky/chewiness they normally offer.

Huge thanks to the course, Johnny and the sponsors. Stoked to get a Linksoul hat and shirt! Despite conditions being a step below their usual standard, I had a great time and always enjoy the course. Can't wait to get back!

Played in the Gk event yesterday. this year we booked an AIRBNB on the course which made the round much more enjoyable as we didn't have the 3hour drive before the round. Upon arrival the staff was ve... Continue »

Played in the Gk event yesterday. this year we booked an AIRBNB on the course which made the round much more enjoyable as we didn't have the 3hour drive before the round. Upon arrival the staff was very friendly and helped get everything loaded on the carts. We hit the bar first and they made us d%mn good John Daly's.

As expected the course was in great shape overall. Tee's level and had full coverage. Fairways were lush but there were a few spots with new sod layed out and marked as GUR. I didn't encounter any of these issues but I would say at least 8 holes had some GUR. Rough was lush but not overly penal to hit from. Sand traps were great and had ample sand in the green side bunkers. Greens were in really good condition with the exception of one on the back nine where there was basically a hole in the front of the green. Not sure what caused it but it was in the way with any shots on the front of the green.

We saw the cart girl on 5 and 9 and then at the Ram Shack on 14 they were giving away FREE TACOS!! They were quite tasty as well. After the round they gave us their Awesome Carmel apple cookies and brisket sandwiches. If you have not played Rams Hill I suggest getting out there this year. Rates go up January first so make sure to get out there soon. especially because they have been ranked in the Golf Digest Top 100 this year.

I will be the first to jump in a review Rams Hill for the GK plays event on Sunday. Course is in good to great shape, some areas still a little soggy and overseeding is taking hold and makes the cour... Continue »

I will be the first to jump in a review Rams Hill for the GK plays event on Sunday. Course is in good to great shape, some areas still a little soggy and overseeding is taking hold and makes the course pop, especially the brown grass around the bunkers. There were a few areas that sod had been replaced and were marked as GUR and easy to find somewhere near to have a great lie. Bunkers were great with plenty of sand and were all very consistent. Rough was not to long but was also very consistent and in great shape. Greens were very nice and were rolling with some speed. We were one of the last groups out and they started to get a little bumpy with all the foot traffic towards the end of the round but they still rolled true and with pace. Customer service was great and was a great "cherry on top" for the round. Thanks again to Johnny for all the work he puts in to set these up, super fun to just show up, play a great track, and not have to worry about anything but having a great time.

Played 2 rounds in the 2nd annual RAMATEUR tournament on the 4th and 5th of December. Conditions were generally good to very good. There were/are a few bare, wet and thus muddy areas on the course, ... Continue »

Played 2 rounds in the 2nd annual RAMATEUR tournament on the 4th and 5th of December. Conditions were generally good to very good. There were/are a few bare, wet and thus muddy areas on the course, and although the are roped off to a degree sometimes they weren't and the golf carts wouldn't/couldn't go near some that weren't marked off. Greens were in very good to excellent condition and would hold a shot, very few if any ball marks on greens, most players were doing a good job repairing them. Bunkers were good, tee boxes level and no divots, rough short to medium length. Pace of play was good on Saturday and as expected a bit slower than "normal" on Sunday...final day of tournament...Customer service was, as always at Rams Hill, Excellent. By the way the tournament was run extremely well, up to date scores etc. Kudo's to the staff who ran it so professionally!

Drove out yesterday and played 36 holes (really 35 because 18 was in the pitch black). First round we were 3rd off and finished right at 4 hours. We didn't rush because we had a 12:20 time as well. ... Continue »

Drove out yesterday and played 36 holes (really 35 because 18 was in the pitch black). First round we were 3rd off and finished right at 4 hours. We didn't rush because we had a 12:20 time as well. We finished with a 2 hole gap between the group behind us. The afternoon round was slow. Took 5 hours and I guess there is a Grint tournament this weekend so guys were playing practice rounds. I remember watching the in front of the group in front of us on the 17th green take 10 minutes on the green alone. I guess these guys were more concerned about agonizing over 2 footers than completing their round.

As far as conditions go I agree with the previous review. The issues last year to seem to be under control and still a work in progress. There are areas in the fairway that are roped off. Still cart path only right now which made for some long walks.

I agree the greens here were a little slow. They posted they were running at 9. If you previously played here you know they can get real quick. Greens were smooth though and didn't see much in the way of ball marks. There were some greens that had what looked like new patches of sod but didn't seem to impact any putts. It just more of a visual.

I thought the rough was a little sticky. Not overly deep or penalizing but a ball can sit down in it. Of course there is the desert which I found a couple of times.

Bunkers were great and the tee boxes were as well. Really no complaints in either of these. Customer service here is always top notch. Looking forward to getting out here a couple more times to escape the brutal winter we are having.

Rams Hill re-opened today (Nov 5). The entire course is currently cart-path only. I'd expect cart-path only for another few weeks. The new grass is still coming in and certain areas of the course a... Continue »

Rams Hill re-opened today (Nov 5). The entire course is currently cart-path only. I'd expect cart-path only for another few weeks. The new grass is still coming in and certain areas of the course are very wet. The fungus that plagued the course last year appears to be under control. There are still a few trouble patches here are there, but most of the course is in very good shape. Most of the greens are in fantastic shape, but they are running a bit slow. Doesn't look like they rolled them today.

Pace of play was 4 hours, 40 minutes. The general manager said that they expected slow play, so they offered a brownie on hole 16. I'd gladly trade a brownie for a 3.5 hour round. But we love the layout and course conditions appear to be off to a much better start than last year around this time.

Finally have had a couple chances to play Rams Hill related to business and family trips to San Diego. The drive is long and difficult but beautiful; the course is in poor to fair condition due to a ... Continue »

Finally have had a couple chances to play Rams Hill related to business and family trips to San Diego. The drive is long and difficult but beautiful; the course is in poor to fair condition due to a fairway fungus, but still in good enough shape to play fairly and has very good greens and excellent traps and lovely surrounds; Borrego Springs itself is an experience one should not miss; and the club’s Stay and Play offerings are top notch and the club is extremely helpful in making quality arrangements at a fair price. I can’t wait to play it when it is in the condition for which it is famous.
I played the blues at about 6400 yards, I would encourage the club to create a combo that is 6600 and thus 200 fewer than the copper tees; several par 4s are just out of rational range for me from those 6800 yard copper tees. With winter rules in effect due to some severe bareness throughout the course due to a fungus suffered a few months ago, it was not hard to find good grass from which to hit when necessary, and on a few holes (4 stands out) one could see the usual excellent and lush conditions. I also played twice in very high winds, which was annoying but still fun because the routing is excellent with a great mix of hole lengths and hazards. I spoke with the superintendent and he promised everything will be back in excellent condition for the fall reopening. The overall care and attention to detail is still evident in the surrounds, despite the fairway fungus issue. Can’t wait to see it in top shape.
The bunkers are excellent, and fairly placed; always had a way out, and good shots did not go in at random. The greens are very good and the breaks less than they appear, good putts are rewarded. There is no trickery on this course and you can see it all in front of you. Several long par 4s require a good short game if you miss the greens with a long club in, but the green complexes and surrounds are fair and give you a fair chance to get up and down. Overall the course is challenging but fair and quality shots are rewarded consistently.
The range is very good and includes a bunker and good target options. Not to be missed is a cart drive to the north end of the range, where an excellent bunker and chipping area awaits, rarely used but really a great touch for anyone who likes to practice.
The staff are outstanding. And the free tacos at the halfway house and the free cookie at the end of the round are a nice touch. The grill and bar are very good. Some argue they serve the best breakfast in town.
Stay and play offerings abound for groups of all sizes and even for a single or double, right at the course property. Just down the road is an old school resort, La Casa del Zorro, which is a mini La Quinta Resort with many different room offerings to accommodate all sorts of groups and a plethora of pools; they work with the golf course on stay and play offerings. The Bistro restaurant there has a fantastic menu and a superb cook, outstanding eating. Stanlund’s Inn and Suites is also an old school and less expensive good choice a little closer to town, with some rooms with kitchenettes. The town is old desert, no fast food chains but several good places to pick up groceries or to dine. The surrounding desert is really a sight to see, and the many metal sculptures throughout the local desert give the place a touch all its own. Stargazing is breathtaking, it is a “Dark Sky” community and, well, wow.
The drive is a challenge but well worth it. Coming over the mountains from the west is a slowish and windy trip but worth every glance out the window, and the drive down the mountain into the town is exciting stuff.
This is a golf course I could play over and over again and I plan to do so. It is perfect for a 3 golf day trip. Worth the drive. Kind of a must play in my book. Can’t wait to return, sad it has to be shut down all summer, but yeah, really too hot.

Did another double header here yesterday. This time the greens had small holes punched but I do not believe that they had any impact on the green and I would imagine these would probably be completel... Continue »

Did another double header here yesterday. This time the greens had small holes punched but I do not believe that they had any impact on the green and I would imagine these would probably be completely healed in a week. I only make this comment because this is more aesthetic. The pace posted was an 11 but I don't know what that means. We were first off in the morning round and the greens were wet and slow from the watering. We finally passed the guys watering the greens on hole 10 and the pace was a little quicker.

Fairways and rough still have a lot of spots that are not good and my understanding is that there was a fungus that got into parts of the course. I think these areas probably won't get back to normal until the fall when they can devote time of overseed again and treat the infected areas.

Bunkers and tees boxes were great though. I really like the depth of sand in the bunkers, not too soft and not too hard. The markers on the tee boxes were pretty wide so there was ample places to tee it up. Even the par 3s didn't have that much wear and tear on them.

Course is scheduled to shut down June 4 (I believe) which is not that far away. Condition wise I'd probably hold off until the fall but if you are ok with atypical conditions the layout is still a great test of golf and certainly some of the best staff I've encountered.