Out again this Monday 10/27/2014 walking the blue tees at 2pm. 1st twilight time at 28 bucks. POP was 4 hours this afternoon. One change from last Monday is they are punching all the tee boxes probabl... Continue »

Out again this Monday 10/27/2014 walking the blue tees at 2pm. 1st twilight time at 28 bucks. POP was 4 hours this afternoon. One change from last Monday is they are punching all the tee boxes probably for regular maintenance. A positive change this Monday were the greens. Oh my if you played Rustic long ago you would have appreciated today. The greens were in GREAT shape. Firm, fast and rolling beautiful. If I had to take a guess I would say they were rolling around a 12 stimp today maybe faster on downhillers... a treat to putt on. Fairways were semi-lush with a lot of roll...sand compacted and firm...weather was perfect 80 degrees with a 5-10 mph wind...fun challenging course.

Played this afternoon 10/20/14 riding teeing off from the Blue Tees at 2pm. Finished in 3 hours 15 minutes. Staff friendly. The greens were in very nice shape rolling semi-quick with hardly any ball m... Continue »

Played this afternoon 10/20/14 riding teeing off from the Blue Tees at 2pm. Finished in 3 hours 15 minutes. Staff friendly. The greens were in very nice shape rolling semi-quick with hardly any ball mark damage. I thought they were in great shape. For sure some interesting pins today---I think #9 today was so far back it looked like it was in the rough from the fairway. The tees were in good shape with cut lush coverage. The sand was raked and firm. The fairways were in OK shape. I think this course is doing a good job considering the drought and where this course is located which is in a hot climate. Layout is strong from the blue and black tees with some nice forced carries and some nice challenging green complexes. Recommended.

Finally made it out to Rustic Canyon and it was an interesting day. First off, the 100+ degree temps and NFL probably kept any big crowds away, so we pretty much had run of the place except for catchi... Continue »

Finally made it out to Rustic Canyon and it was an interesting day. First off, the 100+ degree temps and NFL probably kept any big crowds away, so we pretty much had run of the place except for catching up with a 3some midway through the front 9. Got in a few extra holes too as course was relatively empty and it was a good way to allow some time for any other groups we caught to get ahead.

Different than what I expected with so little elevation (little bit on back 9 to be fair), but fun and very fair - course knowledge definitely helps. Condition wise, the drought in Cali is clear to see, especially in the dry rough everywhere. Fairways were all quite playable, but there are dry areas to be found, but that happens even on some of the greens. Speaking of the greens, they were in very good shape apart from the odd dry area but always far from the pins. The aprons have been recently punched and it's still showing. Tee boxes (played blues) were fine. Sand traps were in good shape, too. Just avoid those waste areas - some kind of killers off the tee. Quite a few decent length carries off the tee that can get you in trouble.

Looking forward to another trip here when it's lush after the rains finally (hopefully) come. This really feels like a course built from the lay of the land, not just gimmicky and shaped with no regard to the surroundings. Great links style holes that challenge and reward.

Had an enjoyable day today 8/25/2014 with Nickesquire1 and RGM2525. Had not played here since March. Considering the drought the fairways were in good shape. They were green, semi-lush and a pleasure ... Continue »

Had an enjoyable day today 8/25/2014 with Nickesquire1 and RGM2525. Had not played here since March. Considering the drought the fairways were in good shape. They were green, semi-lush and a pleasure to hit irons from all day. There were a few dry spots here and there but very nice. The tees were in decent shape and were semi-lush. Looks like they re-sodded the blue stone tee box on #17 which looked great. The greens were looking super healthy and were rolling with medium speed. We repaired a couple extra ballmarks. The fringes and aprons all looked nice. Some of them were firmer than others so it can be a guessing game from time to time on iron approaches. The one thing that I have always wanted to see is a bit more sand in the greenside bunkers. You for sure burn the calories walking this course which I needed after a wedding weekend in Solvang. Staff friendly and nice--recommended.

Played the blues (6628/71.6/128) in slightly over 4H with GKers RGM2525 & GDR23. We teed off @ 210pm on their walking twilight rate of $28. The greens were quick & firm and putted nicely. They have ... Continue »

Played the blues (6628/71.6/128) in slightly over 4H with GKers RGM2525 & GDR23. We teed off @ 210pm on their walking twilight rate of $28. The greens were quick & firm and putted nicely. They have turned #18 green and the putting green into basically one huge double green with no real demarcation between them. Our group was wondering out loud what would happen in a tournament played under strict USGA rules... A case could be made that competitors could possibly be DQed for practicing "on the course" before their rounds? Should you roll through #18 green and go all the way to the back of the putting green when the pin is up on #18... you could have an uphill putt that exceeds 50 YARDS! The aprons here look better than the greens on many courses, very nicely mowed down and VERY well maintained. The fairways were good, not great, ranging from lush to thin in spots, definitely mowed down. Many fairways also had a decent amount of unfixed divot marks. The rough was typical for this course. Right beside the fairway are generally lush, but you could be on hardpan or dirt not all that far off their wide fairways. The traps were typical Rustic. Beside the greens, usually well maintained. The many waste bunkers are generally OK to hit out of, they just are not raked as regularly. A new feature is that many of the greenside traps are now blue staked, meaning that they are designated as waste bunkers where you can ground your club. The tees were decent, more mowed down than when I played here last week and not alot of unfixed divot marks. The customer service was excellent as usual here.

The greens today were as close to perfect as any we have played anytime in recent memory.
Unusually soft, holding approach shots, that would have bounced long in the past. Some ball mark damage,... Continue »

The greens today were as close to perfect as any we have played anytime in recent memory.
Unusually soft, holding approach shots, that would have bounced long in the past. Some ball mark damage, (come on people) very true, lush, consistent, not too fast.
Rustic has really got the greens dialed in. Super enjoyable.
Pace was a bit slower than typical. Never saw a marshal or the beverage cart. Fairways very good, rough lesser so. Bunkers very nice.
A "newer"? classification of calling the "natural" areas, the giant unmaintained bunker like areas, now labeled "natural areas", with blue stakes, now allows picking up loose impediments and grounding your club. No longer hazards, I guess.
Always enjoyable, today too.

First time playing Rustic in over 2 years. Played the blues (6628/71.6/128) in 4H, 15M teeing off @ 3pm on their standard twilight rate of $28 to walk. The greens were the best part of the course, q... Continue »

First time playing Rustic in over 2 years. Played the blues (6628/71.6/128) in 4H, 15M teeing off @ 3pm on their standard twilight rate of $28 to walk. The greens were the best part of the course, quick & firm. The aprons were very nicely mowed down and VERY well maintained. The aprons here look better than the greens on many courses. The fairways were good, not great, ranging from lush to thin in spots, definitely mowed down. Many fairways had a decent amount of unfixed divot marks. The rough was typical Rustic, right beside the fairway was generally lush, but you could be on hardpan or dirt not all that far off their wide fairways. The traps were also typical Rustic. Beside the greens, usually well maintained. The many waste bunkers are generally OK to hit out of, they just are not raked as regularly. The tees were at best average, not up to the standards of the rest of the course. Most tees were downright furry and many had areas of unfixed divot marks. The customer service was excellent, I was on the 1st tee within 10 minutes of hitting the parking lot.

Course is generally in good shape, especially for the summer drought conditions. Greens and surrounding areas especially good. Fairways in good shape, some thin spots but mostly good lies. Pace of pla... Continue »

Course is generally in good shape, especially for the summer drought conditions. Greens and surrounding areas especially good. Fairways in good shape, some thin spots but mostly good lies. Pace of play was good for a Saturday. Only complaint, was 90 degrees and never saw a cart girl.

WOW!! Sorry it's been so long for a review from me! Been without a laptop for too long! I just think that Rustic Canyon is a good challenge for your game! Conditions are fair, greens are a little sl... Continue »

WOW!! Sorry it's been so long for a review from me! Been without a laptop for too long! I just think that Rustic Canyon is a good challenge for your game! Conditions are fair, greens are a little slower than usual. Be aware of where the sun is! Shiny means faster. The grain really follows the sun, and of course the canyon. (except 17, where it runs to the right?) Blue tees were in great shape, fairways.... well it's a "links style" course and the lies are tight. I have a harder time getting the club onto the ball and try not to sweep it. AKA...right! Last week I shot a 105! Today 84. Go early to play the front with little or no wind. This course is my second favorite next to Olivas. For me, The tee shot is pretty benign for most of the holes, but your second is the key, and usually your hitting off of, well.... thin fairways. Not the easiest, and then if you get a green in reg... you have undulating, tricky, fun? putts. If you miss the greens, you chips are a challenge. Bump and run? Such a challenge! I recommend it! Learn a little about yourself! Lush fairways are relaxing, but Rustic is, well.... tough. ;)