Walked the Blues this morning 1/11/2021 teeing off around 8:05am joined by 2 nice singles Chris and Bob. Our POP was great around 4 hrs with just some minimal waiting on the last 3 holes. I wanted to ... Continue »

Walked the Blues this morning 1/11/2021 teeing off around 8:05am joined by 2 nice singles Chris and Bob. Our POP was great around 4 hrs with just some minimal waiting on the last 3 holes. I wanted to touch a little on the weather and in reference to Tim's review about 3 reviews down the line. We started the day with very light breeze that turned into a hurricane around hole 11. Talking 30-40mph wind with super blustery gusts. I consider myself not super long especially with each year. How bad was the wind at our backs on 16(466 yd par 4) from the blue stone I had 50 yds to the green and on number 18(437 yd par 4) I hit a power fade around the greenside bunkers and was on the fringe after my drive. Saw several 390 yd drives downwind in our group and #11 and #13 going into wind were brutal! Maybe 190-200 yd drives with the ball going backwards when it reached its apex..lol.

Greens were top notch. Probably the smoothest and quickest I have seen them in some time. Had a eagle putt on hole 1 front green and I putted it off the green into the rough past a back pin. Green rating today was close to a 9/10. Greens Holding shots into the wind OK. If you were downwind or short sidesided today you were toast. Love putting these greens. To Tim's point any wind over 25mph plus out here there are many greens where the ball will not stop in its place to be putted.

Tees were freaking awesome. Level, lush and in great shape. Rated 8.5/10

Fairways had a ton of roll. I saw my playing partners drive on 14 roll like a 100yds. Fairways were more thin than lush but contained just enough padding. Rustic fairways are for sure links style at this time and the way the designer meant for them to be played. Rated 6.5/10

Rough was thin and wispy around the fairways and lush and green around the aprons and greens. Fairway rough rating 6/10. Greenside rough rating 8/10.

Was not in any bunkers so can't comment on those today.

Highly recommended. Love me some Rustic. Look at the forecast or call ahead to check on the wind.

I got out with another single yesterday, 1/5/21 with a 12:50 start. I'm going to do a complete cheat and refer you to GDR23's review since i found the conditions pretty much exactly the same, right do... Continue »

I got out with another single yesterday, 1/5/21 with a 12:50 start. I'm going to do a complete cheat and refer you to GDR23's review since i found the conditions pretty much exactly the same, right down to surprisingly mild day with minimal to no wind. Really very enjoyable conditions. Unfortunately, i also found the course pretty busy and slow. I've found good pace, despite the crowds, has been more the norm lately at other locations, so only finishing 15 holes with a 12:50 start was unexpected and disappointing.

Make sure you give yourself time to finish, but otherwise recommended.

Walked the blues this morning at 10am joined by Lee, Don and Gary. It was a pleasure watching Don at 86 years young hit some great shots. Inspiring. We had perfect weather conditions with no wind and ... Continue »

Walked the blues this morning at 10am joined by Lee, Don and Gary. It was a pleasure watching Don at 86 years young hit some great shots. Inspiring. We had perfect weather conditions with no wind and temps in the mid 70's. POP was 4 hrs 30 minutes with a pretty packed golf course today.

Covid19= no rakes, foam inserts in cups, driving range open on mats, putting green open with no flags. Cart service was around a bunch of times and grill open with ordering from outside for take out. Masks in pro shop.

Greens are freaking awesome right now. Quick and firm, holding irons nicely. You need to spin your chips here or they will release on you. Greenskeeper is doing a great job with the greens. Rated 8.5/10

Tees are awesome. Mostly all green and lush and mostly all level. Rated 8/10

Fairways would call them more thin than lush but still just enough padding. To be honest the fairways now are how this course should be played which is run out on drives, bump and run shots around the greens and overall a links feel. Historically the fairways start getting lush and green around April. Rated 6.5/10.

Bunkers was only in one greenside bunker on 13 that had nice beach like soft sand that was easy to splash out of. Over the years Rustic has done a great job in filling in most of the greenside bunkers with more sand. Rated 7/10.

Rough is dry, thinner and not an issue as far as a club grabber. You can get some poor thinner lies just off the fairways or if you run through a fairway like I did on my drive on number 5. Rated 6/10.

Highly recommend Rustic. Pick a non-windy day by looking at the forecast or calling the shop ahead of time. Great layout with some length to it, challenging greens and a blast to play

I’ve been playing Rustic a lot lately, and am even about to join their men’s club. I think the course is fun and interesting, and the condition of the greens is typically fantastic. The customer servi... Continue »

I’ve been playing Rustic a lot lately, and am even about to join their men’s club. I think the course is fun and interesting, and the condition of the greens is typically fantastic. The customer service is also top-notch.

That said, they have to start paying more attention to the wind advisories and placing pins in smarter spots and growing out the greens a little during the windiest part of the year (this time of year). I played today, and beginning on the 10th fairway, it was the strongest wind I’ve ever played in. Several shots were legitimately 4-club adjustments. On the par-5 13th, which I’ve reached in 2 with D-3w and D-4 iron in the past, I hit driver, 5iron, 2 iron, and was still 20 yards short. The thing is, the layout was still fun and playable in these conditions. There is a lot of room and fairways run and the greens are big, so you can play the ball near the ground and do okay. The greens, on the other hand, cannot handle this type of wind. They aren’t protected, they are cut too short, and they slope too severely. On holes 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 18, the pins were in places where the ball will simply not stop with wind that hard. Two 3 handicaps had routine 4 putts and as bad as a 7 putt on the back. Considering wind advisories have been forecasted for today and 3 of the next 4 days for at least a week, I’d have thought the pins would have been placed with this in mind, as every green has at least one spot where the ball will stop in strong wind in the prevailing direction. I was also surprised the greens were running quite quick. There’s a reason greens tend to be slower and flatter on Scottish links, and I hope the folks at RC start taking that example when the forecast calls for high winds.

I was able to get out to Rustic for an afternoon round. For some reason they were not running carts today so the entire course was walking. If you plan on playing anytime soon I would call to find out... Continue »

I was able to get out to Rustic for an afternoon round. For some reason they were not running carts today so the entire course was walking. If you plan on playing anytime soon I would call to find out what is going on with the carts. Rustic is not a course that is very hard to walk, but I know many people refuse to do so. I have to say the pace of play wasn't great but that is not the courses fault. Some people walk and play slower than others. Id say we waited on more than half our holes, especially down the back 9. We made it the 18th tee when it was pitch black. While that is frustrating, playing any amount of holes at Rustic is worth it in my opinion. The more I play this place, the more I appreciate the challenge. Today there was little wind, and that made scoring much easier. The greens were in very good shape, and the fairways were pretty much dried out but still good enough to play on. The tee boxes were in great shape.

Played Rustic 11/27/20 on a Red Flag/Black Friday. The Red flag warning said winds could hit anywhere up to 35 MPH plus, and the course became that much more difficult. As the 2nd group out to what tu... Continue »

Played Rustic 11/27/20 on a Red Flag/Black Friday. The Red flag warning said winds could hit anywhere up to 35 MPH plus, and the course became that much more difficult. As the 2nd group out to what turned out to a pleasantly warm late November morning. The group ahead walked a quick round and we rode, finished 18 in just under 4hrs. Rustic is a Links lovers dream, as on a non-windy day the course is not that difficult. Wide-open fairways and feeling like you can always get the ball where you want it. A few drive-able par 4's, some short par 3's and a few par 5's that are reachable in two. I think this is one of the best courses you can play in the area, the views are rustic, the greens are fast and massive, and the tee boxes are perfect. The staff is great, the range is great, the experience for the price unbeatable. The challenge is in the wind, and playing the greens just right. Without question the 2nd and 3rd time you play here you will improve. All around a local course everyone needs to play.

Made the drive out to Rustic and played on 10/14 due to the last review by GDR23 and totally agree about the conditions. The only thing different is the condition of the tee boxes. They were punched o... Continue »

Made the drive out to Rustic and played on 10/14 due to the last review by GDR23 and totally agree about the conditions. The only thing different is the condition of the tee boxes. They were punched on 10/5 and still need some time but are very playable.
I wish this course was closer to me so I could play more often. We had a 7:20 tee time and I paid the senior rate of $35 + a $16 cart fee. I my opinion $51 for this course is a great deal.
Standard covid precautions in place with limited people in the pro shop, only a window open in the restaurant. No rakes on the course and foam in the cups.
Pace this early was 3:50 but i did notice quite a few players through out the course behind us

Walked the blues this afternoon 10/3/2020 for a 9 hole playing lesson teeing off at 3:50pm. Course was packed so great to see Rustic thriving here in Ventura County. The course is in incredible sha... Continue »

Walked the blues this afternoon 10/3/2020 for a 9 hole playing lesson teeing off at 3:50pm. Course was packed so great to see Rustic thriving here in Ventura County. The course is in incredible shape. I have been playing here since the 1st week they opened and I can't remember the fairways ever being this lush and nice. Perfect padded lies. Rated 8.5/10. Greens were in fabulous condition. Quick, firm and true. Maybe a 10 or 11 on the stimp. Rated 8.5/10. Tees super lush, mostly level and minimal damage on the par 3s. Rated 8/10. Greenside rough is lush, beautiful easy 9/10. Fairway rough improved some but still spots of thin lush and hard pan areas here and there. Rated 6.5/10. Got to test some bunkers out with my student. They have improved many of the bunkers here. I walked 10 and 11 by myself just before dark and the back nine looked just as nice as the front. Would highly recommend Rustic right now. Its in fabulous shape.

Played Rustic 9/24 with an 8am tee time. We were sent off as a twosome which was fine with us. Was excited as this was my first go at the links style course. The course is in incredible shape especial... Continue »

Played Rustic 9/24 with an 8am tee time. We were sent off as a twosome which was fine with us. Was excited as this was my first go at the links style course. The course is in incredible shape especially with the heatwaves we've recently had. The fairways are lush with little browning. The greens are immaculate and were very challenging with the undulations and speed. I loved the layout and can't wait to come back.