Rams Hill or Rustic Canyon ?

[Chanceman]

We have one day to fill before leaving SoCal and it comes down to Rams Hill or Rustic Canyon. Can anyone give me a fair assessment and comparison of the two courses? Pelican Hill may be better but these two seem better value.

[scratchswinger]

Where are you driving from?

[sr129]

Rams Hill hands down. Its way out there but its worth the drive.

I took this picture Jan. 7 2018 and the entire course looks like this

[double or triple?]

Rams Hill. No contest. Great course.

[Chanceman]

Where are you driving from?

Coming from Scottsdale and heading for LAX. Playing a round at Palm Springs/Desert then on to LA. So it's either head SouthWest to Rams Hill or go North West to RC.

[Arpeggi]

Rams Hill. Not even close IMO

[scratchswinger]

Where are you driving from?

Coming from Scottsdale and heading for LAX. Playing a round at Palm Springs/Desert then on to LA. So it's either head SouthWest to Rams Hill or go North West to RC.

 

Rams Hill is going to be a lot more convenient and a better track.

[Homerun2Birdie]

Rams hill is far and away the correct move here. I'd also pick it over PH every day of the week as well, convenience aside of course.

[Shades234]

Is RH really more convenient here if it will be played after the Palm Springs round? Seems that you would have to go Scottsdale -> Rams Hill -> Palm Springs for it to make sense. Otherwise, you're backtracking 1.5 hours South of Palm Springs to Borrego, then you have to drive 3 hours north to get to LAX.

 

I'd say if you can be flexible with your Palm Springs date, then go to Rams Hill first. Otherwise, it's pretty far out of the way if your end destination is LAX. Rustic Canyon is only about 90 mins from LAX.

 

That being said, I played Rams Hill 2 weekends ago and it was in great shape. Agree with everyone here that it's the better course/value.

[Chanceman]

Thanks for all the input, we have four days so the plan is now:

Day 1 check out of Scottsdale, play Raven or Wigwam gold, drive the 4/5 hours to Indio,

Day 2 play La Quinta Mountain , drive 2h to Borrego,

Day 3 play Rams Hill , drive 2h to Torrey Pines,

Day 4 play Torrey Pines and then drive 2h (hopefully) to LAX for the late flight.

If we went the Rustic Canyon route there is nothing like Torrey Pines nearby so it looks like Rams Hill.

[kekoa]

I've heard nothing but great things about RH. Let me know how it is after you get out there. Enjoy.

[Schley]

Thanks for all the input, we have four days so the plan is now:

Day 1 check out of Scottsdale, play Raven or Wigwam gold, drive the 4/5 hours to Indio,

Day 2 play La Quinta Mountain , drive 2h to Borrego,

Day 3 play Rams Hill , drive 2h to Torrey Pines,

Day 4 play Torrey Pines and then drive 2h (hopefully) to LAX for the late flight.

If we went the Rustic Canyon route there is nothing like Torrey Pines nearby so it looks like Rams Hill.

 

I was thinking to myself, that is an odd choice as they are 200 miles from each other. No way in hell I would drive that far for RC. BTW make sure you leave Torrey Pines by early afternoon as that drive up to LAX can take you 3 hours easily during rush hour.

[Chanceman]

Its not like a special trip just to play RC or RH. We will be having a week in Scottsdale before driving the rental car back to LAX via Palm Springs so wanted to play a course or two en route. Our flight does not leave LAX until 8pm so plenty of time to get up from TP.

[Schley]

Its not like a special trip just to play RC or RH. We will be having a week in Scottsdale before driving the rental car back to LAX via Palm Springs so wanted to play a course or two en route. Our flight does not leave LAX until 8pm so plenty of time to get up from TP.

 

You know the schedule, just wanted to make you aware that driving up the 5 to the 405 on a weekday sucks. Unless you book TP in advance for big $ you don't have your choice of tee times and I would not want to finish any later than 3. If your flight is international out of Tom Bradley that also gets crazy as it is overcrowded. Enjoy.

[Chanceman]

Yes I have heard the 405 is the worst track in LA so will definitely try to leave plenty of time. Is there an alternative route worth taking? Looking at the map maybe take the 5 up to the 91 ?

[Schley]

Yes I have heard the 405 is the worst track in LA so will definitely try to leave plenty of time. Is there an alternative route worth taking? Looking at the map maybe take the 5 up to the 91 ?

 

Helicopter.

 

Not really some take that route and some take the 73 toll road which should take 15-30 minutes off your drive depending on traffic. that avoids part of the 5 and 405, popping you out just north of John Wayne Airport.

[fjk]

What day of the week is this?

 

8pm flight time at LAX I would leave San Diego at 3 pm latest. Even around LAX it can take you another 45-1hr. Do you have a rental or parking. And if you have to check bags by 7 at lax.

 

If it's a Friday afternoon, it can take you 4+ hrs from SD to LAX....

[Arpeggi]

2 HR from Torrey Pines to lax is not possible.

[AP2 712]

OP - If you don't have a tee time at Torrey, I would strongly suggest getting on the back porch at Torrey Pines with your bag at about 5am if you want to make that 8PM flight home. I just returned from a SD/LA trip last week where I played Torrey and Rustic amongst others. That drive can be BRUTUAL especially if you aren't able to use the HOV lane in certain places.

[Toughpar4]

Good point AP2 712 on using the HOV lanes if you have more than 2 people in the car and also showing up super early to be sure you get out sooner at Torrey.

 

I also just returned from my first time trip to California and flew into and out of SAN. My recommendation is to change your flight to leave out of SAN instead of LAX, save yourself the stress if possible. Driving at the heart of rush hour is not fun at all especially since you could hit rush hour leaving Torrey and getting into LAX. Save your energy and time for more golf and relax time instead of spending it driving. Whatever you decide let us know how it goes looks like a great trip planned enjoy! Rams Hill is one of the courses I didn`t end up going to but wanted to

[Shades234]

Unless you have an early tee time already lined up at Torrey, you're going to want to arrive at the course very early to claim a spot. This time is very busy since the course is in great shape after the Farmers.

 

Make sure that you understand the differences between claiming a spot during the week and during the weekend. The process is different.

[1puttTUT]

Logistics aside, I've played Pelican Hill South and Rams Hill and Rams Hill is waaaaay better.

[nandoal]

Playing Rams Hill and Rustic Canyon as my AM round on consecutive days in December. Need second 18 rounds after each. Recommendations for nearby or on way back to OC.

 

Both rounds I have the first tee time of the day and I am a single.

[WildcatGolfer]

Playing Rams Hill and Rustic Canyon as my AM round on consecutive days in December. Need second 18 rounds after each. Recommendations for nearby or on way back to OC.

 

Days are pretty short so you’ll need something nearby. After Rustic both Moorpark and Tierra Rejada are nearby. Moorpark is well conditioned but uninspiring and TR just avoid. It’s terrible. Los Robles is nearby and a little more interesting and Simi Hills isn’t too far and a decent layout. A bit the wrong way is Olivas Links which is excellent in Oxnard

[Zac1321]

Agree with wildcat on short days. I just played rams hill on sunday and don't think you will find much within an hour drive except Borrego springs resort which is a few minutes from rams. Have not played it but looks great in pictures and has good reviews.

[1puttTUT]

Agree with wildcat on short days. I just played rams hill on sunday and don't think you will find much within an hour drive except Borrego springs resort which is a few minutes from rams. Have not played it but looks great in pictures and has good reviews.

 

It will be a let down after RH, but it's a fun little track and the conditions have always been immaculate when I've played there.

[Schley]

I’d make it easy and play RH twice. The group I played with in So Cal we would always play the course twice on the weekend. Of course we were betting and had a game going so it wasn’t just because the course was great. RC is a nice course but RH is better and one of the best Fazio’s IMO. So any double play after RH should just be RH IMO.

[WildcatGolfer]

I’d make it easy and play RH twice. The group I played with in So Cal we would always play the course twice on the weekend. Of course we were betting and had a game going so it wasn’t just because the course was great. RC is a nice course but RH is better and one of the best Fazio’s IMO. So any double play after RH should just be RH IMO.

 

Most will agree it’s some of Fazio’s best, only problem is he barely touched the design.

 

Prov1s at the range sure are nice though for this muni kid

[Chanceman]

Any comments on Yorba Linda / Black Gold compared to Rustic Canyon?

[rangersgoalie]

I’m a minority on this thread, but I’d have Rustic over Rams Hill and no contest over Black Gold.

 

No disrespect to either, but I just think Rustic is unique and presents a lot of amazing options.

 

And I’m saying that knowing Geoff Shackelford was involved with Rustic. Makes me throw up in my mouth a little :)