Desert Resurrection
After years of abandonment and failed dreams, Rams Hill was reborn in 2014 and rapidly climbed into the national spotlight. Its comeback story is a beacon for public golf in California.
The verdict
Elite Desert Destination Worth The Journey
Rams Hill delivers a top-tier resort public-round in a vast, awe-inspiring desert amphitheater. Its immaculate conditioning, strategic Fazio design, and remote mountain scenery have vaulted it into national rankings—worth seeking out if you want a West Coast desert experience unlike any other.
Course DNA
Difficulty
82
Scenery93
Conditioning91
Shot Variety78
Walkability60
Green Complexity87
Wow Factor81
Design Quality83
Don't miss
Sip a post-round drink on the clubhouse patio at sunset—locals swear the mountain-and-desert views are at their absolute best as the sky catches fire.
At a glance
Quick facts
Setting
Surrounded by the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Elevation
Routed at over 700 feet above sea level
Course Finish
Fully reimagined and reopened in 2014
Turf Type
2024 upgrade to MiniVerde and TifTuf bermudagrass
Practice
Expansive range with Mountain views
Club Events
Hosts The Ramateur & The Clash annually
Course Character
Broad fairways, firm desert surrounds
Resort Amenities
GPS carts, turn snacks, mountain-view patio
The design
The architecture
Rams Hill’s Tom Fazio design weaves through stunning open desert, carving broad corridors across a dramatic, undulating landscape bordered by panoramic mountains. The routing leverages natural elevation shifts, bold bunker placements, and firm desert surrounds to create strategic options on every hole—inviting heroic carries and clever layups, while penalizing the careless. Greens are immaculately contoured and demand both precision and nerve, and the overall experience feels both contemporary and classical, blending oasis luxury with pure desert test.
Tom Fazio’s expertise shines in transforming abandoned desert into a modern-day public destination, assisted by Tim Jackson for key routing and detail work.
Defining features
- Expansive, undulating putting surfaces
- Strategic use of elevation changes throughout
- Firm, fast bermudagrass turf for year-round play
- Stunning vistas across Anza-Borrego desert
- Bold, visible bunkering and crisp edges
- Risk/reward holes with genuine decision points
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 5
The Sweeping Temptation
PAR
5
YARDAGE
565
A reachable par 5 early in the round, No. 5 winds through pure desert with generous landing areas that tempt the big hitter. The elevated green, backed by mountain views, is guarded by deep bunkering and undulating surrounds.
Play it smart
Long hitters can challenge the green in two, but position off the tee and smart layup angles are crucial for setting up a birdie try.
Where it bites
Miss your approach left or long, and you’ll be wrestling with bunkers and wicked slopes around the green.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching slick MiniVerde greens
Favor the center and below-the-hole; short-siding leaves brutal up-and-downs.
Windy par threes
Club up and trust the yardage—desert breezes amplify every mis-hit.
Long par fives into the wind
Play for your stock wedge yardage unless you’re certain you can carry the trouble—par is a win.
Aggressive plays on 18th tee
Unless you’re deadly accurate, there’s no shame in laying back for a full wedge; plenty have seen a big number erode their round here.
Driving wide desert fairways
Aim for angles and safety—desert waste will swallow greedy lines.
Mid-iron second shots on 15
Aim for the correct tier and avoid short right; recovery shots are tougher than they look.
Reading the grain
Use the mountain backdrop to help read subtle breaks—the greens can fool even seasoned eyes.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Impeccably groomed fairways, firm surrounds, fast MiniVerde greens; recent renovations mean consistently premium turf year-round.
Pace
Standard destination resort pace—expect a relaxed round near 4.5 to 5 hours, especially during peak weekends.
Vibe
Upscale but welcoming—golfers, couples, and groups come for an oasis-like desert escape with high-touch service.
Dress code
Resort golf attire required; collared shirts and soft spikes expected.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Hydrate and Plan for Heat
Even in winter, desert air is dry and sun exposure is high—bring extra water and sunblock.
02
Brush Up on Desert Recovery Shots
Practice firm lies and escaping from waste areas—misses away from grass demand touch and imagination.
03
Play to Approach Angles
Study the GPS cart flyovers—knowing your entry lines is essential with Fazio’s green contours and false fronts.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1983
Original Ted Robinson-designed course opens on site
- 2014
Tom Fazio/Tim Jackson desert redesign opens to the public
- 2024
Major turf/greens renovation: MiniVerde for putting greens, TifTuf for fairways/tees/roughs
- 2024
Course opens year-round play thanks to new bermudagrass conversion
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Extreme Makeover: Turf Edition
In 2024, Rams Hill poured millions into a course-wide conversion to next-gen bermudagrasses, eliminating overseeding closures and upping the year-round playability. Now, its surfaces rival any desert resort.
The Ramateur Tradition
Every year, Rams Hill hosts The Ramateur, drawing passionate amateurs to compete and experience the full test of its fast greens and desert winds. Spots sell out quickly—locals know it’s more than just a tournament.
Sunset On The Patio
Players rave about capping their day on the firepit patio overlooking the mountains, a rare chance to relive rounds as stars blanket the desert sky. The clubhouse vista is nearly as memorable as the closing stretch.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The original course was abandoned for years before its 2014 rebirth.
2
MiniVerde and TifTuf bermudagrass allow for true year-round desert play—no more fall overseed closures.
3
Elevation shifts and panoramic views mean you can see for miles across Anza-Borrego.
4
Signature club/resort events like The Ramateur are both competitive and a regional celebration of desert golf.
5
Rams Hill’s dramatic setting has been featured in major golf magazine landscape photo spreads.
Build the trip
Build a San Diego Desert Escape Around Rams Hill
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Mt. Woodson Golf Club
Public
Dramatic, wild topography and a memorable loop
Aviara Golf Club
Resort
Premier coastal experience for a contrast to desert golf
Torrey Pines South
Municipal
Historic US Open host and a SoCal must-play
Pala Mesa Resort
Resort
Well-regarded nearby add-on with scenic play
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Resort
Charming north county stop with reliable conditioning
Borrego Springs for pure Rams Hill focus; Carlsbad/North County if adding coastal/resort golf
Course DNA
If You Like Rams Hill Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Desert Highlands Golf Club
Scottsdale, ArizonaSceneryConditioning
Why it matches: If Rams Hill Golf Club is your kind of course, Desert Highlands Golf Club is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience and puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Reflection Bay Golf Club
Henderson, NevadaConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Reflection Bay Golf Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match8.5
Black Desert Resort
Ivins, UtahScenery
Why it matches: If Rams Hill Golf Club is your kind of course, Black Desert Resort is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Community Sentiment
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