Hunter Ranch Golf Course Reviews in Central California, Monterey/Santa Cruz/San Luis Obispo - Greenskeeper.org Free Online Golf Community


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Hunter Ranch Golf Course - $$
4041 E Highway 46 • Paso Robles, CA 93446 • (805) 237-7444
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sngernz - Redondo Beach
Walked on with a buddy on a Sunday afternoon, nobody there. Of course, the Ryder Cup finals were concluding so that may have played a part. Cruised though 18 in 3 hours. Wonderful conditions, but like La Purisima, a bit rough along the edges. Challenging and enjoyable, some course knowledge makes a big difference. Plus, I've never seen so many squirlles in my life. They used to be able to shoot the little b*st%rd s but I guess PETA must have put a stop to it. Seriously, they were running around like teenagers on spring break.

Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Member Since: January 24, 2005
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softballdad61 - Whittier,Ca
WOW, I think sums at up for me. this is by far the best course ive played .It a unforgiving but very enjoyable course . Walk on as single saturday,2 cars in the lot mine and the guy i played with.Tee off at 6:20am finished at 9:40am. Played at nice pace but not rushed.I'll go back soon and play the course again . if anybody has a chance to get up around Paso GO PLAY this course.

Posted: Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Member Since: August 1, 2008
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exxchamp - los angeles
great course, great facility, great service, played white tees, had really enjoyable day and will return soon. layout/tee box choice offers challenge for every level golfer....windy in afternoon!

Posted: Sunday, August 17, 2008
Member Since: December 13, 2005
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exxchamp - los angeles
played course for first time mostly on viewed recommendations from greenskeeper members....was great experience....practice facility, clubhouse, restaurant were all first class...played as a twosome on thursday at noon....under 4 hours no wait fairways were perfect; greens had some ball marks but very nice overall; course layout was very enjoyable and challenging...would highly recommend this track for anyone travelling in central california...will definitely return someday

Posted: Sunday, August 17, 2008
Member Since: December 13, 2005
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ringworld - Lawndale CA
Drove 2 1/2 hours (one way) with 3 other golfers for the GK outing at Hunter Ranch. If I had known this was more of a destination type golf outing I would have brought the whole brood with me. There are vineyards (that is grapes for wine) here for wine tasting but golf was on our minds. We traveled up the 5 FWY to the 46 (one lane hwy) so be prepared to wait behind trucks for a good portion of the ride up there unless you can speed/pass along those stretches of passing lanes. Course is in spectacular shape. Everywhere else was yellow but the course was super green. Errant shots left or right could be rewarded by hitting the hard pan along the sides of the fairway for a super kick. Be prepared to search. Tee Boxes were flat. Course layout was easy to understand. Some blind shots but with a small investment of $3 you get a yardage book to help explain some of the little idosyncracies of the site. The par 5's were hell. They were wrap around par 5's that ran dog leg but you had to drive around a bit to get a good idea of how the hole was shaped. Greens were fast, a little bumpy, but ran very true. Sand is nice and firm from fairway and a little fluffy out by the greens. Played Blues and it's a really tough test of golf. Could have shaved a few strokes off with better course management but more than my fair share of doubles prevented that.

Posted: Monday, August 11, 2008
Member Since: March 24, 2004
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NICKESQUIRE1 - Westlake Village, CA
Played in GK outing on 8/8/08. The greens to me were the best part of the course, best I've putted on a unfamiliar course in ages. I could see the lines and though they broke and rolled true. Nicely manicured course overall. Excellent driving range facility with several short practice holes!

I really enjoyed the layout overall. The front nine layout is more straight foward and open. Definitely the easier of the 2 nines if you haven't played there before. The back nine has more blind shots that require course knowledge. Numerous holes require layups to a certain spot or distance to maximize your opportunity to make a par or better. I'd like to play a few of these holes again after playing the hole and seeing where the trouble and shot lines are.

Nice, well stocked pro shop. The staff was great! If I'm in the area, I'd definitely play this course again and would recommend it to anyone within driving distance.

Posted: Monday, August 11, 2008
Member Since: August 11, 2007
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ttucker2 - Canoga Park
Played 8/08/08 GK Tourney. Beautiful Golf Course. Superb pratice facilities. Very Country club setting. Staff seemed very nice. Tee boxes were in good shape, Fairways were in good shape, but spongey grabbing your irons on some shots. Greens were in great shape, rolling true and relativly fast. A couple of fairway bunkers were like mud but all greenside I saw were in great shape. Never saw a cartgirl all day, which was a real draq in the 92 degrees we played in. Ordering Food from the 8th hole must be done by cell phone, which was left in the car. Gas Golf carts, although a blast from the past are very noisy, very smelly, and seemed to have alot of traction issues causing some tearing up of the fairways and rough areas. The course was set at 90% cart use, however atleast 10 fairways were completely roped off, making it difficult to find or get to your ball and slowing up play. Also, by 6:15 pm on a Friday, the clubhouse was closed, so no food or drink at the end of the round. Overall a very fun course layout, and a very fun day/round. I will definatly go back to play this course again and again, and at a 3 hr one way drive, that is saying something great about this course! If you are in the Pismo Beach area this is a must play course.

Posted: Monday, August 11, 2008
Member Since: April 7, 2008
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Toprank - Ventura
Played on 8/8/08 at the GK outing. Beautiful course in a beautiful setting. I saw the yardage from the whites and I was thinking to myself this is going to be easy. I don't remember any holes that were straight and flat. Every hole has little nuances that add to the difficulty such as forced carries, water, rolling fairways, blind shots and doglegs...you name it and it's there. Not to mention the fast greens. I also found the course to be very appealing to the eyes. I wish I had a camera with me on many holes. The back nine was one probably my favorite I've played so far. Challenging, well maintained and picturesque. If you prefer to golf near vineyards rather than houses and if you prefer to golf where the course is not packed to the gills than this is this is the course for you. I didn't play my best but I can't wait to get back and get my redemption. I also enjoyed the event as I got to talk to several other GKers for the first time. Great post dinner meal at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ.

Posted: Sunday, August 10, 2008
Member Since: May 15, 2007
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kviser - Saugus, CA
Thanks Hunter Ranch! I played with the Greenskeeper.org outing on 8/8/08. The first thing you notice is the clubhouse sits on top of a hill like some really cool ranch house. Great vistas from here and at many of the tees. Looked like a really cool practice facility with natural grass driving range, chipping greens, traps, and multiple putting greens. Course is impeccably maintained with generous, contoured greens, immaculate fairways, lush rough, pristine bunkers and nice tees. Many challenging forced carries over water. Wind was a factor on this day. Thanks again, Hunter Ranch!

Posted: Saturday, August 9, 2008
Member Since: February 4, 2005
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kim - Lompoc
Great course had a great time...

Posted: Thursday, July 31, 2008
Member Since: June 19, 2007
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golfindolphin23 - Pismo Beach
Second time this year playing Hunter and it definitely wont be the last. Customer service, very good no problems. Green fees include range balls and use of great practice facility that also includes a cool chipping layout with greens. Weather was incredible got out on time with nobody in front of us at 8:30. My friend is from Texas and was so impressed with the conditions and layout that he said it was the best course he has played in his 30 some years of golf. He was right, very lush fairways, greens very tough to read but firm and fast. Got done in four hours. This course difinitely deserves GK Best course for value award. It will get very hot in the summer so get out now while the weather is perfect. The course did kick my butt today but i will be back for revenge.

Posted: Saturday, April 19, 2008
Member Since: July 18, 2005
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thetuchs - Lake Arrowhead
The course was highly recommended by a friend and it delivered in spades. Beautiful, peaceful setting. Tee boxes, fairways, and greens in excellent condition. Staff superb. Very fair layout and challenge for all levels. We particularly enjoyed the more challenging back nine. This is a must play if you are ever near the area.

Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2008
Member Since: April 13, 2008
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golfindolphin23 - pismo beach
Took the afternoon off to get in a late round so i could shake off the rust. Got off as a single right away and only ran into one foursome arounf seven. Breezed through the round in a bout 3 hours walking. I do love this course due to the variety of holes and the scenery. Very peaceful and well maintained for this time of the year. Greens were good, not too fast but always tough to read. Wind was blowing pretty good all day with at least a two club difference. Hd a great front nine and ran out of gas around 14. Not that easy of a walk due to the elevation but it wont kill you. I really enjoy playing here and cant wait for the weather to warm up. great course overall.

Posted: Saturday, February 9, 2008
Member Since: July 18, 2005
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ptrouty10 - Bakersfield Ca
We played Hunter twice in December, and as always the course was in great shape. If you get a chance come and play Hunter, I have caddied on tour a few times and have played all over the world and you will not find better greens anywhere. Sometimes you can get soggy conditions in some of the low spots in the fiarways , but the greens will never dissapoint. The staff was friendly and accomidating and well there really isnt too much bad you can say about the course.

Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2008
Member Since: May 29, 2003
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MIJKROY - PASO ROBLES
BEST IN NORTH SLO COUNTY

Posted: Sunday, November 25, 2007
Member Since: November 25, 2007
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Broomy - Aliso Viejo
We played this course on Monday, 10-8 on our first annual golf and wine trip to central California. We also played Monarch Dunes, Cypress Ridge, and La Purisima (see those reviews). This course is in terrific shape, although they were aerating the fringe in front of several of the greens. We played early with very little wind, so it didn't play as difficult as mentioned in some other reviews. It does not have any houses on the course, and much of the course is far enough away from the highway that it's quite peaceful. A little on the pricey side for the area, but we'll play it next year.

Posted: Saturday, October 13, 2007
Member Since: May 12, 2004
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Broomy - Aliso Viejo
We played this course on Monday, 10-8 on our first annual golf and wine trip to central California. We also played Monarch Dunes, Cypress Dunes, and La Purisima (see those reviews). This course is in terrific shape, although they were aerating the fringe in front of several of the greens. We played early with very little wind, so it didn't play as difficult as mentioned in some other reviews. A little on the pricey side for the area, but we'll play it next year.

Posted: Saturday, October 13, 2007
Member Since: May 12, 2004
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sngernz - Irvine
Yep, most reviews hit the mark ... Hunter Ranch is just off the 101 or an easy hop from the 5 (using Hwy. 46). Challenge is the word here especially if the wind is up. High hcp'ers may find it demanding as there are several hazards to carry and trees galore. Always in great shape, beautiful rolling hills and walkable. Back nine tougher than the front ... hit 'em straight and you'll be alright. Enjoy!

Posted: Saturday, September 29, 2007
Member Since: January 24, 2005
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dejadru - San Diego, CA
I take a summer vacation in the area every summer and finally brought the sacred sticks. Played here on Monday, Aug. 6th, it was much cooler than the last couple days, it can get quite hot in this area. I think this is a close to Texas hill country golf as it gets (except with much cooler nights). I LOVE THIS COURSE!! Great design and layout. Not that expensive either. I did my research for area courses and was greatly rewarded. I suggest trying to play a early round so you can sample some of the best Cali wine in the country, UH, ITS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET!!!!!, and down the street, etc., etc. Anyway, getting carried away here, back to the course. If your round is later in the day it will get windy, so bring your knockdown shots. This course will use every club and shot in the bag. Great variety of hole lengths and doglegs. Buy a yardage book if its your first time, you'll need it. This course can be a little tricky, some semi-blind landing areas if your long. Overall worth every penny. Also a unique and beautiful clubhouse and restaurant which serves GREAT food......Put this course on your central coast GC rota.

Posted: Monday, September 10, 2007
Member Since: March 12, 2005
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jaeyc - Glendale, CA
Played on 5/26/07, was staying in Cayucos over Memorial Day Weekend. Fairways and Greens were in excellent conditions. A challenging but fun layout. Will be back next year to play again. Well worth the Fees.

Posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Member Since: July 16, 2003
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mjquick - Pasadena
Staying in Santa Maria and drove up on Friday (5/25) in about 50 min. (well worth the drive). Played 36, first round 3 hrs. and second 4.5 hrs. I love this course and I agree with treehugger (below). Make the drive, you well be happy you did.

Posted: Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Member Since: February 19, 2003
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treehugger - Paso Robles
Hunter Ranch is not only one of the most breathtaking golf courses on the Central Coast, it is one of the best golf courses in California to play, public or private. It is, however, a very challenging golf course, so don't be to disappointed if you don't score well if you have never played it before. The course is well maintained and beautiful as far are you eye can see. They have an excellent practice facility; Driving range, practice putting greens, a practice bunker, and 3 practice par 3's. The restaurant has excellent food, it is worth the drive just to eat there. Sit out on the patio and enjoy the view. Hunter Ranch is surround by vineyards, so make sure to give yourself enough time to go wine tasting too!

Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Member Since: May 1, 2007
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paddyoduin669 - Reno NV
This is a fun layout. Live Oak abound and will determine club selection. A few really chalenging holes that will test your skill and judgement. The staff were friendly, food excellent golf course easy to find and a fun course for most levels. A must return for me despite long distance from Reno, NV.

Posted: Sunday, April 22, 2007
Member Since: April 22, 2007
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clund - San Diego & Seattle
I found Hunter Ranch traveling between the Northwest and San Diego a couple of years ago. I liked it so much I have traveled to the Central Coast repeatedly to play the course. It's clearly one of the best values among the public golf venues I have encountered. The quality of the greens challenge the better private courses I have played. People repair their ball mark and probably more than one more and it shows. The greens are slick and undulating and you can face some nasty downhill putts. #7 is one of the most demanding par fives I have seen anywhere. The diversity of holes, the interesting elevation changes, the open spaces, the practice facility, and the friendliness of the place make it a remarkable golf experience. The club house and restaurant really fit the site and the understated design of the clubhouse facilities really make you feel relaxed and at home. The Players Card is a great deal for repeat players and those who also enjoy La Purisima. You can play a lot of golf here for what your money will buy elsewhere and your game will defintely improve playing this golf course.

Posted: Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Member Since: October 18, 2003
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j2000rules - Carmel, CA
A MUST PLAY. Seriously. Trust me. Please. Great course, staff, views (vineyards/mountains/hills/ponds/), great greens (better than Pebble), pristine conditions (especially in light of high temperatures).
Worth the fee (look for discounts too).

Live too far away to play often, but really wish I could make it to Paso Robles more often to play Hunter Ranch.

Posted: Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Member Since: March 13, 2007
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apple1234 - Grover Beach, Ca.
Have not played this course since 1996, needless to say the course has matured quite a bit. The fairways were plush, greens were like velvet and the rough was about 3-5 inches and playable. I was in the fairway off my drives all day, which brought about decisons on how to play second shots. I played with friends who have played the course a lot and told me to lay up on certain shots. I of course decided to go for it and if you do, there is trouble awaiting you. Course management is of the upmost while playing this course. The one thing I loved about Hunter Ranch is no homes on the course, just beautiful green rolling hills and blue skies. There was no wind and when the wind comes up this course becomes a tuff one to play. The only other thing I would mention was the tee boxes were a little unkept and they have two par 5's back to back, have never played a course with two par 5's back to back. Otherwise a great golf experience!

Posted: Saturday, March 3, 2007
Member Since: March 1, 2007
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TRI0N - Morro Bay
This course is one of my favorites on the Central Coast. The fairways prove challenging while the greens prove fast and interesting.

The long holes are great with a breathtaking view all around. This is like playing golf in the great outdoors where you won't see much development or houses lined down the fairways. There is a vineyard and during the wine season will tempt the wine enthusiasts to travel around the area for the largest wine tour this country has.

The rolling fairways, the elevated greens, the water hazards, and the surrounding view make this one of my favorite courses. The staff is friendly and very polite with a hint of interest in what their clients have on their minds. Not like most Pro Shops where you don't get a conversation without starting it yourself. I was interested in new spikes and wanted my normal type to have them pull them right out and along with another type they said has proven to be even better and last longer. I took their advice and tried the new ones out to be very happy with their recommendation.

I would take anyone to this course without doubt that their experience will be as good as mine. I have played this course countless of times and will continue to play it satisfied.

Posted: Monday, January 29, 2007
Member Since: January 2, 2007
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drising - Santa Barbara
Given the recent cold snap and prolonged dry weather, it's difficult to provide feedback I feel would be entirely accurate. I'll try again in April. For now, there are too many other great courses in closer proximity to Santa Barbara.

Posted: Sunday, January 28, 2007
Member Since: October 15, 2004
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nfarrell1 - Phoenix, AZ
Fun course to play, but hope you don't start on the back nine like we did! The four toughest holes are there to start! I did not like some of the holes that were "lay up " holes, mostly because I was too lazy to investigate the hole or ask more questions. Very fast greens and there were some terrible pin placements for a Monday. Was also very windy. A good golf course with some room on a few of the holes, but pin placements can make it not so fun as we found out. Excellent condition and great greens as far as reception and putting.

Posted: Monday, January 15, 2007
Member Since: January 3, 2007
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pooch - San luis obispo
It was great

Posted: Friday, September 29, 2006
Member Since: September 6, 2006
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2grls1by - templeton, CA
great course! greens roll true.

Posted: Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Member Since: March 27, 2006
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jyamastoker - Los Angeles
Played on Sunday, May 28 with 2:00 tee time. We managed to play all 18 holes in 4 hours. It's a lovely course with lots of old oak trees. Course is not flat (very hilly). Water comes into play on most of holes on the back 9. Fairways were in pretty good shape except for the fact that there were quite of few divots not replaced/filled in by other golfers. Also being twilight, we had to contend with a lot of bugs (flies, bees etc.). The greens were in pretty good shape. This is not an easy course to play but the views of the surrounding countryside are beautiful.

Posted: Monday, May 29, 2006
Member Since: December 17, 2005
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t8fish - Altadena
My wife and I played Hunter Ranch Saturday 3/11. It was the second time we've played there -- first time, a couple of years ago. We find Paso Robles a great small-town weekend getaway from LA -- a growing but relatively undiscovered wine industry like a small Napa Valley before it got overly touristy. And about three hours less driving one way than Napa.

Part of the attraction for us is Hunter Ranch. It's a beautiful, interesting course that winds around and over the hilly terrain and California Oaks. The only development next to it is vinyards, open fields and trees. The terrain frequently brings you up to points where you have nice views in several directions of the surrounding area.

I think it's a bargain. Weekdays it's around $60, and it goes up to $78 weekend mornings (w/o cart), but after twelve, it goes down to $60 and they have a lower twilight rate. We teed off around twelve fiteen, and by signing onto their email newsletter, I had a first time coupon in hand worth $20 off for each of us. She rode ($17 per) and I walked. Weekend total was just under $100 for two on a beautiful facility. It was dicey weather and there was no one collecting clubs before or cleaning them after so tips were a non-issue that day.

The round was one of the most interesting overall golf experiences I've ever had due to the weather conditions.

When we left our accomodations for the course a few miles away, it was raining. At the course it was sunny. A spot of rain on the second hole and fine until the 5th, where we had to stop halfway down the fairway for a hailstorm that left the faiways and greens white with a layer of hailstones.

We were prepared for the on/off weather and continued after about 15 minutes. Putting on that hole was a joke -- a layer of icy hail pebbles. But by the time we got to the next green, the hail had cleared from the greens.

Considering the moisture, I'd have to say the greens held up well and still had decent speed.

There were more passing bouts of rain in the back nine, but nothing that lasted long enough to stop us. And in between were some remarkable stretches of blue sky and spectacular clouds. You could see localized rain off in the distance at most times.

It was beautiful, but didn't make for the best scoring round. As much as I enjoyed it overall, it seemed like I had played 16 by the time I got to the ninth. Definitely threw off the concentration. I came out with the not totally unreasonable desire (for me) to finish in the eighties and walked away with a 96.

My wife's play is novice. She had a mediocre round at best, but has occasionally shown real ability to strike it well. She didn't keep her score, but even knowing she could play much better, she agreed with me that it's a beautiful course and that even with struggling, she really enjoyed the course and the whole wild weather experience.

One of the saving graces weather-wise was that despite the occasional wet, wind was not generally a factor. Given that it was very cool weather, even though we were reasonably prepared, that would have probably been the deal breaker.

As it was, it was calm when we finished. I have a photo taken from behind the 18th tee-box, looking up the 17th and 18th fairways with blue sky above and big clouds and rain on the horizon. It was almost worth it just for the photo.

All that aside, a beautiful, well maintained, and interesting course. I also get the impression that this is generally not too tough a course to get tee times for, the weather on our particular day notwithstanding.

Posted: Sunday, March 12, 2006
Member Since: January 31, 2006
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rsimper - Santa Monica
Hunter Ranch is a great facility - wonderful conditions, challenging (but playable) layout, some very interesting holes, and beautiful scenery. The pitch and putt holes are a nice touch, and the golf course itself is a great mix of easy and difficult, tight and wide-open. You shouldn't get too beat up here, but it won't hand you your career-best score on a silver platter either. I'd love to go back....if it wasn't 3.5 hours from my house!

Posted: Thursday, March 2, 2006
Member Since: February 13, 2004
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pescott - TO
Played 10/1 and 10/2,what a great course and well maintained. From tee to green no complaints. If you like a quality golf course and have time for a weekend drive go for it. Great service and a fair price for this fine golf course.

Posted: Thursday, October 20, 2005
Member Since: May 13, 2003
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lmr51446 - Memphis
Can't decide between Morro Bay or Hunter's Ranch. People tell me to play Morro Bay for the view and Hunter Ranch for the golf experience.

I can only play one day, so I would be interested in anyone's thoughts

Posted: Monday, September 12, 2005
Member Since: September 9, 2005
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DarkHorse - Encino
The best course in Coastal Central CA. A layout and design that provides for shot making, target golf and long driving skills. The rolling fairways to elevated greens, which are lightning fast, and the "ball grabbing" oak trees make this course a true measure of great golf. I have never been disappointed in the condition of the course or the speed of play whenever I have ventured to play the course.

Posted: Friday, August 5, 2005
Member Since: August 4, 2003
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hellohello - Paso Robles
Great course-only Cypress Ridge compares in SLO county

Posted: Monday, August 1, 2005
Member Since: August 1, 2005
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gofson2 - Sherman Oaks
Run, don't walk to this course!!! Nestled in the hills of Paso Robles, it's always in good to excellent condition. Great layout, challenging holes, a thinking man's course. Sure you can grip it and rip it on some holes, but watch out for the water, meandering creeks and big oak trees. Definitely worth the visit.

Posted: Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Member Since: November 25, 2002
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