Pleased to report that Rams Hill has regained its former luster. Times two! Played three rounds last week and had a blast. The new turf is virtually all in, and it’s the best turf I ever have played... Continue »

Pleased to report that Rams Hill has regained its former luster. Times two! Played three rounds last week and had a blast. The new turf is virtually all in, and it’s the best turf I ever have played, ball sits up nicely, took wonderful divots, rough was lush but not too penal. Bunkers in great shape. Greens still new and very firm and can glimpse the last aeration holes, but they roll true and very fast. Staff is first rate all around. Still free tacos (but tip the girl!) at 11/14 and warm cookie at the end of the round. Excellent range with scopes at each station, two terrific short game areas, one with bunkers (it’s at the far end of the main range). Layout hasn’t changed, this is a forgiving course off the tee but as you learn the course you find there are really good angles that reward a smart drive. The approaches are the challenge, especially with the firm greens, really fun when you learn the rewarding angles— several greens will kill you with a shot at the pin, there are several you actually must hit well away from the green to get the good bounce and roll down to the hole. The greens are fast and subtle, play with less break than you think standing over the ball. The par threes are fairly ordinary, 11 being the most challenging downhill with water on the left and a big right to left green. For a normal length hitter from the correct tee, one par five is truly in reach, others can get you close for a fun pitch or short iron to the pin. Good variety of par fours, couple short ones that aren’t Drive able but close. It’s playable for a 15 handicap from the correct tees—four sets of tees and three combinations on the card—and challenging for a low handicapper.

Borrego Springs can get a LOT of wind; the first day was calm, the second a three to four club wind consistently on the final 7 holes, one to three club wind on those holes the third day, but while really windy on the range, the first 11 holes are a bit insulated and were not bad at all. I was worried on day two on the range, but even the final holes played fun in the wind.

This is back to being my first choice three or four day getaway, happy to play that course over and over again, as you learn its angles it can really reward smart shots, lots of overall distances to play from, great practice areas, great food, really nice people. I don’t know what is or isn’t a “fair” price for golf anymore, but I have to say I do t feel like I paid too much, I feel like I got what I should for the price in every respect.

RH has even more “stay and play” lodgings on the property now, and I am sure they all are good; La Casa Del Zorro down the road is a rustic La Quinta-like resort I li,e a lot and with a truly exceptional restaurant, and Stanlund’s Inn & Suites a little closer to town is a great budget option. The little town is a blast, several decent restaurants, no chains or fast food options, pretty rustic. Getting there is not an easy drive, but really pretty. If you are into camping or have an RV, you have many options, including in the surrounding desert park with its incredible metal sculptures all around.