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Brian Oar/Courtesy of the club
Brian Oar/Courtesy of the club
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Brian Oar/Courtesy of the club
Brian Oar
Rams Hill Golf Club
Rams Hill Golf Club
1881 Rams Hill Rd
Borrego Springs, CA 92004-5400
United States
Telephone
Overview
Local residents revived this golf development within Anza Borrego Desert State Park, on the western edge of the Sonoran Desert, about an hour from La Quinta, Calif., in the mid-2000s with an entirely new course built by Tom Fazio. Some of Fazio’s spacious holes are molded into the desert earth and others ride the up and down rocky elevations, leading to a finish that includes the short par-4 17th and gambler’s par-5 18th that streaks downhill around a water feature.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Made inaugural appearance in 2021-'22, ranked 98th. Ranked 91st, 2023-'24.
Best in State: Ranked 43rd, 2021-'22. Ranked 44th, 2025-'26. Ranked 46th, 2023-'24.
Previous ranking: 46th.
2025-'26 ranking: 44th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Greens were in great condition, with course playing firm and fast. Overall conditioning could have been improved in fairway and other areas of grass. Course offered fun and unique shot options due to slopes green side. Unique landscape in middle of desert."
Read More2025
Review
“A course with good bones brought down by some poor conditioning in the fairways (missing grass) and greens (too firm for the design)."
Read More2024
Review
“Overall great conditions considering the recent change of fairway and rough turf to Tif Tuff Bermuda. Greens are somewhat receptive, but provide really true roll off the putter. Great Variety of holes including a drivable par 4 and reachable par 5s. Par 3s are challenging yet scenic."
Read More2024
Review
“This beautiful, remote upscale public course is located in Borrego Springs, CA, 2 hrs. Northeast of San Diego. It’s a desert course designed by Tom Fazio,(2007). It features a number of water hazards and strategic bunkering and fast, undulating, tricky greens. The course was recently re-turfed over the past 2 summers and playing conditions are exceptional."
Read More2024
Review
“Really nice golf course, that is worth the drive. All par 3s are oriented in a different direction (view and wind). Could play this course everyday and not get tired of it. Excellent routing being surrounded by a community."
Read More2024
Review
“Great scenic views. Good sets of par 3s. Greens firm and quick. Fairways bouncy. Good variety of holes but hole shapes lacking as all are pretty straight."
Read More2023
Review
“Not often do you get the pleasure of playing a true public Tom Fazio offering. Course is about a 90-minute drive from Palm Springs but is definitely worth the effort. Great greens and beautiful scenery make for an enjoyable round. Bring your wind cheater because it can blow briskly out here. Wonderful staff."
Read More2023
Review
“Very fun golf course! Well worth the drive from Palm Springs or San Diego."
Read More2022
Review
“Excellent layout and in good condition. Scenic backdrops. Good tacos at the halfway house."
Read More2022
Review
“90 minute drive from Palm Springs but well worth it. One of my favorite S. CA courses. Great staff. Cushy leather seated carts. Amazing variety of hole layouts - like a junior version of Wolf Creek in Mesquite, NV. I love that feeling when you're standing on the tee box, and you pause as you realize you're about to play a great/fun golf hole. You'll experience that feeling multiple times at Rams Hill!"
Read More2022
