The Farms Golf Club: Farms
The Farms Golf Club: Farms
8500 St. Andrews Road
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
United States
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Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
Reviews
Review
“Best Transformation Candidate 2026. Large amount of tree removal opens up views throughout the course. Strategically inserted bunkers on numerous holes bring added angles and difficulty into play. Excellent layout variety with water coming into play on many of the finishing holes. Fabulous transformation overall!"
Read More2026
Review
“Architect Tim Liddy did an excellent job of restoration and renovation at The Farms. He has created both a challenging course for the best players, but also something very playable for the average member. A number of significant changes have dramatically improved the course: - removal of invasive acacia shrubs have greatly improved sight lines and created more angles for play - significant changes to bunkering have restored some original Dye characteristics, but also created a great balance of penal and safety. He added a number of long bunkers right up against the edges of waste areas, which will still create some additional challenge, but also catch some wayward balls that would otherwise be lost, making it more playable and improving speed of play. - the use of Coachella bermuda (the first of its kind) has introduced a fantastic playing surface that is consistent, firm and provides great lies. I was actually surprised at the amount of firmness and roll given how nicely the ball "sits up". - some added mounds to create a number of shot options to bank the ball toward the green with a lower shot vs. having to always fly it high and stop it quickly. There are a number of holes where the changes were substantial: #2 - significant bunkering was introduced that nicely frame this par 3. Some elevated bunkers provide great sight lines, create some great challenge, and create an amphitheater of a hole that is visually very attractive. The stream that angles down towards the hole is also more visible due to acacia removal. Overall a great redesign. #3 - one of the signature holes on the front, bunkering was restored to the original Dye design, a new bunker down the left side of the fairway creates some new challenge, but provides some safety as well. A mound on the left of the green allows for a bank shot onto the green creating more shot options. The lake running down most of the right create a great aesthetic and challenge. The addition of a "hinge" bunker short right of the green provides a great target to play off of, but protects an aggressive shot going for the green as well. Extending the green right all the way to the lake has created new pin locations and a very difficult target. #4 - this short par 4 is a great test for short and long hitters with plenty of options and strategy for how to play it. Hit it long left and you will have a sidehill lie to a green guarded by a large sycamore tree. A shorter tee shot will have a flatter lie and perhaps easier approach. Many shot options and strategy for a great short par 4. #11 - perhaps the biggest change on the entire course. The old design had large stand of trees guarding the left side so you had to play your tee shot to the right and play the hole as a true dogleg left. With the trees cleared out, the risk/reward shot down the left can potentially reach the green or get caught shot in some deep bunkers. Long shots get funneled down into a deep area forcing a difficult lob shot back onto the green. An exciting, fun, but penal hole! #15 - another "signature" hole that begins the final stretch of the course. A reachable par 5 to a peninsula green surrounded on 3 sides by water. Some mounding on the left of the green allows for a safe bank shot to the left side of the green. A back right pin begs for a high approach to a narrow green. Lots of shot options and risk/reward. #16 - yet another "signature" hole, a par 3 over the lake. Liddy added a new long tee that angles away from the green, providing an almost unlimited number of tee placements. The green slopes away from the tee over the lake and is guarded by a long front left bunker. A safe shot the front right is the safe play, but a high draw will reward the strong player to the back left pin placement. A very fun and dangerous hole! Overall, The Farms can be very proud of the work that Tim Liddy and team have done. Restoring many of the original Dye characteristics, while adding quite a bit of nuance and improvement of his own. Well done!"
Read More2026
Review
“This is Version 3 of The Farms which is a big transformation from the Version 2s of The Farms. This Version 3 is a lot more in sync with Version 1 of The Farms and fits the land better. The course is also more forgiving and interesting in places. Some safety issues have also been addressed as the golf course uses a very small parcel of land. Excellent transformation, especially considering all the greens are the same as Version 2."
Read More2026
Review
“Tim Liddy was hired to restore the original Pete and Parry Dye layout more to their original vision, which had been lost with a couple of updates. The Poa annua greens stayed, and were slightly enlarged or reduced in some cases. The biggest change was getting rid of overgrown acacia bushes, greatly improving sight lines in many cases, and improving the overall aesthetic. Tee complexes were rebuilt to be more like the original design, bunkers were reshaped to give them more teeth, and Pete's railway tie lake walls were restored. Earthmoving was done to tilt more fairways. Cartpaths were moved to be more out of play, and for the most part hidden from view. some new bunkers were installed to obscure the landing area. Overall the goals of the renovation were attained- it looks like a Pete Dye layout!"
Read More2026
Review
“The Farms proves how much you can do with a small footprint when the design choices are smart. The new bunkering between 12 and 13 changes the whole dynamic of that stretch and forces players to think before they swing. The reworked area right of 15, with the water and the new railroad ties, feels like a classic Florida championship course. The redesign is fantastic. It's obvious why professional golfers pick The Farms to warm up for big tournaments, I consider the Farms one of the best player courses in region."
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Review
“Beautiful course! Great variety of holes"
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Review
“The Farms Golf Club is a restored Pete Dye design that blends strategic architecture with outstanding natural beauty. Tim Liddy did an exceptional job restoring the course, making the most of the property's rolling terrain while preserving the character of the original design. The routing flows naturally across the landscape, with bold bunkering and outstanding green complexes creating interest on nearly every hole. Water features are thoughtfully incorporated throughout the course, enhancing both the strategy and aesthetics without feeling overdone. Combined with exceptional conditioning and scenic views across the property, the restoration has elevated The Farms. If you've had the opportunity to play the course before its restoration, it's absolutely worth returning to experience the transformation."
Read More2026
Review
“The redesign at The Farms bring together elements of Pete Dye's original course but also uses some of the Lehman restoration and adds its own character with the latest Liddy renovation. The greens remain some of the very best in San Diego, providing plenty of speed and challenge, but continue to roll very smoothly. There are risk/reward options with a couple hours that are drivable/close to drivable, but easily can result in being out of position if left in the wrong position. Known for being one of the toughest courses in San Diego, this course can play very differently from hole to hole and day to day pending on the wind and the pin locations. At the same time, it is a very fair course for all people to play. It will be really great to see how the new grass and conditions improve over the course of the next year, for at the time of this evaluation, the grass is less than one year old."
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Review
“Tough piece of land to build a golf course on. A lot of features that are distinctively Pete Dye. Back 9 is more interesting with holes playing over and around water features with rail road ties around greens. Improved playability over previous design."
Read More2026
Review
“The new Tim Liddy restoration of The Farms Golf Club is so much more playable, more open and expansive from the moment you walk on to the property. Each hole also offers a very unique privacy in a way with it's new shaping and monding. I also came away impressed with many shot options each hole offers now, especially holes # 3, 7 and 13, arguably the 3 hardest holes , still challanging, but offers many options of play for the mid to high handicaps. There are over 200 bunkers, however most are aiming points and many out to play all together, but all very playable. In particular the flat rectangular bunker in the middle of the 13th fairway offering options for play. Also of note, the club is very excited about the new Cochella Hybrid Bermda grass, first coures to use this strain that needs less water and stays green during dormancy. Over all a well thought out restoration, so much for fun to play then the old course and restored by maintaining it's challanging heritage."
Read More2026
