A guest blog from Cousin Klubs recalling his trip to Rams Hill Golf Club. Find him and more of his golf content on Instagram here.

About five miles from Rams Hill, I lower my windows, turn off the air conditioning, and take in the air. Driving through the gates, it feels like static electricity is in the air. I can’t help but feel the excitement, anticipation, and anxiousness to get out there and enjoy Borrego for all its beauty.

“I can smell it when I hit Borrego Springs. The relaxation settles in. I know I’m about to put my feet on some of my favorite turf and experience some of the most dreamlike sights golf has to offer.”

Driving through the gates, it feels like static electricity is in the air. I can’t help but feel the excitement, anticipation, and anxiousness to get out there and enjoy Borrego for all its beauty.

PHOTOS BY CAMIREN HUTH

After dropping my bag off and checking in with the Golf Shop, I grab my putter and a ball to feel how quick and firm the greens are rolling for the day. Unlike other establishments, the practice putting green is a true representation of what I will encounter on the golf course. I like to spend more time on the practice putting green than anywhere else before the round. On the golf course, the greens do exactly what I expect them to—no deception. It’s all about speed. I rely on my eye to keep my score down. Every putting surface gives me ample opportunity to sink putts, and the more I familiarize myself with the speed, the better I feel about my game when I finish my round and head to the clubhouse for more great views and delicious food.

After grabbing my cart and heading down to the range, I find Pro V1 practice balls, tees, rangefinders, club stands, and the first of a thousand views I am about to experience once I tee off. The range turf is just like the turf on the golf course. The wind whips through the practice ground just as it does on the course. I use the provided rangefinder to get acquainted with the yardages and how my eye perceives distance. This isn’t my local municipal course, and I want that added security of knowing how my ball is flying for the day. Did I mention Pro V1 range balls? I can’t blame junky range balls for variance once I’m out there. Rams Hill provides the advantage of the golf-gold standard ball.

PHOTO BY ERIN SAGGESE

Once warm and ready, I step onto the first tee, where I am greeted by striped fairways and an opportunity to hit a good one off the tee. As I progress through the 3rd, 4th, and 5th holes, I find myself wanting to go back and play them again. There’s so much to take in during just one round. It’s almost impossible to focus on course management when I’m too busy looking at the scenery.

Continuing along the front nine, I find undulating fairways, challenging bunker locations, and various green elevations. I am constantly being tested and given a stimulating way to make par. Once I’m on the green, I expect nothing short of a pure roll. I find that the break of the greens is extremely true to the eye. The deciding factor is speed. I have the most success and fun feeding the cups. Exaggerating my line and controlling speed. Putting to the back of the cup isn’t for the faint-hearted here at Rams Hill. The greens are fast, they’re fun, and they don’t discriminate. I come prepared to bring my putter game, and I don’t get discouraged my first round here isn’t about the score. It’s about the experience.

Coming to the turn, hole 10 brings one of my favorite par 3 tee box views. The elevated box and challenging mix of slope and wind, is nothing short of spectacular. If you hit a bad shot here, don’t get down on yourself. Just look around and take a deep breath. It’s the perfect distraction to take in the vastness of a desert oasis. Enjoy that tee box “eye candy”, one more time, and drop another.

PHOTO BY CHRIS WHEELER

Moving along the back, don’t forget to stop at No. 13 for tacos and refreshments. The tacos are done right, served hot, and the salsa is spicy. The staff is always all smiles. Frankly, who wouldn’t be with that kind of ambiance as their workplace?

PHOTOS BY JP ONGPIN

Rams Hill, putting it bluntly, is just downright special. I feel so much connection to the ground. The wind only entices me to play, the nature and scenery force me to stop thinking about life beyond those gates, and the course layout makes me enjoy the track regardless of skill level. If I’m not enjoying my time on the course, I move up one tee box and rethink my approach, because there’s an opportunity for everyone to play great golf here.

You won’t find another golf course like it. Plain and simple. You can build a golf course in the desert, but you can’t inject it with the same majesty, prestige, and energy that radiate from the turf. The ground is electric. The accommodations are unmatched. The staff is simply the friendliest. If you’re trying to find an oasis to call your home away from home, Rams Hill is a place you’ll never want to leave. The cost-to-value ratio here is second to none. You can spend more and get less virtually anywhere else.

The last few holes of the round, while bittersweet as they come to a close, still challenge me to make good decisions or take drops. The final par 5, No. 18, is a long one with a slight dogleg to the right. I try to place my tee shot on the left side of the fairway, avoiding the fairway bunker and putting myself in a prime spot to lay up with a mid-iron, leaving a short wedge into the elevated green. Center green is the play here, regardless of pin placement. Landing short of the apron means chipping again. Long? Let me know when you find it. The clubhouse stands prominently and beautifully behind the green. Finishing a round at dusk is truly an insane sight to take in, and from there, I dive into some of the most delicious food you can get at any golf course restaurant. Hands down. Don’t believe me? Try the brisket and cheese sandwich or the Chop Chop Salad.

PHOTO BY BILL HORNSTEIN

From the drive in to the 14 drives you’ll hit throughout your round, the scorecard may fade from memory, but the experience at Rams Hill will stay with you forever.

In food, life, and golf, it’s easy to overcomplicate something simple. It’s very difficult to do something simple well. The chefs in the kitchen understand that thoroughly and serve a dish for everyone’s liking.

I love this golf course, the challenge, the enticing approach shots, and all the opportunities the greens offer. The course mapping and topography are nothing shy of spectacular. This is a course for any skill level. If you play the correct tee box for your abilities, I have no doubt you will feel exactly the same after just one visit. Rams Hill is for everyone. Come find out for yourself just how special it is.

– Cousin K