Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Keith Pillow
Santa Barbara
2009-09-28
$76 (cart included), played on Friday, September 2009 at noon
For a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design, this has to be one of the worst cow pastures I've played in years. The reasons why are far too many to mention here, but let it suffice to say that the expense ($120 regularl weekday rate) is far too great for the experience, or lack thereof, offered.
The course is in poor condition, and there are ZERO graphical renderings of the course available to players (none in the cart, on the scorecard, or on the tee boxes), to show where to hit tee shots (many are blind). There are no water coolers on the course, and it is brutally hot there in the summer and fall. The signage is poor, and there was no beverage services on the course, even though we saw a girl stocking the cart before we teed off. The pro shop staff is apathetic, and only cares about one thing: getting your money.
I highly recommend that all golfers stay away from this money pit. There are many other good layouts to play in the region for far less money. Rancho San Marcos gets a huge thumbs DOWN, and a big jeer to Beanie Baby mogul Ty Warner for purchasing and managing this dog track. What a miserable excuse for a purported top-rated course. Boo!
Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: Better courses for less nearby, Worse than average course for the area
Difficulty, No Houses on Course
Condition of Course, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Staff, Clubhouse, Food/Bar Facilities , Pro Shop
$76 (cart included), played on Friday, September 2009 at noon
For a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design, this has to be one of the worst cow pastures I've played in years. The reasons why are far too many to mention here, but let it suffice to say that the expense ($120 regularl weekday rate) is far too great for the experience, or lack thereof, offered. The course is in poor condition, and there are ZERO graphical renderings of the course available to players (none in the cart, on the scorecard, or on the tee boxes), to show where to hit tee shots (many are blind). There are no water coolers on the course, and it is brutally hot there in the summer and fall. The signage is poor, and there was no beverage services on the course, even though we saw a girl stocking the cart before we teed off. The pro shop staff is apathetic, and only cares about one thing: getting your money. I highly recommend that all golfers stay away from this money pit. There are many other good layouts to play in the region for far less money. Rancho San Marcos gets a huge thumbs DOWN, and a big jeer to Beanie Baby mogul Ty Warner for purchasing and managing this dog track. What a miserable excuse for a purported top-rated course. Boo!