arguswilson

Very fun course, but conditions were a notch below the spectacular conditions we’ve come to expect from Rams Hill. Greens were on the slower side, fairways had some patchy areas, and some of the grass is still coming in. But we’ve already booked a return trip! Really great course that is no longer the hidden gem it was a few years ago. As a result, you’ll need to book weekend times weeks in advance and same-day replay rounds are increasingly becoming a pipe dream.

Greens were very good. Tee boxes were really beat up and uneven. Fairways were okay. Course conditions are about what you’d expect at a municipal course. But layout is super fun and greens are great.

Sand Hollow has both great vistas and great golf holes. The course plays over, around, and through arroyos, red rocks, and wild desert. The opening 9 holes are some of the best golf in the region. But the back nine—with five holes clinging to the side of a cliff—is spectacular.

Some great views—including a seasonal waterfall off the back of no 17 and one of the most picturesque driving ranges anywhere. Some of the holes in the back nine weave through a housing development. Most holes are very playable.

First visit, and our group really liked Southern Dunes. It has a lot more grass than most desert courses and a fun layout. In many ways, it was better than expected. The only downside was pace-of-play. We had 5 groups backed up on No. 12 so we turned around and played the front nine again. We mentioned the problem to the starter (we never say a Marshall on the course, but there were several folks delivering ice-cold water), and the starter said that the back 9 always backs up. He said that the members/regulars often play the front 9 twice because the back 9 gets so slow. Disappointing that they know the problem exists but let it persist. If we get the first or second tee time of the day, we may return--the course itself is fantastic.

We played 5 courses (Quintero, Troon Pinacle, Boulders South, Southern Dunes, and Whirwind) in 2 days. Quintero was the group's favorite. Stunning views without any houses, superb course conditioning, and an interesting layout. Probably among the best collection of par 3s anywhere.