Thanks to Janky Tilter for the great review of Rustic Canyon in Moorpark, CA. You can also follow him on Twitter at @jankytilter.
Rustic Canyon Golf Course
Moorpark, California
Rustic Canyon is the hidden gem of Los Angeles area golf. Located in Moorpark, northwest of the city in the hills, Rustic Canyon offers not only spectacular views but also an unbelievable golf experience at very reasonable rates. Choosing to walk it, you can play for less than $50 dollars, which is an impressive deal considering this course made the Golf Magazine’s list of the top 100 courses you can play.
Not only is Rustic Canyon worth every penny you pay to tee it up, it provides golfers with one of the most unique experiences in the area. The track itself will remind many of the winter events played in the Australian sand belt. In similar fashion to a links style, Rustic Canyon forces its golfers to use every shot in the bag. Such as the tee shot requiring a big drive on the 12th, which demands not only a large carry over a canyon but a shot shaped from right to left to the fairway which sits at almost a 90* angle to the line taken off the tee. Or maybe something like the wedge shot on 7 which plays to a green with such slope that being long makes holding a chip shot on the green to be a difficult task. The front nine finishes with a wonderful uphill par 5 that only the longest hitters can reach in two, unless the wind happens to be at your back. And the 18th is masterful par 4 that gives the big hitter the opportunity to shave off some yardage with an aggressive line, but no matter how much is left on approach the green slopes away dramatically away from the player, making going at the pin a dangerous proposition. Every hole asks the player to be creative in some way or another, and that along with the spectacular views are really what makes this course a gorgeous track.
For the most part the course plays fairly open with some holes fairways running together, even using bunkers that double as hazards for more than one hole. And let it be known, these bunkers are better described as waste areas than bunkers. They do not make for easy up and downs. The freedom to be inexact of the tee however is heavily countered with the difficult green complexes. In true links style the greens have anywhere from 5 to 20 yards of fringe. However, choosing to putt from off the green is countered by heavily mounded and contoured greens. Being off line just slightly can send a putt rolling further away from the hole than it began. Be prepared to play lots of low running shots, especially when the regular winds that blow in the hills kick up. Regardless, keep the lob wedge in your bag too, as sometimes hitting high and soft is the only way to avoid nasty bounces of the mounds that shape the greens.
Overall, Rustic Canyon is both a course that is possible to go low on, as well as battle for what would seem to be simple holes. Mostly depending on the degree the winds are blowing. Either way, it is always in great shape. The greens are fast and tough, and it benefits the golfer greatly to have course knowledge. But as far as a golf course in LA, and even the US in general goes, it is unique and an experience not to be missed if in the area.
Rates and information on Rustic Canyon Golf Courses can be found on their website at: www.rusticcanyongolfcourse.com
If you’d like to write a course review to be featured here on GoodWalk Spoiled, drop me a line at: goodwalkspoiled@gmail.com
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