By David Luis 
Verdict: Recommended
Best For: Desert-golf fans who will spend real money for a quiet, conditioned Fazio-reworked layout
Avoid If: You want a cheap round, a short drive from San Diego, or a walkable course in July
Last Reviewed: 2026-10-04
Borrego Springs is not on the way to anywhere. That is the whole point of Rams Hill Golf Club, and it is the first thing to know before you book. This Rams Hill Golf Club review covers the 18-hole desert course at 1881 Rams Hill Road in Borrego Springs, California.
Short version: it is worth the drive if you treat it as a destination, not a Tuesday round. Rates on the club’s own page run from $115 on a September weekday to $225 on an October weekend. Whether that feels fair depends entirely on what you expect for the money.
Rams Hill is a destination round priced like one. The quiet is the thing you are paying for.
Rams Hill Golf Club Overview
Rams Hill opened in 1983 as a Ted Robinson design. It has been reworked more than once since. GolfPass lists redesign credits for Tom Fazio’s team in 2007 and Jackson Kahn Design in 2013, while the official site bills it as a Fazio course. That is why you will see conflicting designer names online.
It plays as a daily-fee course today. For other California options, see our more California golf clubs. Daily-fee pricing like this differs from joining a club, since the price on a public course is not a membership fee, as our guide explains.
| Club Type | Golf Club |
|---|---|
| Location | Borrego Springs, California |
| Founded | 1983 (Ted Robinson original; later redesigned) |
| Membership Type | Public daily-fee; membership terms not published |
| Initiation Fee | Not published; none needed for daily-fee play |
| Monthly Dues | Not publicly disclosed |
| Green Fee | $115–$225 base rates for 2026–27 by season (Mon–Thu / Fri–Sun); dynamic, rises with demand |
| Layout | 18 holes, par 72, 7,232 yards from the black tees, 75.4 rating / 141 slope |
| Best Time to Visit | October to May for conditions; September for price |
| Dress Code | Not published; standard golf attire is the safe bet |
| Reservations Required | Yes; book up to 30 days ahead, or earlier on a Stay & Play package |
| Official Website | ramshill.com |
| Phone | 760-767-3500 |
What I Liked
The strongest case for Rams Hill is how it feels, not how it reads on a scorecard.
- The setting is dramatic. The course sits against the desert ridgelines of Anza-Borrego country, and you can go a whole nine without hearing a road.
- Conditioning gets the loudest praise. GolfPass shows 4.6 out of 5 across 807 reviews, with fairways, greens and staff leading the comments.
- The finishing par 5 is a postcard. Reviewers describe a downhill drive, an uphill approach and a waterfall guarding the green.
- The range is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., which is generous for a resort-style course.
- Stay & Play lets you lock tee times beyond the usual 30-day window.
What I Didn’t Like
None of these is a deal-breaker. Together they decide whether the trip feels smart.
- Price is the big one. A $225 weekend base rate puts it next to well-known coastal public courses, and dynamic pricing can push it higher.
- Borrego Springs is remote. For most Southern California golfers that means a long drive or a hotel night.
- The 7,232-yard black tees at a 141 slope are a lot of course. Move up a set.
- Membership and cart details are not clearly published online, so you will need to phone the shop.
Rams Hill Golf Club Membership & Fees
Rams Hill publishes its 2026–27 green fees by month, and says rates start at those figures. The official page does not spell out cart, twilight or resident rates, and it does not describe membership at all. I would not guess at any of those.
| Period | Mon–Thu | Fri–Sun |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 14–30, 2026 | $115 | $145 |
| Oct–Nov 2026 | $170 | $225 |
| December 2026 | $150 | $210 |
| January 2027 | $150 | $205 |
| February 2027 | $155 | $205 |
| Mar–May 2027 | $170 | $220 |
The cheapest move is a late-September weekday. The most expensive is a fall weekend. Call 760-767-3500 to ask what the fee includes before you commit.
Facilities & Amenities
The footprint is bigger than the golf alone.
- Golf: 18 holes, Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens per GolfPass, plus a driving range.
- Dining: a main restaurant, and the Ram Shack, listed daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Shop: the golf shop opens at 6:30 a.m.
- Lodging: fairway Golf Houses with private pools, plus partner stays at La Casa del Zorro and historic Borrego hotels.
The restaurant runs shorter hours in early October, then adds dinner Thursday through Sunday after mid-month. Check before you plan a post-round meal.
Best Time to Visit
Plan for October through May. That is when the desert is comfortable and the rates climb to match. Fall and spring weekends are the priciest.
Summer is the opposite trade. Highs here regularly top 100 degrees, so only book it if you tee off at 7 a.m. and love a bargain. GolfPass lists summer extras such as shaved ice and free replay rounds, which shows how the club courts those months.
Dress Code & Etiquette
Rams Hill does not publish a formal dress code that I could find. Collared shirts and golf shorts are the safe default, and you will not regret a hat.
Carry more water than you think you need. Desert air dries you out before you feel thirsty.
Who Is This Club For?
This club is a good fit if you want a conditioned course with real scenery and you are happy to pay a destination price. Pair it with a weekend in the desert.
This club is a good fit if you like building a trip around golf. The Golf Houses and Stay & Play packages are the point.
Skip this one if you play often and price matters most. Our San Juan Hills review covers a public option nearer the coast, and Aviara sits in San Diego County too.
Skip this one if you hate heat or long drives. Borrego rewards patience.
People Also Ask: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rams Hill Golf Club public?
Yes. The official site describes daily-fee play year-round, with tee times bookable up to 30 days ahead. Some third-party listings label it semi-private. Membership terms are not published, so call the pro shop at 760-767-3500 if you want to ask about them.
How much does Rams Hill Golf Club cost to play?
The club lists 2026–27 starting rates from $115 on a Monday–Thursday in late September to $225 on a Friday–Sunday in October and November. Prices rise with demand, and the page does not confirm cart or twilight pricing.
Where is Rams Hill Golf Club?
It is at 1881 Rams Hill Road in Borrego Springs, California, in the Anza-Borrego desert of eastern San Diego County. It is a remote desert town, so most visitors drive in for the day or stay over.
Who designed Rams Hill Golf Club?
Ted Robinson Sr. built the original course in 1983, according to GolfPass. The official site credits Tom Fazio, and GolfPass lists redesigns by Fazio’s team in 2007 and Jackson Kahn Design in 2013.
Does Rams Hill Golf Club have a driving range?
Yes. The official site lists the driving range as open 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The golf shop opens at 6:30 a.m. and the first tee time is 7:00 a.m.
What is the best time to play Rams Hill Golf Club?
October through May is the comfortable window, though that is also when rates are highest. Late September is the cheapest listed period on the 2026–27 rate page, but expect desert heat.
Verdict & Score
I rate Rams Hill Golf Club 4.4 out of 5. Conditioning, setting and a memorable closing hole carry it. Price, distance and a thin set of published details hold it back from a higher score.
If a scenic desert round is the goal, book a weekday in the shoulder season and ask what the fee includes. If value per round matters more, pick a closer course. You can see how we score in our review methodology.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-04.
Author Note
I score destination courses on conditioning, setting and price transparency, using the club’s rate page, GolfPass and the resort listings.
