Hunter Ranch Golf Course

Played mid morning on the threat of rain but weather held out and it was actually warm out for most of the round. Wind came up the last few holes to cool things off. Course was almost completely empty. There were only a 2-3 other groups out. Greens were in fantastic shape. Early greens were a bit damp from recent rain but they dried out about 5 holes in and started rolling at a medium-fast pace. As I mentioned before, greens at Hunter have modest slope with predictable breaks. A good test of skills but nothing to overwhelm a seasoned golfer.

Tee boxes were level and lush. Fairways were average. A few thin/wet areas along with some dormant grass throughout but decent lies for the most part. Sand traps have nice sand in them (or at least the one trap I was in did).

Hunter Ranch is always a fun track. It offers numerous elevation changes throughout with forced carries over water and gullies mixed in for add enjoyment. Weekend prices are a little pricey but that's the nature of the beast

So played 36 holes here. Always really like this course. Challenging, course in great shape. Wind came up in afternoon, made it more difficult. Like the online price of $57, but they charge $22 per person to ride the cart. Replay of $37 was really nice. Great restaurant, everyone really friendly.

I’m a 32 handicap and was a little intimidated at first but I really enjoyed the course and it was pretty user friendly for an average golfer. The course condition was excellent, the greens were pretty quick but after a few putts, they weren’t too difficult!! We did get held up by slow play for the majority of the round but we were not in a hurry and just enjoyed a break in the shade and the great views!

Though the weather was lousy (cold, cloudy, very windy) the course was too expensive for its condition. The tee boxes are badly beaten up and the fairways were dry. I'd heard nice things about Hunter, so perhaps my expectations were too high. We finally bit the bullet and paid their walking rate, but were quickly sorry we did. Other PR clubs are a much better value, especially when the weather is windy much of the time in early summer. Won't play here again.

Rode the Blues (6751/72.7/138) in less than 3H as a single. The weather was around 60, completely cloudy and misting when I left HR around 1030a. Just pulled into Rancho Mirage, 102 and clear... go figure?

HR is a hilly, challenging layout in very nice condition. The fairways are framed by hundreds of 100+ year old oak trees. It is unusual to get a level lies anywhere on a course set among rolling hills. The fairways are generous in width but the course can be really penal if you stray barely off many fairways.

The tees were mostly lush and were well maintained for divots. Some could use leveling would be the only negative.

The fairways are a mixture of grasses and are mostly lush, nice to play from.

The rough was mostly lush close to the fairway, thinner the farther you got from the fairway. Stray off in the oaks and you are playing on hardpan.

The sand traps were well maintained with nice, soft, white sand.

The large, undulating greens are firm but still usually held irons well. They putted smooth and medium fast.

The customer service was good as usual here. No drink cart or Marshall usually, nice restaurant beside the well stocked, beautiful clubhouse. Definitely recommended.

Rode the Blues (6751/72.7/138) in less than 3H as a single twilight. Other than a consistent 10+mph wind, perfect golf weather. Overcast and close to 80. This is probably the best I have ever seen HR look.

The tees were semi lush and most were well maintained for divots. Some could use leveling.

The fairways look really nice mowed like a checkerboard. Mostly lush poa annua, nice to play from.

The rough was mostly lush close to the fairway, thinner the farther you got from the fairway.

The sand traps had nice quality sand, well maintained.

The large, undulating greens were smooth, medium fast and they held irons very well.

The customer service was good, right out on #1 tee at my tee time. Very challenging layout in very nice condition. Hilly with fairways framed by oak trees. Few level lies anywhere on this course. The fairways are generous in size, the rough is mostly mowed down and if you get off in the oaks its hardpan. Recommended.

I've played this course a few times over that past several years. The course is in the best shape I've seen, with especially impressive greens--perfect and true. I did not feel as if I was being tricked, nor do I feel there were any holes that were contrived, jammed in for the purpose of coming up with 18 holes. This is because the course is built on natural terrain that is perfectly suited to contain a golf course. Just enough water, good bunker texture, no unfair surprises. Perfect tee boxes with several tee choices to challenge players of all abilities. I usually walk the course, but decided to take a cart because it was quite hot when I played. But this course was designed with very short distances between green and next tee; it SHOULD be walked if possible. In conclusion, I'd say that I feel like I received a great value on my day at Hunter Ranch!

Course is in excellent shape, kudos to the superintendent and team! Any day on a golf course is a great day!

Started play at 1:10pm, Greens were fast, most fairways were not level, blind shots, got windy later in the day, Par 5's for average player not reachable in two, a couple long par 4's.

The majority of the greens are not visible from the tee or even after your first shot. We had no idea where to shoot. But the course was in good condition and we had fun (not reflected in our scores).

Food at the restaurant was awful but the wait staff was nice.

Teed off as a single at 4pm and finished in 2.5 hours.Staff was pleasant and two groups I approached let me play through. Really nice players on course. Tough layout, a few blind shots, if you get off fairway the rough gets pretty thick. Nice course, a little dry in some spots however there has been a drought in previous seasons and it was 87 degrees when I teed off.

Don't get too comfortable after the front 9 - the back Is a bear. Lots of water and blind fairways. You will be your exercise.

Really enjoyed the round at Hunter Ranch. It was a fun layout - not too easy, not too penal. The course was firm and fast for March. Good shape considering the drought conditions. Great restaurant for a post round lunch.

Played the Blues (6751/72.7/138) in 3H, 20M as a single early morning. Started off in fog with poor visibility, but the weather was nice by the end of the round.

Tough course, hilly with fairways framed with oak trees. The fairways are generous in size, the rough is thin, but if you get off in the oaks its hardpan.

The tees were decent. Semi lush and some could use leveling, but most were well maintained for divots.

The fairways and rough do not look good from afar. Both are winter thin with large patches of dormant grass. However, they play better than they look, not great but okay.

The sand was nice, well maintained.

The large, undulating greens were the best part of the course. Medium fast and firm, but they held irons very well.

The customer service was good, right out on #1 tee at my tee time. No dink cart, no one cleaning up your clubs after the round. Excellent, very challenging layout in decent condition. Recommended.

Fun course! We played as a twosome on a Sunday. It was pretty busy with some waiting. The greens were in fantastic shape. Parts of the fairways were dry which is very acceptable for a dry January. Beautiful course. We will come back!

I have heard so many good things about this course; how it is well maintained, challenging and one of the best courses in SLO county. I beg to differ. I found a good rate on GN at $50, but the rack rate is near $100. After playing this course I would have a hard time justifying $50 let alone $100. One the positive side the greens and bunkers were in good shape and the staff was friendly. On the negative side the fairways and rough were all dead. Many holes lacked significant rough entirely, yet I found multiple spots on the course where water puddled and I had to drop my ball. I enjoyed playing Hunter Ranch, but I would not classify it as a premiere course as they do.

Challenging layout includes hills, doglegs and forced carries. A challenge but, not punitive due to generous fairways. The greens are very nice but, have subtle breaks so, two putts are not guaranteed. It plays long due to the hills so, choose the correct tees or be prepared to hit long irons into the greens. It was a little wet the day I played so the course won but, I look forward to playing again. The only drawback is the fairways are a bit uneven at the edges but, it fits with the natural look of the course. Food is great!!!

Played here on a Saturday with my wife while vacationing in the area. Teed off at 12:30 and finished in 4:30 as a threesome, but the course was pretty busy. Greens were excellent. Tees pretty good. Bunkers in nice shape. Fairways were in terrible condition. I don't know if it has something to do with the season, but the turf was in really bad condition. Lots of bare spots and mixed grass. Don't think we had a decent lie in the fairway all day. Given that this place is billed as the best in the area, it did not live up to that billing. Staff was friendly and the on-site restaurant was great. It's not worth the $110 rack rate (including cart), but if you can find a special rate, we would recommend it.