Rustic Canyon Trip Report. November 2020

[MongoSmash]

Just got back from Rustic on a buddies trip, and wanted to give my 2 cents. 
 

Flew into Lax. Be aware if you’re gonna grab a rental car, the shuttle is a bit slow. Also, be sure to account for LA traffic depending on time of day. I landed at 9:00am. Friends landed at 10:00am. We arrived at Rustic at 11:20; exactly 1 hour prior to tee-off. This plan only worked cause it was middle of day. 🙂

 

Rustic is def links like. The fairways were firm (even after it had rained a day or 2 before). Which brings me to my next point...you can lose some balls there. There is very little rough; so if you’ve got a hooking golf ball, it can hit the left side of the fairway and run through into the Penalty Area. Also, most of the penalty areas are “environmentally protected” so even if you can see your ball, you are forbidden to walk into area. And some of the protected areas even have fences to keep you out (in case you wanted to break the rules).

 

The front nine is fairly flat, and a pretty easy walk. The back nine is NOT. I walk a lot, and didn’t have an issue. Another in our group (who’s NOT totally out of shape) had some difficulty keeping up. 😂

 

The most unique thing on the course is the green complexes. The fringe usually extends 10-20 YARDS around some parts of the green. So you have lots of options; wedge, 8 iron, hybrid, putter. Also, there are some big undulations, so you can be creative. The green complexes are the main defense, and the star of the show. Kind of like Streamsong Black green complexes (same architect I believe).
 

anyway, the views of the mountains were cool. The course is VERY unique compared to most US courses, and the price is GREAT!

i think it’s a great buddies trip...unless you want more the clubs/bar scene.  

[MongoSmash]

[Golf10]

You flew here to play Rustic?  That's awesome.  Play anywhere else?

 

I agree it's a really fun and unique course.  I wish there were more like it.  What were your favorite holes?  What do you think the strengths and weaknesses of the course are.

 

Glad you had fun.

 

 

[MongoSmash]

Yep. It was easy for the fellas to fly to LAX. Just flew in for the buddies trip...aka golf and beer. 
 

we didn’t play anywhere else. We heard Moorpark CC is nice, but it’s double the price. 
 

favorite holes...drivable par 4 (#3 I think). The long par 3 (#7 or 8??) was tough but beautiful. #2, I aimed wayyy right, and it works. #13 par 5? The dogleg left “coyote hole” #14??? Love the short par 3 up the hill #15 (even though it’s diabolical)???

18 is a good finisher. 
 

so I think the back has more memorable holes, but it’s tougher. 
 

Strengths of the course...easy walk front nine. Great green complexes that give you choices (even though they’re tough). Some great architectural design in most of the holes. 
the cost was cheap! Huge strength. 
 

weaknesses...back nine MUCH tougher walk. The tone was set on the half mile hike to #10 tee. 🤣

this is knit-picking, but the fringe around the green tended to be soft. That’s weird cause the fairways were pretty firm. So you couldn’t get the bump in runs to work like at Streamsong black or a Scottish course.  I ended up using hybrid a lot, others putted. But you couldn’t rely on something like 6-PW bumping because it could take a soft bounce. 
 

overall, would highly recommend 

[phizzy30]

I live in LA county and have played Rustic many times.  I like the course a lot, but it's not my favorite.  It's definitely a unique course as there are barely any true links course here in SoCal.  It's a challenging layout and can be very difficult at times when the wind picks up and blows.  Lots of OB on both sides so accuracy is a premium.  The views are stunning as well and it's very natural looking course.  I love how the first hole challenges you by having several fairway bunkers right in the middle(sarcastic).  Not only that it's a fairly lengthy par 5 from the tips which plays even longer if there's a head wind.  The greens are enormous with severe undulation and can get pretty quick at times when the wind dries them out.  As for Moorpark CC I've played there a few times as well.  Pricey yes, but worth it.  They keep the course in pristine condition most of the time and the course is challenging.  There are 27 holes if I remember correctly.  Then there's Tierra Rejada as well within the vicinity which is also a fun but challenging course as well. 

[Chanceman]

I loved my day's golf at Rustic Canyon - not so much the LA traffic. The five hours I had to make my plane trip back to Aus slowly diminished and by the time I got to Lincoln Bvd I was seriously contemplating a walk in. Traffic light by traffic light we crept with the planes landing up ahead. We made it but only just. Apparently LA people think this is quite normal.

[Golf10]

On 11/20/2020 at 3:33 PM, MongoSmash said:

Yep. It was easy for the fellas to fly to LAX. Just flew in for the buddies trip...aka golf and beer. 
 

we didn’t play anywhere else. We heard Moorpark CC is nice, but it’s double the price. 
 

favorite holes...drivable par 4 (#3 I think). The long par 3 (#7 or 8??) was tough but beautiful. #2, I aimed wayyy right, and it works. #13 par 5? The dogleg left “coyote hole” #14??? Love the short par 3 up the hill #15 (even though it’s diabolical)???

18 is a good finisher. 
 

so I think the back has more memorable holes, but it’s tougher. 
 

Strengths of the course...easy walk front nine. Great green complexes that give you choices (even though they’re tough). Some great architectural design in most of the holes. 
the cost was cheap! Huge strength. 
 

weaknesses...back nine MUCH tougher walk. The tone was set on the half mile hike to #10 tee. 🤣

this is knit-picking, but the fringe around the green tended to be soft. That’s weird cause the fairways were pretty firm. So you couldn’t get the bump in runs to work like at Streamsong black or a Scottish course.  I ended up using hybrid a lot, others putted. But you couldn’t rely on something like 6-PW bumping because it could take a soft bounce. 
 

overall, would highly recommend 

Nice summary.  Agree with pretty much everything.  The fringes have been soft until recently.  Finally they can reduce the watering this time of year.  It was playing full firm and fast last week; I'm talking 80 yards of roll on tee balls.  It's a lot of fun.  Hope you make it back.

[Hive311]

On 11/12/2020 at 9:00 AM, MongoSmash said:

Just got back from Rustic on a buddies trip, and wanted to give my 2 cents. 
 

Flew into Lax. Be aware if you’re gonna grab a rental car, the shuttle is a bit slow. Also, be sure to account for LA traffic depending on time of day. I landed at 9:00am. Friends landed at 10:00am. We arrived at Rustic at 11:20; exactly 1 hour prior to tee-off. This plan only worked cause it was middle of day. 🙂

 

Rustic is def links like. The fairways were firm (even after it had rained a day or 2 before). Which brings me to my next point...you can lose some balls there. There is very little rough; so if you’ve got a hooking golf ball, it can hit the left side of the fairway and run through into the Penalty Area. Also, most of the penalty areas are “environmentally protected” so even if you can see your ball, you are forbidden to walk into area. And some of the protected areas even have fences to keep you out (in case you wanted to break the rules).

 

The front nine is fairly flat, and a pretty easy walk. The back nine is NOT. I walk a lot, and didn’t have an issue. Another in our group (who’s NOT totally out of shape) had some difficulty keeping up. 😂

 

The most unique thing on the course is the green complexes. The fringe usually extends 10-20 YARDS around some parts of the green. So you have lots of options; wedge, 8 iron, hybrid, putter. Also, there are some big undulations, so you can be creative. The green complexes are the main defense, and the star of the show. Kind of like Streamsong Black green complexes (same architect I believe).
 

anyway, the views of the mountains were cool. The course is VERY unique compared to most US courses, and the price is GREAT!

i think it’s a great buddies trip...unless you want more the clubs/bar scene.  

Glad you enjoyed it.  Haven't heard of anyone flying in to play Rustic!   I live on the outskirts of LA and LOVE playing Rustic.  It's one of my favorite courses.  If you're ever in there area again, you may want to consider Olivas Links, River Ridge Victoria Lakes, Ojai Valley Inn, Soule Park and La Purisima.  Could make a great buddies trip.  

[markheardjr]

Dustin Johnson went out there for a skins game about 5 years ago. They say he drove #3 with a 3 wood by starting it over the road with a high hard cut.

[ws6]

I played RC when I lived in LA.  It was fun, but the wind felt like I was at Bandon Dunes on a summer afternoon.  

Edited January 18, 2021 by ws6

[Carpenter792]

On 12/10/2020 at 1:53 PM, Hive311 said:

Glad you enjoyed it.  Haven't heard of anyone flying in to play Rustic!   I live on the outskirts of LA and LOVE playing Rustic.  It's one of my favorite courses.  If you're ever in there area again, you may want to consider Olivas Links, River Ridge Victoria Lakes, Ojai Valley Inn, Soule Park and La Purisima.  Could make a great buddies trip.  

I second La Purisima! Course is tucked away in a valley of rolling hills and fog! It’s absolutely beautiful! 

[Golf10]

On 2/19/2021 at 10:05 AM, Carpenter792 said:

I second La Purisima! Course is tucked away in a valley of rolling hills and fog! It’s absolutely beautiful! 

 

Played Purisima recently and it's a flat out great course, not to mention the great pace of play we had.  If this were closer to a major metro you'd never have an open tee time.

[Bogeygolf2]

adding all these courses to the list