Rustic Canyon (Moorpark CA)

Gil Hanse and Geoff Shackleford designed Rustic Canyon in 2006 to huge fanfare. The course is a throwback to golden age architecture when little dirt was moved, and strategy focused on ground game options. It takes advantage of the natural features of the land, and forces you to visualize a shot. Most greens are surrounded by short grass chipping areas so bump n runs, Texas wedges, and every type of chip is available.

Rustic Canyon does have an unusual routing. It has five par 3s, five par 5s, and eight par 4s, including three short, possibly driveable ones. The course starts off with a par five. It is reachable but a sandy fault line cuts across the fairway and fronts the green. The fault line is somewhat narrow so a ball that finds it may not have very good stance or lie. The second hole is a long par four. A large mound in the green strategically affects how the approach is played. Putting over it is certainly a three putt so players must really think bout the type of shot they're trying to play.

The third is the first of three short par fours. Basically it has two sight lines. Laying up out to the right or trying to carry the diagonal bunkers. The conservative play leaves a pitch into the green but the view is hindered by a cluster of traps. The aggressive play if it successfully carried the sand, had a clear path to the green. Both options are well conceived and change pending weather and wind direction. The fourth has a diagonal sand trap fronting well short of the green and a large mound in the putting surface. Then the par five fifth greets us with a beautiful designed cape second shot that must carry over a sandy wash. Golfers get to pick their line pending their ability and comfort. I felt it was the best three shorter on the course.

Six is a long par three over the wash to green that is significantly raised in the rear and to the right so that the ball can catch the slope and funnel to the center. It's a great hole. And one where you can see some really crazy putts. Seven is the second short par four. The wash crosses the fairway and the player must decide how much of a risk is he willing to take. The green is elevated on the left and is seriously guarded by a couple deep traps. There are many ways to play the hole. It's a keeper!! Then eight is a pitch shot par three with nowhere to land except the green!! The golf on the front nine is damn good!!

Nine and ten are both par fives. Nine is a straightaway hole which is defended by a crazy contoured green. It lulls the player with its simplicity but it requires thinking. Ten starts the back nine with a dogleg right. The green is pressed next to the desert with no bunkers guarding the entrance. It's a good birdie opportunity.

Eleven is a solid par four. Player must pick correct side of the fairway to get a good angle to the pin. Twelve is the final short par four, and potentially the most driveable. The green is the only real threat as a raised back tier is the best place to hide the flag. Otherwise the player can use the slope as backstop to attack the front locations. Thirteen is the last par five, and has the coolest green on the course. The bowl green is fronted by a principle nose bunker that doesn't allow head on shots to the pin. Golfers can hit up to the side and watch their ball funnel back towards the cup. But remember, the bowl both giveth and taketh away.

The player is now at the furthest point in the course. And it's a long par four playing back to the clubhouse. From the back tees its a monsterous carry just to reach the fairway! Many people will struggle to reach in regulation so a four is a wonderful score. Fifteen is an uphill par three which I felt was the least favorite hole on the course. Its nearly two clubs longer than the yardage, and the severely pitch green is a bear to putt.

Sixteen is the most memorable hole as the tee is way above the fairway and provides an incredible view of the entire golf course. The hole is obviously downhill and balls that land just short can and will roll thru the green. Seventeen is a solid par three whose right side is protected by the desert. And finally eighteen is a downhill par four with desert all down the right side. The green will shed balls to the rear. It's hard to believe when you're hitting the approach just how much this green slopes away from you. A pretty good trick hidden well by Hanse.

Rustic Canyon has popped up on several lists as one the best courses you can play. I love the options you're given on every hole. And the course is super playable so you can shoot a good score too. I could play here everyday and not get tired of it. That is an endorsement not given lightly. In fact, I prefer playing here more than Pasatiempo. Add in the outrageously cheap green fees and this is a course that's gonna be around for a long time. It's a strong 7 rating.