Rancho Del Rey Golf Club
Rancho Del Rey Golf Club offers an 18-hole public layout in California’s Central Valley, combining a traditional parkland style with approachable terrain. While the course presents a straightforward test of golf, maintenance challenges currently impact overall playability.
Course Overview
Rancho Del Rey Golf Club in Atwater, California, presents itself as a public 18-hole course set against the backdrop of California’s Central Valley landscape. The layout stretches just under 6,200 yards with a par of 72, aiming to welcome golfers across a broad range of skill levels. As a traditional parkland-style course, it attempts to blend open fairways with native grasses and scattered trees, offering pockets of challenge alongside straightforward stretches.
The course features relatively flat terrain typical of the region, which can appeal to players who prefer walking and manageable elevation changes. However, the experience on-site is significantly influenced by its current state of maintenance. Fairways and greens show signs of wear and inconsistency, which complicate playability, especially for those expecting smooth putting surfaces and reliable turf conditions. Bunkers and hazards, while present, often fail to provide the intended strategic challenge due to limited upkeep.
The clubhouse serves as the central hub for players, providing a modest pro shop and basic amenities expected at a community course. Rancho Del Rey is accessible to the public, with walkable grounds suited for players who enjoy experiencing golf at a leisurely pace. Given the course's condition, golfers aiming for pristine environments or championship-level challenges may find it falls short of those expectations.
Rancho Del Rey’s surroundings are typical of the agricultural landscape common to this part of California rather than scenic mountain or coastal vistas. The course’s layout and grass types reflect practicality over aesthetic flourish, catering primarily to local players or those seeking affordable rounds. Attention to detail on course upkeep could transform the experience, but as of now, golfers should be prepared for variable turf and playing conditions.
For those planning a visit, sturdy shoes and an adaptable game will be beneficial as footing in some areas may be inconsistent. Tee times are recommended to avoid busy periods, and walk-ins are welcomed, though players seeking a refined, championship experience might consider other Central Valley options. Rancho Del Rey offers an accessible entry point to golf in Atwater but requires tempered expectations regarding course quality and service.
Course Highlights
A straightforward parkland layout with modest elevation changes and a mix of fairways lined by native grasses and sporadic trees. The course incorporates standard bunkers and water hazards, though maintenance inconsistencies affect their strategic impact. The setting reflects the agricultural surroundings rather than scenic landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Anthony Goins
Wish I could give zero stars. Worst course I have ever played in terms of course condition. Course receives zero maintenance. Fairways are nothing but dead grass and hardpan (see photo). Greens are full of weeds and were as slow as shag carpet. Staff should be embarrassed that they actually charge money to play here. I will not be returning.
Henry Martinez
The worst golf course I've ever played at was definitely a disappointing experience. From the moment I arrived, the lack of maintenance was glaringly obvious. The fairways were more like rough patches of weeds than well-kept grass, making it difficult to find a decent lie for my shots. The greens were in even worse shape; they were bumpy and slow, with numerous bare spots that made putting a frustrating challenge. The layout of the course was poorly designed, with several holes that felt overly cramped and lacked any real challenge for seasoned players. There were also random hazards that seemed to be placed without thought, such as a pond that was more of a mud puddle and a sand trap that was just a pile of rocks. It felt like the course was trying to be quirky, but it ended up being just annoying. On top of that, the customer service was lacking. The staff seemed disinterested and unhelpful, which added to the overall negative vibe of the place. It’s a shame because golf is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, but this course made me want to pack up my clubs and head somewhere else. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this golf course to anyone looking for a good day on the links.
DEREK S (Derek9rx)
This was a terrible experience. There was a group of 6 in front of us that was slowing us down. We jumped in front of them after nine only to be stuck behind a group of 8. No marshal on duty. They never let our group of 3 play through. Horrible pace of play. As far as the course goes, fairways were in terrible condition. Mostly dead and super hard. Greens were in decent shape.
David Zyski
Course conditions were very poor. Slow pace of play. No Marshall to hold players accountable on the course
Nacho Perez
As a longtime player of this club, I’ve never felt so disrespected — and I’ve stuck around long enough to see the full decay. Let me be absolutely clear: this place has gone from a respected institution to a joke — and not even a funny one. Players like me, who’ve put in YEARS of loyalty, time, and effort, are treated like we're disposable. We've bled for this club, carried its reputation on our backs, and now we're ignored, sidelined, and in some cases, outright disrespected by a management team that clearly has no idea what the hell it's doing. The cherry on top? Members are now allowed — even encouraged — to cut in front of PAYING GUESTS on the first tee. That’s right. People who’ve shelled out real money to play here get pushed aside so some entitled member can stroll up and act like they own the place. It’s embarrassing. It's anti-sport. And it tells you everything you need to know about where the club's values are: in the trash. The facilities are crumbling, leadership is either asleep at the wheel or drunk with power, and the only thing consistent anymore is the level of disrespect shown to the very people who made this club what it once was. If you're thinking about joining? Don’t. Unless you like paying for the privilege of being treated like an inconvenience. This club is a shadow of what it used to be — and frankly, it deserves to be called out.
Kevin Drake
The course is in poor condition. They need to water the course, cut the greens, and worry more about the condition of the fairways. The men that work there are extremely rude and on the verge of racist. They think they work at Pebble Beach. Get a life! Way too serious. The one woman that works there was kind. Slowest greens I've played in a while and they weren't punched. If you suck at golf you may enjoy the course but if you want to play a nice track look elsewhere.
Zack Burrows
I have been playing this course for over 20 years and have gone through all the ups and downs at the property. My group had not played a round in like 10 months here so we could give the course a chance to improve with the new owners. We just had an early tee time and while waiting to tee off a group of "members" went in front of us and cut us off. They didn't say anything to us and unfriendly words ensued. The pro shop told us members can do that. How awesome. We teed off late and got in line with a ton of groups at 7:30 in the morning. This is the first time I have ever felt unwelcome at Rancho. The course continues to be in poor condition and the proshop is run by kids. My group has no interest in returning. The members can have their crappy course to themselves.
Zack Burrows
I have been playing this course for over 20 years and have gone through all the ups and downs at the property. My group had not played a round in like 10 months here so we could give the course a chance to improve with the new owners. We just had an early tee time and while waiting to tee off a group of "members" went in front of us and cut us off. They didn't say anything to us and unfriendly words ensued. The pro shop told us members can do that. How awesome. We teed off late and got in line with a ton of groups at 7:30 in the morning. This is the first time I have ever felt unwelcome at Rancho. The course continues to be in poor condition and the proshop is run by kids. My group has no interest in returning. The members can have their crappy course to themselves.
Eddie Rodriguez
I had an extremely disappointing experience at Rancho Del Rey Golf Course. From the moment I arrived, I felt unwelcome, and it quickly became clear that this course does not treat all guests equally. The staff’s attitude toward me and my group was noticeably different from how they interacted with other golfers. We were given unnecessary scrutiny, and it seemed like we were being rushed while other groups were allowed to take their time. Beyond the uncomfortable and unwelcoming atmosphere, the course itself was in terrible condition. The fairways were patchy, the greens were full of divots, and several bunkers looked like they hadn’t been maintained in weeks. For the price they charge, you would expect a well-kept course, but this place was far from it. It’s truly disappointing to see such outdated attitudes in a sport that should be open to everyone. I would not recommend this course to anyone who values respect, fair treatment, or simply a well-maintained place to play. There are plenty of other courses that offer a better experience in every way.
Anthony Goins
Wish I could give zero stars. Worst course I have ever played in terms of course condition. Course receives zero maintenance. Fairways are nothing but dead grass and hardpan (see photo). Greens are full of weeds and were as slow as shag carpet. Staff should be embarrassed that they actually charge money to play here. I will not be returning.
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Course Details
Access & Location
5250 Green Sands Ave, Atwater, CA 95301, USA
Modest clubhouse with pro shop and basic amenities
Walking is permitted; players should wear durable shoes due to uneven ground conditions in some areas
Open to the public without membership; tee time reservations encouraged but walk-ins accepted
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