Mt. Woodson Golf Club
Mt. Woodson Golf Club challenges golfers with elevation changes and strategic gaps on 18 holes that traverse rugged mountain and desert terrain. This public course offers a rewarding mix of striking views and shot-making demands suited to skilled players seeking a distinctive San Diego experience.
Course Overview
Mt. Woodson Golf Club, located just outside Ramona, California, offers a distinct golf experience that blends rugged mountain terrain with desert landscapes across 18 thoughtfully crafted holes. This public course challenges players with a layout that demands precision and strategic shot-making while rewarding well-placed efforts with some of the region’s most striking views. Elevation shifts punctuate nearly every hole, requiring attention to club selection and trajectory, particularly when navigating the numerous valley gaps that frame the fairways.
The course’s diverse terrain ranges from steep mountainous slopes to rolling grassy expanses, each hole offering a unique challenge. Golfers confront blind shots and tee shots across natural ravines, heightening the risk-reward factor throughout the round. While the yardage from the blues and whites is moderate, careful play is essential to avoid out-of-bounds areas and hidden hazards, encouraging players to bring every club in their bag. The greens are known to roll true and can be quick, adding a layer of complexity to putting.
Despite its elevated challenges, Mt. Woodson remains approachable for skilled amateurs and low-handicap players seeking a competitive test. The course’s distinctive layout ensures that no two holes feel alike, with the landscape actively influencing shot shape and club choice. The absence of a traditional driving range is offset by a chipping and putting area and a net practice facility, providing opportunities to warm up before your round.
The clubhouse, modest yet welcoming, supports a friendly and knowledgeable staff who are a hallmark of the club’s atmosphere. While walking is feasible, sturdy footwear is recommended given the uneven terrain and elevation changes. Seasonal conditions can vary, but the course is well maintained year-round, offering a rewarding experience for those prepared to meet its demands.
For golfers planning a visit to San Diego’s inland hills, Mt. Woodson represents an adventurous round that tests shot-making amid diverse natural features, delivering memorable challenges alongside expansive scenic views.
Course Highlights
Distinctive elevation changes and valley gaps characterize this course, demanding precise shot execution. The layout’s frequent blind tee shots and natural desert-mountain scenery set it apart in Southern California. Practice facilities include a chipping and putting area and a net for warm-up, compensating for the absence of a driving range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Jeffrey Buetow
Challenging golf coures. Excellent condition and has a Great staff.
M N
Great course! Lots of beautiful scenery, rolling fairways , and challenging greens. Staff was very friendly and welcoming.
E. Davis
PLAYED 14MAY2025 - Played while visiting San Diego. Grateful to have been partnered with a couple of locals who knew the course as this was my first time playing. The course was in great shape although the greens were a little slow due to recent aeration, which I didn't notice. Overall the course isn't long but the elevation changes, blind shots, and hidden hazards require the use of every club in your bag. The views are amazing. The staff was friendly. I'll definitely return.
Ovell Scott III
Played course on 15 July 2024. Course is amazing with one of the best lay outs I have ever played. Elevation challenges on just about every single hole. The course is well maintained with the exception of some tee boxes that are uneven and there being no sand in the bunkers to actually execute bunker shots. The greens roll true and can be fast. The staff is very friendly and they also offer military discount. They also have practice facilities although I did not see an actual driving range. There were a few mats where you could hit into a net. I will definitely be back to this course in the future and recommend it to all golfers, you will have a blast! Watch out for the rattlesnakes, you can't see them but you can hear them.
Brent Thompson
Mt. Woodson NEVER disappoints. The facilities are clean, and the staff is friendly. Though the course isn't long, you'd better know your clubs' distances. Elevated tees, many of them require clean shots over brush, trees & rocks make this course special.
Kristian Alexander
Woodson is one of my all time favorite courses because it is challenging, surrounded by beautiful views and has a very unique layout. Backstory: about ten years ago when I started learning to golf, Woodson was my first legit course that I played. I’m returning back all these years later and had a good time with this bucket list course. As far as San Diego courses go, Woodson has a variety of terrains to play from: moments of steep mountainous areas, desert terrain, hilly grass fairways, and tons of valley gaps that you have to hit strategically over. The valleys: at least half of the holes have a moment where you’re hitting over a gap somewhere - and if you hit your shot on the right line and the right shape / distance, you will feel like an absolute hero. That’s the thing I love about Woodson. It’s high risk high reward. The next thing is the course length: from the whites, you can easily go OB long, and from the blues you have a bit more room to play. But overall this isn’t a super long course and you need to be careful :) Overall, if you haven’t played it before and you’re a decently experienced golfer, I highly recommend you try this place at least once
allen smith
Got my 1st and only hole in one on hole #3 was in a daze for the rest of the round and can only remember it was very gorgeous
Jaryd Horsley
Max K
This course is so awesome. I came to San Diego for a 3 day golf trip with a friend and was recommended to play here and I’m so glad we did! It had amazing views, it was challenging, and was just overall a fun course. We also got paired with a couple of other people who made the experience even better. Absolutely will come back here when I’m in the area!
Paul Nguyen (Dukie Travels)
This was our first course that we played on our 4 day golf trip. Oh man what a way to start the trip. 10 day advance booking, no booking fees, and getting a tee time was pretty easy. This course has amazing views, condition was great, challenging design, and super fun. It's a great price for what you get $85 w/cart on a Friday morning. A little bit of a drive to get to but it's worth it. They don't have a driving range, but they do have a net you can hit into. $5 for a bucket of balls. Chipping and putting area are also available. Staff was super friendly. We had a blast playing here and I would do it again. I need redemption because this course wrecked me. Our next course was Reidy Creek.
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Course Details
Access & Location
16422 N Woodson Dr, Ramona, CA 92065, USA
Modest clubhouse with pro shop and casual snack bar
Walking is possible but course features significant elevation changes; wearing golf shoes with good traction is advisable.
Advance tee time booking recommended, walk-ins may be accommodated depending on availability.
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