Montesoro Golf Club leaves a strong impression on golfers thanks to its striking beauty and pristine condition. The reason is straightforward: it operates as a private course. Guests of Borrego Springs Ranch and Spa enjoy access, but the number of players on the course at any time is deliberately limited — on the day we played there was never a need to wait at a hole.
Owned by the Borrego Springs Ranch proprietors, the course provides reciprocity for hotel guests. It has an interesting history: originally built as a 27-hole layout, it was later redesigned by Tom Fazio and his team into the current 18-hole course. Both the course and the hotel sit inside the 900-square-mile Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California.
Montesoro appears in Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” and offers expansive views of mountains, desert vegetation, seasonal wildflowers and fescue grass across a routing that features roughly 600 feet of elevation change. David Hunter, the director of golf, is a PGA professional and a Callaway Master Professional who has been recognized by Golf Digest as one of America’s Outstanding Golf Instructors. He provides helpful coaching as well as background on the course’s design and history.
Hole 2 (543 yards, par 5)
This long hole demands accuracy. Avoid the bunkers and tall grass that line both sides of the fairway. A pair of trees sits in the center of the fairway, so make sure your second shot clears them and leaves you either left or right of the fairway center. The green is slightly elevated and trends left, so approach angle and positioning relative to the trees will affect your shot into the green.
Hole 6 (519 yards, par 5)
Pause to take in the scenery here: wildflowers frame the tee while the Santa Rosa Mountains rise beyond. The hole doglegs to the right and four bunkers protect the landing area. A well-struck tee shot that avoids the right bunkers can set up a reachable second for birdie or even eagle. Midway to the green you’ll find additional bunkers roughly 100–120 yards out — a recurring Fazio trait throughout the course.
Hole 8 (498 yards, par 4)
This is the No. 1 handicap hole, primarily because of its length. The fairway offers several landing zones on this slight dogleg left, but a bunker on the left is perfectly placed to catch an errant tee shot. The green is guarded by bunkers on the left; if you approach from that side your ball must hold the putting surface or risk rolling off.
Hole 10 (213 yards, par 3)
The course features back-to-back par 3s at Nos. 9 and 10, which is an unusual but pleasant design choice. Hole 10 is attractive, with a pond left and bunkers front and back. It plays about 20 yards longer than it appears from the tee. Shots that miss too far right are in trouble due to high grass and brush, so accuracy is essential.
Hole 11 (556 yards, par 5)
From an elevated tee you must account for the water that runs along the entire left side of this long par 5. Avoid the large right-side bunker and aim to keep your ball in play; putts can run off the surface here, another hallmark of Fazio’s greens.
Hole 12 (333 yards, par 4)
This straightforward hole is rated No. 18 in handicap. A string of bunkers lines the right side of the fairway and there is one bunker left. Positioning slightly right of center sets up a comfortable approach of roughly 100 yards. Avoid the sloping hill to the left, which can complicate your next shot.
Hole 13 (455 yards, par 4)
A dogleg right, this hole features numerous bunkers on the right, including two large traps. The green is protected by a deep front bunker. A well-executed chip that runs up the slope can feed toward the hole and set up a makeable putt for par or birdie.
Hole 18 (577 yards, par 5)
The finishing hole is a fitting end, with the clubhouse as a dramatic backdrop. A large lake guards the right side and must be avoided. From a favorable tee position slightly left, you’ll need to steer clear of bunkers that sit short of the green at about 90 yards. A conservative chip for par is a smart play before heading back to the clubhouse along a driveway that crosses a small stream — a pleasant finishing touch.
Montesoro Golf Club
1881 Rams Hill Road
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
tel 760 857 4537