Ryan Ranch DGC reviews
2
3
[email protected]
Experience:
5.9 years
4 played
4 reviews
A challenge and a pleasure 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Mar 18, 2017
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Tee pads were good. Signage and directions were good. The recently acquired riding mower has been put to excellent use by creating nice fairways. The long grass in the rough still swallows discs so it's no walk in the park.
Loved the elevation changes in and out of valleys. Loved the challenging shots around and over trees.
Very scenic. We started at sunrise both days and that was a bonus.
Players we met were friendly.
Loved the elevation changes in and out of valleys. Loved the challenging shots around and over trees.
Very scenic. We started at sunrise both days and that was a bonus.
Players we met were friendly.
Cons:
Very few. Unfortunately hole 1 is over an something like a rough earth parking lot. But then you get right into the beautiful stuff.
Other Thoughts:
Second play was even better once we got a feel for the course.
I was playing with a newish player and there was no way she would reach the fairway from a couple of tee pads. So maybe a couple of am pads on the long/difficult holes?
There is poison oak, so take care and wear long pants.
Great course. Thank you to the volunteers!
I was playing with a newish player and there was no way she would reach the fairway from a couple of tee pads. So maybe a couple of am pads on the long/difficult holes?
There is poison oak, so take care and wear long pants.
Great course. Thank you to the volunteers!
4
2
Lorenzo1
Experience:
2 played
2 reviews
Ryan's Ranch rocks! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 10, 2016
Played the course:once
Pros:
Ryan's ranch DG course was a wonderful course, some wide open and long holes, loved hole #3 so much I ran back up and played it 2X. Excellent tee pads and tee-off seating in tree shade for many of first 18 holes, some very challenging holes, would definitely play it again!
Signage was good, really enjoyed the course.
Signage was good, really enjoyed the course.
Cons:
Not many, perhaps consider having amateur tee pads, perhaps a little more color or flag to mark the baskets for first timers to the course.
Other Thoughts:
Great job guys in designing this course, well done!
10
1
Premier Course on the Central Coast 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 22, 2011
Played the course:once
Pros:
-True pro disc golf course
-Variety variety variety
-Innovative tree protection
-Fantastic use of land
-Great vibe
-DG Exclusive
-Amazing course flow
-Framed rubber tees
-Cool port-o-potty shack
-Mega re-playability
-Variety variety variety
-Innovative tree protection
-Fantastic use of land
-Great vibe
-DG Exclusive
-Amazing course flow
-Framed rubber tees
-Cool port-o-potty shack
-Mega re-playability
Cons:
-No dedicated practice basket
-No water
-Proximity to office buildings is a little bizarre
-Crazy huge gopher holes...watch your footing!
(really stretching for cons here)
-No water
-Proximity to office buildings is a little bizarre
-Crazy huge gopher holes...watch your footing!
(really stretching for cons here)
Other Thoughts:
Ryan Ranch is a wonderful course set on an inland ridge of Monterey Bay. It truly is a quintessential California disc golf experience with field shots, elevation, and technical woods. Oak trees and various forms of underbrush create the technical parts of the course while elevation keeps the more open shots interesting. Poison Oak existed behind tee pads here and there but was a non-issue while playing.
The course starts off unassuming with a straightforward first hole down a slight hill. By hole two though, you quickly realize that this is not 'just another disc golf course' with its well defined tunnel to another downhill situated pin. Three holes in and there is no way not to be in love with it; this wonderful downhill mid-range shot is usually something you run into much later on a course but here you start right off with it.
You then continues through the woods, where you encounter large black screens to protect the oak trees. They actually add an artificial challenge because if you hit them, you are not going to bank off and still have a possible good shot. Your disc will just fall and leave you with a likely difficult upshot. We really liked this effort to protect the old trees.
After 5 holes, you head into the meadows for a few open shots, but all still have some kind of protection on either the tee, fairway, or pin. They require a solid long drive but will also demand precision to score well. Hole 7 wrapped around an active office building which was kinda weird to see while in the middle of a round. The course quickly heads back into the woods after a few open shots. The course continues moving back and forward between woods and meadows several times for the remainder of the first 18.
The final 9 were really some great holes, as well. More than a few incorporated tee + pin protection with a wide open fairway, which you don't see very often in this state. It called for some long distance line shaping and made you think hard about where you wanted your shot to land. Combined with some pretty solid elevation, these generally longer holes all presented very specific and different challenges. Keep in mind that this is where we encountered the most gopher holes, they are large and often covered by grass so keep your eyes open and be ready for unstable footing in the meadows.
I know everybody loves to say that a course has a ton of variety, I know I do it all the time; but Ryan Ranch truly had it all. Each of the 27 holes was unique with very few forgettable moments. Most courses have a bunch of wooded shots, then a bunch of meadows, then you work your way up for 3 holes, etc etc. Ryan Ranch mixed all of these aspects up so you never get used to the current foliage and situation, making it incredibly fun for all skill levels. We all agreed that Ryan Ranch is the most re-playable course in the Monterey / Santa Cruz area, and naturally our favorite (yes, more-so than DeLaveaga). It is one of those rare gems that makes a great destination course and would be awesome to have as a home course as well. Congratulations to the local club for creating this wonderful adventure.
The course starts off unassuming with a straightforward first hole down a slight hill. By hole two though, you quickly realize that this is not 'just another disc golf course' with its well defined tunnel to another downhill situated pin. Three holes in and there is no way not to be in love with it; this wonderful downhill mid-range shot is usually something you run into much later on a course but here you start right off with it.
You then continues through the woods, where you encounter large black screens to protect the oak trees. They actually add an artificial challenge because if you hit them, you are not going to bank off and still have a possible good shot. Your disc will just fall and leave you with a likely difficult upshot. We really liked this effort to protect the old trees.
After 5 holes, you head into the meadows for a few open shots, but all still have some kind of protection on either the tee, fairway, or pin. They require a solid long drive but will also demand precision to score well. Hole 7 wrapped around an active office building which was kinda weird to see while in the middle of a round. The course quickly heads back into the woods after a few open shots. The course continues moving back and forward between woods and meadows several times for the remainder of the first 18.
The final 9 were really some great holes, as well. More than a few incorporated tee + pin protection with a wide open fairway, which you don't see very often in this state. It called for some long distance line shaping and made you think hard about where you wanted your shot to land. Combined with some pretty solid elevation, these generally longer holes all presented very specific and different challenges. Keep in mind that this is where we encountered the most gopher holes, they are large and often covered by grass so keep your eyes open and be ready for unstable footing in the meadows.
I know everybody loves to say that a course has a ton of variety, I know I do it all the time; but Ryan Ranch truly had it all. Each of the 27 holes was unique with very few forgettable moments. Most courses have a bunch of wooded shots, then a bunch of meadows, then you work your way up for 3 holes, etc etc. Ryan Ranch mixed all of these aspects up so you never get used to the current foliage and situation, making it incredibly fun for all skill levels. We all agreed that Ryan Ranch is the most re-playable course in the Monterey / Santa Cruz area, and naturally our favorite (yes, more-so than DeLaveaga). It is one of those rare gems that makes a great destination course and would be awesome to have as a home course as well. Congratulations to the local club for creating this wonderful adventure.
9
0
DutchViking
Experience:
18.1 years
54 played
17 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 24, 2011
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
This course is looking amazing! 27(or 29?) holes
Every kind of shot in the book! Left and right, short and long, wooded and open. Chances to open up and rip your biggest bomb, as well as dialing back the power and carefully picking your technical line to the basket.
Great teepads, great teesigns, and great baskets.
Lots of spectacular elevation changes
Beautiful views of surrounding hills and rigde (locals say Clint Eastwood lives up there)
Plenty of awesome downhill bombs
4 par 4s and plenty of long holes requiring strategically placed drives with the second shot in mind.
Lots of great pin locations, some with serious roll away potential.
Donation box, benches, local disc golf club info board, trash cans and plenty of parking.
Just installed, a new bathroom! Making this great course even better.
Every kind of shot in the book! Left and right, short and long, wooded and open. Chances to open up and rip your biggest bomb, as well as dialing back the power and carefully picking your technical line to the basket.
Great teepads, great teesigns, and great baskets.
Lots of spectacular elevation changes
Beautiful views of surrounding hills and rigde (locals say Clint Eastwood lives up there)
Plenty of awesome downhill bombs
4 par 4s and plenty of long holes requiring strategically placed drives with the second shot in mind.
Lots of great pin locations, some with serious roll away potential.
Donation box, benches, local disc golf club info board, trash cans and plenty of parking.
Just installed, a new bathroom! Making this great course even better.
Cons:
This course can be very windy at times, so bring your overstable plastic.
Some poison oak here and there, mostly off the fairway or near trails to the next hole, really a minor issue.
Some poison oak here and there, mostly off the fairway or near trails to the next hole, really a minor issue.
Other Thoughts:
This course is completely unrecognizable from the first time I went there. First time there was tons of poison oak, tons of overgrowth and I lost 2 discs on the first 3 holes. I didn't have fun there my first time, but I did see the potential for a sweet course, so I held off on my review.
Then the Pro Worlds came to the Monterey bay. Ryan Ranch was mowed, cleared, and painstakingly improved otherwise. Ryan Ranch went from a diamond in the rough, to a diamond. The brilliance of this property now shines brightly. It is truly stunning to see what it looks like now compared to only 1 year ago. So bottom line, this is a great course with lots of fun shots that will challenge any player. Go play it!
Then the Pro Worlds came to the Monterey bay. Ryan Ranch was mowed, cleared, and painstakingly improved otherwise. Ryan Ranch went from a diamond in the rough, to a diamond. The brilliance of this property now shines brightly. It is truly stunning to see what it looks like now compared to only 1 year ago. So bottom line, this is a great course with lots of fun shots that will challenge any player. Go play it!
14
0
Pro Worlds 2011 Layout 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jun 17, 2011
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Land dedicated just for disc golf.
Lots of elevation change
Prevailing winds create extra challenge. Bring your wind game!
Lots of hard work has been done by local club - Stinging Jellies - and it is evident. There is a nice kiosk next to parking area and first tee with information and lost & found. Well-constructed and maintained tee pads consist of framed boxes filled, leveled and prepared for rubber tee pads. Benches on most holes.
The course is on a rugged piece of property just a few miles from the ocean. Typical California coastal desert vegetation. Oaks, grasses and foxtails are abundant. Some of the moss covered oaks are protected with netting, creating additional challenge while preserving the trees.
There is a great variety of holes using the elevation and vegetation for challenge. You will need all the shots in your bag. There are tight holes, and wide open holes, uphill holes, downhill holes and everything between. Then you get to add the wind. Chances are you will need a "get out of trouble shot" for when you end up in the oaks.
Final nine holes are on the upper part of the course. They are more wide open, but longer and make good use of elevation changes. High grass lines a couple of fairways.
It was easy to navigate course with Pro Worlds 2011 online map found on this site. There was temp signage in place with new permanent signs to be installed soon.
Lots of elevation change
Prevailing winds create extra challenge. Bring your wind game!
Lots of hard work has been done by local club - Stinging Jellies - and it is evident. There is a nice kiosk next to parking area and first tee with information and lost & found. Well-constructed and maintained tee pads consist of framed boxes filled, leveled and prepared for rubber tee pads. Benches on most holes.
The course is on a rugged piece of property just a few miles from the ocean. Typical California coastal desert vegetation. Oaks, grasses and foxtails are abundant. Some of the moss covered oaks are protected with netting, creating additional challenge while preserving the trees.
There is a great variety of holes using the elevation and vegetation for challenge. You will need all the shots in your bag. There are tight holes, and wide open holes, uphill holes, downhill holes and everything between. Then you get to add the wind. Chances are you will need a "get out of trouble shot" for when you end up in the oaks.
Final nine holes are on the upper part of the course. They are more wide open, but longer and make good use of elevation changes. High grass lines a couple of fairways.
It was easy to navigate course with Pro Worlds 2011 online map found on this site. There was temp signage in place with new permanent signs to be installed soon.
Cons:
As with all courses in this area, Poison Oak is abundant! Be well prepared if you have a problem.
No restroom facilities of any kind on my visit. Although there are ample opportunities to rough it.
Not recommended to play alone. Lost discs would be a concern. Oaks are thick and rough meadow areas with tall grass make finding discs difficult.
For World's layout, I didn't care for the uphill walk from 26 basket to 27 tee as I was fairly well exhausted by this point in time.
No restroom facilities of any kind on my visit. Although there are ample opportunities to rough it.
Not recommended to play alone. Lost discs would be a concern. Oaks are thick and rough meadow areas with tall grass make finding discs difficult.
For World's layout, I didn't care for the uphill walk from 26 basket to 27 tee as I was fairly well exhausted by this point in time.
Other Thoughts:
Again, this is course in on rugged western terrain. Combined with elevation changes, this is a demanding 27 hole course. You are not likely to play any more disc golf later in the day after playing this course.
Recommend sturdy hiking shoes. Wear long pants and/or gaiters to protect from the abundant stickers and fox tails.
Good idea to use spotters.
I played the World's layout, but there are multiple pins on the holes. Other layouts may not be quite so challenging or long, but players will still have to cover the same amount of terrain.
Recommend sturdy hiking shoes. Wear long pants and/or gaiters to protect from the abundant stickers and fox tails.
Good idea to use spotters.
I played the World's layout, but there are multiple pins on the holes. Other layouts may not be quite so challenging or long, but players will still have to cover the same amount of terrain.
2
9
progolfer
Experience:
45.9 years
38 played
3 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Feb 27, 2009
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
tuff lay out when the wind pick up spotter or need not the one man go play round disc will be tuff to find by your self and time will fly nice long holes for likeing get your wraiths ready and tame it right
Cons:
easy to lose disc and high grass but hey it,s new after about 2,000 people play the course it will be great and it already fine also lots of ticks stay out of the bush
Other Thoughts:
had no problems reaching all the hole they had not being cocky but miss alot of birdie putts today
8
3
Tonyofthsee
Experience:
18.3 years
31 played
1 reviews
Championship Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Feb 25, 2009
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Sweet course!! 27 holes. Average hole distance over 350. Just enough fun short holes to balence all of the really long ones. Rubber pads on most of the important holes. More coming soon. Elevation changes, long drives, beautiful setting, and easy to follow layout. The first 18 bring you back to the parking lot where you can refuel and then take on the tough back nine. There is a driving range set up with 550 feet of flags. Its a great way to warm up. The local club has done a lot in a short amount of time for this course. Expect big tournaments here in the near future.
Cons:
The gate is locked most weekday's. You have to park next door. Rain has brought a few water hazards into play this season. Can't wait for the multiple pin posistions. Off roaders on weekends every once in a while. Tell them nicely to leave.
Other Thoughts:
If you havnt played this course yet get out there. Its pretty special.
