The Journey
We lifted out of San Diego just after sunrise, four of us boarded comfortably onto a private AStar, headsets on, that low hum building into something you feel in your chest. The coastline disappeared fast, replaced by open desert that felt almost cinematic from above. It’s the kind of entrance that immediately changes the tone of the day. This wasn’t a tee time. It felt like we were arriving at something we’d earned.
It’s not just a golf day. It’s the kind of story you end up telling more than once.
The Destination
Landing at Rams Hill Golf Club is surreal in the best way. Quiet, wide open, and framed by mountains that make the course feel even bigger than it is. Designed by Tom Fazio, it plays clean and intentional. You’re not fighting the course. You’re moving through it. Long fairways, elevation changes that keep things interesting, and just enough challenge to keep everyone locked in without killing the vibe.
Clubhouse Après Golf
By the time we finished 18, the pace of the day naturally shifted. The clubhouse wasn’t rushed or transactional. We sat down, ordered a proper meal, and actually talked about the round, the shots we wanted back, the ones we didn’t expect to hit. It felt like part of the experience, not a stop between activities.
No Planning Friction
What made the whole thing work was how settled it felt before it even started. We locked everything in upfront using FriendSpend, so there was none of that lingering uncertainty about who was actually in or how it would all shake out later. It took away that low-level tension you usually carry into plans like this.
By the time the day came around, everyone had already committed, everything was handled, and we didn’t have to think about logistics or money at all. That part especially mattered since we had some stakes riding on the match, and the last thing we wanted was to mix that with figuring out who owed what. It kept everything clean so we could just focus on being there.
Did I mention that lunch was included?
The Moment It Really Sinks In
The flight back hits differently. You’re a little sunburned, a little tired, and fully aware that you just did something most people never even consider. The desert stretches out beneath you again, but now it feels familiar, like you were part of it for a minute. And somewhere along the way, it clicks that people pay just for a single helicopter tour like this. Here, you get that experience twice in one day, wrapped around a full round of golf, which makes the whole thing feel even more unreal.
Final Verdict: 5/5 Recommended
This is one of those rare experiences that actually lives up to how it sounds. The helicopter, the course, the pace of the day, and how easy it was to book as a group all come together in a way that just works. Rams Hill Golf Club is quietly one of the top 10 public courses in California, often overlooked simply because Borrego Springs isn’t on most people’s radar, which makes it feel even more like a find. If you’re looking for something memorable that feels elevated without being complicated, this is an easy yes. Highly recommend.
