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Gates of Hell DGC reviews
14
0
Desert Backyard Course on a Hill
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 24, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
A backyard course with a remarkable amount of elevation and extra OB challenge.
-Setting: A bit out of suburban San Diego, this course provides a decent feeling of privacy. Obviously, you won't be overrun by other players unless you opt into one of two annual tournament days. The views near Hellhole Canyon are also solid, thanks to the house's placement atop a hill.
-Host: Can't recommend Mark enough. Super friendly and welcoming, organized, and has some fantastic stories to tell. Thanks also for your service as a TD, sir.
-Hills and Wind: The two course elements most at play. Every hole plays up or down in addition to some gorges and side hills that create compelling shot choices. The wind was also moderate but not gusty when I played, adding another layer of thought. Mark told me that sometimes it's very out of hand, though.
-Flow: The navigation wouldn't be easy by yourself, but assuming you'll have a course guide everything flows very nicely with good paths if you know where to look.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: On paper, the layout/distance/tree cover doesn't seem like it would lend itself to an interesting course, but Mark has managed to create a very engaging double loop. Course plays as two baskets for each of nine holes, so typically the first nine are slightly shorter with the last nine playing tougher. The finesse needed to read hills and wind successfully is challenging. Lots of lined OB can make things extra treacherous, including some tiny islands and peninsulas. Scrambling is a necessary skill out here for when you end up behind or inside large bushes. There are some ace runs but also a few short par-4s for those who like placement golf.
-Setting: A bit out of suburban San Diego, this course provides a decent feeling of privacy. Obviously, you won't be overrun by other players unless you opt into one of two annual tournament days. The views near Hellhole Canyon are also solid, thanks to the house's placement atop a hill.
-Host: Can't recommend Mark enough. Super friendly and welcoming, organized, and has some fantastic stories to tell. Thanks also for your service as a TD, sir.
-Hills and Wind: The two course elements most at play. Every hole plays up or down in addition to some gorges and side hills that create compelling shot choices. The wind was also moderate but not gusty when I played, adding another layer of thought. Mark told me that sometimes it's very out of hand, though.
-Flow: The navigation wouldn't be easy by yourself, but assuming you'll have a course guide everything flows very nicely with good paths if you know where to look.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: On paper, the layout/distance/tree cover doesn't seem like it would lend itself to an interesting course, but Mark has managed to create a very engaging double loop. Course plays as two baskets for each of nine holes, so typically the first nine are slightly shorter with the last nine playing tougher. The finesse needed to read hills and wind successfully is challenging. Lots of lined OB can make things extra treacherous, including some tiny islands and peninsulas. Scrambling is a necessary skill out here for when you end up behind or inside large bushes. There are some ace runs but also a few short par-4s for those who like placement golf.
Cons:
-Tree Cover: Wildfires took away most of the course's trees a few years ago. Accordingly, it's not heavy on shaping per se, just requires delicate handling of the elevation to land where you want. There are still a couple of holes with gaps.
-Scratchy Rough: It can be tricky to avoid rough on some of the long holes, and the rough is predominantly scrubby bushes that will leave your legs tingling.
-Disc Loss: On a similar note, some errant shots will float down into large gullies were it might be difficult to track down the disc amongst the ground cover.
-Exposure: No relief from sun, heat, or wind. I'm guessing it's pretty toasty when the Santa Ana's come through.
-Scratchy Rough: It can be tricky to avoid rough on some of the long holes, and the rough is predominantly scrubby bushes that will leave your legs tingling.
-Disc Loss: On a similar note, some errant shots will float down into large gullies were it might be difficult to track down the disc amongst the ground cover.
-Exposure: No relief from sun, heat, or wind. I'm guessing it's pretty toasty when the Santa Ana's come through.
Other Thoughts:
This one isn't a destination course, and Mark is aware of its limitations as well as anyone. However, it's a very solid course with lines you can't really throw anywhere else in SD County. There are some similarities to Brengle Terrace, but I feel that the demands here are clearer, more fair, and more varied. All in all, it's a Good course in a private spot. If you quantify the hosted experience, I'd boost the rating considerably - but I typically try to rate the course on its own.
-Amenities: Paver tees, a mix of Mach baskets with numbered plates and poles, and varying OB markers.
~Similar Courses: The overall topography reminds me of Skol Ranch (CO), though here things are a bit more rugged. Really, pick any of the private ranch courses in the Colorado Front Range and you'll see traces of them here as well.
-Amenities: Paver tees, a mix of Mach baskets with numbered plates and poles, and varying OB markers.
~Similar Courses: The overall topography reminds me of Skol Ranch (CO), though here things are a bit more rugged. Really, pick any of the private ranch courses in the Colorado Front Range and you'll see traces of them here as well.
