Marshallia Ranch Golf Course, one of the military's top golf courses
Marshallia Ranch is one of the top golf courses in the Air Force, but it’s not the most convenient golf course out there. If however you happen to be driving the Pacific Coast Highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, make time to play this hidden gem of a course. It’s on the Vandenberg AFB on the north side of Lompoc, off US1 at San Antonio, then west to the golf course a few miles. It’s now open for public play, and the greens fees were reasonable, when compared to other high end courses in the area. Conditioning was excellent, and the golf course quite a challenging layout. The course is isolated on the north side of the base with each hole separated and unique, yet walkable. It is a shot maker’s type of course, designed by Bob Putman in the 1950′s, and is regarded as one of the military’s best golf courses. It can play to 6,845 yards with a 130 slope from the back tees, we played from the white tees at 6,388 yards, 71.1 course rating and a 124 slope. The fairways are tight and tree lined with spots of ice plant throughout, the winds always in play, all in all a good test at a reasonable rate. Nice clubhouse, restaurant, practice facility, a well run golf course operation. While you’re in the area, be sure to see Jalama Beach, the Foley or Melville wineries.
