I've played La Purisima 5-6 times over the course of about 10 year, though my last play was maybe 4 years ago, so forgive if I miss on any details I reference. I have played it socially, in tournament play, and solo. In wind and in calm.
Generally speaking, I think the two best things the course has going for it are that it is a wonderful setting and that it is incredibly challenging.
The par 3s are each very good, but I think the course could use a 230 yarder. Last time I played, if I recall correctly, it was a wedge, a 6 iron, and a pair of 8 irons.
I find it to be severely lacking in options (sounds cliche for this board, I know) - it pretty much says "hit a long, straight tee shot, then hit to the proper section of the large greens, and bring your lag putting ability". Ground game doesn't really come into play.
The other thing I really dislike is that, ironically for a long, RTJ-era course, the course takes driver out of your hands in many cases. The tee shots are peculiar on the back. A good (or at least relatively long) player is likely not hitting driver on
2 (potentially), 4, maybe 7 and/or 8, 14, 15, and potentially 18. Not only does it take driver out of your hand, but it does so for no good reason.
That said, I don't have many gripes with the front nine. It is clearly the better of the two halves.
10 has that weird crossing hazard that doesn't seem to make much sense (since you can't clear it, and for a long player it means they have to lay back off the tee of a 450+ par 4)
I think 11 is an excellent hole. 14/15 is just a terrible, terrible back to back stretch of holes. I believe you and I discussed the 15th before, and I am of the opinion that it's one of the worst holes in CA *at least amongst good courses*
There are quite a few dogleg lefts. 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, and 15 are all dogleg lefts. Maybe 11 stands out from me because it's the only left to right hole. I guess 18 too, though that's more of a left to right second shot...the hole itself plays closer to straight if I recall.
As for Rustic/Barona being better...I admit to having MUCH more familiarity with Rustic and to me it's no contest. Options, variety, better greens, significantly more ground game options. The par 5s are better in a walkover. Not even close.
There are few or no shots at LaP that the outcome isn't predetermined once the ball leaves the clubface. It's aerial. Nothing like the deflection mound on the 2nd green at Rustic, the running draw approach to 4, the bathtub on 9 green, the calculations required for the 12th green, and really nothing that even makes you think off the tee to choose a line like you do on 14 at Rustic. Maybe you could argue for 2 at LaP, but that's more out of blindness than actual strategy.
Rustic has more give and take. LaP is much more take, take, take.
Rustic is a nice setting, but LaP has it beat there.
I can't refute point by point on Barona because I've only played it once, but I recall thinking that it would be a close horse race between RC and BC. And if I think Rustic walks over LaP, then logic says I must think that BC does too.
To me, La Purisima is near or at the top of the class that includes places like Hunter Ranch, Primm Valley, Hacienda, Redlands, etc
R Paulis:
Thanks for the comments. I have played LaPurisima quite a few times -- always enjoyed the relative isolation it provides. The holes are also quite solid -- and when you get any wind blowing there -- something that happens regularly on most afternoons -- you then have to have some really good game to make a decent score.
I always thought that nearby Sandpiper gets more publicity because being in Goleta and closer to Santa Barbara -- along with a few of the holes that run parallel to the ocean were the big reasons. LaPurisima offers a good deal more with less of the logistical benefits.
Ryan:
You'll have to tell me why Rustic and Barona are both "far superior" -- I can see people saying that both are better but the margin is more akin to that of Affirmed over Alydar than anything else.