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Rating Index Rating
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4.4
496 Reviews (496)
5 Stars
264
4 Stars
172
3 Stars
41
2 Stars
16
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.4
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
91.3%
Recommend this course
463 out of 496 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
23 Reviews (23)
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.5
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
91.3%
Recommend this course
21 out of 23 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
48 Reviews (48)
5 Stars
31
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.4
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.5%
Recommend this course
42 out of 48 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This challenging course consistently impresses with well-maintained fairways, quality greens, and a layout that keeps golfers coming back weekly. Exceptionally friendly staff and outstanding overall conditions make this one of the area's top values.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6830 yards
Slope 125
Rating 72.7

The River Course at Alisal enjoys a scenic backdrop provided by the foothills of the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains. Stands of mature live oaks, native sycamores, and elderberry trees sway against the vivid hues of the mountains. Though scenery abounds, don't get too distracted because the golf course demands a fair amount of attention. It's a challenging but not punishing layout that features a variety of hazards that will reward length and accuracy. Seemingly wide fairways are bordered by mounding and the large greens have subtle but tricky undulations. One of the toughest holes is the par-4 seventh, which has a challenge waiting for you everywhere you look. A beautiful vineyard runs the length of the hole on one side and on the other, there is a lake that runs all the way up to the green.

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River Course at the Alisal
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Course Details

Year Built 1992
Golf Season Year round
Architect Jack Daray, Jr. (1992) Stephen Halsey (1992)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Golf Simulator Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Indoor Practice Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Available Facilities

Clubhouse
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Reviews

4.4
496 Reviews (496)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Patio Dining 17
Drinks 13
Amazing Food 9
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 23
Water Hazards 20
Forced Carries 10
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 25
A Weekend Splurge 17
Locals 17
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 25
Near Local Attractions 16
Convenient to the City 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The River

Love this course/food & drinks are excellent. Staff exceptional.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 45
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Day for Golf

We had a great time at this course. Staff were helpful and friendly. Pace of play was perfect, we waited on tee box only a couple times for just a couple minutes. Fairways were a little hairy, but clean. Greens similarly slow, but in good shape. Thanks, will come play again!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 20
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 45
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fair course

Great course to do a round. All holes are fair but on the less challenging side. 3 beautiful landscapes with a lake.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 30
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course

Slightly rainy day, no one on the course, not sloppy or muddy, very well maintained. Staff was friendly, a great experience. Thank you!

We will play again...

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Pro shop staff

Colin in the clubhouse is a real pro. Very positive person and always very welcoming

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Good over all but

The course itself was great and the weather was superb. The only thing I could say Is that. I wish the fact that greens were punched to aerate. I would have probably look for other course in the area with similar price range.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The River

Excellent layout-very fun to play. Highly recommended. The Grill is great also🏌️

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent setting!

The green were punched, and were decent, look forward in playing there again !

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Greens unplayable

This is one of the best courses in the Central Coast and the only reason for the downgrade is because of the periodic green aeration. They did a thorough job of punching the large holes and adding sand over the entire greens. At the present time, I view them as unplayable, but in about six weeks they should be back to their usual condition which is excellent. The working staff at this course is perhaps the best and friendliest in the entire Central Coast. Very nice course (generally).

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Very enjoyable course

Terrific employees, scenic location and course is in nice shape. Peacefully challenging is my best way to describe a full 18.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great for the $$$

Nice course, some damage from recent floods, but course is under repair in those areas, friendly staff

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
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