GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
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
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
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.

Book a Tee Time at
River Course at the Alisal
Powered by GolfNow.com

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
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

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 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fivesomes??

This is the second time I’ve run into fivesomes on this course. I talked to the starter, a real nice guy, who had ok’d the fivesome. One fivesome can hold everyone behind them hostage to unexceptable slow play. I had to skip a hole to finally get around their extremely long time on the greens. Poor pace of play to say the least.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

FIVESOMES?

That is absurd. Five golfers who have no clue how to play ready golf and could care less. They spoiled an otherwise nice day.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Expectations Not Met

Even though the surroundings were beautiful, and the hills were green, you could tell that the course had been impacted by the recent rains. The first tee box was from the fairway as well as several others. The biggest complaint, though was they did not have golf carts available as advertised and paid for in the deal. We were given the option of using a pool cart that had a bungee cord. Some players, I know we’re given motorized pool carts, but even those batteries died. It was not the experience that I expected even with the deal that I got!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Narrow fare ways but views galore

Narrow fare ways but views galore. We played after many days of rain. Hole 1 and 10 under repair, so partially closed but still playable. Fare ways and greens in good condition. Beautiful views of surrounding green hills and

Snow capped mountains in the distance. Picturesque waters and interesting elevations

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
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 5
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice afternoon

The course is in pretty good shape with the exception of the 1st and 10th holes due to recent storm damage.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 57
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Player for a weekend

Great course except for maintenance on 1st and 10th tee

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 57
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Merced player

The first and tenth tee are being renovated and holes are shortened but still overall play was very enjoyable greens and fairways cut and playing fast I recommend this course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

No Wind, nice

The course had its issue due to January weather but was still in good condition.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Rain out

Disappointed- - stopped at 9- no powered carts even cart path only- was not offered discount, course could have handled cart path only. It was not informed until we got there. Amount paid for Golfnow included the price of a cart.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Nearby Courses
Solvang, California
Private/Resort
5.0
1
Buellton, California
Public
4.5
2
Santa Barbara, California
Public
3.4916666667
120
Lompoc, California
Public
4.4156626506
166
Santa Barbara, California
Public
4.0533333333
75
Santa Barbara, California
Public
4.2868522837
281
Lompoc, California
Private
4.3448275862
29
Goleta, California
Private
0.0
0
Goleta, California
Public
4.0
1
Santa Barbara, California
Semi-Private
0.0
0
Santa Maria, California
Public
3.7768694194
443
Golf Packages

Monarch Beach Resort Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
ORANGE COUNTY, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Nigel, the Montage Laguna Beach, or the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and golf at Monarch Beach Golf Links.
MB2.1.jfif

Monarch Beach Resort Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
ORANGE COUNTY, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Nigel, the Montage Laguna Beach, or the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and golf at Monarch Beach Golf Links.

The Inn At Spanish Bay Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Inn at Spanish Bay and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

La Quinta Resort & Club Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
LA QUINTA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at La Quinta Resort & Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of PGA WEST - Nicklaus Tournament Course, PGA WEST - Pete Dye Mountain Course, PGA WEST - Greg Norman Course, PGA WEST - Pete Dye Dunes Course, and PGA WEST - The Pete Dye Stadium Course.

The Casa Palmero – Pebble Beach Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account