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Rating Index Rating
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4.4
498 Reviews (498)
5 Stars
266
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
91.5%
Recommend this course
465 out of 498 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
25 Reviews (25)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.6
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
92.0%
Recommend this course
23 out of 25 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
4.6
Pace
4.2
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
498 Reviews (498)

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 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
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
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 course!

Good price course in excellent condition, friendly staff!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

River Course

Excellent course and location. Overall conditions were very good. Fairways and greens in very good condition. There were some tee boxes that they appear to have been reseeding, but it did not detract from the round. Course was fun and times challenging. I will play this course again when I am back in SOolvang.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great day!

Except for the hour frost delay, which is beyond anyones control- the round was great!! Quick pace of the guys in front of us set the tone!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
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 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

It has been raining the previous 2 days but the course is unscathed , clean except for the mushy ground in some spots which is expected. Green fairways and greens are well maintained. The greens are awesome I will surely play this course again on my next visit.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course and Well Manicured

The course was its usual self. Good manicured course with no over saturated hole or muddied areas. The rough we’re also cut to a decent height and the brush has been cleared in all areas.

The scenery is picturesque and there are several holes with awesome photo ops. This was our 20th round of golf here and we were not disappointed having driven in from the Los Angeles areas.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent setting

Beautiful day out there with my friend, course in excellent condition! Staff was friendly, I will definitely play again! Plus you can't beat the price!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Reduce the height of the rough and remove the leaves please.

The rough needs to have one or more cuts before the deep rough begins and the leaves covering rough that is cut to 1.5"- 3' deep makes finding a ball 2' - 5' off the fairway nearly impossible to find. The pace of play is so slow because every player is wasting time looking for their shot...lol. The course is so good otherwise but for the love of golf please chill out the rough!

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Pace of play was awful.

Played the Front 9 in 2:45 hours . Debated on Quitting… ended up playing the front again in 1:10! Will never play there again.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
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