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River Course at Alisal
Rating Snapshot
About
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 72 | 6830 yards | 72.7 | 125 |
| Blue | 72 | 6451 yards | 70.9 | 121 |
| White | 72 | 6099 yards | 69.5 | 118 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6099 yards | 75.7 | 132 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5710 yards | 73.8 | 128 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold M: 73.0/128 W: 80.2/139 | 570 | 385 | 420 | 227 | 580 | 396 | 437 | 357 | 173 | 3545 | 428 | 538 | 147 | 393 | 521 | 353 | 398 | 128 | 451 | 3357 | 6902 |
| Blue M: 70.9/123 W: 77.7/134 | 558 | 366 | 398 | 201 | 560 | 376 | 405 | 332 | 151 | 3347 | 408 | 524 | 135 | 357 | 494 | 331 | 369 | 115 | 373 | 3106 | 6453 |
| White M: 69.4/119 W: 75.7/130 | 524 | 350 | 380 | 182 | 550 | 356 | 396 | 311 | 131 | 3180 | 398 | 464 | 125 | 340 | 481 | 313 | 358 | 95 | 354 | 2928 | 6108 |
| Red M: 67.3/114 W: 73.2/125 | 458 | 336 | 367 | 136 | 511 | 338 | 377 | 299 | 123 | 2945 | 381 | 450 | 108 | 323 | 471 | 251 | 343 | 80 | 309 | 2716 | 5661 |
| Handicap | 13 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 17 | 2 | 14 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 12 | |||
| Par | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 7 | 9 | 5 | 15 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 13 | 17 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 6 | 18 | 12 |
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Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u217656252 on 12/05/2025
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1st tee from the tips Photo submitted by RichMini2 on 04/04/2022
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Photo submitted by chrisleduc on 04/01/2021
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Vineyards and fairways Photo submitted by Robstnr on 06/15/2015
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View from the 1st tee !!! Photo submitted by Zimbotrini on 04/21/2015
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Photo submitted by Zimbotrini on 04/21/2015
Course has potential
The tee boxes need some help and the greens are shaggy. But standard layout and good for the price I reckon.
Very Nice
Really enjoyed the course and amenities Lunch was excellent at the Ranch course lounge
Nice time of Year to play Alisal
For current conditions: Greens are fairly hard and true. Fairway nicely maintained. Check weather report for wind conditions. If foggy on the coast it's windy at Alisal. Overall a pleasant experience and a great location in Solvang. Worth the drive.
Best course in the Area
Very tight but fun course in the area. Always have a blast playing this course. It is in great shape every time I play a round. In my opinion….my favorite place for a round of golf on the Central Coast.
The golf course was good value for the price. The cart paths could use some work.
Good but not Great at Alisal
I have mixed feelings about this course. I want to like it but always find it slightly disappointing, especially considering the relatively high rates. I only come up if I get a deal. It's a pleasant drive to go up to Solvang if you are from SoCal, and you can make a day of it in the Santa Ynez valley. The setting of the course is scenic and breezy. The layout is reasonably interesting. It's a relatively new course designed to be accessible to resort-level players. Meanwhile their older, more traditional 18 on the ranch is only open to people staying at the resort. The River Course is just dumbed down a bit too much for me. Other mid-level players may like it fine.
The greens I find the most frustrating. They are rolling nice now and are pretty hard, but almost every green is flat as a pancake, and pretty large, so you are in for a day of lag putts and tap-ins. Pace of play this particular Sunday was very poor. I got to know the foursomes behind and in front of us, as we met at every tee box. Overall I just wish it were 10% more challenging, but I am a low handicap player. Up the road in Lompoc, La Purisma is a much better challenge. But the river course is a pretty. pleasant place. People rave about the restaurant too. I haven't tried it but it is always busy. Oh, and at any of these area courses, beware the poison oak!
Nice course
This is a nice course, being on the Central Coast is great. When you finish your round you can go for a bite to eat in Solvang.
Today was very windy which was a little bit of a struggle for us playing.
Beautiful day of golf
A windy day, but it was fun & sunshine out! Pace of play a little slow but not too bad. FaIrways had good roll, greens consistent, pretty flat course. We will play this again when in the area.
First visit
Had a great time, great course. Would definitely play again.
Love the River Course at Alisa
Well maintained Course with fun layout. Staff is friendly. Always enjoy the loop at Alisal
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