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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
49 Reviews (49)
5 Stars
31
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.3
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.8%
Recommend this course
43 out of 49 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 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic value

Great value for the money. Fantastic views if the mountains. One a few courses that remains green in the drought stricken California. Excellent outing!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Good value for location

Enjoyed playing here and would definitely do so. Compared the cost of other courses in the area this represents a good value. I found it to be challenging but very playable.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Well maintained Golf Course

I made a 7:20 tee time on Golf Now. I got to the course about 6:15 (first light) hoping I could go right out. The starter arrived about 6:40 and after getting organized, told us (one other had the same idea of starting early) the course opened at 7:00. We joined up as a two some and teed off a tad early. First ones out and pace of play was of course excellent. Greens mostly large and flat. Very smooth and rolled nicely. Signs of our drought throughout the course but still very nice.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Alisal River Course...Great layout, a little dry, good greens

Played here four times and keep forgetting that you need to give this course it's due respect. Wind kicked up in afternoon, making the back tough. Lots of weddings in the summer so a lot of nongolfers made it slow. Course was in decent shape during the summer and in a drought. Some dirt spots outside of normal landing areas but if you can play decently you will not encounter. Greens were good, rolled true. For $45 it's a great value..Solvang is a great weekend retreat.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Summer time at Solvang

Focus on the course played and your individual experience

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Sideways - the Movie

This is a nice course in Solvang/ Santa Barbara wine country. Course conditions were green and were irrigated. The layout was interesting. The course was used in the famous film, Sideways. I'll definitely play there next time I'm in Santa Barbara.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Scenic setting

I feel this course is worth the short drive from Goleta/Santa Barbara area. Although the course is basically flat, it is in a scenic area of the Santa Ynez Valley. It has everything for any skill of the golfer. There is plenty of trouble to be found, but a very fair course. I always look forward to a round here!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Nice Course close to Solvang

We played on a Friday morning and the course was practically empty. I waited in the pro shop to buy tees for 10 minutes but the guy didn't interrupt his phone call to serve me so I can't rate the friendliness of staff very high. Otherwise it was a nice course which provided a bit of challenge, especially when you hadn't played it before and couldn't see where the hazards were.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Fun day

Men's club member Golf Now deal better then member price early morning tee time. Brought friends who had not played course before. Great day

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great course, very scenic !!!

The Wife and I have wanted to play here for sometime, booked into our timeshare, WorldMark, and killed two birds with one stone, spent 3 days at the Solvang Food & Wine festival and got to play this great golf course. The course was fantastic, we played early morning so traffic was minimal. Pro Shop staff were very friendly & helpful. We will definitely be back !!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great value

I am a mens club member, but used golfnow as the price was about half of what a member pays in the morning. It was a little earlier than I usually play ( 7:20 ), but the weather was perfect. The last time I used golfnow at this course there was a frost delay. I enjoy this course, but usually play another because I get a better price for morning tee times. The course was in very good shape and the greens ran very true.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always in great shape

Been there doesn't times, love the greens, food is great, beautiful view, can't wait to go back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Wonderful Course

I have not played here in a while. The day was great playing with my wife and another couple that we met that play here quite often. The course is in excellent condition and I would urge everyone to play here. The viewa are beautiful and the weather is perfect. The course could not have been in better condition, the greens are pure, the restaurant was also great. I will return and play more often and it is only 45 minutes from where I live.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Good Course, Great Marshall

Had a nice round at the River Course. We were frost delayed for about an hour and somehow, instead of going out as a 4-some, we ended up as a 2-some, behind the first 4-some. The marshall was adamant that we pass the group on the first par 3 (4th hole) given we were waiting on the first few holes. He came back on the 8th hole to make sure we were ahead of the group.

We ended up finishing in just under 3 hours and it made me wish that golf courses were more pro-active about rounds going smoothly...the starter could have put us out before the 4-some and saved some trouble. Lots of easy ways to "fix" the game.

Course was in great shape and in a great setting. The holes are fine, but the location is what makes this place nice.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Fun Day

7:40 tee off on time finish @11:30 perfect weather

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Wide open

Beautiful and wide open. Got a golf now deal at $35 I think. Can't beat it for that price. Wide open so great for beginners but challenging enough that good players can still get in trouble and need to make good shot selections. Will definilty play again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1000
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1 Contributor
California Advisor
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

River Course at The Alisal

Teed off @ 7am with RGM2525 on a GolfNow Hot Deal for $27.49 including a cart. We played the blues, (6451/70.9/121) in 3H, 30 minutes as the 1st group out this a.m. We played the front 9 in a dense fog and it was cold. The back 9 was in beautiful, much warmer weather.

The greens putted medium fast, maybe a little slower than they looked and I expected, but they putted well.

The sand traps were in excellent condition, nicely maintained with medium sand.

The fairways & rough were generally lush. however, there were far too many unfixed divots on almost every fairway. The rough was usually not too penal. However, there were areas of the native stuff that was waiting to swallow any errant shots.

The tees were OK, not as good as the rest of the course. The par 3's in particular were fairly chewed up.

The customer service was excellent, the pro shop got us out 1st since no other groups were ready. I like this course, wish it were not so far away. It has been above average the 3 times I have played here over the past 5-6 years.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Just keeps getting better!

I played Alisal River when it first opened up. The trees were scrawny and the fairways were thin. This course has matured, and matured beautifully. It's been over a decade since I played here, but it is in great shape, the greens roll true, and the pace of play was fantastic. Happy to give them 5 stars. Well deserved!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

River Course Review

Nice course to play if you can get a discount. Tourist prices if you pay full price and not really worth it. Pretty wide open but plenty of trouble if you are not hitting the ball straight. Overall its a nice course but overpriced unless you use Golf Now or other discount. Beautiful place to have lunch but the staff is pretty bad. Beautiful scenery and usually nice weather with minimal wind.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

An awesome sunday

It was an awesome Sunday to play on this course. My colleague and I enjoy very much. The next time I play here, I will bring my daughter here and for sure she will have a blast.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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