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Rating Index Rating
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4.4
502 Reviews (502)
5 Stars
268
4 Stars
174
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
89.5%
Recommend this course
469 out of 502 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
26 Reviews (26)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.8
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.9
96.2%
Recommend this course
25 out of 26 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
38 Reviews (38)
5 Stars
25
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
84.2%
Recommend this course
32 out of 38 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
502 Reviews (502)

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
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
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Scenic

Great course but can only afford to play with deals like this

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Fun course

Beautiful views, great course - challenging, without beating yourself up. Reschedule if the men's club is in front - slow play due to $$ skins game.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great value

Great course for the value. Well maintained and beautiful

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Excellent Value For the Money

7:45am tee time on a Saturday, nobody before us and very few after us. For $34.00 on Golfnow, this place was unbeatable. Course conditions were excellent, especially since the day before was heavy rain. Would recommend this course for moderate to upper skill levels; however, don't shy away if you're a beginner. This is a very friendly course with excellent maintenance and friendly service. It's definitely one everyone should give a try.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

straight fowerd, not tricked up course

Fair course, excellent large greens,fairways in great condition,not long however enough character to challange.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 46
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Very nice layout

Great place to play if you're in area. Nice layout, great for walking. Very scenic.

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

River course...

Teed off @ 7am on Sunday 9/7 with RGM2525 on a GolfNow hot deal for $30 including a cart. POP was 4H, 15 minutes, we were a 4some and let two 2 somes play through.

Second time playing here, nice layout, enjoyed the course just as much as the first time several years ago. A few holes where accuracy is even more paramount than normal where you really had to thread the needle. However, there were other holes where there was a very generous landing area. FAIR was a word I'd use to describe this layout, good shots are rewarded and getting crooked can be death on many holes. The short par 3 17th where water surrounds the green 270 degrees is visually intimidating with a gusty wind blowing partially in your face and partially sideways toward the water front and right... yet if you over club, the water in back comes into play.

Greens were a medium fast, maybe little slower than they looked and expected, but they putted well considering they were not mowed on Sunday.

The traps were in excellent condition, nicely maintained.

The fairways & rough were generally lush. Usually the rough was not too penal, however, there were areas of the native stuff that was a lost ball or broken wrist waiting to happen if you found your ball and tried to whack it out. We had multiple members of this group take 3 whacks to advance the ball out of the deep stuff.

The tees were OK, the par 3's were fairly chewed up.

An anomaly for this round. They were setting up the course for sectional PGA Qualifying and had all 18 pins placed in the middle of the green to save the parts of the greens they were going to be using for the qualifier.

Customer service was good, I would highly recommend this course based on my two rounds here over the past 4 years.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Solid Course all around.

Course was in great shape even in this drought! Greens rolled great. I will be playing here again!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice complement to your wine tasting tour!

A morning round at this course is a Great complement to your wine tasting tour. It's a nice setup and in great conditions for this time of the year. A bit pricey for this level of golf course. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for an activity that complements we'll with touristique visits and wine tasting.

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

Well kept course.

Excellent condition and great pace of play, well worth the price through golf now.com

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Nice course

It was a last minute decision. Arrived there at 330pm for a tee time at 400pm. We advised the guy working in the proshop that we needed clubs. We were advised that we had to be back by 630pm as he was closing the proshop? 630? So we had to hurry and golf in 330hr. Round and cart cost was $40.00 each and club rental were $ 40.00 a set. Expensive as the club were not in great condition. I almost felt that we were bothering the guy at the proshop. Otherwise good round.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great place outside Solvag

The golf course is in great shape. With the drought and water restrictions in Southern California. A must play

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

Alisal Drought

Course in great condition considering drought and wide open on a nice Sunday afternoon.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Pleasantly surprised!

Returned to this course after a 15 year absence. Happy to see the small trees have matured nicely providing a clear view on how each hole runs from tee to greens. Greens were in very good condition and rolled true. Only negative is the lack of visible yardage on sprinklers or fairway markers. However, I look forward to returning again!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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