Back
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 |
Hot Deals at River Course at the Alisal
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, GrillAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
-
Photo submitted by u217656252 on 12/05/2025
-
1st tee from the tips Photo submitted by RichMini2 on 04/04/2022
-
Photo submitted by chrisleduc on 04/01/2021
-
Vineyards and fairways Photo submitted by Robstnr on 06/15/2015
-
View from the 1st tee !!! Photo submitted by Zimbotrini on 04/21/2015
-
Photo submitted by Zimbotrini on 04/21/2015
What a gem
Upkeep is great, and juat a beautiful place to play. I will definitely be coming back. Friendly staff, cart service, and snack shack on the turn.
The greens were pockmarked and very slow. The pace of play was also agonizing. There were multiple groups stacked up in each hole.
Great course for all skills
Layout was great, greens were a little firm but rolled well. Only downside is the snack shack was closed on a Sunday afternoon and had nothing in clubhouse but Red Bulls.
Best in Central Coast of CA
Overall, this is the best in the area. The carts have club/ball scrubbers and perform like new carts.
Private golf experience for public golf money
I feel spoiled every time I tee off at the River course at Alisal. From the perfect amount of elevation, to the picturesque backdrop, you're going to enjoy yourself even if you're not scoring well. This is what public golf courses everywhere aspire to be.
Experience review
Staff is pleasant, restaurant and staff was great, course is challenging and in good condition so everything was great.
We had a very bad experience with the cart girl. We would wave her down and she would drive away and or she would park at the restrooms by hole 4 and sit there for over 1/2 hour and make you come to her the point of a cart is that they come to you.
She also didn’t take credit cards and just has a bad attitude. The course and people are fantastic but the cart person put a bad thought in mind and I do t like that. It’s not the first time she has done this as well. The course should consider another replacement.
Great layout, needs attention
Love this layout but course has definitely degraded since last visit. Many denuded tee boxes; stray grass types growing in the wrong places is getting out of control; and just general maintenance and upkeep is lacking. Even got shot in the leg with a pretty healthy stream of water when flushing in the on-course bathroom! (Too funny actually…) I know it’s hard to keep up with all the leaves this time of year but I lost two balls very close to the fairways. Hopefully this was just a single point in time because it really is a nice track. I know these guys can do better….just re-condition one hole at a time…and make it right.
Monarch Beach Resort Stay & Play Package
Monarch Beach Resort Stay & Play Package
La Quinta Resort & Club Stay & Play Package
The Casa Palmero – Pebble Beach Stay & Play Package
