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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
Great course
Great course
Staff friendly, course well maintained.
Great experience.
Great price and pace.
Will play again
Nice track but…
They were mid punching the fairways and we had some very muddy holes. Setting is beautiful. Holes aren’t that interesting - straight ahead par 4’s and short par 3’s. Teed off early (7:30) and hitting straight into the sun + mist was very tough visibility for first 4 holes. Overall it was fine.
Perfect...except
What a wonderful course! Always a challenge and I have almost never found the course to be in shabby condition. When I played, the course was in magnificent shape. Fairways were lush, greens were fast and true, and the traps were excellent. The weather was a perfect 73 degrees, with very little wind. Everything was perfect except for the groups playing in front of us. They appeared to be "locals", and it wasn't that they were slow, but that they hit a lot of shots. It would have been nice if they had just let us play through. But like at a lot of courses, that part of golf etiquette is dying. I love The Ranch Course at Alisal, and despite any drawbacks, I will more than excited to return. It is a "must play".
Very good condition
The course was in great condition except for the sand because of the rain. Very windy when I played making the back nine quite challenging. Will definitely come back when not so windy.
Pace of play.
Plan on spending 5 hours to play 18 holes and this doesn't include weekends. The slow play is due to a older group of players that really should be playing a pitch & putt . It would be good sportsman ship
If they would allow faster players play through.
No real Marshalls on course to help keep things moving..
Also lots of maintenance personnel on course cutting trees with chain saws going constantly.
Worth the Drive
River Course at Alisal is in Solvang, CA. The middle of nowhere. The course is a Gem.
Layout is good. Fairways were fine. The greens were excellent!! Smooth and Fast!
Always a Favorite
I live in Northern California, but when I get a chance to play the River Course at Alisal, I take advantage of it. I love this course and and the challenges it presents. The layout is terrific. For winter, the course was in really good shape. Greens were excellent and the traps were well manicured. This time I had the opportunity to use a Hot Deal, and the price I paid to play was almost like stealing! I highly recommend this course, but remember to bring your "A" game!
Nice course!
I had a great time. I liked this course better than LA Purisima.
Great Value, good course
Beautiful weather made a good course into a GRRAT day! Greens in good shape, very receptive to even my low ball flight. Fairways were generous, but a bit fuzzy for my taste, although very consistent and totally playable. Layout was done well for being in a canyon and fair for all skill levels. Highly enjoyable round of golf. Would recommend this course to all.
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