River Course At Alisal

River Course at Alisal is a Public 18 hole golf course located in Solvang, California.

River Course at Alisal first opened for play in 1992. The course was designed by Jack Daray, Jr. and Stephen Halsey.

Par for the course is 72. From the back tees the course plays to 6830 yards. From the forward tees the course measures 5710 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 5, a par-5 that plays to 583 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 17, a par-3 that plays to 123 yards from the back tees.

Watch out for # 7, a 438 yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole at River Course at Alisal is # 12, a 147 yard par-3.

River Course at the Alisal presents golfers with breathtaking panoramas of the of the foothills and the Santa Ynez Mountains and Valley. River Course features four lakes and often follows the meandering path of the Santa Ynez River, but the water really doesn't come into play unless you hit a very poor shot. Gentle mounds define the manicured fairways and bentgrass greens accented by mature live oaks, native sycamores and elderberry trees.

The moderate central California climate and meticulous maintenance provide excellent year-round playing conditions.

The fairways at River Course at Alisal appear wide but mounding along the sides requires accuracy to avoid sidehill lies. Some of the tees are elevated offering sweeping vistas of the fairways below. The greens are large and have moderate undulations making them a delight to putt, and the club keeps them consistent and true.

#7 is a most dramatic and demanding hole. This 438-yard, par-4 features a challenge everywhere you look. Hit a big fade off the tee, and your ball might wind up in a vineyard of Ken Plam's Mission Meadow Winery, which runs the length of the hole. If you hook your tee shot, it might catch the lake that runs all the way up to the green.

#9 is a 172 yard par-3 that plays down a hill and across Alamo Pintado Creek, that transverses the width of the course. Again, the prevailing wind comes into play.

#10 is the No. 2 handicap hole, a 430-yard par four, but it plays downwind with the tee shot through a chute of trees. Another stand of trees runs down the left side of the fairway, and a gaping bunker guards the right side.

#15 plays uphill across the creek.

#17 at River Course at Alisal is a 123-yard, par-3 that looks simple enough, but it's almost surrounded by water and sand.