Courses within an hour of Pismo Beach

[toddmanley]

Hello-

 

I'm going to be spending four days in the Pismo Beach area in early April but I'm unfamiliar with any courses in the area.  Looking for any/all recommendations which are within a ~1 hour drive.

 

-Thanks, Todd

[slocagolfer]

I live in San Luis so I'm very familiar with the courses. Here are my recommendations:

 

Best:

Cypress Ridge in Arroyo Grande 

Monarch Dunes in Nipomo (fun 12 hole short course there too)

La Purisima in Lompoc (might be just over an hour away)

Hunter Ranch in Paso Robles (Ken Hunter built this and La Purisima)

 

Down a notch but still good:

Morro Bay in Morro Bay (wonderful views, difficult greens)

Paso Robles Golf Club in (you guessed it) Paso Robles (not scenic, especially back nine, but good holes)

Ranch Maria in Santa Maria (old fashion, fun course)

 

Pass on:

Avila Golf Resort in Avila Beach (some quirky holes and upkeep is poor. Way overpriced.)

Chalk Mountain Golf Course in Atascadero (see Avila, above - except price)

BlackLake in Nipomo (same owner as Avila)

 

 

[95124hacker]

Add an extra 15-20 minutes & you can experience Sandpiper & Glen Annie (both just north of Santa Barbara).

[toddmanley]

Thanks for the recommendations.  I didn't have a lot of time to get away from the family for a full 18 so I grabbed by teenage son and we headed out to play the par 3 Challenge course at Monarch Dunes.  Kinda bummed that I didn't pay attention to the small print around the timing of the range opening on Tuesday mornings (FYI - it doesn't open until 10am) given we had an 8am tee time.

 

We still had a blast - he had his first birdie and I had fun trying out the new '21 V1/V1x balls on a few holes.  Next time I'll bring the whole family as the green beginner tees ~25-30 yards out from the green would be perfect for my youngest daughter and wife to join and have fun.  

 

My favorite hole was the final (#12) hole.  After playing a lot of shorter holes from the tips (usually hitting 8-iron to wedges most of the round except for hole #5 I think), stepping up to the tee box and having an uphill 200 yard shot into the wind landing on a tri-level green was a fun way to wrap up the round.

[Muffy]

slocagolfer - do you have any thoughts/experience with the SLO country club in comparison to your other recommendations?   I make it down to SLO a few times a year and usually go to the Morro Bay course, but at some point want to visit a few more nearby courses.  

[slocagolfer]

15 hours ago, Muffy said:

slocagolfer - do you have any thoughts/experience with the SLO country club in comparison to your other recommendations?   I make it down to SLO a few times a year and usually go to the Morro Bay course, but at some point want to visit a few more nearby courses.  

The S.L.O. Country Club is wonderful. Right now they are going through a construction period - new sprinkler system, spiffing up a few holes - but should be done in the fall. Nine holes are open now. The greens there are lightening fast and some holes play very long. It's private. If you are a member of another CC they do have reciprocal agreements, I believe. 

 

 

[darom86]

La Purisma is an unbelievable track.  Played it in high school state or regional tournament.  Still blown away.  Very tough.