Quick review: Sandpiper GC, Santa Barbara

[kekoa]

I finally had the chance to play sandpiper this past monday. I hear a lot comparing the course to pebble and i really dont see it. The front 9 is pretty straight foward. A couple hilly, long par 4's but nothing to write home about.

 

Imo the course really starts building some character on #10. A short dogleg left with the ocean in the background. Your approach will be a short iron hitting downhill to a green sloping heavily back to front. #11 is a signature par 3 where you hit down about 180 to a green protected by bunkers left and right with ocean behind. there are a few more holes on the back with great ocean views. #18 is the last pic. First time i've ever ended on a par 3 before.

 

The back 9 really made the $150 weekday green fee easier to swallow. Greens were pretty fast rolling about 13 on the sm. i understand jordan was out there a few days before playing a big skins game. I'll also note that fwy conditions were a bit shoddy on several holes. Needless to say its a course you should play at least once if in the area. The guy i played with told me rancho san marcos is in pretty bad shape right now as they are hurting for water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hack Daddy]

As of right now, this is why I give Trump the nod; based solely on course condition. I know many say the layout is missionary molly, but at least it's lush and the bunkers are fluffy.

I do like Sandpiper, and when I'm in the area, I play it. But just adding my two cents on the whole Trump/Sandpiper saga.

[markheardjr]

As far as California* courses with ocean views go...

1. Pebble (and Monterrey area courses on coast) (Most holes at Pebble have water view.)
2a. Torrey South, 2b. Torrey North (Most holes have water view)
3. Trump (All holes have water view)
4. Half Moon Bay
5. Pelican Hill (Both Courses offer limited holes have water view)
6. Sea Ranch Golf Links (Half holes offer great views.)
7. New Links at Bodega Harbor (Many holes with partial view, links course is obviously flat.)
8. Sandpiper (Limited holes have water view)

9-12. Honorable Mentions:
9. Los Verdes. Unmatched views on a clear day, Malibu to Newport, Catalina, Channel islands, etc.
10. Avila Beach Golf Resort - Can see water views. Ok, tired and old track feel.
11. Coronado Island golf course (goes along bay under Coronado bridge, you could step into the water from the course.)
12. Morro Bay Golf Course (Like Coronado, you can see the bay. Great track, usually lush and green.)
13. Sharp Park Golf Course - (Offers ocean views on clear days, Few holes have water view.)

I didn't include 9 hole courses*
If I missed one someone let me know. But I know you can actually see the ocean from many other courses, but this list kind of borders or is very near the ocean or are perched on a cliff above it. You can see ocean from the likes of Riviera CC, Montecito CC, and Rolling Hills CC but they aren' really on the "coast."