101 Golf Trail: Dairy Creek

By The Unknown Golfer

Whether or not you are a golf enthusiast, the Dairy Creek Golf Course should be on your list of stops this summer. The San Luis Obispo course recently went through a facelift, going from 18 to nine holes; but don’t let that fool you, it’s not your typical nine-hole track.

Dairy Creek offers a par-36 challenge, which includes three par-3s, three par-4s and three par-5s. Josh Heptig, golf course superintendent for San Luis Obispo County, said, “We are very proud of how the course has evolved. It plays as long as 3,400 yards for those golfers looking for a challenge, and it’s in beautiful shape right now.” The course also offers five different sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all levels.

Dairy Creek also offers a Toptracer® facility, an excellent place to start if you have never picked up a club, and an even better place to refine your skills if you’re experienced. According to Heptig, the facility opened in October 2020 and it has been sold out nearly every day since. Toptracer uses the same technology used during PGA broadcasts, and allows golfers to monitor ball flight, launch angles, ball speed, curve, and much more. “The Toptracer experience is fun for everyone, even the large percentage of people who have never played golf before. It’s a great social event and it has really added to the fun here at Dairy Creek,” added Heptig.

If you’re hungry or thirsty, Dairy Creek has you covered there as well. The course recently welcomed The Siren El Chorro to the family; the restaurant offers a diverse menu including delicious sandwiches, burgers, flat bread pizzas, a taco bar to die for, and much more. “Having The Siren on site has been a great relationship, and they have been awesome partners,” said Heptig. “Now that COVID restrictions are starting to lighten up, we are talking about bringing live music to the venue as well, so it will be another fun option for locals and those visiting the area.”

As if that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, Dairy Creek is currently in negotiations to build cabins on the grounds. They are also finalizing plans for a zipline, disk golf, miniature golf, a BMX skills course, and more. “This is going to be the place to be in San Luis Obispo County when it is complete,” added Heptig. The COVID-19 pandemic did slow some of the expansion progress, but according to Heptig, things are back on track and moving forward.

For those looking for some professional golf instruction, Dairy Creek also has robust offerings in that area. The course hosts six or seven local professionals who offer lessons. The facility is also home to the California Polytechnic State University-SLO Mustang golf program, and its Cal Poly Practice Center which can be rented when the team isn’t out sharpening its skills.

“Dairy Creek has a great team of people working the facility and it’s a fun, exciting, and dynamic place to be,” 
concluded Heptig.
Still not sure if you’d like to make the trip? Check out the course’s terrific website with all kinds of information, including hole-by-hole video tutorials full of tips and suggestions on how to play the course. For more information on tee times, rates, menus, Toptracer reservations, and more, 
 visit dairycreekslo.com or call (805) 782-8060.