SB County Golf Trail

California is a playground for anyone who loves the outdoors. From hiking and fishing, to surfing and camping, it would take 100 lifetimes to explore every nook and cranny of the Golden State. When you factor in the more than 900 golf courses (as estimated by Southern California PGA), California is a golfer’s dream come true.

From the rolling hills and mountain views, to the cliffs and ocean vistas, there’s no shortage of fairways and greens for every level of linksman seeking to find some new swinging grounds. All of these courses offer golf instruction, rentals, and dining that can cater to any group or individual’s specific needs. Let’s take a look at a few courses in Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara Golf Club

Photo by Aidan Bradley

opened for play in 1958, and since that time has been challenging golfers of all skill levels with interesting golf course architecture and beautiful views of the surrounding Santa Ynez Mountains as its dramatic backdrop. Santa Barbara Golf club is a championship 18-hole, 6,037 yard course, where depending upon which set of tees you play, the course is long enough to be a good test for even the furthest players off the tee, and strategically positioned to maximize risk and reward for those who seek an adventurous round.

With several local and traveling golf groups and clubs, Santa Barbara Golf Club is a wonderful place to meet new friends and socialize with family or business contacts. Located in the heart of Santa Barbara, the golf club is open and welcome for public use 365 days a year. If you’re one of the thousands of touring visitors to the area, have no doubt that you’ll find Santa Barbara Golf Club to be the best golfing value in town!

Sandpiper Gold Club

Hole #10, Par 4, 354 yards. (Photo courtesy Sandpiper Golf Club)

You won’t find a hole with a bad view at Sandpiper Golf Club. Standing on the tee looking past the cliffs out over the ocean, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were at Pebble Beach.
Well manicured fairways wind past bunkers and cypress trees as the ocean greets you to the south, and the Santa Ynez Mountains tower to the north. 
Several holes run cliff-side right next to the water, leaving you with sweeping vistas from tee to green.

It’s not uncommon to crouch behind a putt with the shimmering blue water of the Pacific undu-lating directly behind your ball. With the sound of the waves lapping at the shore and the smell of the sea air, it can be easy to get distracted, but the 7,159 yard par 72 course will command your full atten-tion if you want to shoot low.

For more info on Sandpiper Golf Club, go to sandpipergolf.com.

Glen Annie Golf Club

Photo courtesy Glen Annie Golf Club.

Like Sandpiper, Glen Annie has no shortage of breathtaking views. 
 Set back in the hills with an open links design, the course seem like it was carved out of the earth with a precision blade.
From the highest tee box, the views of the ocean, Santa Barbara, and the surrounding mountains are all encompassing. In late after-noon when the sun casts long shadows over tee and green, golden light spills into bunkers and across tightly mown fairways while shin-ing a warm hue over the scenery beyond.
While the course may not be considered long at 6,417 yards from the back tees, the slope rating, at 130, could spell out a more difficult round for the average weekend warrior — though with several tees to chose from, most can find a comfortable way to make it around the links.


For more info on Glen Annie Golf Club, go to glenanniegolf.com.