Sandpiper Golf Club
Santa Barbara, CA•Public
Panelists Score
Sandpiper Golf Club
7925 Hollister Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93117-2421
United States
Telephone
Overview
Lining the breathtaking Santa Barbara cliffside, Sandpiper provides spectacular Pacific Ocean and beach views on most of its holes. This William F. Bell design has hosted several professional events, including the final stage of the PGA Tour’s Q-School and the LPGA Tour’s Santa Barbara Women’s Open. Sandpiper also has a unique history: The property was a site for ARCO crude oil production from 1938 to 1954.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“While it might not take full advantage of the landscape, Sandpiper is always a fun time with a good variety of hole layouts and shot options while showing off the beauty of the California coast."
Read More2026
Review
“Some stunning views"
Read More2026
Review
“Beautiful piece of property with stunning cliff top views. A few standout holes make it worth the price. Plus, you cannot beat Santa Barbara weather."
Read More2026
Review
“Sandpiper is slated for a redesign by Tom Doak - I confirmed it with him last week. He's convinced the execrable CA Coastal Commission will delay the process again, but the Pro Shop is convinced reconstruction will begin next year. The best way to describe it would be direct comparison with both courses at Torrey Pines by William and Billy Bell respectively. There are remarkable similarities between the three courses in terms of layout, backdrop and general cliffside aesthetics. I was struck by the green complex on #10 - like an infinity pool with grass - as well as the chip shot par 3 #11 to the beach. However, the routing solution was an awkward, straight up climb on #11 that was a bit like #16 at Mid Ocean. Doak says he is going to erase the par-3 #18, which is a shame as I don't find that pacing to be a drawback. All that stated, worth another play - but going to be terribly curious what Tom wrestles out of the topography. Hopefully better than the tepid and bland effort Rees inflicted on the South Course at Torrey Pines."
Read More2026
Review
“Straight-forward parkland course along the Pacific with a stretch of picturesque holes along the water and a few quite stout 2- and 3-shot holes. Greens are well-conditioned even in the course's non-peak seasons, though there's some redundancy in the layout and fairly limited diversity in the hole types. Still, for a non-resort public access course, you won't find many better settings and its 17 of its holes (sorry #12) are a thoroughly enjoyable walk."
Read More2025
Review
“Straight-forward parkland course along the Pacific with a stretch of picturesque holes along the water and a few quite stout 2- and 3-shot holes. Greens are well-conditioned even in the course's non-peak seasons, though there's some redundancy in the layout and fairly limited diversity in the hole types. Still, for a non-resort public access course, you won't find many better settings and its 17 of its holes (sorry #12) are a thoroughly enjoyable walk."
Read More2025
Review
“A scenic parkland style course along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands in the distance. The oceanside holes are fabulous and worth the trip. In particular, the downhill dogleg par 4 10th will make to stop to admire the view and think hard about how far and where you want to hit your tee shot and I challenge you to hit your approach shot long enough to the cliffside green. The 11th is a downhill par 3 with the tee shot framed by the ocean and the par 5 13th will test your nerve with the tempting approach over the gully to the green, whether its a long second shot from a downhill lie or the mid iron approach form the edge of the gully. The finishing hole is a par 3 uphill over a pond to a steeply back to front sloping green, good luck making par!"
Read More2025
Review
“Sandpiper Golf Club is a parkland style layout and a scenic walk along the cliffs of Santa Barbara. The ocean holes have glorious views and distract you from the task at hand. There are several great holes that I would put up against any others, the downhill dogleg 10th to a green perched on the cliff and the steeply downhill par 3 11th that has the green framed by the ocean, the par 5 13th that will challenge you to summon the nerve to go for the green in two after a good drive. Unfortunately the balance of the course does not live up those great holes; conditioning is an issue with greens overly firm and green speeds that are too fast for the 3 and 4 degrees, or more, of slope in many of the greens. For a seaside course, meaning windy conditions, I expected more of a links style where you can play lower shots into the greens and have more options for recovery shots around the greens but that is not necessarily the case with the push up, raised greens at Sandpiper; its far better to play short or below the hole for easier two-putts."
Read More2025
Review
“Located 15-20 min north of Santa Barbara is often called’” The poor Man’s Pebble Beach”. It has 5 holes along the ocean, 6, 11, 12, 13 and the spectacular signature par 5 , 13th hole that features an approach shot with a forced carry over baranca and ocean to a peninsula green. Sandpiper is a well conditioned upscale public course, located a few minutes from the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort. It’s a walkable course and has a challenging layout for all levels of golfers."
Read More2024
Review
“Gorgeous property with a fun golf course."
Read More2022
