2019 Best Playing Conditions for Santa Barbara County — Sandpiper Golf Club

This year GreensKeeper.org awards Sandpiper Golf Club Best Playing Conditions 2019 for the Santa Barbara County, California.

Not to be confused with “Worth the Green Fee,” “Best Playing Conditions” is awarded to golf courses open to the public listed on Greenskeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users at providing consistently the best greens, fairways, rough, tee boxes and bunkers around.

The job of the superintendent is the life blood of the golf course and most important contributing factor to enjoying a golf experience.  A golf course is a living, breathing organism whose health is constantly in flux.  It takes enormous dedication, resources and expertise by a superintendent and their staff to provide excellent turf conditions.

The rating system used on Greenskeeper.org is in part created by superintendents.  GreensKeeper.org’s trademark and creed, “Know Before You Go”®, centers on communicating these current playing conditions.

How Awards Winners Are Determined

Golf Course reviews and ratings submitted by our 78,000+ Greenskeeper.org community are tabulated over 12 months. Winners are determined for each area.

We divide awards into 11 sections —  Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Palm Springs Area, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Southern California, Central California, Northern California and Southern Nevada.

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]Editor’s Note:  Johnny GK and Greenskeeper.Org has been recognized by the California Golf Course Owners Association as Good for the Game of Golf in 2017.  Shows you that both golfers and golf course operators understand the benefit of working with Greenskeeper.Org.  We are the RESOURCE where avid and casual golfers come to make their decision where to play their next round.  “Know Before You Go”® with Greenskeeper.Org.  You’ll be glad you did.  [/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

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Recent #GolfCourseReview

JohnnyGK
Posted: 12/20/19 9:06a
Member Since: Dec 30, 2002
From: Thousand Oaks

Reading Sal’s review and reflecting on my experience with Garth’s group it’s pretty humbling. Joined up with Garth for the round, previously played with him and the Gold Coast Golf Association in March, was really impressed with how friendly, organized and fun the outings are. Sandpiper is one of my favorite courses in SoCal so this was a no brainer. Didn’t expect Garth to make a special announcement about me joining them to play. Appreciated it but man, I’m just an avid golfer that loves this game.

The Review

As far as conditions, those greens were running around a 12, super smooth, holding shots and in tough locations. Even the hot dog putter was tormented at times. But they are fun. The rest of the golf course is exactly what I expected for this time of year. Firm with tight lies.

It’s a different course compared to April and December. In April (last time I played it) you have a more lush course, more eye pleasing and in overall better shape. In December following a dry summer and fall (remember SoCal didn’t get a bunch of rain until just 30 days ago) there are going to be thin spots and occasional bare spots up there. They are doing some small tine fairway aeration in trouble spots. But what you always get with Sandpiper is simply stunning ocean views and some spectacular golf holes. The ambiance of the place is one of my absolute favorites. It’s the main reason, IMO, to play the golf course.

Final Thoughts

I don’t think I have or will ever play an immaculate conditioned Sandpiper but it’s always in very good to great shape which is good enough for me given the amazing location. Always Recommended.