Sandpiper Golf Club (Santa Barbara, CA)

In Tom Doak's book "The Condidential Guide", he called Sandpiper "the Torrey Pines of the north". 

(The awesome short par four tenth! Endless views! And a testy approach shot with the ball slightly above your feet.)

He's not the first person to criticise William Bell's design. Many think the inland holes do not match the splendor and intensity of the cliff side ocean holes. I've even read people calling the inland holes pedestrian. And I agree, however, I think the low key approach emphasizes Bell's unwillingness to compete with the Sandpiper's unbelievable location and scenery. I can remember being on the practice green and being perfectly content!

How can you not love this place?! Look at that view!!

The first four holes at Sandpiper are inland, and the anticipation to see the ocean builds after each shot. While these aren't the glamour holes, they are a tough beginning to the round. 

(The 471 yard second demands a very precise drive to have a shot thru the gate.)

(232/205 yard fourth is no nonsense par three. The fairway in background is the par five fifth.)

The fifth is an uphill par five that ends with a green overlooking the ocean. It's a skyline green, and all you see is the white ball against the blue sky as it arches towards the putting surface. I can remember standing on the fringe, watching and listening to the sea lions on the rocks below. William Bell kept it simple. And I like it. 

I will concur that after a decent mid length par three atop the cliff, the last three holes on the front nine are bland. These holes I feel should've been given some more definition and interest. But even still, the view of the mountains is beautiful. 

The back nine is why we play golf! 

(View of ten green. Look at the pier and cliffs in the background. Just a stunning view!) 

The tenth is an awesome hole! It has to be one of the finest short to mid length par fours in the country. Then eleven plays downhill to a green just yards from the beach. 

At 224 yards, club selection is vital to hit the green, especially when the wind is blowing. 

A couple holes later, the awesome par five thirteenth rambles alongside the cliff edge to a green fronted by a ravine. 

Wow! Does it get better than this?! 

Then the 444 yard fourteenth finishes the stretch, but like the par three sixth, the cliff is not as much into play except for a really poor shot. These five holes on the back are the crux of the course. Sandpiper in all it's glory! 

The last four holes are similar to the last three on the front. It's a little bit of a downer, but one can brush it aside after those first five holes. Sandpiper finishes withs par three. 

It's a large green. A few pin positions can be tucked but pretty simple shot for those looking just for a three. 

Santa Barbara is one of the great coastal towns in America. Several years ago, tour players were asked "what course that was relatively unknown would you like to play a US Open or PGA?" 

Fred Couples said "Sandpiper."

Enough said. 

I give it a  5 (good). However, it's one of the few places I would recommend. It's just a beautiful place.