It’s been 7-9 months since I’ve played Coyote Creek and apparently even longer since I last wrote a review. The course conditions here always remain constantly good and today was no exception. My Buddy and I teed off in near dark to ensure we had a quick round. In fact the only reason it took us nearly 3 hours to finish is we often waited for the grounds crew to finish m... » More

It’s been 7-9 months since I’ve played Coyote Creek and apparently even longer since I last wrote a review. The course conditions here always remain constantly good and today was no exception. My Buddy and I teed off in near dark to ensure we had a quick round. In fact the only reason it took us nearly 3 hours to finish is we often waited for the grounds crew to finish mowing the greens.

Even though it was cold, dark and we just had rain two days ago, the course played very well. Greens were smooth at a decent pace (some were a bit slower due to us being in front of the mower and the greens being damp). Greens at Coyote are on the firm side and don’t often hold approach shots as well as you’d like. It didn’t help that I was playing a second tier ball today and that my iron game went to complete garbage 1/3 of the way through the round. Greens at Coyote have the perfect amount of undulations to them. enough to keep it from being boring but nothing that enters the 3 ring circus world.

Fairways were nice and lush. Very green throughout and dry. Tee boxes were just short of immaculate. Very level and perfectly mowed with only a few divots here and there. I was not in any greenside bunkers but was in a couple of fairway traps and they too were great. Coyote Creek is a well maintained fun course that’s worthy of a stop if traveling on Highway 101 which splits the course.
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Just as I said about the course when we played in the summer, all that green grass in fairways was GRAB GRASS and when it died you have dirt. Moving ball around in fairways is the only way to play the course right now unless you want to practice hitting off bare dirt lies, you will have plenty. I kinda liked the fine dirt in the sand traps, different and really easy to get ou... » More

Just as I said about the course when we played in the summer, all that green grass in fairways was GRAB GRASS and when it died you have dirt. Moving ball around in fairways is the only way to play the course right now unless you want to practice hitting off bare dirt lies, you will have plenty. I kinda liked the fine dirt in the sand traps, different and really easy to get out of, just think lob shot dirt will not stop you like sand. Greens were slow and most puts fairly straight even if you do not read them that way. Did not think we would get any better playing conditions than we did, but we agreed to moving ball around in fairways so it was still fun. Just have to play some of these far less than perfect courses now if you want a good tee time.
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Walked the golds 12/19/24 with my buddy Mark and two of his work colleagues Mike and Kyle who were a pleasure to play with. Our POP was 4 hrs 45 minutes teeing off at 12 noon and finishing with about 15 minutes to spare watching the SB sunset at our backs as we walked back up to the clubhouse. We maybe had a club of wind midway through the front nine that was very mild all day... » More

Walked the golds 12/19/24 with my buddy Mark and two of his work colleagues Mike and Kyle who were a pleasure to play with. Our POP was 4 hrs 45 minutes teeing off at 12 noon and finishing with about 15 minutes to spare watching the SB sunset at our backs as we walked back up to the clubhouse. We maybe had a club of wind midway through the front nine that was very mild all day. It was almost 70 degrees as a high just picture perfect SB/Goleta weather with sunny skies. Super friendly staff. We had a driver head fly off on 7 tee for one of our playing partners.

He was able to rent a driver at the turn. Cartgirl around several times, very friendly cartbarn staff. Top notch customer service here. They have a very sloped putting green and a grass range.

The conditions were very good for December golf. Fairways were really nice besides hole 8 that looked a little drier and thinner than the other 17 holes. All other holes were semi lush to lush with good lies. Rated 8/10


Tees were mostly level, very lush and very soft at times wet. Good shape! Rated 8/10.

Rough cut down very low left of 13, left of 14, right of 15,
left of 16 and right of 17. This dramatically improves pace and makes the course more manageable if you do happen to spray one which I did once going a little left on 13. The fairway rough just off the fairways inside the cart paths
was beautiful lush and around 3 inches thick. Rating that portion of the rough a solid 8.5/10.




Was not in any greenside or fairway bunkers but they looked decent maybe a bit thin at times

Saving the best for last the greens. They were a solid 12.5 on the stimp. Downhill 15 footers had to be treated as 2 to 3 foot putts to give you an idea. They were rolling very quick and true. One of the main reasons I come out to
Sandpiper is to putt these greens. If you can putt these here on a day like today you can putt anywhere. Rated 9.5/10

Highly endorse this track. It is one of Socal's gems.
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Played here first time Dec 19th in afternoon. I'm from NorCal so was anxious to do a little compare. First off, staff was excellent from shop, to range, starter & cart girl who we saw 3x which was sufficient. Much has already been said about conditions which are what they are but I really like the layout where I don't think any hole is the same, it's a thinking golfer's course... » More

Played here first time Dec 19th in afternoon. I'm from NorCal so was anxious to do a little compare. First off, staff was excellent from shop, to range, starter & cart girl who we saw 3x which was sufficient. Much has already been said about conditions which are what they are but I really like the layout where I don't think any hole is the same, it's a thinking golfer's course. Value was not there for me as a non-member. I paid $150 w/cart to play in the afternoon and on Tuesday I had played Poppy Hills in Pebble for $125 with cart (afternoon rate). Poppy is many tiers above Coyote Hills, no where close. POP was slow too, much waiting on most holes.
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Played Thursday, 12/19, 9:30 tee time. Friend called me last week, said if you can get out of work the golf is on me. Sorry boss, free golf beats work any day.
Perfect day for golf. Sunny, warm, no wind. Paired with a father and son, good guys. Course is in fantastic winter shape. Tee boxes were in good shape for the most part, level, and easy to find a good spot to t... » More

Played Thursday, 12/19, 9:30 tee time. Friend called me last week, said if you can get out of work the golf is on me. Sorry boss, free golf beats work any day.
Perfect day for golf. Sunny, warm, no wind. Paired with a father and son, good guys. Course is in fantastic winter shape. Tee boxes were in good shape for the most part, level, and easy to find a good spot to tee up. A few of the white tee boxes are being worked on, doesn't affect play. The fairways green, full coverage, ball sits up nicely. Rough not long, brownish/yellowish frames the fairways perfectly. Greens rolled well, medium speed. Subtle breaks that are hard for me to read accurately. A few 3 putts that shouldn't have been.
We started on #10 - not sure why but not an issue. Drink cart around a few times on each side.
This is one of my favorite OC courses. Somehow they make you feel very secluded in the middle of the city. No houses and very little street noise, although that appears to be changing as there is some construction going on adjacent to the course. Staff very helpful and friendly. My friend has their membership deal which makes the greens fees more reasonable. Highly recommend you get out here and play.
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