Monarch Dunes Golf Course

Still one of my favorite courses. It is definitely tough but does offer variety. Pace of play was great and the course is in great shape. A little wet when we went making balls just stick to the grass but overall great day. My only complaint was that there appeared to be a group in front of us that walked on at some point. We had no one in front of us and then a group of 3 who were really slowing down play. They spent more than enough time looking for balls, some even in the water. They looked inside the water for a bit trying to find their balls. They left ash from smoking on the greens and even an empty can on a Tee Box and a cup on a fairway. Not sure what procedure is but it was the 18^th hole and didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. Other than that, another great and pleasant round at monarch.

What happened to the greens?
Okay, I think I complained in my last post few years back. But, they have gone completely opposite direction on this one. The greens are soft, furry and slow with bumpy paths to boot. My ball buried itself on #11 (106 yards par 3). I liked the course when the greens were firm and rolled true. Now, the ball rolls and bounces as if it was skating across a shag carpet.
The course condition is still great and the layout is fantastic. Many challenging holes with plenty of water to navigate around (I thought we were in drought?). The bunkers could use some more sand as few of my sand shots touched the hard pan beneath the sand.
This course is a great weekend getaway for those of us living in the valley. The weekend green fee is slightly on the high side, but I can tolerate as long as we’re not going out there every weekend.
Please work on the greens. I want that nastiness back.

Challenging course, highlighted by undulating hills, enough traps to make you curse, yet a natural beauty that makes you want to come back sooner rather than later.
$ 75/​person in July for 18-​holes and a cart. My amigos had coupons from Costco that made me look like a chump, but the price was worth the round of golf. Fairways and greens are in excellent shape. Employees were friendly and accommodating. Looking forward to a return visit!
Cheers!
RS

Nice place to spend my Friday afternoon. Great staff, beautiful grounds and a decent bistro.

The weather is super nice here, but the people are the complete opposite. My family and I came here with a family that owns a home here for Father’s Day to play the short 12 hole course. The day was great and the course was fun, but that was only true after we stopped letting the extremely rude work staff ruin our day. We got there and needed to rent two sets of men’s clubs and two sets of women’s clubs to which the lady responded «We only have one set of woman’s clubs and you’re not allowed to share, but *ugh* I guess it’s fine.» So we thanked her and began our day when we were followed by the same Marshall to the first hole where she proceeded to scold us for having a big group at one hole (keep in mind it’s Father’s Day so we were playing as a family) and because my mom and I were sharing a set of clubs which she said was okay in the beginning. She continued to follow us and scold us throughout the course and chastise us for never having played before which I just found rude and disrespectful since we had paid to use the course and we weren’t bothering anyone else. At the end of the day when returning our clubs, we apologized for mixing up some of the clubs between the two bags, but the young guy trying to put them back in their right place was just as rude as the first lady. As he was being taciturn and short with us he was overly nice and brown nosed with the regulars that went in and out of the club. I just found the workplace of this establishment extremely mean and honestly stressful on a day when I was simply trying to relax with my dad and family. The only reason I would return is because we have friends who live here, but even though they live on the course I would be more excited to drive elsewhere to find a more friendly staff. I don’t recommend this place.

Nice course. Interesting use of the topography. A lot of elevated tees and a few carries over water for interest. Nice to have several tee options. Undulating greens that are on the slower side but that is necessary with all the slopes. Lots of houses around the course but they aren’t in play at all, which is appreciated. Friendly staff and good bistro.

One of if not the best golf experience I have ever had in California. The course is challenging and well laid out and forces you to really think about every shot The greens run true and the many undulations make them very challenging. The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable. After playing the Old Course, we decided to play the par 3 Challenge course and were very impressed with it as well. All in all a top notch experience and I plan on returning many times in the future.

Very great greens and expert teachers. I love this place. The bistro is pretty good too.

Challenge course is great. This is a perfect place to sneak in a quick round. Great course to work on your short game. Very well kept in a nice area and it’s dirt cheap.

The course was recommended to me as a «links course» which it really is not. Yes, there are natural dunes throughout and the course has some curvy holes with interesting elevation changes but it also has very tall eucalyptus trees that serve well as wind breaks. There are several blind tee shots and approach shots and is not a real walkable course although the pesky little roped out parts of the fairways made me wish I was on foot. I played the combo tees which is a good way to go at 130 slope if you’re a mid handicap. This is a Trilogy course and apparently an upscale retirement type of community with very gussied up elements of design and beautiful landscaping. I’m sure one of the better courses around SLO.

Best par 3 course I’ve ever seen. The challenge course is loads of fun. Great greens!

All around great place. I love the fast greens. Long holes great design. I have had some of my best shots on this course. I’m just getting back in to it. Wrnt out a few weeks ago. Greens were great played good. And after 4is $ 25 with a kart for the big course. Challenge course is as tgey call it a challenge

I think it’s weird that they have the golf course, pro-​shop and the restaurant listed together here. Wildly different experiences to review. There’s another listing for just the restaurant with reviews and photos.

One star for the rude young kid in the pro shot. Two days in a row you would think he would be over his bad mood??? What is wrong with being polite and maybe a smile. It was like he was doing us a favor? Course was a great challenge and enjoyed the golf!

The beat course on the central coast ! The course is always in amazing shape. The greens are often difficult but the views make up for it. The par three challenge course is also always in great shape and fun to play !

The Gorilla says:
«They have a nice bar,
With great nosh and drink options.
Firestone on tap!»

I LOVE the challenge course. Super fun to walk and very reasonable prices. The changes with dual cups makes it fun for the kids too!!! I play as often as I can get out there.
The course is more fun than a tradition executive since it is mostly irons (what I need the most practice with!)…

The staff is very accommodating! The course is absolutely gorgeous. Best golf on the Central Coast HANDS DOWN! I play this course 1 – 3 times a week and I NEVER get tired of it. The 12 hole challenge course is one of the best 3 par courses you will ever find as well. If you have a chance this is a must play course!

Monarch Dunes is the most amazing, most challenging and most exciting course I’ve ever played (and there’s two courses!!!)
I’ve never had a better time playing golf in my life. After playing Monarch Dunes I am reminded of why I play the game= for the beautiful views, relaxation, bonding, and a good challenge.
You can tell that the new owners are genuine guys and real golfers, with a passion for the game, that want to create the most epic golfing experience for their customers. Quality, quality, quality. This is a very pristine course where the customer comes first.
Golf Monarch Dunes… and stop in Butterfly Grille after the game.
You will feel like a KING!

this is a review of the Challenge 12 hole par three course. I was driving from the San Diego area up to San Fran for a wedding. I decided to drive up the coast and break up the drive with a quick «12 holes»
The Pros :
Wide open. Where I play, it is packed on a Friday afternoon at 3:00. This course was empty.
Nice feel to the course. Lots of optical illusion on the lay out the first time around. Nice versitile Tee boxes. Course was in decent shape, although the greens had several types of grass invaded them.
Most greens were huge, but multi tiered and tricky. STAY BELOW THE HOLE
Pay attention to the wind as well. Multi club affect.
CONS:
Long walk from starter to first tee and if you are talking a cart on a 12 hole par three course than you are a poser anyway. WALK THIS COURSE
The greens were a little invaded with other grasses.
Bunkers were very hard compact sand. Play accordingly.
This is a nice track. Bring a good short game, otherwise you will waste alot of shots around the green. Dont be afraid to hit your tee shot into the slope of green and let it come back to hole.
Walked this in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Nice guys in clubhouse.