A view of the 7th green from Sea Ranch Golf Links
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.9
131 Reviews (131)
5 Stars
36
4 Stars
58
3 Stars
25
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.7
Amenities
3.3
83.7%
Recommend this course
109 out of 131 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
6 Reviews (6)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.5
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.7
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.8
100.0%
Recommend this course
6 out of 6 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
19 Reviews (19)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.8
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
94.7%
Recommend this course
18 out of 19 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Links
Par 72
Length 6649 yards
Slope 130
Rating 72.5
Book a Tee Time at
The Sea Ranch Golf Links
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1974
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robert Muir Graves (1974)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $15
Clubs Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Courses for Pace of Play in the U.S. (2023 #12) (2019 #16)

Reviews

3.9
131 Reviews (131)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Overall Great Experience

I played 18 holes on a perfect weather day. The course layout is really nice - diverse terrains and good challenges. Overall the course is in OK condition. The fairways are a bit bare in spots (need aeration), but the greens were in very good shape. The provided cart is gas-driven, which I find to be less responsive than an electric cart.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Rough

Tee boxes very rough
Fairway’s bumpy and vey few green patche
Greens dieing a lot of potholes. Too much$ for the conditions. Sorry been playing along time and it’s hurting.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Horrendous

This place might as well close up shop, absolutely horrible conditions with a disgusting price tag... Worst course on the coast so if your on a road trip I'd advise to keep driving

Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Hidden Coastal Course

The Sea Ranch Links is a wonderful coastal California course that winds its way along the bluff above the Pacific Ocean. Several holes offer significant challenges with long forced carries or specific landing zones. I played it (again, I have visited multiple times) in mid-September and found the conditions about what we would expect for late in the season in drought-struck California. The fairways were green if not lush and the greens were in decent condition apart from several that need additional attention. The weather at Sea Ranch is coastal, so always a combination of sun, wind, fog, and clouds--which for me add to the allure. Not a ton of on course amenities, but nearby Gualala has all you need. This is definitely a course you should play on a California coast trip and if you are sweltering in some hot place, it is a great stop to cool off!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

pathetic condition

It really must take a lot of nerve to take green fees from the public for this golf course. They must be making nothing but profit due to only irrigating greens and tee boxes. Never played a course with no grass in fairways before this one. I get the whole Scottish theme but really this course needs to be shut down and just let nature have it back.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/15/2022

From what I heard at the course from staff, the new management team is making big upgrades across the course. Lots of new irrigation in place when I played just a few weeks after you. All the fairways had playable surfaces that are typical for fall. California is not Minnesota and coastal CA is always water scarce. My sense is they are doing a good job with the water they have. I definitely would hate to see it revert as you suggest.

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Rounds on Aug 4 & 5

I love this golf course and have played every year at least twice since 1984. I understand about the drought and not watering the fairways, but the greens were burnt and not likely to recover for 2 years.
I found out between rounds that the new owners have replace all of the employees, especially the course maintenance crew. What is interesting is that the prior employees had been working this course for over 10 years. I am not sure if the new owners asked how to keep the greens from being burnt but they should. The prior crew knows from experience how to keep the greens in good shape.
I was very sad to play on the course knowing that it may be the last time.

Also, the price of the round is too high given the conditions of the course. It is almost unplayable. In addition the golf carts are too old and I got one that was malfunctioning. Scary dangerous as the accelerator stuck.

I'm deeply saddened.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great layout, drought conditions

Outstanding Robert Muir Graves layout--tough. But due to drought water conditions, only the greens receive any water. Greens are decent, but only Ok, not great. Some burning areas on the greens. The fairways are real BAD. Burnt, brown, dry grass or dirt were most of the fairways. Tees not too good either. But the fairways really look poor. If you book the green fees on the same day that you play, then it's reasonable (around $45). But I would not pay any more than that. Tough car drive just to get there--very isolated.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Overpriced

The overall course conditions are average at best. Greens were in good condition and saved the day, No grass in fairways and some bunkers were rock hard. Overpriced for the condition of the course. And please invest in some battery operated carts.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful afternoon

The course is doing quite a lot of work to improve the condition and it is working. The rough, fairways and greens are all in better condition than they have been for some time.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Bring back the 20$ twilight.....!!

I love sea ranch golf links.....
It's a beautiful cow pasture.....
Y'all should quit acting like it's pebble beach.....
Prices are way to high......
I Kno inflation....
But nothing has been changed on the course.....
Same dinosaur golf carts....
Every fairway is bumpy.... Better off walking...
Dirt.....no grass in fairways.....
PLEASE BRING BACK 20$ TWILIGHT!!!!!!

Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked

Outstanding layout so so condition

Played from black tee for the first time. The scenic views and challenging layout are worth the rate (twilight $45). Course is basically empty which is impossible to have for a public course after covid. Unlike some inexpensive coastal public courses, every hole here is different. I especially like the par 3s.

If you are long and accurate off the tee this course is fairly easy once you know where to aim. The greens are easy but super slow and _bumpy_. Fairways are rough too but you can't ask too much for a remote course w few players and reasonable rates. I hope they can spend more time mowing the greens at least so people aren't putting on their home carpet.

Overall I would recommend playing this course if you are near-by or driving-by to enjoy the layout and views.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout, upkeep needs help

Sea Ranch is located in a perfect place for a resort course. The layout is outstanding and very challenging. The course is in really rough shape, though. The fairways were bumpy and full of dead patches and the greens were like putting on a fairway. Lastly, the carts are gas-powered, and I was concerned that I was smoking my playing partner out. It’s such a shame because the course could be memorable and worth the drive. Staff was great and friendly.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great day on the links

Spectacular weather contributed to a great day on the llinks. Over all the experience couldn’t have been better.Fast check in, and right to the tee. Fairways were a little scratchy, but the greens were excellent. Played in three hours. Great day.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A great hidden links course on the Pacific Coast

Sea Ranch Golf Links is approximately an hour North of Bodega Bay and an hour South of Mendocino along the north coast of California. It is a nice links course with plenty of ocean views. There is a driving range, putting green and pitch and out area. They are also now serving sandwiches, chili and soup. The course is under new ownership and they are doing a great job of upgrading things. Hopefully they will upgrade the carts soon, although it is a walkable course. The fairways are a little rough but the greens are in good condition. Nice course to play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

WELL WORTH THE TRIP TO THE GOLD COURSE. GREAT OCEAN VIEWS ALONG THE WAY, ON ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC ROADS IN AMERICA. THE COURSE IS CHALLENGING WHATEVER YOUR LEVEL OF PLAY AND OF COURSE, A TREAT, PLAYING NEXT TO THE OCEAN. MANY GREAT VIEWS. WITHIN THE COURSE ISTELF AND THE COURSE AND GREENS WAS EXCELLENT. GREAT PRACTICE AREAS.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Golf Packages

Sonoma Wine Country Golf Package

FROM $607 (USD)
SONOMA, CA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and 1 round of golf at Sonoma Golf Club.

Silverado Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $277 (USD)
NAPA, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Silverado Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Silverado Resort - North & South Courses.

San Francisco PGA Championship Golf Package

FROM $527 (USD)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA | Enjoy 4 nights’ accommodations at Fairmont San Francisco and 4 rounds of golf at TPC Harding Park, Presidio Golf Course, and Half Moon Bay Golf Links-Old & Ocean Courses.

San Francisco Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $437 (USD)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Hotel Kabuki and 2 rounds of golf at Harding Park & Presidio Golf Club.

Half Moon Bay Golf Package

FROM $437 (USD)
HALF MOON BAY, CA | Enjoy 1 night's accommodation at Half Moon Bay Lodge and 2 rounds of golf at Half Moon Bay Old Course & Half Moon Bay Ocean Course.
Now Reading