Detailed description of Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Old Course
Monarch Dunes Golf Club is a public golf facility. The facility offers 30-holes of golf. They have the championship 18-hole Old Course and the 12-hole Challenge Course.
Monarch Dunes Old Course first opened for play in 2006. The course was designed by Damian Pascuzzo and Steve Pate.
The 18-hole "Old Course" at the Monarch Dunes Golf Club facility in Nipomo, California features 6,810 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71.
Some of the unique features of this "Old Course", are greens that use Velvet Bentgrass commonly seen on East Coast courses. It is the finest-textured, densest bentgrass ideal for putting surfaces. It can be cut as low as 3/32 inch. Those who have played on it report that the putting surfaces are swift and true. Players will have the option to run the ball rather than being forced to carry it in the air, something you'll appreciate when you experience the afternoon winds on the Nipomo Mesa. With fescue grass fairways that are fast and firm, your ball may fly gracefully like a butterfly on the monarch course but it won't necessarily stop on a dime.
The course layout ranges from a 4,702-yard, par-71 layout from the women%u2019s tees to 6,810-yard, par-71 from the back tees. The concept behind course design was to be generous to the golfer in the fairways, while making you work on the greens.
Although the course is not particularly long - measuring just over 6,800 yards from the tournament tees - and generous fairways are offered - risk is available to the gambler. Landing areas appear closer and smaller than they are. Fairways are often bordered by hazardess water, sand and dunes. Some fairways are flat, while others play across and along ridge lines.
The course has five lakes which come into play on one six of the holes. Three of these lakes impact tee shots on five holes. Most of the lakes border fairways, but the par-3 8th requires a carry over water.
The challenges arise as golfers approach the greens. Some greens are enclosed by deep bunkers, mounds or dunes. Others are just targets perched in the air.
Men's Black tees: 6810 yards, course rating 73.0, slope rating 137.
Men's Gold tees: 6337 yards, course rating 70.7, slope rating 135.
Men's White tees: 5821 yards, course rating 68.5, slope rating 128.
Women's Bronze tees: 5320 yards, course rating 66.3, slope rating 117.
Women's Green tees: 4702 yards, course rating 63.6, slope rating 110.
$51 (cart included), played on Thursday, April 2013 at 10am
Played on a golf weekend (Cypress and Blacklake were the others). Nice track except the back nine greens were sanded two days prior and the front none greens that morning (maybe it was disclosed to our booker, but we didn't know). There are a fair number of quasi-blind shots, so the first time was a challenge. Hopefully I'll get another chance before I completely forget. Overall a nice place. Having the par three course was a good option for my wife.
$51 (cart included), played on Tuesday, June 2012 at 8am
This is a very challenging course. You have to think your way around. The greens were tournament rated.
$36 (cart included), played on Friday, August 2011 at 2pm
The prettiest course in the area. The most challenging.
$41 (cart included), played on Wednesday, August 2011 at 6am
I play this course weekly and always find it in wonderful condition, and the staff always treat you superbly. I noted one reviewer cited the greens don't hold when hitting an approach shot; they are not meant to - the course is a links course. The traps are not quite as they are in Scotland or Ireland, however, they do contain local sand. The greens appear as if they will be changing over the coming time; currently they appear to have a grass I haven't seen anywhere else, but on Monarch, but now Poa is making inroads, and likely it will eventually will dominate what is here already. The course is difficult but fair. Long hitters will not likely be able to use their drivers much: the course does not seem to be designed to their advant- age to do so. Advice to all who play - try to stay out of the moguls - they can kill your game!!! Remember you can run the ball from off the green instead of hitting onto it and trying to hold it on the green. Enjoy. A comment on putting: the greens can be hazardous to your game!
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, February 2011 at 8am
I'm a fair golfer a 6 to an 8. Didn't really enjoy playing monarch due to the conditions of and around the greens. For many non pro golfers not a resort course. Greens too hard to hold and conditions around greens too penial. Probably great course for competitive players but not for ur get away weekend goer. once will be enough for ur average player at tihis price.
$36 (cart included), played on Friday, February 2011 at noon
BEST COURSE IN THE AREA. AVAILABLE ON EZLINKS FOR REDUCED GREEN FEES.TAKE A FEW EXTRA BALLS YOU MAY NOT FIND YOURS BUT YOU WILL FIND ONE OR TEN.GREAT COURSE ,PAR 5'S ARE QUITE A CHALLENGE.
$41 (cart included), played on Wednesday, October 2010 at 10am
Just plain love it!!!
$41 (cart included), played on Monday, April 2010 at 10am
The Old Course is a little pricey for my liking. It is a treat to play, I can't justify playing it often. Very well maintained, the greens are tough, there are no flat or straight puts on the course. The facilities are excellent.
$36 (cart included), played on Monday, April 2010 at noon
Fun, challenging course. Great, speedy rolling greens
Do Not Recall (cart included), played on Thursday, April 2010 at 8am
Outstanding course. Difficult, but playable. Greens are fast and true. A must for vacation or locals. Try the Challenge course too!
$26 (cart not included), played on Thursday, November 2009 at noon
This is in my opinion the best and most difficult course on the Central Coast. Challenging holes, great design (hole #6 par 5 is fantastic) without a premium on length. The fairways are tight, but well maintained. It is not unusual to see staff out working on the course. The greens are large, fast and many are elevated. Approach shots are difficult to stop. High handicappers go elsewhere.
$36 (cart included), played on Wednesday, September 2009 at noon
$41 (cart included), played on Wednesday, August 2009 at 6am
Course takes controlled shots. Long hitters I have played with, rather avoid drivers for control/placement, than risk distance. Most greens receive short shots running onto them, rather than dropping onto greens, due to hardness of greens. Also playing greens several times helps to learn their undulations, because though they are fast and putt very true, they are very large. Also the twelve hole Par 3 Challenge course is excellent. I have played it often myself (16 handicapper) and find the scratch players love to practice their short game there.
(cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2009 at 10am
Exceptional Scottish style layout.
Member (cart included), played on Sunday, January 2009 at 8am
Links style course that is unique to the Central Coast--a must play when vacationing in San Luis Obispo County
Member (cart included), played on Thursday, August 2009 at 10am
Excellent Scottish style course. Lots of mounds and deep clumpy grass in the rough areas. Greens are firm and fast, but smooth and true. Highly recommend.
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$71 (cart included), played on Sunday, August 2013 at 8am
Some areas have higher than expected fescue resulting in slower play due to time spent looking for balls.