Discover Monarch Dunes, golf on the central coast of California

While the Monterey Peninsula and Southern California area enjoy a reputation for fine golf, often overlooked is the central coast of California.

It’s a little tougher to get to, but it’s well worth it if Monarch Dunes Golf in Nipomo is any indication. First, there’s the already-established and superb Old Course at Monarch Dunes. But the newest addition, the 12-hole Challenge Course, is the icing on the cake.

If you’ve only got a couple of hours to kill, it’s the perfect solution. Plus it’s a great one-two punch with the Old Course. This is no ordinary par 3. In fact, I would rather play the Challenge Course than I would scores of regulation golf courses ? any day. Huge greens, lots of undulation, mounds, water hazards and lots of links-style bunkering make it most interesting.

We’ll be publishing my review as well as more photos in the very near future.

Monarch Dunes Challenge Course