Ojai Valley Inn and Spa
4.3
5
24
24
Great veiws, stately trees and great greens
Ojai is a nice little get away town and ojai valley inn has a long and storied history. The course is fun,not to tough. The greens are very good and have hidden tricks (some breaks you can't see).The staff is more than accomodating, the whole experience is 2 thumbs up. JMJ
October 12, 2012
COURSE NOT READY FOR PLAY
course driving range under construction, only able to hit up to 150 yrds, in an area in terrible condition.
greens punched, old method, really unable to play on the greens at all.
while playing a 5 some with 4 golf carts cut in front of us, call to golf shop did not bring a marshall.
very disappointing for a course with such a stellar reputation.
March 23, 2013
historic course in a beautiful setting
a beautiful older course in a fabulous setting, the Ojai Valley. very helpful staff. course in moderate condition, very playable but a little rough in spots. not overly used, we played 18 holes in 3-1/2 hours.
March 21, 2013
Great time in Ojai
Had a great deal from Golf Now. We live on a PGA rated course and belong to another course. So, for us to go to another course needs to be great value, and worth the trek. We love getting a deal on GolfNow to play different pretty and challenging courses. Ojai never fails. Had a great day with my husband for our 22nd anniversary. The course played great, the pace of play was awesome and the weather was just what we ordered. The food at the turn was awesome, and Matilda in the little grill greeted us on the turn with these amazing truffle potato chips they make daily.
They are re-doing the golf range and it's under heavy construction. So, the driving range is a temporary little mess. And we did see a huge tractor tip over in front of us. Hope whoever was driving it was ok. Over all...Great service and great fun! Thanks Ojai Valley for the great deal on GolfNow.. We will be back!
March 19, 2013
Very good, but the greens were getting ariated
I love Ojai Valley!! Just a great maintained and beautiful course
March 15, 2013
Not what I had hoped for.
I booked a pre-paid time and traveled nearly 2 hrs to get to the course. Upon arrival I was told the front 9 was closed and I would be playing the back 9 twice. The driving range was also closed. None of this was indicated to me when i booked or prior to arrival, so from the start I was let down, but still excited to see the course.
The course was in pretty good shape and the greens rolled very nicely, but the course is very unspectacular from a design standpoint. Examples: holes 10 & 13 are basically the same hole; par 4's from elevated tee boxes that play slightly back uphill and are the same yardage. Nothing exciting or memorable about that hole once, let alone twice. Also, holes 11 & 16 (par 3's) while being different shots visually, require the same club and yardage- not the kind of variety I want in a top course! Third example of weak design; Hole #16 is a huge downhill par 3 with spectacular views of the mountains and the valley. Also visually interesting because you see a lot of bunkers. However, most of hose bunkers are all well short of the green and do not actually come into play. They are there for useless "effect" that I just find is a cop-out in design. That green is also essentially an island that can't be missed in any direction so it doesn't provide a player with any course management strategy.
Thankfully, I only paid $69 for this pre-paid time. I would probably have given this course 3 stars if I could've played the whole course, maybe 4 if whole course and range was open. Definitely not worth more than $69, let alone the ridiculous rates they try to charge. Do yourself a favor and go play Soule Park in Ojai for $24- overall condition not as good but the greens are great and overall design is outstanding and far more memorable.
March 13, 2013
This course is hard..........zultra fast greens!!
We played Ojai as the last stop on a Central Cali golf trip. I was expecting a whipped cream resort course and got my butt kicked.
It looks so open and docile, till you get to the greens where a well placed shot rolls towards the pin, then fails to stop and keeps on running to end up way further than you can imagine. Its a real beauty with lots of oaks, views of the Ojai foothills and exceptionally friendly staff. It feels like country club experience.
Hi handicappers bring your "A" game and a joint. Scratch guys, just bring your crying towel.
February 26, 2013
unbelievably slow play
Great course but awful to play (3hrs front, 21/2 hrs back). No ranger to be seen. Called the pro shop but nothing happened.
February 20, 2013
Friendly, well maintained, challenging.
You cannot ask for more beautiful scenery. All staff are very helpful and friendly. The course has an interesting layout and the greens are well kept. A great place to relax and enjoy the great game of golf.
February 18, 2013
Ojai - Drive, Team & Conditions a Winner
The effort made to get to Ojai is fairly significant. A windy road up the mountains from Santa Barbara which will require your full attention. Beautiful scenery all along the way and the little town of Ojai is quaint. The Resort is sprawling and a tad difficult to navigate around for your first time. The Team is exceptional, everyone friendly and the Golf Course was excellent. Greens rolling true and well maintained given the early February time period. Don't miss lunch at the Pub. Good feeling overall and only I missed was wishing I had booked my hotel stays there as well.
February 9, 2013
This course has plenty hidden features
This course was well maintained, with plenty of sand, water, and trees, with elevated tees to right to left doglegs. The staff at pro shop was not to be expected being a previous five diamond resort and spa, a lot of the ammenidies of the past years is no longer available or simply not offered. During my round of golf, myself and four other carts had to be towed back to pro shop because of inadiquite charging. I still recommend this course to all simply for the sheer beauty of the setting, landscape, and course design.
January 31, 2013
Great course with awesome features
Beautiful course in great condition. The most high-tech cart-mounted GPS system I've seen. Great times with great friends without the hassle of a crowded golf course.
January 8, 2013
One of the best courses in California
Play it from the tips and be very challenged. It has, in the past, hosted the Seniors and unless you're on the Tour, it will be a test - and a fair one. Bring all of your shot-shapes as there is no dominant bend.
December 29, 2012
Great Course and fun to play!
Greens, fairways, rough, sandtraps, everything was in great shape. This is a must play for any avid golfer. I live in AZ now but whenever I come into town, I always make plans to play it.
December 2, 2012
Super Friendly Staff, Course So So...
As I only paid $69 to play this course, it is hard to legitimately critique my experience. However, that being said, here goes. The staff at Ojai Valley was spectacular. They could not have been more hospitable. The course however, was average + at best. The fairways were very thin resulting in EVERY shot leaving a clump of mud on my ball. I suppose I could have played clean and place. I overheard someone saying that the course was being overseeded. If so, that would explain a lot. Greens were in good shape and challenging.
I dont often play in Santa Barbara so I dont know what a typical green fee is, but I doubt I would ever pay the regular rack rate at Ojai Valley.
Many thanks to Golfnow.com for the opportunity to play a new course at an affordable rate!
November 27, 2012
Challenging course with fabulous scenery
I bought the pre-paid rounds at GolfNow for $59 and that is a great deal. Since it was pre-paid, the rain did not deter me, but took away from what could have been a perfect day of golf. The staff inside is OK, but the staff working outside (starter) is exceptionally cordial and accommodating. Ask and you shall receive. The course is not long, but don't let that fool you into thinking you will easily score well. Direction is important, but placement is key, whether into the fairways or greens. The course was soggy that day, but obviously meticulusly maintained. The finishing holes are as difficult as it gets and drop dead gorgeous!
November 19, 2012
A great test of golf; extremely fun to play this old gem!
Course was over seeding fairways and green surrounds. They offered an $89 green fee instead of the $180 rack rate. Even with the over seed the course was in great condition. The greens were excellent running about 9-10 on the Stimpmeter. When over seeded areas grow in the course condition will be excellent.
November 13, 2012
The course was great to play and enjoyed the day
The greens and fairway were great and I enjoyed the day. The course is great and got a great deal on the green fees price on Golfnow. I would recommend you check discount sites for cheaper green-fees before paying the usual amount . I would also recommend that you send a weekend at the resort, its a great place just to chill and catch-up with the one you love.
November 2, 2012
A REAL HIDDEN TREASURE !!
THE COURSE WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE, THE GREENS WERE SO PURE AND THE FACILITY WAS WAY ABOVE BOARD TO MAKE YOUR DAY LIKE HEAVEN !!
October 18, 2012
Greens are the stars
I realized by hole 3 that this was going to be a course that was all about positioning - and that the greens were going to be pristine all day long. As good as the greens are - and they are really good; true, fast (probably rolling 11,) - the rest of the course was surprisingly "municipal." Bunkers were shaggy and unraked, grass was growing in on the edges, fairways were sparse and had serious growth problems in spots. I got several really bad lies in the fairways because there just wasn't enough grass. The ball ended up on hardpan with tufts of grass behind or in front. Most of the tee-boxes were pure dirt with little, if any, spare grass growth. Many of the tees look as if they may have recently been re-seeded, so this is perhaps being addressed.
On consecutive, short par-4's (6 & 7), there are tree limbs hanging over the fairway about 70 yds off the tee that force you to hit a punch iron shot to get the ball out there in the fairway. Perhaps interesting on 1 hole, but 2 in a row? Seems more like cutbacks in the tree-trimming budget than the architect's design. A strong finish, as holes 14-18 are the class of the course.
When I arrived, there was no one at the bag drop area, so I unloaded my own clubs, chose a cart, and strapped them on myself before parking my car 300 yards away. Again when I left, there was no guest service staff to take my cart, clean my clubs or drive me to my car. Seems there have been staff cutbacks, which is understandable. For as few people on the course as there were, I also thought it was strange to only see the beverage cart 1 time during my entire round. She came by while I was on the 9th green. I asked if I'd see her again on the back-9 because I knew I'd want a drink later. She said yes, but I never saw her again. The starter was very friendly and accommodating.
Overall, a solid course, but the only spectacular feature is the greens. If you're a high-handicapper, the chipping and putting could be frustrating.
October 16, 2012
Best course in Ventura County
This course was absolutely awesome!!!! The entire course was perfect. Couldn't believe the price I got through GolfNow.com. This was the third time I've used GolfNow, but by far the best deal ever. I will continue to use GolfNow in the future!!!!
October 10, 2012
Deserves it's reputation
The course was wonderful. The staff was so welcoming. You would have thought you were a VIP and not there at a discounted round. It was a super day.
October 5, 2012
Very nice course, scenic
Helpful staff. Usually in very good condition. Par 3s are very difficult from back tees.
September 26, 2012
Great Value, worth the drive. Beautiful setting.
Did not play on the 20th due to course maintainance.. Have played several times previously. Always in good shape. A pleasure to play. During the week, early is best. Not crowded.
September 26, 2012