Ojai Valley Inn
A view from Ojai Valley Inn.
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4.5
985 Reviews (985)
5 Stars
673
4 Stars
210
3 Stars
66
2 Stars
21
1 Stars
15
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.6
90.5%
Recommend this course
910 out of 985 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
14 Reviews (14)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.4
85.7%
Recommend this course
12 out of 14 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
59 Reviews (59)
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.6
88.1%
Recommend this course
52 out of 59 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 70
Length 6252 yards
Slope 131
Rating 71.0

Opened in 1923, Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course is one of California's first great courses. Over the decades that the course has been open, it has hosted a number of professional players and celebrities ranging from Arnold Palmer to Will Smith. George C. Thomas, Jr., who created the Riviera, collaborated with Billy Bell to design the original golf course but Jay Morrish made the layout considerably more challenging with renovations in 1988. Ten years later, two holes from the original Thomas/Bell layout that were lost during a redesign following WWII were completely restored and incorporated into the layout. The challenging golf course is very narrow in some spots and it features undulating greens that putt fast and true. The layout is not particularly long but it requires accuracy and proper club selection in order to score well.

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Course Details

Year Built 1923
Fairways Kikuyu Grass
Greens Kikuyu Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect George C. Thomas, Jr. (1923) William P. Bell (1923) Jay Morrish (1988)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

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

Available Facilities

Meeting Facilities, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Spa, Locker Rooms

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Tennis

Accolades

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Reviews

4.5
985 Reviews (985)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 51
Patio Dining 44
Brunch 25
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 66
Bunkers 56
Forced Carries 53
This course/club is great for:
A Weekend Splurge 56
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 56
Advanced Golfers 44
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 68
Worth the Drive 67
Convenient to the City 12

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great old school track. Have to be a shot maker and also handle the difficult greens.

It’s worth the hundred bucks.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

This course is challenging.

Challenging course. Have played it over the years and we still enjoy coming back to play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Love this course

Always enjoy playing Ojai Valley but it is too expensive to play on a regular basis, so I appreciate when GolfPass offers reduced rates when the course isn't busy. It's one of the best golf courses on the central coast and is maintained beautifully.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Perry Wander loves Ojai Valley Inn

Quintessential private country club experience available to the public. Historic golf course! Designed and originally built in 1923 under the direction of George C. Thomas, Jr. and Billy Bell, the course was hailed as "a marvel of golfing architecture." Thomas, also designed courses at the Riviera, Bel-Air and Los Angeles country clubs! Need I say more!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

My husband and I enjoyed playing and would definitely come back again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Front 9 was good, Back 9 was awesome!

On the front nine, some fairways and rough areas could use some work as well as the greens (many were softer and slower than the rest of the course). The back 9 was immaculate and felt like I was playing on TV. Hole 16 is one of my favorite three holes I have ever played. Overall, the course is a great design and is difficult despite the short overall yardage. The course also has very comfortable golf carts. Will definitely be back soon!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Perry Wander loves the staff and course

From the moment you enter into the gates you know you’re in for a special afternoon. This course full of history doesn’t disappoint shot making is at a premium rather than distance. The cart girl seems to appear whenever you need her and grabbing a snack at Libbys or Jimmy’s Pub Is always a great break after 9 holes.Book a massage afterwards in the spa and dinner at Olivella And you have as close to a private country club experience as you can find anywhere all in the beautiful Ojai Valley surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Had to cancel tee time when I was involved in a fender bender accident on my way to the course. Course rating is based on previous rounds played there.

Played On
Reviews 1
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
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Absolutely beautiful

Great golf course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Badly run or something else?

Badly run or something else?

So I convinced a buddy to drive 1h 45m to play Ojai Valley Ranch Golf course. High hopes. Beautiful day. Grounds immaculate. Saturday April 10. Golf and the Masters. Perfect.

The round was ok except for very slow play on the back nine. There was a fast foursome in front of us on the front nine but on 10 a twosome appeared after we took a WC break on the turn.. The twosome must have searched for balls on every hole often twice on the same hole.. Of course they played from the tips.. No marshals seen which would have helped at least some of the overtime looking for balls.

Except for the slow play we enjoyed the round and talked about returning with our wives for an extended stay. The golf staff was awesome and even offered us some bottled water while we watched a few minutes of the Masters before heading out to eat.

But the “what just happened” event was our 19th hole experience at Jimmy’s sports bar.

We went to the sports bar to watch the Masters. It’s Saturday at 245p. Moving day. The bar was empty and we were seated promptly. We noted that the TVs were tuned to the golf channel and not the Masters. I went to the bar to ask the bartender to change the channel to CBS for the Masters live broadcast.

This is where it got weird.

The nice woman behind the bar said sure and started to reach under the bar but a coworker standing a few feet to her right (later we got his name-Joe) signaled her with his hand, palms down waving side to side briefly. She immediately back pedaled and said “let me ask”.

Bad juju. But I felt watching the Masters was more important and waited. Joe came over to an ordering tablet next to our table. He did not say anything. He stood there at a slight angle to us such that he can see us on his right and I can see his hands and the tablet. He did not touch the tablet. It was like he was standing by and monitoring us. A minute later a woman who was not wearing an apron (she seemed to be the shift leader) came over, stood between us and Joe and said the Masters broadcast didn’t start until 3pm. She didn’t introduce herself. I said no it’s on now and showed her that we were watching it live on YouTube TV. She walked back behind the bar for a minute or so. I did not see Joe standing there anymore. When she came back she said that they don’t have access to CBS in their bar account. (?). We told her we were watching CBS at the pro shop and aren’t they on the same “resort feed? She said she will call and check. She left and after 10 minutes did not return.

At this point we asked for the bill (10$ for 2 diet Coke’s from the tap), paid and left. As we were walking out we noticed Joe standing-by outside and we asked for his name.

Very odd. Jimmy’s sports Bar is on the resort with presumably the same cable coverage s the pro shop. It is 20 feet away from the 13th tee. It is Masters weekend afternoon. The default TV channel should be CBS.

I hope it is true they have a different feed from the golf shop since an alternative reason is worse.

We are Asians.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
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