Ojai Valley Inn
A view from Ojai Valley Inn.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
995 Reviews (995)
5 Stars
679
4 Stars
212
3 Stars
68
2 Stars
21
1 Stars
15
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
88.7%
Recommend this course
918 out of 995 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
19 Reviews (19)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
89.5%
Recommend this course
17 out of 19 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
44 Reviews (44)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.7
86.4%
Recommend this course
38 out of 44 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Ojai Valley Inn's course consistently earns high marks for immaculate conditions, fast sloping greens, and a strategically varied layout that challenges golfers of all levels. Welcoming staff, excellent amenities, and strong value through GolfNow make this resort course a standout booking.

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
995 Reviews (995)

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

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Beautiful Scenery - Check the forecast

This was my first time playing the course. It was absolutely beautiful. One thing I did not do is check the weather and was not prepared for the temperature in the triple digits(106-109 F degrees). I will definitely play again in the cooler season.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Some good, some very bad

While the staff is friendly, the service was embarrassing at the turn...I purchased some beverages for the back 9 (it was a very hot day) and asked for a bag of ice for them...They gave me a SMALL PAPER BAG with about 10 small ice cubes..weird...

I have never seen greens in worse condition than this place..and I’m talking the worst greens I’ve ever seen.

This course is pretty expensive especially compared to Soule Park right next door which is very inexpensive and very well kept (and super fun)...

I’m sorry but I was very disappointed with Ojai Valley golf. Just not worth it. Lesson learned

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
Previously Played

Wait until greens are fixed

They unfortunately have a major problem with their greens right now. Someone apparently used the wrong chemical on them and there are patches of dead grass on most of the greens. The rest of the course is great and it is well worth playing...just give it some time for repair.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
1.0
First Time Playing

Great Day, but the greens

I have been wanting to play this course and want to to give it a great review, but after really thinking about it... it’s just not worth it. This is the second time that I’ve been stiffed on this app, but this time paying a premium green fee for a course with multiple greens needing serious attention, really just hurts.

It’s a stunning resort and the service is a resort golf experience that is top notch. Although, when you come to play and pay... it’s about the course and a big part comes down to the greens.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Chiming in on the Greens, and Current course conditions

As others have noted, the greens are rough, including several on the front nine that are almost unplayable. They've been given a "skin graft" of new turf and it hasn't grown in yet. All of the greens, including the seemingly less infected or unaffected ones on the back nine, are much slower than normal, likely because of a recent top dressing and run-over with that machine that cuts the turf for maintenance. So I would have been bummed if I had paid anywhere near full price for my round. This issue will likely be resolved over time as they are obviously trying to fix them.

This the first time I'd played the course in almost 20 years. I had remembered it as a classic test of golf in fine condition. As of now, be it Covid or other issues, that isn't really the case. On the plus side, I was the only one on the front nine when I played - literally only me, one person. So having a beautiful course to oneself in beautiful Ojai on a Summer's day was pretty ideal. Maybe cashflow has something to do with the not tip-top condition. Not sure why they wouldn't reduce rates to encourage more play. Twice as many people paying half as much is the same, isn't it? Maybe they want to keep people off while it heals.

The fairways and surroundings, while certainly adequate, were not as lush and nice as I remembered. Seemed to be watering less. The front nine has many short holes with blind shots over various ravines to small greens. Didn't like it as much as I remembered. The back nine has about six outstanding holes - some of the nicest in Socal for interest, design, and scenic beauty. They obviously were done at a later time by a different architect than the front. I could have spent all day on the back. In general, the design retains some of its historic interest, but the course layout, in terms of rough, trees, traps, obstacles etc. seems to have been dumbed down a little for resort players.

I drove up to Ojai as an end-of-summer treat. While I was disappointed in the conditions, the fact that I was basically out there by myself in beautiful Ojai, cart and all the free range balls you can hit (off grass) included, made it still a great day.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Greens are in rough shape. They know, and are working on it.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Lack of full disclosure

Things happen, I get that, but to not be transparent about it is UNACCEPTABLE!

When I arrived at the course and dropped my bag off, no notice about course conditions being poor. When I went to the pro shop and paid for my round, no conversation by staff about poor course conditions.

When I was putting my clubs on the cart, someone came up and complained to the starter about the greens. When I inquired as to what was wrong, I was then told that the greens were damaged due to unforseen issues while spraying them. It's likely that two to three greens will need to be totally replaced.

Why wasn't I informed about this before I paid for my round!? Because they were afraid I would not pay to play. This is just poor customer service! I will not play there again. They are dishonest.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The greens were the worst I’ve ever played in 30 years. The sad thing is that they know people will come there but they’re advised by management not to let them know upon booking the status of the greens. The greens are in the worst shape ever they should not even allow people to play on them. And the rate is not worth it at all with the greens in that condition.

Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played

Greens Are Atrocious Right Now

Don’t play until “greens” are fixed. I grew up in Ojai, played it today (8-8) with my Dad and Brother who have played it multiple times and we’ve never seen anything close to this terrible of conditions. There’s mud, holes, dead grass, visible sod patches with bumpy seams on probably 15 of 18 greens. Great resort, great service, generally a beautiful course but not now unfortunately.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Horrible, horrible greens

This venerable old classic course has always been a nice once in a while mix into the year. Although redesigned over the years, the original Thomas design dominates. Small greens, sloped back to front carefully protectd by bunkers. The course plays up and down, so many elevated ted shots and greens.

Unfortunately, the wonderful design, nice staff and lovely setting were ruined by the dark cloud of severely damaged greens. Really, they are unplayable and in normal times, the resort should close and rebuild a solid 8 or 9 of them. Some sort of fungus damage has 30-60% of many surfaces utterly lacking any grass. Chipshots would kick sideways when the ball landed in the holes and putting was really just a joke. Auto two-putt rule is required

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The greens are all burned out ! To charge even more to cover their Covid is ridiculous!

I love the Ojai Valley course but the greens are all burned out !

They are charging more on their rates to make up for Covid-19 ! They should reduce them in half

or at least instruct the player the greens are in disarray!!

I’ll be happy to come back in a couple of months but the course will have to heal first !!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Don't play until greens are healed

Fantastic course, I've played it many times. Unfortunately the greens are suffering from disease and most are unplayable. I wouldn't play for free right now with the greens in this condition.

.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens were terrible and no one let the players know

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens were a disaster

Beautiful golf gourse but the conditions of the greens, particularly, on the front 9, were in the worst condition of any greens I've ever played. The course should have made this clear before asking for the high-end grens fees they charge. Hate to leave a negative review but this was unacceptable.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Greens /putting greens

They have no putting greens at all! The one in front of JImmys Pub is history .. the other is closed big problems .The front nine there are 5 greens with issues thee rest are super slow and very wet we had to take a two putt rule under these conditions. Too bad as they had some of the best greens in the County.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Ojai Valley Inn

This is a great resort golf course. I had a blast. The front nine is very different than the back nine. The front is more of a links style of course, while the back is wide-open, very much a resort golf feel. The greens were in terrible conditions on a couple of the holes on the front nine. Other then that, I thoroughly enjoyed playing this course.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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