Ojai Valley Inn
A view from Ojai Valley Inn.
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Rating Index Rating
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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
90.1%
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
4.5
57 Reviews (57)
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.6
89.5%
Recommend this course
51 out of 57 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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Ojai Valley Inn
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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

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
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
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Buddies Getaway at OVI

Played here with 15 buddies in July. We were offered a great group rate to hold our annual "North/South" match play tournament. I will write a review that gives my honest evaluation of the course and facility:

LAYOUT: tremendous and challenging course that requires a lot of different shots. (great tip: watch the youtube videos that explain how to play each hole--truly helpful). The views are spectacular on many holes. Bring your camera phone.

CONDITIONS: really good. The greens rolled great and the fairways were well maintained (I don't know about the rough because I never hit into it :)). Sand in the bunkers was even and playable.

STAFF: I communicated with Matt Pavin for about 6 weeks ahead of our playing date, and I have to say he was awesome about staying in touch with me as the day approached. He was willing to set up closest to the pins, long drives, and even had scorecards prepared for our matches (with dots for the stroke holes--a nice touch). The valets and bar staff were awesome. If I have one tiny complain it was that we didn't see a beverage cart until the 9th tee (despite calling and asking on the 5th hole). Not a big deal, but when I did see her, she wasn't all that pleasant to our group.

OVERALL: I will definitely return to OVI to replay this great course and want to thank the staff for their personal attention and excellent golf course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

The Resort is a Zoo and Nobody Cares

I've played in Ojai quite a bit but wanted to try "The Inn" for the first time while on vacation visiting my family. I was expecting the course to be in much better shape but it was dry with weeds and dead patches on most fairways. For the first several holes there was grounds crew working with power tools on every hole. Whether they were mowing with smaller mowers around the greens, multiple larger mowers on the fairways you're driving onto or using string trimmers on either the cart path or green areas it was just a mess and impossible to concentrate with all the noise and people moving. Once through that it was relatively peaceful for a couple holes until you get through 9 and move to the back. When we arrived on 10 it was a complete joke. This was absolutely the worst experience ever on a golf course and I play a lot of golf. There was a large group (10) of half naked drunk men sitting on the bench on the tee box with their kids running around the area. Not only was this very intimidating but extremely uncomfortable. The threesome two groups in front were with the drunks and everyone was playing on the tee box. At that point they allowed the group in front of me and mine to play through. Now we're teeing off with this loud group mocking and ridiculing us as we're trying to hit the ball. It was an absolute disaster and completely ruined the day. I can't believe a course like this would allow for such behavior. I should have taken my family's advice and played down the road but who would have thought charging so much for a round they would allow such a zoo. Never again will I play this dump.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Resort Course

Enjoyed this resort course despite it being 100 degrees when we played. Pace of play was fantastic for an 8am Sat morning round. Finished in 3.5 hrs. Greens and fairways were in great shape. If you are staying at the OVI this course is a must play. GolfNow has it for cheaper than going through the resort.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
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 Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fun in the sun with my son

It was a beautiful day for golf. We started at 12:25 on the 4th of July, played the blue tees. The starter said the were a few golfers ahead of us and no one scheduled behind us. We had the course to ourselves. The course was in great shape, fairways and rough were well maintained. Greens were well kept and rolled true with some of those gentle breaking putts caused by the rolling greens. Lots of families at the Inn for the holiday. Finished the round in 3 1/2 hours. Both of us had a great time being together. The staff were all very pleasant. If you have never been, you should. A beautiful facility.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Really fun golf course

I’ve played here maybe a half dozen times in the past twenty years and as usual the golf course didn’t disappoint. The layout is great, a really nice mix of golf.with generous fairways and interesting green complexes. Course conditions, like the weather were near flawless, smooth quick greens and perfect lies in the fairways. I wish I could have stayed another day!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

My favorite California course

This course hasn’t lost its charm after 94 years. Love the layout, the staff, the surroundings and the challenge. It’s always in good shape and I never tire of bringing new friends to experience the tranquility and old school charm this course has to offer.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Classic Thomas layout

Course is not long, but will challenge even the best players. Greens are fast with subtle, hard to read breaks. Lots of elevation changes challenge club selection. Fairways are generous but big misses are severely penalized. Part 3s are challenging with many over 200 yards. If you are a fan of classic designs and want a challenge, this is a course to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The experience at Ojai Valley Inn and SUSAN a is like not other hotel. It is outstanding for n every way

It is the best experience in the West rod. Every hole is challenging but that is what make it a lot of fun.

Ojai is the best

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once 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 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Short Game Required

This classic course is not long but, it requires proper placement off the tee and good approach shots. The greens are in great shape but, have many subtle breaks. The staff is always excellent. They go out of their way to serve and make sure your experience is a good one.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Serene beauty!

Just love this course! The beauty and serenity and of course the challenge of the course make it a very special destination golf course for me.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A great experience!

I got a hot deal that was $100 off the normal price! This course was super well kept and I finished the round in just 3 hours! They give you the VIP treatment with a valet and also provide fresh fruit from nearby orchards while on the course! I will defygo back to play here the next time I’m in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

ojai valley inn

Usually the course is tougher cause the greens can run faster. Up to a 12 stimp. Beautiful location with the mountains surrounding. Very friendly staff. Carts have GPS. Range is pretty good. all the balls you want to hit.Can get very hot at times. Bring sunscreen. There is poison oak if you wander. . Lots of wildlife all over

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

The greens were in great condition 6 weeks after punched, the course is in great condition and requires player course management on some holes. Overall great place to play. Will definitely return.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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