Ojai Valley Inn
A view from Ojai Valley Inn.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
996 Reviews (996)
5 Stars
680
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
88.9%
Recommend this course
919 out of 996 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
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
89.5%
Recommend this course
17 out of 19 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
45 Reviews (45)
5 Stars
29
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
86.7%
Recommend this course
39 out of 45 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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.5
996 Reviews (996)

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
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Layout! I'll play this course again and often.

Excellent course, scenic surroundings and a beautiful Inn and Spa. Golf Now rate was great. Played on Sunday afternoon as a single and rarely saw other golfers. Course was in great shape and I really enjoyed the layout. Afternoon heat was probably why course had very few players. Greens were in great shape. Only hit on course was that the driving range closed at 3pm on Sunday.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Great course. Some challenging holes but overall a well laid out course. Staff was fantastic. Price paid on golf now was half the price course offered.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
2.0
First Time Playing

staffs unkind and rude

golf starter was behind building of front gate.
but no sign and asked many staffs but
no interested in guiding us to golf area but officially answered
down and corner
but it was hard to find golf starter.
rude and unkind- not recommend you definitely.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Awesome experience

Overall, one of the best in Southern California. Will be back ASAP.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Day

Fun course to play. Great pace of play. Course in very good condition. Highly recommended.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Hot Deal

The course was in perfect condition. The only problem we had was the 100+ degree temperature drained our energy by the 15th hole.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great Course and Resort

This course is phenomenal. For the mid to high handicapper this course can be challenging. Several of the holes are not forgiving, and require placement golf. However, you don't have to be the longest hitter. Even from the back tees the course is not very long at under 6300 yards. The setting has nice views of the Ojai valley surrounded by mountains all the way around. If it is warm, there is small but nice locker room for a quick shower after your round, and a close walk to Jimmy's pub. This course is a must to play.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

This course is a hidden gem

Great course, great location, great staff, however, as a resort course, the ball marks on the green are sometimes unrepaired and the bunkers are sometimes left unraked. Other than that, the course is fantastic. With windy conditions in the late afternoon, the finishing four holes at this golf course from the tips challenge all levels of golf ability. A true GEM!!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Beautiful mountain vista's

Most enjoyable round of golf. Would be much easier and more enjoyable second time around.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

COUNTRY CLUB FEEL

I was so amazed of how challenging the course was for beind a short course. Alot of doglegs, blind shots and spectacular views. I highly recommend this course, and the four cheese pizza at the bar...

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great course for the value

Course was in perfect condition. Facilities of driving range, chipping/sand area, multiple putting greens make this an outstanding resort course. Five stars all the way.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

The course has spectacular views.

The course,staff,pace,views all are well worth the money, dying to play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser

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.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

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.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

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!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Very good, but the greens were getting ariated

I love Ojai Valley!! Just a great maintained and beautiful course

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser

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.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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