Golf Course Review Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course Ojai California
Reviewed by: Burcham5, Valencia
Took the hour drive to Ojai. Today’s conditions definitely made up for yesterday at Knollwood.
Golf Playing Conditions 8.08 GREAT
Today was absolutely perfect. Yesterday we almost died from hypothermia, today high 60’s with no wind. Pace of Play (POP) a little over 4 hours only because we caught the foursome of millennials that started 4 holes ahead of us. On a side note, if you are a beginner the blue tees aren’t for you and there are others on the planet, not just you.
Back to the review, course was fantastic. Staff is top notch, best I’ve had in awhile. Course was in great shape, tee boxes level, fairways lush, sand great and greens were perfect. I would highly recommend this course and I will definitely be back. The Ventura, Santa Barbara area is really underrated as far as golf is concerned. It really is worth a golf trip if you aren’t local. Rustic Canyon, Moorpark CC, Olivas Links, Glenn Annie and Ojai are spectacular courses that won’t break the bank.
Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California
Reviewed by: GDR23, Thousand Oaks
Golf Playing Conditions 8.23 GREAT
Walked the Oak Tees this morning 11/12/2018 teeing off at 10am joined by a very nice couple. Our POP was 4 hrs 50 minutes on a holiday which wasn’t too bad. Weather was perfect around 70-75 degrees with hardly any wind. Fantastic staff here, great prices(paid $25.00) to walk and a very fun layout created by the Olympic Course architect Gil Hanse. Always a very peaceful vibe up here in Ojai with beautiful mountain backdrops.
The Review
The greens were very quick and in great shape. They were supposed to receive maintenance last week but they did not and other than 1/2 of number 1 green on the right side being punched all the greens were fast, smooth and holding irons beautifully. Staff should be commended.
Fairways are still nice and full and lush, mostly all green, no problem areas and for this late in the golf season that’s awesome.
The tees were mostly all lush, some need leveling, but for the most part great shape.
The rough was in decent shape, some lush parts and some semi-lush spots.
I was in 2 green-side bunkers and they had super soft beach sand that you really need to thump the ball to get out. All bunkers looked well maintained and raked.
Final Thoughts
You can really tell that the new management is really putting a lot of effort into the course. On number 12 just right of the green under the trees they have re-sodded a big area that used to be dirt, looks fantastic.
Golf Course Review Sandpiper Golf Course Goleta, CA
Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks
Golf Playing Conditions 7.89 GREAT
Found myself in Santa Barbara late afternoon yesterday, 10/8, so decided to swing by Sandpiper Golf Club for a late Twilight round. Beautiful weather, clear day, played as a single. Teed it up at 3:45pm. Hardly anyone out there that late. It was a surreal experience. Fabulous views. Peaceful sounds. I can’t recommend a late Twilight round at Sandpiper enough.
The Review
Golf Course conditions are very good despite very dry Summer/Fall weather the region has had. Greens in super shape despite some tiny hole venting aeration (no sand). The tiny holes did not affect the putts whatsoever. Fast, holding approach shots, running out on pitch shots and smooth. Fairways in very good shape. Firm with a good padding to the hit the ball from. Light green with occasional light brown areas. Primary rough is cut low just above fairway height. There in no longer tall secondary fescue rough, likely to conserve water so they can focus resources on the fairways, so if want to cut the corner a little bit on hole 15 go for it. Bunkers in good shape, firm but decent sand. Light brown coloring in most traps. Tee boxes in good shape. Lush, groomed with some tee boxes (played the gold tees) needing to be more level.
Finished in 3 hours. I only had to skip one hole to play through a foursome. I also had to stop playing to take a couple phone calls which resulted in 20 minute delay. Add to that I took a ton of photos which I will post some on GK this week.
Final Thoughts
Some might feel like for a golf course that expansive, and actually if you are a tri-county resident (live in Ventura, Santa Barbara or San Louis Obispo County) it’s a significant price break, that conditions should always be fantastic. I disagree. The high green fee is 100% justified by the experience of playing a very fun layout with some of the most beautiful golf course ocean views anywhere I’ve played. In addition the peaceful unique ambiance of the place is special. The stretch of holes 10 – 14 on the cliffs of the ocean is simply spectacular. Holes 5 & 6 on the front nine are also excellent ocean golf holes. You can see the ocean from almost everywhere on the golf course if you look in its direction. Just a handful of holes that are mediocre in my opinion such as 8, 9 and 15. Some might not like that 18 is par 3 but its an fantastic par 3 IMO with one the toughest greens on the golf course. I love this golf course. It’s one of my very favorites. I highly recommend it.
Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai, CA
Reviewed by: GDR23, Thousand Oaks
Playing Conditions 8.03 GREAT
Walked the Oak Tees this morning 10/8/2018 with a 7:12am tee time with my buddy RGM2525. What a great and fun round! Weather was nice at tee off low 50’s with no wind today and warming up on the back nine. We paid $28.00 walking and our POP was 3 hours 35 minutes following a nice three-some.
This is the nicest I have seen Soule Park ever. I have not played here since February and am just so impressed. They have new ownership and if you have not checked this place out you should. Right now its wall to wall green and lush with new sand in all the bunkers.
The greens are firm and mostly putting quick and smooth with just a few old ball marks present that really did not effect putting. Would say rolling close to a 10 on the stimp and in great shape. I believe they can have up to 7 different hole locations on these huge undulating Gil Hanse surfaces.
The fairways were so lush they were Palm Springs quality. Thick, lush and green with great lies.
The tees were super lush, green and mostly all level.
The only bunker I was in was fairway bunker on 9 that had perfect raked sand. All bunkers contain new sand.
Rough was mostly all lush, very few dry spots. They were mowing some of the rough down.
I heard they just had a senior qualifier tournament up here and I can see why.
Highly recommended in great shape! Wish I lived a tad closer. I will return for sure.
Walked the Orange Tees this morning 2/20/2018 at 8:40am with RGM2525, his dad Gordon and also joined by a nice single Dan from Colorado–what a enjoyable day! We had colder but beautiful weather in the high 40’s when we teed off warming up some on the back nine with maybe a club of wind on the back nine–very nice playing conditions . POP was 4 hours never really waiting that long and not really being pushed by the 3some of walkers behind us. Paid $28.00 to walk which is their standard morning rate.
The greens were rolling fairly smooth and nice with medium pace. Maybe a 9 to 9.5 on the stimp with just a few ballmarks present. I thought they were in good shape and were holding irons with spin and higher trajectory. The pin locations here on these big Gil Hanse greens make putting and chipping fun and challenging. Rated 7.5/10
The fairways for hardly any rain in the area were semi-lush providing decent lies and decent run out. Rated 7/10
The tees were mostly lush and some needed leveling. In better than average shape. Rated 7/10
The rough is dry, thin in most places with some bare spots and hardpan here and there. Rated 6/10.
Was in fairway bunker on #9 that contained just the right amount of sand for bunker shots.
FYI –this might be a permanent thing so check with the pro-shop they are now starting players on #17, then playing #18 then on to #10-16 and then #1-9 to finish up. So my tips on this site will have to be updated–Johnny might want to update the scorecard too after speaking with the pro-shop to see if this is going to be a permanent change as they had scorecards made for players with this new routing system.
Recommended.
River Ridge Golf Club Oxnard California GK Coupon & Golf Tee Time Special
Soule Park Golf Course Awarded Worth the Green Fee 2017 for Ventura County
Greenskeeper.Org “Know Before You Go®”
Congratulations to Soule Park Golf Course winning our Worth the Green Fee 2017 Award for Ventura County.
“Worth the Green Fee” is awarded to golf courses open to the public listed on Greenskeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users at providing a consistent, quality golf experience at an outstanding price.
Let’s face it, golf can be expensive. It doesn’t have to be. All you have to know is where to play to get your best value and that’s something Greenskeeper.org excels. In addition to helping golfers decide where to play their next round of golf based on reviews, ratings, and maintenance alerts, we’ve recently introduced our GK Coupons service to extend their deals directly to our golfers.
How Awards Winners Are Determined
Golf Course reviews and ratings submitted by our 70,000+ Greenskeeper.org community are tabulated over 12 months. Winners are determined for each area.
We divide awards into 11 sections — Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Palm Springs Area, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Southern California, Central California, Northern California and Southern Nevada.
Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA
Editor’s Note: Johnny GK and Greenskeeper.Org has been recognized by the California Golf Course Owners Association as Good for the Game of Golf in 2017. Shows you that both golfers and golf course operators understand the benefit of working with Greenskeeper.Org. We are the RESOURCE where avid and casual golfers come to make their decision where to play their next round. “Know Before You Go”® with Greenskeeper.Org. You’ll be glad you did.
#Recent Golf Course Review
GDR23 Posted: 12/04/17 6:56p Member Since: Mar 21, 2006 From: Thousand Oaks
Out this afternoon 12/4/2018 walking the orange tees joined by my buddy Mack and his buddy Brian and a nice single. We teed off at 11:50am 10 minutes early and finished at 4:20pm for a POP of 4 hrs 30 minutes–we played the front in 2 hrs and then had a 3 group back-up on #10 tee. Weather was beautiful maybe 1 club wind and around 70 degrees at tee off. Paid the walking twilight rate of $19.00 which considering how nice and lush the course is might be one of the best deals in Ventura County.
Golf Playing Conditions 7.29 GREAT
Soule Park should be commended on current conditions–very lush and green fairways with very little problem areas. Rated 8/10.
Greens looking and rolling beautiful. Very little to no ball marks, holding very softly on approaches and actually rolling medium to fast. In great shape. Rated 8/10.
Tees mostly level and lush–rated 7.5/10
Was not in any bunkers but they looked to be raked and in good shape.
Rough generally lush and green and in good shape. Rated 8/10.
I just love this course–especially for the rates they charge. New management is really keeping it up nicely for the start of December. Recommended.
Worth the Green Fee 2017
Find out about our other regional awardees. Click HERE.
Greenskeeper.Org Awards Top Golf Courses Worth the Green Fee 2017
Congratulations to Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course for 2016 Winner Best Playing Conditions for Ventura County.
Congratulations to all the great golf courses out there that won Best Playing Conditions for their Region. Haven’t thought of playing there? Consider this a wake up call and give their golf course a try.
Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course 2016 Winner Best Playing Conditions for Ventura County
Greenskeeper.Org “Know Before You Go®”
This year we have expanded our awards to 11 regions! @GreenskeeperOrg Winner #2016 @OjaiResort #Golf #BestPlayingConditions #Ventura #Breaking
We’ve waited all year for the results , and the results are in. Greenskeeper.org proudly presents it’s Best Playing Conditions Awards for 2016.
Not to be confused with our other award “Worth the Green Fee,” “Best Playing Conditions” is awarded to golf courses open to the public listed on Greenskeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users. These golf courses distinguish themselves by providing consistent, exceptional playing conditions.
The job of the superintendent is the life blood of the golf course industry and most important contributing factor to enjoying a golf experience. A golf course is a living, breathing organism whose health is constantly in flux. It takes enormous dedication, resources and expertise by a superintendent and their staff to provide excellent turf conditions.
Greenskeeper.org’s registered trademark and creed, “Know Before You Go”®, centers on communicating these current playing conditions. The rating system used on Greenskeeper.org is in part created by superintendents. Greenskeeper.org views it’s Best Playing Conditions Awards as it’s highest honors.
Want to treat yourself to some choice conditions? Want and experience you can remember? Consider playing at one of these great golf courses in your area.
kviser Posted: 01/13/17 8:49p Member Since: Feb 4, 2005 From: Saugus, CA
Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course Ojai California Golf Course Rating
Played today with one of my buddies, Andy, using GN, $55 at 12:10 p.m. It was kind of crowded around the first tee from about 11:30 to about 12:20, when we teed off. Maybe a lot of groups with approximately the same times, so we went out a little late. They paired another single with us at the last minute, right after we hit our tee shots. I would say it was a little disorganized around the first tee, but not a real big deal.
The course was cart path only due to a good amount of recent rains and wet turf made the course play a little longer. Most of the fairways were in great shape with only a couple of saturated areas and a good amount of turf to hit from. It’s dormant, mostly kikuyu and Bermuda grasses. Rough was cut nicely, just at about an inch and a half, with good coverage, so no issues there. Only a couple traps had standing water (12 and 13 green-side bunkers) and other than that, I would say the sand was in great shape. The greens were soft but fast enough that you had to be careful not to run putts way past. We saw the beverage cart about three times in four hours. Everybody from maintenance personnel to the pro shop and starter was very friendly and super considerate when you got over a shot.
At $55, it was a super good deal.
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Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Golf Course Hole 18 Ojai, CA
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Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Golf Course Hole 17 Tee Ojai, CA
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Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Golf Course Hole 13 Ojai, CA
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2016 Best Playing Conditions for Ventura County – Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course
JohnnyGK Posted: 10/12/16 2:51p Member Since: Dec 30, 2002 From: Westlake Village
Tee it up GK’er Review Gurus abbacat, GDR2323 and Pedro7017 at what is becoming one of my favorite golf courses in Southern California. Ojai Valley Inn is a beautiful golf experience. The surrounds and resort grounds are scenic, secluded and tranquil. The place is deep in golf history and majestic with its large mature trees. There are so many gorgeous back drops on virtually every golf shot. The golf course itself is challenging yet fair. You really need to hit the ball straight out there off the tee and then a solid iron shot or deal with the hazards, tough bunkers or when the rough is long, difficult green-side shots.
Ojai Valley Inn is in great shape. Greens running moderately fast, mostly smooth and holding shots well. Fairways lush with some dry areas and cut tight. Rough lush with some dry areas but cut down (the rough is kikuyu so be glad its cut down). Tee boxes has some recent reseeding on some of them but in general no maintenance, level and mostly lush.
As far as service, excellent. Everyone. Bag drop, proshop, attendants assisting with parking lot pick up/drop off, on course beverage (this on a late Monday afternoon). They make you feel special.
They will be aerating the greens starting 10/24 so try to play the course in the near future. However its just small holes.
Looking forward to my next round here already!
Why Did We Expand the Regions?
It’s simple. Greenskeeper.org has been growing. We expanded the number of regions because golfers like you have reported about golf course conditions of the golf courses you play. In short golfers come to us if they want informative, relevant golf course reviews and it’s all due to your, our GK Community’s, diligence. You let us know your experiences and well if we hear about it everyone else does too.
Why so Many Regions?
Golf is an experience and every experience is unique. Different golf courses offer different experiences. What we look for in golf course reviews offers a little insight into every golf course we play. Not just one point of view but many, and by providing many different points of view you get a clearer picture of what each golf course has to offer. To that end we felt it necessary to provide regions with their own highlighted golf course. Local players can enjoy the fact there is a great facility they can play just around their corner. Golfers looking to experience new golf courses can play these and experience first-hand these unique golf experiences. Put simply, we allow not just your high-end. daily fee courses to shine but the local municipal as well. They all deserve a fair shot and they all deserve to shine.
Look for additional Golf Course highlights from our Best Playing Conditions for 2016.
