runningpie

Played here for the first time this week, in hot weather with fire in the air. Course is not long, but would be tough to walk in hot weather with lots of up and downs, especially on back nine. People were doing it though. Must have been carrying a lot of water. The course is literally on Elkins Ranch, hence the name. The plan is to plow it all under soon and plant avocado toast, I mean trees. Well worth coming and playing it before it disappears. Its nothing fancy but its pretty unique in SoCal. It feels like a classic country course w/o complicated architectural design or pedigree, like you might see in other parts of the country away from cookie cutter resort courses. Even the grass is different - no Kikuyu. I hit a shot out of clover. Felt bad for the grass. Its surrounded by orchards and holes go along and up and down the adjacent hills. There are a few ponds that can catch a ball, particular on the back nine. Holes on the back have some nice views out over the valley. Feels kind of stuck in time in this agricultural area, even though it is so close to the burbs. Nice to play in the evening which culminates in a pretty sunset. Also a pretty drive to Fillmore from other parts of SoCal. Just beware the heat. Compared to the local competition the green fees are a titch high, so search for a deal. Otherwise I would play here more often.

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.

This is a nice course along the river - Neighbors with Los Olivas and River Ridge. Of the three this is in the best condition, but is also the easiest layout. For an average golfer or short hitter it is a fun layout with plenty of different challenges. For a low handicapper and/or long hitter you might get a little bored. I kept thinking my mom would love it here, but for me it wasn't quite challenging enough. The par fives are really par fours. Some of the par fours are really par threes. Bring your lob wedge. Pace of play was not great either, especially if you are waiting to get on the par 5s in 2 and to drive several of the par 4s.

I've played Rustic for years, making it my "home course" even though it was a bit of a drive from home. I've always loved the natural layout (unique for courses in our area, except maybe Olivas) and beautiful, low key nature of the place. It offers a low handicapper plenty of challenge from the back tees, unlike many of the shorter courses in the area. The course is still much as it has been, but with Covid and increased play it has become crowded, and relatively expensive. I rarely find a combination of fair rate and available t-time, and when I do go there, pace of play is extremely slow. I've driven to the course a couple times since the pandemic crush and decided not to play because of the back-up on the front nine. I guess I'll have to wait until things calm down before I return with regularity. The course is more fun to play in winter anyway when the surrounding canyons are green and full of wild flowers. Still if you're willing to wait, its one of the nicer public courses in SoCal.

I hesitate to write this because I don't want it to be crowded but Camarillo Springs is the current sweet spot in my area for a good enough course at a good enough price. With the pandemic many of my usual haunts are too pricey or too crowded or both. I've ended up here. It's a nice layout - 16 good holes + 2 boring par 3s. Not in the greatest shape but good enough around the greens and down the fairways to not drive you nuts. Pleasant environment with the coastal weather and sort of marshy, farm field adjacent atmosphere. Wind plays a big part in your strategy. The course has struggled in recent years, but with current level of play they are watering and things are "good enough." The rough is Kikayou - when watered the same as Riviera country club. You have to develop a strategy for getting out of it - not necessarily grabbing the sand wedge like most courses. I enjoy playing here, often in under 4 hours for 18, walking.

Lindero is some respects a "goat track," but in other respects perfect. Just depends what you are looking for. It is much busier than normal now because of the pandemic, and full of "newbies," so thought I'd write a review so people know what they are getting into if they make the drive.

I live a mile from the course and play it regularly with my son. It is a perfect place to hit a bucket, or play nine, or even six, or six twice (the layout is split between six holes by club house and three across the street). The fairways and greens are in reasonably ok condition. Greens are very slow, but at least green. The rough areas can be like an expedition into the wilds of gophers and ground squirrels, or ducks and geese depending on the hole. The maintenance on the course is minimal, and the heavy play recently is starting to take a toll, especially on tee boxes.

The layout is actually pretty nice. Holes 1,2 and 9 are straightforward short par 3s. Hole 3 is a legit nice par 3 almost 200 yards. Hole 4 is a par 4 that you can gamble for the green in attempt to birdie, with the possibility of hitting it in the stream. Holes 5,6 are legit medium par 3s with interesting shots into greens across water. Hole 7 is an actual par 4 with a small landing area for drive. Hole is in pretty bad shape. Hole 8 is a nice par 3 over water with a newish green. Holes 7,8,9 (across road) are not as well maintained as 1-6. The club also allows foot golf and the holes run through a middle class neighborhood, so there are often "bogies" walking on the course with their dogs, et.al., especially in evenings.

All in all its a pleasant place, especially good for kids and beginners, but "normal" golfers can still have fun and get around quickly if you want to get in a quick round without high expectations.

Enjoyed playing here for the first time. Glad I was with some regulars as yardages are poorly marked and there are some tricky holes. Overall the layout is challenging and fun. Four sets of tees to pick difficulty. Enough length to keep you interested. The weather in Camarillo is usually very pleasant. The scenery on the course is nice. The course maintenance is not great, but its not so bad as to keep me from coming back. Greens rolled pretty well. Fairways were decent. Pace of play was surprisingly good, considering the number of people out. Played in 4:15. The course was rough around the edges, but considering the bargain price I'd come back in a heart beat.