I played Olivas yesterday morning as the first stop of my golf weekend in the Ventura area. I got out there super early and they let me go right out. I was paired with two other singles and we were se... Continue »

I played Olivas yesterday morning as the first stop of my golf weekend in the Ventura area. I got out there super early and they let me go right out. I was paired with two other singles and we were second off the tee behind another twosome. So the pace was great with nobody pushing from behind and a fast group staying plenty ahead of us.

It was my first time playing the course. I thought it was decent overall. I wasn't blown away by it, but it's a nice clean links layout. I thought the back nine was definitely more interesting than the front as it winds through some wetlands areas and brings more trees and hazards into play. Only real complaint would be the smells we encountered throughout much of the front nine. I guess a sewage treatment plant is nearby and, for whatever reason, it was especially strong yesterday morning. It was tough to breathe at times. Not sure if I just got a bad day or what, but it was unpleasant to say the least.

The conditions were very nice from tee to green. The grass is pretty green, fairways are very good surface to hit from and greens were consistent speeds—running medium fast. In the morning, the greens were still pretty soft, as well, so very receptive on approach shots. There were a number of little GUR areas in the fairways all marked off, which shows the course is doing its best to help any bad spots recover.

Overall, a pretty nice course and a good change of pace with the links design elements. Seemed a little expensive for what it is ($59 to walk on a Saturday, and it is a nice easy course to walk). Not bad, but there are other places I'd rather play for the price.

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews

Tee Time- Friday, June 1, 245
Weather- Overcast, Fog, Cool, Breezy(10-15 mph, Gusts of 20)
Green Fee- 36$. It was well worth it. Would play here for 36 all the time
Tees- Blues
Pros- Tee Boxes a... Continue »

Tee Time- Friday, June 1, 245
Weather- Overcast, Fog, Cool, Breezy(10-15 mph, Gusts of 20)
Green Fee- 36$. It was well worth it. Would play here for 36 all the time
Tees- Blues
Pros- Tee Boxes are amazing. Perfect. Fairways are nice and green. This place will get firm in the next 90 days and the whole golf course will change. I personally like this condition the best and the weather was right for my liking on this course. The softer conditions set up well for the layout. Finally, the greens were pretty good and rollable. Not a ton of bumps and putts were doing all the right things. Not Immaculate though.
Cons- The rough at this course is totally different than any other local course. Hitting it in the rough is a total coin flip. Some areas have fescue and tall Kakua(Sp?) grass and other places the rough is short and playable. In the fescue, you can't even play. Anybody who knows me as a golfer knows I take pride in playing from anywhere and trying anything. I took an unplayable because it was truly unplayable. The rough is not really a con, but the inconsistency is tough. I like this course, but truthfully, its not that tough a track and I will continue to play here but the track layout doesn't challenge much.

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews

I played here on Friday, June 1, with Fireballa24. Cool and cloudy conditions with a sea breeze blowing in about 10 to 15 m.p.h. In general, the course is in outstanding condition. Lush conditions fro... Continue »

I played here on Friday, June 1, with Fireballa24. Cool and cloudy conditions with a sea breeze blowing in about 10 to 15 m.p.h. In general, the course is in outstanding condition. Lush conditions from tee to green. The blue tees were close to pristine on most holes. The fairways were as green as I have ever seen them; I know in the summer it can get a little thin and brown at times (I am not sure why). Rough was lush and cut to about an inch. Balls hit on or near the fairway almost always were great lies and sitting up. The native areas are always crappy; it's best to stay out of there but sometimes you can find your ball in a decent lie. Bunkers were good; clean sand, nicely raked for the most part. Greens were medium fast, a little firm, and lacking any severe ball marks. Great afternoon rate at $36 after 1:00.

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews

the greens were a bit bumpy...the fairways were being cut again...the best grass is on the tee boxes...they need that in the fairways...a nice track but needs some work on the grass..i thought thy aer... Continue »

the greens were a bit bumpy...the fairways were being cut again...the best grass is on the tee boxes...they need that in the fairways...a nice track but needs some work on the grass..i thought thy aerated just a month ago and now seems to be working on problem areas?

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews

Played on 5/11/12. It's been about 6 months since I played this course. Tee box were in real good shape, and the fairway was in good condition. Some of the rough grew a lot from the last time I played... Continue »

Played on 5/11/12. It's been about 6 months since I played this course. Tee box were in real good shape, and the fairway was in good condition. Some of the rough grew a lot from the last time I played, which made it difficult to chop out of the link style rough. The greens held shots well, but it was slow. I think the greens were the slowest that I've experienced in the 6 to 7 rounds played on this course. The gusting 10+ mph winds made the course challenging. Hole 14 seemed like it was 600+ yards with that wind! Enjoyed a nice afternoon round, and will definitely come back.

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews

played today 5-11 afternoon. Course is in good shape. Fairways are firm, bunker has sand in them, and the black tee boxes is immaculate. Greens are alittle slow and grainy for my taste, but they were ... Continue »

played today 5-11 afternoon. Course is in good shape. Fairways are firm, bunker has sand in them, and the black tee boxes is immaculate. Greens are alittle slow and grainy for my taste, but they were consistent. Saw the cart girl couple of times during the round and saw numerous water coolers around the course. Pace of play was excellent for a friday afternoon(4 hours).

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews

Played Monday 4/30 with three buddies 2nd twilight group out. Fairways becoming even more lush and in good shape. Tees lush, sand white beach sand in great shape. Tees and fairways really rounding int... Continue »

Played Monday 4/30 with three buddies 2nd twilight group out. Fairways becoming even more lush and in good shape. Tees lush, sand white beach sand in great shape. Tees and fairways really rounding into great summer shape. Greens still have poa creeping into them and still putt slow for this golfer. Not in bad shape but I would like to see a better roll. Some of the deep stuff off the fairways has grown even more since the last time I was out here. Great practice facility, friendly staff and a great twilight rate....we had a great time...

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews

Played in a GK North Match Event against Longball here with a couple other of the greenskeeper guys. What a match! I read Longball's review and I agree that in a month or so this course is gonna be... Continue »

Played in a GK North Match Event against Longball here with a couple other of the greenskeeper guys. What a match! I read Longball's review and I agree that in a month or so this course is gonna be a treat, but I was met with modest conditions yesterday, 3/20. The course still had hardpan fairways in general with thick vegetation for rough. They have always told me what they are going for in image from the first time I played here a couple years ago and I believe they will get there when this course fully matures. This course is only 4+ years old and will grow into a beast if they can keep the vegetation growing large just off the fairways. Finally, lets chat greens. I found the greens a bit lackluster. The greens rolled fairly smooth but had some heavy feet in front of us. The poa greens get gnarly in the afternoon and we experienced it. They are punching in a week and I can see why. They were slow and need of some turnover. Longball and I both had problems with distance because of the inconsistency. Anyways, overall not a bad track. Love it here. Will play again with hopefully better conditions for the flat stick.

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews

Played in the Season 3 GK match event this afternoon 3/19 at 1pm with Fireballa, Larrytee and Kviser. 4 hr 10 minute pace, typical Ventura afternoon sea breeze 10-15mph and it was cold today. Fairways... Continue »

Played in the Season 3 GK match event this afternoon 3/19 at 1pm with Fireballa, Larrytee and Kviser. 4 hr 10 minute pace, typical Ventura afternoon sea breeze 10-15mph and it was cold today. Fairways are in average shape with some hardpan areas and some nice areas. Give these fairways another month or so and they should perk up in beautiful shape. The greens were firm chipping wise and rolled decent putting wise. Some poa to deal with but for the most part I would call them in average shape. I know they are doing maintenance on them soon. Tees nice and level and sand in great shape(was in two bunkers on #17 and #18). For $26 bucks walking during the week still a good deal for what you get. This is a spring and summer course so you can expect better conditions in the next several months. Great back nine that will challenge you and a tough hole in #6 that is a blast to play.

Olivas Links Golf Course Review
Ventura California Golf Course Reviews