Played Olivas early this morning, actually we were the second group out. The course is in magnificent shape. The fairways were lush like carpet. I was in one bunker and the sand was medium fine, ea... Continue »

Played Olivas early this morning, actually we were the second group out. The course is in magnificent shape. The fairways were lush like carpet. I was in one bunker and the sand was medium fine, easy to get your club thru. The greens were the best I’ve seen on a Southern California public course. Played in 3 hours and 45 minutes. By the time we finished, course was getting busy. It was too early for any cart person so can’t comment on that. All in all a fantastic morning to escape the heat and play a well manicured course.

Time flies. It’s already been a week since our GK Plays Olivas Links outing. What a fun afternoon in Ventura. So great to see many GKers (old faces and new). Appreciate all the reviews that have been ... Continue »

Time flies. It’s already been a week since our GK Plays Olivas Links outing. What a fun afternoon in Ventura. So great to see many GKers (old faces and new). Appreciate all the reviews that have been posted. I was very happy with how the outing worked out. Nice to have the option of walking or riding given how walk-able Olivas Links is with a mostly flat layout and ocean climate. The golf course was in excellent condition and I think they knew we were coming given those tough pin placements! – LOL. Love this golf course and the staff was laid back friendly/professional as expected. Despite no clubhouse and limited food/drink, our outing embraced the casual vibe and had a super time hanging out outside after golf. The place is pure golf IMO with simple accommodations and that’s just fine for an outing like ours. We’ll be back for sure. Highly Recommended. Check out the photos I posted here and in our outing recap forum post. Thanks again to everyone that came out, Olivas Links for hosting and our outing sponsors Linksoul and Golf Moose for the prizes :)

Played here with the GK crew. Let's start with the negative. Course put a long drive contest on a par 4 into the wind. Wasn't ready for that.

On to the positives. What a gem. I didn't know wh... Continue »

Played here with the GK crew. Let's start with the negative. Course put a long drive contest on a par 4 into the wind. Wasn't ready for that.

On to the positives. What a gem. I didn't know what to expect going in, leaving this will be one of my top courses when I can drive more than 15 minutes to play. It seems like it will always have a cool ocean breeze. Hopefully I can get some tee times.

Greens were great. Fairways were great. Some patchiness in the rough, rarely too penal. Play was a little slow, we finished in 5 hours, but didn't wait too much. Just long with half or more people walking.

Can't wait to visit again.

I'm a little late to the party on this one but i've been on the road for a few days. I played at the GK event here last Sunday with Tony,Greg and Kevin. We had a great time and really enjoyed the cour... Continue »

I'm a little late to the party on this one but i've been on the road for a few days. I played at the GK event here last Sunday with Tony,Greg and Kevin. We had a great time and really enjoyed the course and each others company.Not much to add as to the conditions of the course.Everyone else has been spot on with their reviews. Thanks to Johnny for setting this up.
Really wish this was not so far from home so I could play it on a regular basis.

Finished my SoCal golf orgy with the GK Plays on Sunday, 6/6. As with every GK event I've played, it was a fun round with John, Elijah, and Andrew. Olivas definitely plays to the environment, with ove... Continue »

Finished my SoCal golf orgy with the GK Plays on Sunday, 6/6. As with every GK event I've played, it was a fun round with John, Elijah, and Andrew. Olivas definitely plays to the environment, with overcast skies and a strong onshore breeze. While trees are not usually on "links" courses, they fit in here, offering a bit of challenge on drives and approach shots. I find it incredible this is a city owned course. Absolutely great conditions and a tough test. Whoever set the holes in the morning had a rough night and took it out on us, Sunday tournament pins all day, very challenging.

Tee boxes were mostly leveled with little amount of divots. Fairways were lush with no thin areas. Bunkers were filled with beach like sand that fits the area. Rough was gradual, thinner and more natural as you leave the fairways. Greens were incredible, very undulating, and medium speed. I would be scared if they got them rolling faster.

I haven't played Olivas in 10 years and had few memories, but wow, what a course. I can see why it gets so much play compared to others in the area. While the course may need a real clubhouse, I rather they pump the money into the course. If I was a local, I would love the course and can handle sitting outside after the round, enjoying a cold adult beverage.

Joined other GKers for a GK Plays here 6/6/21, teeing off in the first group at 1:30pm. We were behind a couple groups of what looked like beginners, so the front nine moved very slowly, getting some ... Continue »

Joined other GKers for a GK Plays here 6/6/21, teeing off in the first group at 1:30pm. We were behind a couple groups of what looked like beginners, so the front nine moved very slowly, getting some relief when one of those groups quit after #9 (or maybe it was just the #9 green design and the front-nine pin locations!).

Weather conditions were what I think is typical at Olivas in the summer – partly sunny and mild, a steady ocean breeze, and cooling off quickly as coastal clouds roll in late afternoon. We found the course to be in wonderful condition. Greens were excellent, holding shots and rolling nicely at medium+ speed. Fairway lies were great. Rough was variable and if you got too far afield it could be bare, thin, patchy, or impossible to find. I think our group was only in 1 bunker all day. Tees were fine.

With the SoCal drought condition and a dry summer in sight, it’s unlikely the wetlands and lakes on the course will see much water soon. I’ve seen Olivas much tougher on offline shots with real water hazards and juicy rough that is tough to recover from. Always enjoy playing here and wish it was closer to Orange County.

First timer here, came to see what Olivas is all about. No better way than join the GK outing. Brought Jim and Vic, and I matched up with the dconnally. The course is a gem, everything other than the ... Continue »

First timer here, came to see what Olivas is all about. No better way than join the GK outing. Brought Jim and Vic, and I matched up with the dconnally. The course is a gem, everything other than the course has very few frills, it's all about the course here.
I agree with the other recent reviews.
There's a good blend of holes and challenges. The fairways reward you for finding them. The greens are good and no push over, especially with tougher pin placements like we saw. I try to avoid bunkers, and they are well placed here. The areas around greens are cut just right for chips, pitches and flops.
We enjoyed our round, the outing and my match. Recommended.

Played in the final group of Sunday’s GK Plays, walking in about 4:45. Good times with Andrew, Gary and Kevin. Thank you Johnny and all the sponsors for another first-class event. Good to see a bunch ... Continue »

Played in the final group of Sunday’s GK Plays, walking in about 4:45. Good times with Andrew, Gary and Kevin. Thank you Johnny and all the sponsors for another first-class event. Good to see a bunch of GKers I hadn’t seen for a while.

Course conditions are excellent. Greens are mostly smooth (a few putts bounced in our group), medium fast, and medium firmness. Full shots released just a bit for me before stopping. Fairways are excellent, great coverage and a terrific playing surface. Rough seems more like a mix of grasses and varying depths, which determines how penal it is. Regardless, it was in good condition as well. I was in one bunker and it didn’t seem people had been raking it earlier in the day, but the sand was good quality. Blue tee boxes were great.

I love this course more and more every time I play it. Just wished I lived closer. Get out there if you do!

I played in the foursome with Gary and Andrew so there is little I can add in terms of detail about the course conditions in general. The consensus seems to be that the greens were on the quicker side... Continue »

I played in the foursome with Gary and Andrew so there is little I can add in terms of detail about the course conditions in general. The consensus seems to be that the greens were on the quicker side of medium and I agree with that — a pace with which I'm normally comfortable. I did feel it worth mentioning the practice green, as clean and spacious as it is, I found pretty quick. Consequently it had me calibrated for a whole different level of pace when I got on the course and to an extent it stuck with me through the round. Not a complaint, but something that one might want to be aware of when anticipating and trying to dial one's touch pre-round. Some courses match up well with their practice greens more than others and its good to be aware of where it falls on the spectrum. I have only played the course a few times in its current layout. I lived in Ventura for a while years go when I played it in its original configuration. To say the redesign is improvement is an understatement and I have found the course growing on me each time I play it. In addition to the conditioning, there is a nice blend of visual interest, challenge and options that keep your interest without unduly forcing the issue. It is playable on first exposure but definitely rewards local knowledge. As I think of it now, there is a Rustic Canyon-esque quality to the strategizing, even as they have very different micro-climate characters. I like that many of the holes reveal themselves as you play them rather than seeing it all in a straight shot. It doesn't hurt that it is a pretty easy course to walk without it feeling overly flat or monotonous. Very reasonably priced for what it offers, I wish it was a little closer.