Take a Swing at Golf

Pitch and putt, whack and chase, follow-the-little-white ball. Whatever it’s called, golfing in Ventura County can be fun, with public courses offering variety in course size and scenery.

It also can be affordable, because every public course offers discounts for people who play during the afternoon, which is easy to do in summer when darkness descends after 7 p.m.

Twilight golf, generally played between 2 p.m. and sunset, isn’t just for seasoned swingers, either.

Most public courses rent clubs, offer lessons and have driving ranges and putting greens where people can try golf for the first time or practice on a regular basis.

Club rental at most courses runs between $10 and $15 for a basic set. Buckets or bags of practice balls for the driving range generally come in three sizes--small, medium and large--and cost between $2 and $7.

“Going out to the range and swatting a few is a good way to find out if you’ll like it. I mean, even if you don’t, you’ll have some fun finding out,” said Tony Becerra, 33.

He was at the range at Olivas Park Golf Course in Ventura recently, trying to teach his girlfriend the finer points of swinging the woods and irons.

Keep the head down and eyes on the ball, he told her over and over.

Twilight golf at Olivas starts at 4 p.m. and costs $13 a round on weekdays.

Just down the street from Olivas is Buenaventura Golf Course, which offers twilight golf at 4 p.m. for $11 a round on weekdays.

Parks and recreation districts also offer golf lessons for players of all ages and skill levels, including classes for those who have never golfed.

Lessons at public courses and through recreation districts average about $30 for 45 minutes of instruction.

At Conejo Recreation & Park District, golf classes for adults and youths at Los Robles Golf Course in Thousand Oaks cost $53 for four one-hour classes.

Many of the basic skills can also be learned from friends who golf, golf books and magazines and by watching good players on television or at the range. Some sport and video stores rent golf videotapes.

More than a dozen public golf courses in the county, both nine- and 18-hole, are open from dawn until dusk 365 days a year.

Most public courses offer low rates for golfers 17 and under--sometimes as low as $5 a round--and senior rates for people over 62. Other deals are available for residents of certain cities who play at courses in their neighborhoods and for people who purchase annual play cards.

Greens fees during twilight hours average $15 per person. Those prices go up a couple of dollars on weekends. Add about another $10 for a golf cart, which at most courses is optional.

“It’s exercise if you walk,” said Jason Payne, an assistant golf professional at Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course, a sprawling, lush facility that draws players from throughout the state and country.

The course is on the high end at $65 a round for twilight golf that starts at 3 p.m., but the cost includes a cart and a free bag of range balls to hit before playing.

For people who want to save that course for a special treat, the county-run Soule Park Golf Course is also open to the public. Twilight golf starts at 2:30 p.m and costs $15 weekdays.

Golfers looking for nine-hole courses will find them at Sinaloa Golf Course in Simi Valley, Point Mugu Golf Course, Saticoy Regional Golf Course and Ozzie Osborn’s Par-3 in Santa Paula. Greens fees vary at each site but average about $10.

Simi Hills Golf Course, Mountain View Golf Course in Santa Paula and Camarillo Springs Golf Course are 18-hole courses.

At several courses, golfers can take in panoramic views of the county’s mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean and play holes that require hitting over lakes, creeks and streams.

Some courses have plenty of tall trees, narrow fairways and sand traps. Others are wide open and flat or wildly hilly.

Some courses have elevated tee boxes that require golfers to hit to fairways lined with desert brush or putting greens on islands.

The CBC Golf Course in Port Hueneme is open to the public, although players must stop at the naval base main gate and pick up a one-day pass before driving to the pro shop to pay greens fees.

Every golf course requires reservations for a tee time, but no appointment is necessary to rent or bring clubs and use a driving range.

Nearly every course also has either a snack bar or sit-down restaurant and a pro shop to purchase golf balls and tees or those stereotypical plaid pants.

One of the best cheeseburgers around is served at Elkins Ranch Golf Course in Fillmore. Monday through Saturday, twilight golf starts at 3 p.m. for $18 per player.

And one of the best deals overall is at River Ridge Golf Club in Oxnard, where any golfer 17 or under plays for $5 after 3:30 p.m. weekdays. An accompanying parent also plays for $5.

“We’re really trying to encourage young golfers to bring their mom or dad out with them,” said Otto Kanny, the facility’s general manager.

DETAILS

To make a tee time, inquire about greens fees, schedule a lesson or get an address to reach a driving range:

Buenaventura Golf Course: 642-2231

Camarillo Springs Golf Course: 484-1075

Elkins Ranch Golf Course: 524-1440

Los Robles Golf Course: 495-6171

Mountain View Golf Course: 525-1571

Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course: 646-2420

Olivas Park Golf Course: 642-4303

Ozzie Osborn’s Par-3: 933-9930

Point Mugu Golf Course: 989-7190

Port Hueneme’s CBC Golf Course: 982-2620

River Ridge Golf Club: 983-4653

Saticoy Regional Golf Course: 647-6678

Simi Hills Golf Course: 522-0803

Sinaloa Golf Course: 581-2662

Soule Park Golf Course: 646-5633

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Tip of the Week: The third annual “Art Ojai . . . Summer Stroll,” an event that allows walkers to view original artworks displayed in local galleries, shops and restaurants, will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

The art stroll route extends from the Garden Terrace Restaurant to the Ojai Valley Inn and includes paintings, photographs and other works by local and out-of-area artists. There will also be demonstrations by artists and live music by local musicians.

The event is free, and detailed maps will be handed out to each visitor. A trolley will also provide free rides along the route.

Holly J. Wolcott can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at 653-7581.