These courses (Balboa Encino) are just close enough to my parents house that I don't quite go crazy sitting in traffic going to or from them. I have really enjoyed playing here on and off for the last several years. The greens, like now are in good shape. They are not fast. Balboa right now may be slightly faster than Encino. I rarely hit a bump on the green or find a bad lie i... » More

These courses (Balboa Encino) are just close enough to my parents house that I don't quite go crazy sitting in traffic going to or from them. I have really enjoyed playing here on and off for the last several years. The greens, like now are in good shape. They are not fast. Balboa right now may be slightly faster than Encino. I rarely hit a bump on the green or find a bad lie in the fairway. It is easy to get out as a single. They have replay rates. The driving range is much much improved compared to about 2 years ago. They have an extensive chipping area and nice putting green. Even though both courses boast easy layouts you still have to golf your ball to score well.
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Rode the Blues (6751/72.7/138) in 4.5H mid day on a GN Hot Deal. Matched up with Dave, Nick and Greg, very fun group to play with! Partly cloudy, windy and around 75 made for some challenging conditions.

The tees were semi lush, but some could use leveling. Every par 3 needed divot attention.

The fairways have a few brown spots but play better than they look. Mo... » More

Rode the Blues (6751/72.7/138) in 4.5H mid day on a GN Hot Deal. Matched up with Dave, Nick and Greg, very fun group to play with! Partly cloudy, windy and around 75 made for some challenging conditions.

The tees were semi lush, but some could use leveling. Every par 3 needed divot attention.

The fairways have a few brown spots but play better than they look. Mostly lush poa annua, nice to play from.

The rough was mostly lush close to the fairway, thinner the farther you got from the fairway. Very playable, no longer is there the calf deep clover and wild grass from several months ago.

The sand traps had nice quality sand and were excellently maintained.

The large, undulating greens were firm, smooth, medium fast and putted great. Best greens I have putted on in awhile.

The fairways are generous in size, the rough is mostly mowed down and if you get off in the oaks it is hardpan. Hilly layout with fairways framed by oak trees. Few level lies anywhere on this course. Nice all grass driving range. Good restaurant on site. The customer service was good, right out on #1 tee at my tee time. Challenging layout in very nice condition. Highly Recommended.
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Played the Champions course today as part of a tournament. This was my first time playing the champions course which is supposedly the premier track of the two. Course was in very nice condition but I have to say that it's about the same as the legends course. Both are in nice shape.

The champions course has a number of water features which make the track fun, chal... » More

Played the Champions course today as part of a tournament. This was my first time playing the champions course which is supposedly the premier track of the two. Course was in very nice condition but I have to say that it's about the same as the legends course. Both are in nice shape.

The champions course has a number of water features which make the track fun, challenging and appealing to the eyes on what otherwise would be a boring layout. Condition wise the course was in very nice shape tee to green. Greens rolled smooth at a medium-slow pace. Greens were very receptive to holding approach shots and getting pitch shots to check up.

Fairways were rated at an 8. Not super lush like Maderas but certainly enjoyable to hit off of.
Tee boxes were level and lush. No issues. Sand in the bunkers in the morning was damp but other than that bunkers were fine.

La Costa Champions track is another quality San Diego course worth playing.
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