Wanted to get one last round in before being likely shelved for the next month or so due to some medical issues, so got a late afternoon tee time on Saturday at Balboa, hoping for a nice, easy round t... Continue »

Wanted to get one last round in before being likely shelved for the next month or so due to some medical issues, so got a late afternoon tee time on Saturday at Balboa, hoping for a nice, easy round to take into my hiatus. I was a bit surprised by the $64 greens fee with cart, but wasn't about to make a stink.

The course itself is pretty basic and straightforward with no water hazards or much in the way of danger, but it's got a few narrow fairways and doglegs, but mostly you're competing against the conditions. The fairways are not terrible, but there's a heck of a lot of thin out there so you better be hitting your ball crisply. Rough is totally playable and often preferable, especially when chipping around the greens.

Speaking of the greens, they were a little on the slow side but rolled just fine and held shots well. The only real perplexing green was the 16th that was half covered in large aerification punched holes and lots of sand all over. It was the only one so that was quite odd. I was also in two bunkers that were okay, not great but not terrible, and the tee boxes were a little dodgy in spots with coverage but all flat and workable.

No cart service at all which seems like a lost opportunity on a busy Saturday, and even more important on Balboa as you do not return anywhere near the snack shop or starter when you make the turn. Basically you're on your own out there! POP was actually a nice surprise though as we finished in just under four and a half hours. Not too shabby at all on a gorgeous SoCal late summer day.

I generally prefer to play Encino of the two tracks at Sepulveda Basin, but every so often it's nice to play Balboa for a different feel. It's a good confidence course but definitely not in its absolute best shape right now.