Played Encino for the first time in many months on Thurs 8/7. First group out at 5:55a, and was paired with 3 other singles who were super nice. Course conditions are really nice for Encino right no... Continue »

Played Encino for the first time in many months on Thurs 8/7. First group out at 5:55a, and was paired with 3 other singles who were super nice. Course conditions are really nice for Encino right now. The highlight is the greens, which are exceptionally smooth, very few ball marks and you can make a lot of putts. They look a little slow and spongy, but they were actually faster than they look so it took me a couple holes to adjust. The fairways are pretty good, and may get a little worse as the heat really comes on, but totally playable and if you're not a stickler for rules, you can always find a nice patch of fairway if you end up in a rough spot. Bunkers were a little hit and miss -- one looked completely unraked for weeks and more like the beach -- but fine for a muni. The rough is almost non-existent and not very penal, at least in spots where I ended up. I recommend getting out there now if you can before it gets too hot and baked out.

Out Thursday 7/31 with a 1:55 start joining a pair and another single. We picked up another single around the third hole and continued as a five-some with no negative impact. It was a congenial group.... Continue »

Out Thursday 7/31 with a 1:55 start joining a pair and another single. We picked up another single around the third hole and continued as a five-some with no negative impact. It was a congenial group. The course was overall solid muni conditions. Tees are generally level with coverage and room to move around. I was in at least one tight, dry, patch in a fairway but really they were mostly fine with decent lies. The rough varies but is mostly grass fairway-adjacent, and usually easy to recover from. A little more offline and the tree line will come into play and demand some punch shots. I was in one bunker and while some grooming would have been nice, the sand quality was good. Green surrounds were generally good for short game. The greens themselves were clean with minimal pitch marks, probably running on the slow side of medium. From previous experience, I was expecting a bit quicker and I never really got comfortable with the pace, either leaving putts and chips way short of overcompensating and blowing by. Really my failure to adapt and the greens are in good shape. The practice green was consistent with them, I didn't spend enough time there. It was warm but not oppressive with a light breeze. Not as hot as I thought it might be, this is a good walking course. I rode but three others walked with no issue. Pace was right around 4.5 hrs. A couple choke points but mostly a steady pace. No one in sight behind us by the 18th which surprised me. Solid muni experience and so far holding up through a summer that really hasn't scorched us yet. Good times.

From 7/1 Played Encino again, she is the old reliable call! Got to Encino Golf Course for a fun T-Tuesday afternoon round of golf. The course was in reasonable to good condition for a high traf... Continue »

From 7/1 Played Encino again, she is the old reliable call! Got to Encino Golf Course for a fun T-Tuesday afternoon round of golf. The course was in reasonable to good condition for a high traffic muni. However, it was showing some signs from the recent heat wave, as fairway grass in some areas was yellowing and becoming inconsistent. Pace of play was around 4.25 hours. I note the following conditions: Tee Boxes: Not too good but not brutal. Could use more leveling in some tees. Fairways: Green and defined from rough. Condition average for a Muni. Greens: Green, slow to medium in speed, with softness. Speed about a 9ish. Condition average for a Muni. Sand: Bunkers were OK in some areas, and other in other areas were not maintained and hard packed. Condition average for a Muni. Rough: maintained and defined, about 3 – 5 inches. Condition average for a Muni. Again enjoyed this course! The design is flat but strong if playing from the tips. This course is a another go-to that I always enjoy playing. Food was again good at their restaurant!

From 6/14 Played Encino and avoided roits! Got to Encino Golf Course for a fun Saturday morning round of golf. The course was in reasonable to good condition for a high traffic muni. Pace of pla... Continue »

From 6/14 Played Encino and avoided roits! Got to Encino Golf Course for a fun Saturday morning round of golf. The course was in reasonable to good condition for a high traffic muni. Pace of play was around 4.33 hours. I note the following conditions: Tee Boxes: Not too good but not brutal. Could use more leveling in some tees. Fairways: Green and defined from rough. Condition average for a Muni. Greens: Green, slow to medium in speed, with softness. Speed about a 9ish. Condition average for a Muni. Sand: Bunkers were OK in some areas, and other in other areas were not maintained and hard packed. Condition average for a Muni. Rough: maintained and defined, about 3 – 5 inches. Condition average for a Muni. Again enjoyed this course! The design is flat but strong if playing from the tips. This course is a another go-to that I always enjoy playing. Food is very good at their restaurant!

Had a fun foursome out at Encino this past week and got absolutely hammered by the heat being far too dumb to actually try and walk it. Not smart! I ended up having to jump into my friend's cart aroun... Continue »

Had a fun foursome out at Encino this past week and got absolutely hammered by the heat being far too dumb to actually try and walk it. Not smart! I ended up having to jump into my friend's cart around the 14th hole as I was getting dizzy in spells.

Price is always right at the Encino/Balboa complex and this day was no different, but we also had (for the first time I can ever remember) cart service riding around with drinks and snacks - color me shocked! POP was very good for the day apart from the always crowded par 3 15th hole that always jams up.

Course conditions were mostly average to good with the highlights being the greens. They are in good shape, run smooth and medium-fast - no complaints at all. The fairways are a little burned out to be honest, but not terrible. Rough is very manageable and wont' get you into too much trouble. Bunkers were a little on the thin side but playable, while the tee boxes (we played the blue tees) were serviceable - far from pristine but flat and decently covered.

This course won't win any beauty pageants anytime soon but it gets the job done every time.

From 5/14


Back at Old Encino!


Got out onto Encino Golf Course for a fun afternoon round.


I note the course was in reasonable to good condition for a high traffic muni. Pace of play w... Continue »

From 5/14


Back at Old Encino!


Got out onto Encino Golf Course for a fun afternoon round.


I note the course was in reasonable to good condition for a high traffic muni. Pace of play was around 4.0 hours. I note the following conditions:


Tee Boxes: Not too good but not brutal. Could use more leveling in some tees.


Fairways: Green and defined from rough. Condition average for a Muni.


Greens: Green, slow in speed, with softness. Speed about a 9. Condition average for a Muni.


Sand: Bunkers were OK in some areas, and other in other areas were not maintained and hard packed. Condition average for a Muni.


Rough: maintained and defined, about 3 – 5 inches. Condition average for a Muni.


Again enjoyed this course. The design is flat but strong if playing from the tips. This course is a go-to that I always seem to enjoy.

Went out Friday 11/8 @1:25 as a single joining another single and twosome. Played the whites. Teeing grounds are not problem here. The fairways, even when the coverage is good, tend to be a riot of va... Continue »

Went out Friday 11/8 @1:25 as a single joining another single and twosome. Played the whites. Teeing grounds are not problem here. The fairways, even when the coverage is good, tend to be a riot of various grass colors, patterns and species that can still offer a good hitting surface. Currently it tends towards tight grass areas mixed in with stretches resembling dried river bottom with little matting and the odd dirt stretch. A poster child for muni golf. Despite that, and the fact that I may have moved my ball in the fairway at least once to get some grass under it, most of the time I didn't find it an issue and the lies were playable. But then, I have a shallow swing with little divot. So now you are forewarned, although there is the bonus of some extra rollout if you play here. I have long passed from "easy" to flat out "golf slut", so I was OK with it and enjoyed the round as far as we got. Rough was short and not a factor, and I missed the bunkers so no comment there. Greens were actually in pretty good shape and reasonably quick. The real drawback for me was that the pace was slow — we were on a five hour pace with under 4.5 hrs of light. We managed to get through the 14th before knocking off. I don't get over here often so I can't say I'll be back soon, but would still play it again without much hesitation but also without any illusions. So not necessarily a recommendation, but a nod to golfers like me who are willing to happily play a little dirty. Epilogue: The others were in carts and departed as I started hoofing back from the 14th in the gloom. Checked my bag and confirmed i had working glow balls, so angled over to the 18th to play my way in what was now complete dark. Making out enough silhouette to know where the middle of the fairway was, a decent driver and two 5-woods left me somewhere in the right rough about 100 yds out, under an overhanging tree. The distance was a pure guess, the green location was suggested by some glare from lights near the clubhouse and the pin was invisible. Fourth shot was a punched five iron that rolled nicely and settled in what seemed like the front of the green, with the hope of being on. The glowing ball was easy to see but I had to get to within about ten feet to even see the red pin — and my ball a foot from the cup. Knocked it in for one of the more unexpected pars I've ever scored. A little thrill/satisfaction as compensation for the holes I didn't get to play.

Played today, Sat 8/3, knowing what to expect from a course that was underwater a good bit of the winter.
As expected, fairways were not great: Mixture of some grass, many bare spots, weeds and rare... Continue »

Played today, Sat 8/3, knowing what to expect from a course that was underwater a good bit of the winter.
As expected, fairways were not great: Mixture of some grass, many bare spots, weeds and rarely a good lie.
Rough could be thick or non-existent.
Greens were nice, in good shape and soft.
Bunkers were ok, but some have grass growing in them. I saw piles of sand so maybe they are getting ready to work on them.
Range balls were good, the staff I interacted were nice. There was a Marshal and a beverage cart.
It is still a fun track to play with friends.

From 7/29


Really enjoyed Encino! Did not see Encino Man.


Got out Monday morning onto Encino Golf Course and glad I did so. Will not go into course design details as such are noted in prio... Continue »

From 7/29


Really enjoyed Encino! Did not see Encino Man.


Got out Monday morning onto Encino Golf Course and glad I did so. Will not go into course design details as such are noted in prior reviews.


I note the course was not in top tier condition as such has been battling the Summer Heatwave, but was still in reasonably good playing condition given the climate. Pace of play was around 4.0 hours. I note the following conditions:


Tee Boxes: Level and mixed with green. Limited bare spots noted. Condition average for a Muni.


Fairways: Green and defined from rough. Condition average for a Muni.


Greens: Green, slow in speed, with softness. Speed about a 10. Condition average for a Muni.


Sand: Bunkers were OK in some areas, and other in other areas were not maintained as grass was growing. Condition below average for a Muni.


Rough: maintained and defined, about 3 – 5 inches. Condition average for a Muni.


Really enjoyed this course as the design is flat but strong if playing from the tips. This course is a go-to that I always seem to enjoy. Despite the heat, the course was still doing fairly good. If looking for an enjoyable round of golf in the SF Valley, this is great place to play. And try to the Club Sandwich after your round, it is so good.