Just a heads up, the course is recovering from aeration so the greens are still a little bumpy. Probably another week or two and they'll be great. Everything else was fine for the most part.

Played today and the course is on the rough side. I like that this is a Snead and RTJ Sr. course and that always adds a little aw to it, though the conditions are often less than ideal. Don't get me wrong the rate is fair. Payed $18 to walk and I'm not bothered by that. I really just wish they kept it up a little better. The tee boxes are a mess, the fairways on the handful of par-4's were thin and patchy, and the greens were bumpy. I like the layout and that keeps me coming back, so maybe someday I'll be pleasantly surprised with some slightly better conditions.

The greens were pretty disappointing. Not because I payed an exceptional amount of money to play here, but more because the rest of the course was in good shape. Everything from the tee boxes to the bunkers and even the fairways were perfectly acceptable. The greens however were beat up and bumpy. There were dozens of pitch marks and and twice as many poorly repaired pitch marks that made the surface bumpy and inconsistent. Other than that I'm sure this place is excellent when the greens are tip top. Will likely play again after a reseeding.

Hadn't played here in a couple years because the price is usually a little too high for the quality. Found a reasonable price $39 for a noon tee time and thought I'd give them another shot. I'll be quick with it and say I wont be back again anytime soon. Unfortunately the course has gotten a little beat up for whatever reason and there is a noticeable deterioration in the upkeep. The carts that once had GPS are no more and the service is just okay (not bad by any means just eh). I just fell that for the price (usually around $50), the course could be in better shape.

Greens were okay, a little soft and bumpy but not awful or anything.
Fairways with some dead spots, uneven tee boxes.
Not the worst place to play, but again, I feel the price is too high for the quality.

I was joking around with a couple guys in my group that we needed to keep the condition of the course hush-hush from other golfers... However I feel that the GKers of San Diego deserve to know that Balboa is back up and in the best condition I have ever seen it in. Rumor has it that they brought the Head Greenskeeper over from Torrey to do a sprucing up of the property and well- he did one hell of a job. The fairways are Torrey quality. I should say they border on Tour Quality (if it wasn't for some interesting ground features that have always existed). The new sprinkler system seems to be doing the course a lot of good considering the fairways are only made better by the great rough they have been able to procure. Not crazy punishing like Torrey but still lush and abundant. Not many bare spots currently on the course. For me the real prize are the greens. Fresh off of an impeccably thorough over-seeding the greens are free of major ball marks, and smooth as can be. They played slow the day that I wen't because it's evident they are keeping them wet and healthy. Still the balled rolled beautifully. Even the traps are in great condition. Pace of play was great on a friday afternoon, but I can only imagine that will change as people start hearing the news.

For the first timer- This course is quirky. That's a nice word. I live next to it and have had the pleasure playing it many times but it still drives me crazy most days. Granted the conditions are prime and I recommend it right now- just don't come down expecting top notch service or the amenities of a nicer club. The course can play very hard or amazingly easy; It's narrow, and one hell of a walk... but the view from 12th green is fantastic.

Balboa Park Golf Course Review
San Diego Golf Course Reviews

Played this course as a Christmas gift from my girlfriend. Couldn't have played on a better day. Perfect Palm Springs weather with a slight breeze. First I will echo what others say by commending their high level of service. Everyone there was extremely courteous and welcoming and you fell like a dignitary until the moment you drive off the property. A+. Conditions on the track were perfect. The whole course is in tip-top shape. I had a lot of fun out there and would defiantly recommend it to others.