Two buddies and a single joined me for a 2:10 tee off on Saturday, 7.18. I had not been to Encino in many years and was curious to revisit it. The most recent review was positive but a bit dated so I ... Continue »

Two buddies and a single joined me for a 2:10 tee off on Saturday, 7.18. I had not been to Encino in many years and was curious to revisit it. The most recent review was positive but a bit dated so I was hoping it would hold up. I actually had my start time wrong and so arrived a couple hours early. Fortunately, the range was open, but every-other-stall. The matts were in good shape and there was grass covering the target area which surprised me because it was pretty much just hard dirt back in the day. I had time to kill, but because of the lack of spaces, there was waiting to get a station. Check-in was smooth and Covid-spaced with no congestion or delay on the first tee. Two of us walked, carts and hand trolleys were available. As to the course, I was not disappointed as conditions were better than any from my recollection. There seems to be a current effort keep this place greener and better maintained. Tees were generally level with good coverage. It is worth noting that the course has length, tees here include a black set and there is a real separation in the tee yardages between all the monuments — consistently more than I'm used to seeing. The fairways had the occasional drier, thinner patch, but these were minor exceptions to an overall nicely green surface that offered good lies and some runout. Rough was mostly green and cut to where it was not overly punitive. Bunkers were not groomed but not bad on average as to playability. The grass around the greens was healthy and appropriately cut, with wider than average fringes and the caveat that it is kikuyu. Greens were pretty clean, receptive and rolling about a medium pace. Quicker would have been nice, but they were consistent, pretty true, and enjoyable. We were not the fastest group, losing touch with the group ahead, but only getting pressure from the following group middle of the front nine and the last few holes — finished in about 4.5 hrs. Senior discount walking, I got out for $26. The course is generally flat and good for walking, long but reasonably forgiving in it's wide, tree lined fairways. Strategically, mostly straight ahead muni golf, but a nice setting in good condition. Temps were warm but the breeze kept it reasonable, and by the time we sat down for a beer afterwards (yes, bar still open for patio drinking at 6:45!) the lowering temperature and sun made for a really nice, comfortable post round chat. Weird things were going on with my swing and I didn't play particularly well, but I still had a good time and no regrets for my choice — rather, a nice, fatigued sense of having had an afternoon well spent. Recommended.

played this course yesterday and it was in very good shape. its a different world out there, must wear a mask at all times, must make reservations online or phone, earliest you can go out is the time ... Continue »

played this course yesterday and it was in very good shape. its a different world out there, must wear a mask at all times, must make reservations online or phone, earliest you can go out is the time you reserved, no getting there early and going out, starter will call to the tee box, flags must remain in the hole at all times, stay socially distant. The tee boxes were in the best shape I've ever seen them and fairways were very good too, no bare spots. The greens were running slow and the sandtraps were ok, but there are no rakes so you may get a bad lie. Overall, I think this course is well worth the price.

Got to play a recent twilight round at Encino and found the course to be in good winter condition overall, but have seen it better not that long ago. Greens are in very nice shape and much faster than... Continue »

Got to play a recent twilight round at Encino and found the course to be in good winter condition overall, but have seen it better not that long ago. Greens are in very nice shape and much faster than you would expect. Definitely the highlight of the round.

Fairways and rough are winter thin. You're not going to get any lush lies here at this time, and even semi-lush is a big win at present. But it's not terrible, just not as good as it's been or could be. Rough is pretty much the same as the regular cut grass.

Tee boxes are worn and in need of leveling in some places, while the bunkers were serviceable on most of the ones I played. Not enough players raking the bunkers though, which is always upsetting.

Had a great POP which was nice, and the new GPS in the carts is basic, but appreciated. For $32, it's a great deal and a worthwhile place to stretch the legs and work on the basics. The course is flat, straight ahead and somewhat 'uninspiring,' but it's got teeth in its length and nice greens to keep you focused.

Teed off as a threesome on Monday morning at Encino and completed the round in 4 hours total. Pace of play was just fine. Right now Encino is in full winter condition. The greens and greenside bunkers... Continue »

Teed off as a threesome on Monday morning at Encino and completed the round in 4 hours total. Pace of play was just fine. Right now Encino is in full winter condition. The greens and greenside bunkers are in very nice shape, the rest of the course is in poor condition.

Teeboxes have many bare areas and a lot of hardpan - 3/10
Fairways are very thin with many bare spots, and hard with lots of roll - 4/10
Rough is very inconsistent, but mostly sparse grass and hard - 4/10
Greenside bunkers have plenty of good quality sand - 7/10
Greens are medium fast, smooth, firm. Didn't hold approach shots very well - 7/10

Taxi!!!!! Hit a House!!!! I have never played a public course under 50$ with green speeds like they were today at Encino and Balboa. Encino? Balboa? Yes!!! For 36 holes I had 8 3 putts including many ... Continue »

Taxi!!!!! Hit a House!!!! I have never played a public course under 50$ with green speeds like they were today at Encino and Balboa. Encino? Balboa? Yes!!! For 36 holes I had 8 3 putts including many where I used a putter just off the green. Both courses humbled me today. The ground is very hard on the rest of the course. While you get a lot off roll, it is difficult to hit it crisp off of semi-hardpan to hard-pan lies. A crisp strike was necessary to hit and hold these very fast greens today. With rain in the forecast soon things should soften up a bit.

Played with my monthly group at Enicino this Saturday and found the course to be in good, not great shape overall. We had an 8:24 first tee time and it was very cold at the start, making the decision ... Continue »

Played with my monthly group at Enicino this Saturday and found the course to be in good, not great shape overall. We had an 8:24 first tee time and it was very cold at the start, making the decision to walk much easier.

If you've never played Encino (or Balboa) before, it's the true definition of 'confidence course.' A poor round here will haunt your dreams. It's straight ahead golf with only minor inconveniences along the way, with the possible exception of some length depending on if you play from the black tees. If not, take aim and let 'er rip.

Conditions are just about what you would expect for this high-traffic muni, only the greens are in better shape than you think they'll be in, rolling at medium-fast speed and actually pretty smooth in terms of ball marks. Fairways are mostly thin, but playable, and with a few lush patches. Rough is only slightly differentiated from the fairways so it's easy to manage.

Tee boxes definitely in rough shape (played the blue tees), while the bunkers were in better shape than I expected, but nothing super to write home about. Absolutely playable, though. POP was pretty good for a cold, busy Saturday but maybe that's because we were the last group out of our three. Cart service came around too so that was an unexpected surprise.

Overall, a nice time at Encino and definitely a place to go to work on just about any aspect of your game that you're struggling with. Mistakes won't be greatly penalized with all of the side-by-side fairways and ample collection areas. Take it for what it's worth and you won't be disappointed.

Hadn't played Encino for several months. With heavy winds predicted for the day, I thought I'd get a quick early round in at Encino. Our threesome walked the course in about 4 hours. Encino is a strai... Continue »

Hadn't played Encino for several months. With heavy winds predicted for the day, I thought I'd get a quick early round in at Encino. Our threesome walked the course in about 4 hours. Encino is a straight forward average municipal course. Fairly wide open with a moderate amount of trees lining the fairways.

Overall, the course is in decent muni shape. The fairways are a mix of good lies and bad. The grass is on the thin side, but decent to hit from generally. I was not in any bunkers, but my playing partners had no issues with them. The greens are in real nice shape. They are very green, smooth, and medium speed. They had minimal unrepaired ball marks for a Monday after a busy weekend.

For a walking senior rate of $20, this is a good deal. If you're looking for a stress free round to work on your game, Encino will fit the bill.

Teed off at Encino on Monday 8/26 at little after 7am. As a twosome we completed the round in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. Overall, the course is in very playable condition. Teeboxes were OK. Some of... Continue »

Teed off at Encino on Monday 8/26 at little after 7am. As a twosome we completed the round in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. Overall, the course is in very playable condition. Teeboxes were OK. Some of them were a little unlevel, and for several, it was difficult to get the tee to penetrate the ground. But not a big deal.

The fairways were in better shape that what I expected. Although there were some bare areas and thin spots, for the most part the fairways are green and pretty lush. They had a nice cushion under the ball. With a few exceptions, if you were in the fairway, you likely had a nice lie. I wasn't in any bunkers, but they looked wet and firm. The areas around the greens were usually well covered and decent to hit from. The greens were quite soft. They held shots well and rolled smoothly at about medium speed. As an inexpensive municipal golf course, the conditions make this a good deal to play.

Played Encino this morning with some buddies. Tee time was 6:35am. Beautiful morning, a little hint of breeze. POP was 3 hours, 50 minutes. Right now the fairways are cut short (also due to winter... Continue »

Played Encino this morning with some buddies. Tee time was 6:35am. Beautiful morning, a little hint of breeze. POP was 3 hours, 50 minutes. Right now the fairways are cut short (also due to winter dormant conditions) and are running fast. The greens looked faster than they were but as the day got warmer, they went from medium to medium fast. I was in one bunker that had plenty of fresh raked sand. All in all, I think Encino is in pretty decent shape and it’s always nice to get another 10 to 15 yards of roll on your drives.