Having just played Balboa last Sunday I wasn't expecting to be at this complex so soon, but I scored a rare single spot on Friday 4/16 at 3:35 on about a days notice. I had taken note of the GK aerati... Continue »

Having just played Balboa last Sunday I wasn't expecting to be at this complex so soon, but I scored a rare single spot on Friday 4/16 at 3:35 on about a days notice. I had taken note of the GK aeration notification of about nine days previous, but decided to go anyway and work on other aspects of my game. So there I was teeing of on Encino with another single and twosome. In short, it was better than expected. The teeing grounds were all level and in good shape with more than adequate coverage. Fairways were a step up from Balboa. The grass was more consistent as to type and coverage, offering better, not so tight lies as Balboa and an overall healthier look. Still some decent runout. Rough was more distinct from the fairway here although most of the time not punitive. I was in one fairway bunker on the corner of #14 and found it in good, playable condition. The green side areas were in decent shape and reasonably consistent for short game. The greens themselves were a pleasant surprise. Yes, the waffle pattern of sand filled holes was still evident, but the pace was a good medium, the lines were surprisingly true and there were few instances of any hops in the rolls. I was prepared to bang away on velcro and instead found the surface playable and consistent and had a pretty good putting day. I'd play them again tomorrow, but give them a week and they should be very nice even if there are still visual traces. The group was very pleasant socially and with similar playing skills. The group and course pace moved along well at just a little over four hours and we finished 18 as the light and depth perception were fading. Encino is the bigger brother of the two courses with a few hundred more yards of length. Per my recent review, Balboa is definitely playable, but Encino generally seems to be the better maintained of the two, particularly as to the fairways. Both are generally flat and very walkable. With the qualifier that the greens are recovering, I still recommend the course as in good shape. While it had no impact on my review, I just remembered and had to mention I got out walking for a Senior Twilight rate of $12.50. A ridiculous deal.