Alright so yesterday morning I hauled my golf bag into the trunk before the sun even got up properly. Coffee in hand, headed out to Balboa Park Golf Course first. Place is right smack in the city, felt kinda squeezed between buildings and roads. Parking? Tight as hell, found a spot way in the back after circling twice.
Grabbed my cart and walked over to the first tee. Sun was just peeking out, air was cool. First swing? Topped the damn ball. Second shot went better. Fairways were… okay. Not amazing, kinda patchy in spots, like they were fighting to keep the grass alive. Greens? Super slow. Felt like putting through molasses. Ball just wouldn’t roll out.
Highlight was the par 3 on the back. Water right in front, scared the crap out of me. Pulled out a 7-iron, aimed left, prayed. Ball landed just on the green, safe. Big relief. Course felt crowded though, groups stacking up by the 5th hole. Waited 10 minutes every tee shot after that. Finished sweating buckets, felt like it took forever.
Second Round Over At Encino
Drove over to Encino Golf Course after a quick sandwich. Right away? Different vibe. More trees, wider open spaces. Felt less like the city was breathing down your neck. Parking lot was bigger too, no stress finding a spot.
First tee here felt easier. Wider fairway, didn’t feel like hitting into a hallway. Grass was definitely greener, thicker. Big difference under your feet. Greens rolled true! Way faster than Balboa. Hit a putt on the first hole and actually watched it keep rolling – forgot what that looked like.
Course flowed better. Fewer bottlenecks, less waiting. The layout made more sense walking between holes, didn’t feel like you were backtracking or crammed in. Trees actually blocked some wind later too, which Balboa didn’t have. Rough was thicker though. Found it twice, hard to punch out. But felt like a proper test.
Last hole was a long par 4. Tired legs. Tried to crush the drive, faded it right. Had to chip out, then stuck a wedge close. Sank a 6-footer for bogey. Wasn’t pretty, but walked off feeling like I actually played golf.
So Which One Won Out?
For my money, for my game? Encino takes it, easy.
- Better conditions: Greener grass, smoother greens that actually rolled.
- Less hassle: More space, less waiting around staring at the group ahead.
- Felt like golf: Better layout, nice scenery, just way more enjoyable to play.
Balboa? It’s fine if you’re squeezed for time and stuck downtown. But the slow greens and the crowds? Man, they just suck the fun right out. Encino ain’t perfect, but I played faster, enjoyed it way more, and my score showed it too. Headed back there next weekend, for sure.
