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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
414 Reviews (414)
5 Stars
94
4 Stars
180
3 Stars
90
2 Stars
29
1 Stars
21
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.9
Layout
3.8
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.5
81.0%
Recommend this course
339 out of 414 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.3
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.3
Value
2.9
Layout
3.8
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
3.6
68.8%
Recommend this course
11 out of 16 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
60 Reviews (60)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
21
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.8
Layout
3.9
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.1
78.3%
Recommend this course
47 out of 60 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Par 72
Length 6628 yards
Slope 116
Rating 70.5
Book a Tee Time at
Balboa Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1954
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Steve Timm (2008) William P. Bell (1954)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $11 - $18
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper attire is required.

Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

3.8
414 Reviews (414)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 209
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Top 50 Contributor
Previously Played

Maintenance is lax

Why do maintenance neglect Hole 3??? It’s always in the worst shape. The first fairway bunker on the left is NOT a bunker any more, it has overgrowth and hasn’t been maintained in months, it seems. But it’s still a hole. What are we supposed to do with it? And then as you approach the green, they haven’t figured out how to maintain the dirt patch to the left of the green where rule-breaking lazy cart drivers have literally TRASHED the area because they just barge through the ropes and tear up the area with the carts even though it’s already just dirt. Why don’t they just block that area off completely with more stakes and ropes and force people to drive around it. I don’t get it. We pay good money for the whole course, they should maintain this Hole just like the rest of the course. It’s a total disgrace.

And there are other areas like this that are starting to get bare and ripped apart by cart drivers who just don’t care. They drive on the tee boxes and park their carts 5 feet from greens and just rip the course apart. And then they wonder why the course is in such bad shape.

Sad. But that’s why culture.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 81
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Always a good time at Balboa

Love this track. Lots of fun, pretty wide open but has its challenges. Greens were rolling great! Fairways a little yellow due to the drought but they were great to hit off. Looking forward to coming back soon.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 258
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 52
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Weather was perfect

Fairways were kinda bare in some spots

Greens were in decent condition

Fun day with friends

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 32
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice valley muni

Played Balboa for the first time in years. The layout is still nice as I recall. Wide fairways, decent greens, and good distance. Fairways could have been in better condition, but I have seen worse. Staff was friendly at pro shop and snack bar. Nice range and practice facility. Overall, a good muni.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 12
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Fun course, but limited on-course amenities.

The Balboa Encino complex features two longer tracks that ask every shot. From a golf perspective, it's good value for city courses. However, golfers should know that Balboa specifically does not turn back to the clubhouse until after 18 so it's important to load up on waters, gatorades, drinks, and food BEFORE the round or you might get into trouble fast out there, especially if it's hot. I'm not sure if they have a cart person on the weekends but I've never seen them if they do.

But again, from a pure golf perspective the short range, putting and courses are fun! But just be careful, health-wise when it's hot and prepare in advance for a long round.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The course was unusually quiet probably because of the heatwave we completed in 3.5 hours. Greens were in great shape but surprisingly slow. No complaints, always a good choice.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Balboa

Course is in rough condition, greens need to be cut, and tee boxes are just gross, not worth $60 at any time in the day.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Average public course

Sketchy condition. Good pace of play. Food was good. Should have either a halfway house or cart with refreshments. The vending machine were locked. Lots of Canadian geese poop.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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Monarch Beach Resort Stay & Play Package

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ORANGE COUNTY, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Nigel, the Montage Laguna Beach, or the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and golf at Monarch Beach Golf Links.

The Lodge At Torrey Pines Stay & Play Package

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LA JOLLA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Torrey Pines and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Torrey Pines – South Course and Torrey Pines – North Course.

The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

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PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Palm Mountain Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, Indian Canyons – North Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package

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PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.
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