001: Encinitas Ranch
No better place to kick off Project Kikuyu than our local Encinitas Ranch. A familiar track known by many as E-Ranch, Enci Ranch, Easy Ranch, or just Enci. It’s always a fun 18 if you can snag a tee time. Encinitas Ranch is a favorite in our golf group chat and holds a special place in my golf game, as it’s where I shot my career low of 70 (-2). At just 1.2 miles away—usually via e-bike—Encinitas Ranch is my home course and my go-to spot for a quick lunch break bucket or a summer 9-hole loop.
Known for its forgiving fairways and peek-a-boo views of the Pacific, Encinitas Ranch has become one of San Diego’s most popular courses. Most single-handicap golfers would call it “gettable” thanks to its wide fairways and minimal rough. Fully tipped out at 6,500 yards, the course offers little trouble off the tee and very fair approach shots, even if you’re out of position. The greens, which usually roll at about a 10 on the stimpmeter, are relatively flat and make for an enjoyable day from tee to green.
I’d consider holes 4 through 8 to be the best stretch on the property, as they embrace the Encinitas Ranch canyons, creating fun shots and great views. Holes 4 and 5 both leave you with a flip wedge into elevated greens with slight false fronts. A tee shot that’s too long can result in a blind wedge shot from 70–100 yards on these shorter par 4s. Hole 7 climbs back up along Quail Gardens Drive, overlooking the previous two holes, and offers fantastic views of the coastal horizon on a clear day. This short par 4 features a blind tee shot requiring a 190-yard ball favoring the right side of the fairway—but no more than 220 yards, or the fairway narrows, bringing the canyon into play. The downhill and downwind approach shot into the La Costa valley typically plays 10–15 yards shorter, making it a quirky yet enjoyable golf hole.
The number 1 handicap hole, the eighth, is easily the best hole on the property. The back tees are tucked behind the 7th green, overlooking a canyon (or barranca) that creates a risk-reward tee shot. The farther left you aim, the longer the forced carry becomes, but it leaves a shorter shot into the green. Playing slightly into the breeze, aiming at the middle bunker in the distance calls for a 240-yard tee ball, while a 275-yard shot puts you in the bunker. Taking it farther left brings the canyon brush into play, creating a demanding tee shot. Even with an ideal drive, your approach can still range from 155 to 180 yards, slightly uphill. Overall, the 8th at Encinitas is a fantastic birdie opportunity and a genuinely fun hole.
The back nine is also “gettable,” with standout holes like 13 and 17. Hole 13 is a fun dogleg right that requires a well-placed tee shot. Hitting it too far up the right risks landing in the ice plant lining the pond or being blocked out by two eucalyptus trees.
The 17th hole is where personal bests often meet their end. This is the longest par 3, playing 180–185 yards into a breeze, with a hazard lurking to the right of the green.
Encinitas Ranch is always a joy to play, offering great weather, beautiful views, and straightforward golf holes. For those who’ve played here, you know how breathtaking the summer sunsets on the back nine can be, providing the perfect end to a round.
Cheers,
Hewgss