Las Sendas, Why the Dislike?

Ok, after recommending Las Sendas on a few threads on here, I see that a lot of the local guys have a fairly strong dis-like for the course. Just to be straight with you guys, my father is one of the minority owners of the course ( a group of mostly Canadian guys bought it 5'sh years ago) and my place is right off of the course, so I play it all the time. I have grown to really like the course, the conditions are as good as anywhere, there is a lot of shot choice (different ways to play holes) and since the management change the service is top notch. There is also a great golf community growing at the course, some awesome informal leagues and the best member/guest tournament I've ever been involved in (brag 2014 champs).

So what I'm wondering is, what do you guys mostly dislike about the course? What would make you play it more or try it again? What would you change? Have some of the locals not played it since the course changed hands?

Let me know what you think, and this is for my personal curiosity, not for any other reason.

Thanks for reading.

Two Micky mouse Par fives, at least one Micky mouse par three... and the majority of the rest of the holes sitting on the side of a mountain. but other than that its great.

PS Dobson Ranch has the best men's club and member/guest in the valley. The Calcutta would make most players hyperventilate.

There are way, way too many courses here where you can get the desert experience with mountain views, so if you want to stand out the golf course itself needs to be special. Too many weird holes, blind shots, and an average at best layout. That's what makes it not worth the price or the trip and why everyone else here passes right over it

I personally like 'most' of the course. and I agree, since the change over there have been some great improvements,

From my experience most folks that I play with or have taken out there just do not like some of the quirky/gimmicky holes that are blind or have odd lines. The blind sections of the course(and specifically Las Sendas-not meant as a general statement) are totally unnecessary and do nothing to 'enhance' the hole.

There are some holes where they are just blah too. Just missing something if that make sense.

I know also there are many "cuts" of the fairway where the ball can/will unfairly bounce into trouble. Some of these could be softened up. Some higher HC players just can't play the course.

The par 3's pretty much suck. I don't totally mind the big uphill #11 but it could be so much better elevating the tee boxes to make it a reasonable "view" of the green and a more reasonable shot. The shorty is just bad!

I haven't played very recently, but the cleanliness of the course always bugged me too....weeds, errant bushes, etc.

One of my peeves was always the really soaked/drenched parts of the course that popped up....maybe improved since the last time.

I think the par 5 #6 should have a little better configuration. I don't play that hole bad, but it just seems that no matter what you do you are penalized or don't have a good(difficulty and quality) shot.

When it comes down to it: For the price, I would rather just go to Papago. So for me, it comes down to choice to value ratio.

Noting that you say service has improved...but in the past it was never the best. Always felt unwelcome.

I recall there used to be quite a few tournaments/events there and over the last few years I have seen zero. I am guessing a combination of above led to that as well.

Anyways...let me know if you want to play a round together now over the holidays and I would love to check it out again.

I am certainly not a local, however, my inlaws live within 5 minutes of Las Sendas and I am down at least 2 to 3 times a year and I have played it probably 10 to 12 times. I would put it in the class of some of the other "local Mesa" courses, like Red Mountain or Longbow. In my opinion better than Red Mountain, but not as good as Longbow. When I come down we like to play some of the better or more well known courses such as Southern Dunes, Troon North, etc. Sometimes when we have stuff going on, or the day I fly in or out, we will play one of these closer to home ones. Las Sendas is nice, but to me it is always so busy and a little over priced maybe. I don't mind the blind shots or the holes on the mountain, to me that is kind of interesting. The course is fine by me and I like to play it, but it is always sort of a secondary option if we don't have as much time to travel out to one of the in my opinion better options. To me its good but not great.

[quote name='Skydiver22' timestamp='1449769246' post='12703568']
Two Micky mouse Par fives, at least one Micky mouse par three... and the majority of the rest of the holes sitting on the side of a mountain. but other than that its great.

PS Dobson Ranch has the best men's club and member/guest in the valley. The Calcutta would make most players hyperventilate.
[/quote]

I agree with the Par 3 (I'm guessing you are talking about 7), they have re-shaped that green to take out some of the major slope, but I wish they would move that tee box back and up on the slope and re-do the green completely, that hole is definitely a weak spot. I disagree on the par 5's (assuming 6 and 18), both are the ultimate risk/reward holes, now yes, you do have to learn the lines off of tee, from there you are left with a short/mid iron into the green or in the desert or water. That view on the 18th teebox in the evening is unreal.

The Las Sendas member/guest is a three day quota based event, where the handicaps are controlled very closely, the Calcutta is well into the six figures. The best tournament I ever played in.

[quote name='wcb231' timestamp='1449771889' post='12703770']
There are way, way too many courses here where you can get the desert experience with mountain views, so if you want to stand out the golf course itself needs to be special. Too many weird holes, blind shots, and an average at best layout. That's what makes it not worth the price or the trip and why everyone else here passes right over it
[/quote]

I've found the price is reasonable most of the time, but yes it is a bit out of the way.

[quote name='puttnforthe8' timestamp='1449771936' post='12703776']
I personally like 'most' of the course. and I agree, since the change over there have been some great improvements,

From my experience most folks that I play with or have taken out there just do not like some of the quirky/gimmicky holes that are blind or have odd lines. The blind sections of the course(and specifically Las Sendas-not meant as a general statement) are totally unnecessary and do nothing to 'enhance' the hole.

There are some holes where they are just blah too. Just missing something if that make sense.

I know also there are many "cuts" of the fairway where the ball can/will unfairly bounce into trouble. Some of these could be softened up. Some higher HC players just can't play the course.

The par 3's pretty much suck. I don't totally mind the big uphill #11 but it could be so much better elevating the tee boxes to make it a reasonable "view" of the green and a more reasonable shot. The shorty is just bad!

I haven't played very recently, but the cleanliness of the course always bugged me too....weeds, errant bushes, etc.

One of my peeves was always the really soaked/drenched parts of the course that popped up....maybe improved since the last time.

I think the par 5 #6 should have a little better configuration. I don't play that hole bad, but it just seems that no matter what you do you are penalized or don't have a good(difficulty and quality) shot.

When it comes down to it: For the price, I would rather just go to Papago. So for me, it comes down to choice to value ratio.

Noting that you say service has improved...but in the past it was never the best. Always felt unwelcome.

I recall there used to be quite a few tournaments/events there and over the last few years I have seen zero. I am guessing a combination of above led to that as well.

Anyways...let me know if you want to play a round together now over the holidays and I would love to check it out again.
[/quote]

The par 3 - 7th is a problem hole, no doubt (look a couple posts up for my opinion on that one and #6).

The desert areas have been completely cleaned out and the course is looking much better in those areas. As far as the wet spots, I haven't noticed much but I'm sure it happens.

There are a lot of shots on the course that higher handicaps just can't produce and I don;t know what can be done about that.

The service is probably the biggest difference, huge improvement over the past.

Unfortunately I won't be down until March but I will try to remember to PM you and see if we can make it work.

I played it only once, last year. Echoing what most have said, it's not terrible but just doesn't compete with the other options out there, at least if you are coming from anywhere but the east valley. Many of the holes just felt artificial to me. In the east valley, I think Longbow is simply a much better and fairer test of golf, albeit Las Sendas has better views. Yes, it's better than Red Rocks, but to me that is not saying much. Something that hasn't been mentioned is the housing, present on most holes and in some cases pretty obtrusive. Dinosaur Mountain has better views and less housing, even though I don't care for the layout for the most part. I think its commendable that new owners have done what they can to improve the course, but it's just not going to be a destination, and when you are recommending courses to visitors it can't possibly crack the top 20, even putting value into the equation.

a personal commentary on the course is that I have never left thinking "i really/like _________", but rather "i hate/dislike _____"; so I tend to not play courses like that as often and as DS above says, would never recommend to someone coming into town.

[quote name='puttnforthe8' timestamp='1449776463' post='12704080']
a personal commentary on the course is that I have never left thinking "i really/like _________", but rather "i hate/dislike _____"; so I tend to not play courses like that as often and as DS above says, would never recommend to someone coming into town.
[/quote]

I agree with that, I can't remember anything I liked but I def remember what I don't like, all of which have been covered here. And for me, with the price being what it is and the other options available, I never really even consider LS as an option.

Haven't played there in about 5 years, but the half dozen or so rounds there prior to that we're 5 1/2 hours of waiting. Like the layout, course was in good shape, but just can't take that long to play.

Played 9 holes there with Mark Hensby about 9 or 10 years ago. Fun time.

It feels like it was just made to be hard...not fun hard but just hard. You say lots of shot choices, but I don't remember that, I remember it feeling completely forced

I honestly don't hate it, but short of somebody picking up the tab for me I wouldn't open my wallet to play it and I definately wouldn't drive out there when there are so many courses I like within a same or smaller radius. If I was out there I would play longbow every time instead of Las Sendas.

[quote name='drake47' timestamp='1449768039' post='12703438']Ok, after recommending Las Sendas on a few threads on here, I see that a lot of the local guys have a fairly strong dis-like for the course. Just to be straight with you guys, my father is one of the minority owners of the course ( a group of mostly Canadian guys bought it 5'sh years ago) and my place is right off of the course, so I play it all the time. I have grown to really like the course, the conditions are as good as anywhere, there is a lot of shot choice (different ways to play holes) and since the management change the service is top notch. There is also a great golf community growing at the course, some awesome informal leagues and the best member/guest tournament I've ever been involved in (brag 2014 champs).

So what I'm wondering is, what do you guys mostly dislike about the course? What would make you play it more or try it again? What would you change? Have some of the locals not played it since the course changed hands?

Let me know what you think, and this is for my personal curiosity, not for any other reason.

Thanks for reading.[/quote]


Is your dad Ian?

for some stupid reason evvverytime you get off the 202 and drive back up into that neck of the woods you're thinking, "gosh, I forgot this neighborhood is really, really nice, and they've gotta a golf course here, this could be pretty special" ....... and evvverytime driving out and getting back on the 202 you're thinking, "I can't believe those poor people are stuck playing that ratf#ckin' place all the time."

[quote name='therealjonzone' timestamp='1451704098' post='12790648']
[quote name='drake47' timestamp='1449768039' post='12703438']Ok, after recommending Las Sendas on a few threads on here, I see that a lot of the local guys have a fairly strong dis-like for the course. Just to be straight with you guys, my father is one of the minority owners of the course ( a group of mostly Canadian guys bought it 5'sh years ago) and my place is right off of the course, so I play it all the time. I have grown to really like the course, the conditions are as good as anywhere, there is a lot of shot choice (different ways to play holes) and since the management change the service is top notch. There is also a great golf community growing at the course, some awesome informal leagues and the best member/guest tournament I've ever been involved in (brag 2014 champs).

So what I'm wondering is, what do you guys mostly dislike about the course? What would make you play it more or try it again? What would you change? Have some of the locals not played it since the course changed hands?

Let me know what you think, and this is for my personal curiosity, not for any other reason.

Thanks for reading.[/quote]


Is your dad Ian?
[/quote]

No, but I have played with Ian a few times.

[quote name='drake47' timestamp='1451717160' post='12791170'][quote name='therealjonzone' timestamp='1451704098' post='12790648']
[quote name='drake47' timestamp='1449768039' post='12703438']Ok, after recommending Las Sendas on a few threads on here, I see that a lot of the local guys have a fairly strong dis-like for the course. Just to be straight with you guys, my father is one of the minority owners of the course ( a group of mostly Canadian guys bought it 5'sh years ago) and my place is right off of the course, so I play it all the time. I have grown to really like the course, the conditions are as good as anywhere, there is a lot of shot choice (different ways to play holes) and since the management change the service is top notch. There is also a great golf community growing at the course, some awesome informal leagues and the best member/guest tournament I've ever been involved in (brag 2014 champs).

So what I'm wondering is, what do you guys mostly dislike about the course? What would make you play it more or try it again? What would you change? Have some of the locals not played it since the course changed hands?

Let me know what you think, and this is for my personal curiosity, not for any other reason.

Thanks for reading.[/quote]


Is your dad Ian?
[/quote]

No, but I have played with Ian a few times.[/quote]

Nice. My buddy Harp and Hoff play in some major tourney down there that has Alice Cooper. I'm hoping to get an invite next year...

Ok, after recommending Las Sendas on a few threads on here, I see that a lot of the local guys have a fairly strong dis-like for the course. Just to be straight with you guys, my father is one of the minority owners of the course ( a group of mostly Canadian guys bought it 5'sh years ago) and my place is right off of the course, so I play it all the time. I have grown to really like the course, the conditions are as good as anywhere, there is a lot of shot choice (different ways to play holes) and since the management change the service is top notch. There is also a great golf community growing at the course, some awesome informal leagues and the best member/guest tournament I've ever been involved in (brag 2014 champs).

 

So what I'm wondering is, what do you guys mostly dislike about the course? What would make you play it more or try it again? What would you change? Have some of the locals not played it since the course changed hands?

 

Let me know what you think, and this is for my personal curiosity, not for any other reason.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

Is your dad Ian?

 

No, but I have played with Ian a few times.

 

Nice. My buddy Harp and Hoff play in some major tourney down there that has Alice Cooper. I'm hoping to get an invite next year...

I haven't played in the Alice Cooper Tournament, but from what I hear, make sure to get that invite, it is supposed to be awesome!

You might want to look at the 2016 conditions thread for some (more) answers to your question...

You might want to look at the 2016 conditions thread for some (more) answers to your question...

Speed of play is obviously an issue but that seems like a problem at almost all courses in the winter, damn Canadians, haha. I'm a little surprised at the service issues, I'm not doubting their experience but I never have had an issue with service there. There are always two guys at the bag drop loading carts, pro shop guys are always friendly, the range is well attended to and most of the starters and course rangers are long time employees and very experienced. I will admit I haven't spent much time down there this winter, but I will mention it to the powers that be.

H

You might want to look at the 2016 conditions thread for some (more) answers to your question...

 

Speed of play is obviously an issue but that seems like a problem at almost all courses in the winter, damn Canadians, haha. I'm a little surprised at the service issues, I'm not doubting their experience but I never have had an issue with service there. There are always two guys at the bag drop loading carts, pro shop guys are always friendly, the range is well attended to and most of the starters and course rangers are long time employees and very experienced. I will admit I haven't spent much time down there this winter, but I will mention it to the powers that be.

No offense, but maybe as an owner's son/member(?) you're having a little different experience than what everybody else is posting about (maybe not, do they know you?). As for pace of play, 5 1/2 hours (esp without a response from a Marshall at least which is what was reported I believe) is never ok, even during winter.

I was planning on playing down that way this weekend, I'll try to get out on it and give you a report.

Golf Now Deal caddy has Las Sendas rounds with cart on for $55. Have to start after 11am and use before end of December.

[quote name=Double K' timest

amp='1473646521' post='14238162]

Golf Now Deal caddy has Las Sendas rounds with cart on for $55. Have to start after 11am and use before end of December.

Does that mean they pay you $55 to play? I think I'm going to hold out for $75 or more before I commit.

I'm going to grab a couple as I'm going to be down for about 4 weeks total before the end of the year. Overseed is earlier than most places so might not be a terrible option in November.

I'm going to grab a couple as I'm going to be down for about 4 weeks total before the end of the year. Overseed is earlier than most places so might not be a terrible option in November.

A ringing endorsement.

There's a really nice track in Mesa called Las Sendas. It's a trek but its hands down one of the best I've played in the valley. It's rated one of the most difficult courses in the phx area but its another one of those that has great views of the city and is in great shape.

Posted on a forum up in Calgary....

I just can't figure out that course. I've played there three times since last posting there in April and each time I finish thinking that I'll never play it again - it's just not any fun and I can't figure out why. It's never been in bad shape, and the marshalls aren't noticeably bad (though it's been slow 2 out of 3 times, even in summer).

But each time I get seduced by a cheap rate, play it, and get aggravated with myself about halfway in because it just sucks.

I played LS recently & really enjoyed it. I had low expectations from this forum. The only big change I would make is to make the greens larger. This would also make the greenside traps more in play. I had some long irons into tiny greens but it's also nice to have small greens as something different than what you typically see. My chipping was challenged more than lag putting. The Ouse was busy, Marshalls were actually watching the pace. I'm a 12 and shot 85 so I was happy. I liked the design (challenging but fair, tough par, easy bogey-rtj) but I could understand the Mickey Mouse comments. You can beat $43 hot deal, going for 18 in 2 & then Happy hour on the patio imho.

I've never played LS. Mostly a bit of a drive for me. Just curious. Is it like Rancho Mañana? I consider that course to be quote "Mickey mouse". Is it unreasonably difficult? I'm interested in playing it just to confirm what everyone says about it.

I've never played LS. Mostly a bit of a drive for me. Just curious. Is it like Rancho Mañana? I consider that course to be quote "Mickey mouse". Is it unreasonably difficult? I'm interested in playing it just to confirm what everyone says about it.

No. much, much better than Rancho Manaña. I don't mind it. A few awkward holes but a middle of the pack type course.