Phoenix Area Status

This is a very generic topic and really just wanted to get some current info from residents and members of the Phoenix community.

My girlfriend and I are visiting Phoenix in June as kind of a feeler for a potential move to AZ. What’s the current state of golf courses as far as memberships, non-membership pricing, course availability, etc., and maybe more importantly, what are your forecasts for the future in similar topics - where do you see things going with the influx of new residents and so on? Just trying to get a good feel as golf is a huge factor in my move and it’s tough to get a good impression during a short visit.

Appreciate any insight!

A small portion of an article about golf in Arizona. I don't think you'll have any issues with finding golf to play here, private or public.

_Few would dispute that Arizona, with golf-rich cities such as Scottsdale and Phoenix, is one of the world's premier golf destinations. Arizona's golf courses are as diverse and spectacular as its landscape. Across the state there are more than 300 courses, From traditional links-style layouts to target courses, Arizona possesses an obscene number of courses to challenge your skills and provide you with some unbeatable vacation leisure._

Here is a list of 157 courses within 45 minutes of the airport.

Ahwatukee Country Club

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

Arizona Biltmore Golf Club - Links Course

Arizona Golf Resort

Arizona Grand Golf Course

Club West Golf Club

Coldwater Golf Club

Desert Canyon Golf Club

Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club

Foothills Golf Club

Francisco Grande Resort & Golf Club

Golf Club at Johnson Ranch

Golf Club of Estrella

Grand Canyon University Golf Course

Hillcrest Golf Club at Sun City West

Las Sendas Golf Club

Longbow Golf Club

Lookout Mountain Golf Club

Los Caballeros Golf Club

Mountain Shadows Golf Course

Poston Butte Golf Club

Riverview Golf Course

Starfire Golf Club - King

The Boulders Golf Club - North Course

The Boulders Golf Club - South Course

The Duke at Rancho El Dorado

The Legacy Golf Club

TPC Scottsdale - The Stadium Course

Tres Rios Golf Course at Estrella Mountain Park

Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch

Verrado Golf Club - Founder's Course

Victory Course at Verrado Golf Club

Western Skies Golf Club

Wigwam Golf Club - Gold Course

Adobe Dam Family Golf Center

Aguila Par-3 Golf Course

Ambiente Course at Camelback Golf Club

Apache Creek Golf Club

Arizona Biltmore Golf Club - Adobe Course

Arizona Traditions Golf Club

Bear Creek Golf Complex - Bear Course

Bear Creek Golf Complex - Cub Course

Bellair Golf Club

Camelback Golf Club - Padre Course

Cimarron Golf Club

Cobre Valle Country Club

Continental Golf Club

Copper Canyon Golf Club - Lake/Mountain Course

Copper Canyon Golf Club - Mountain/Vista Course

Copper Canyon Golf Club - Vista/Lake Course

Coronado Golf Course

Corte Bella Golf Club

Coyote Lakes Golf Club

Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort

Desert Mirage Golf Course

Desert Sands Golf Course

Desert Springs Golf Club

Eagle Mountain Golf Club

Encanto Park 9-hole Golf Course

Falcon Golf Club

Glen Lakes Municipal Golf Course

Gold Canyon Golf Resort - Dinosaur Mountain Course

Gold Canyon Golf Resort - Sidewinder Course

Granite Falls Golf Club - North Course

Granite Falls Golf Club - South Course

Great Eagle Golf Club

Greenfield Lakes Golf Club

Ironwood Golf Club

Karsten GC at ASU

Ken McDonald Golf Course

Kierland Golf Club - Acacia/Mesquite

Kierland Golf Club - Ironwood/Acacia

Kierland Golf Club - Mesquite/Ironwood

Kokopelli Golf Club

Las Colinas Golf Club

Legend Trail Golf Club

Lone Tree Golf Club

McCormich Ranch Golf Club - Palm Course

McCormich Ranch Golf Club - Pine Course

McDowell Mountain Golf Club

Mission Royale Golf Club

Moon Valley Country Club

Mountain Brook Golf Club

Ocotillo Golf Resort - Blue/White

Ocotillo Golf Resort - Gold/Blue

Ocotillo Golf Resort - White/Gold

Orange Tree Golf Resort

Painted Mountain Golf Resort

Palm Valley Golf Club - The Lakes Course

Palm Valley Golf Club - The Palms Course

Palmbrook Country Club

Palo Verde Golf Course

Papago Golf Course

Pebble Creek Resort - Eagle's Nest Golf Club

Peoria Pines Golf Club

Pueblo El Mirage Golf Course

Quintero Golf Club

Rancho Manana Golf Club

Raven Golf Club - Phoenix

Red Mountain Ranch Country Club

Robson Ranch Golf Club

Rolling Hills Golf Course

Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club - Silver Pony Course

Silverado Golf Course

Southern Ridge Golf Club

Springfield Golf Course

Starfire Golf Club - Mulligan 9

Stonecreek Golf Club

Sun City Country Club

Sun City South Golf Course

Sunbird Golf Resort

Sundance Golf Club

SunRidge Canyon Golf Club

Superstition Springs Golf Club

Talking Stick Golf Club - O'odham Course

Talking Stick Golf Club - Piipaash Course

The Legend at Arrowhead

The Links at Queen Creek

The Phoenician Golf Club

Tierra Grande Country Club

Toka Sticks Golf Club

Tonto Verde Golf Club - Peaks Course

Tonto Verde Golf Club - Ranch Course

TPC Scottsdale - The Champions Course

Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia

Troon North Golf Club - Monument Course

Troon North Golf Club - Pinnacle Course

Tuscany Falls at Pebble Creek - Falls Nine

Tuscany Falls at Pebble Creek - Lakes Nine

Tuscany Falls at Pebble Creek - Palms Nine

Union Hills Country Club

Viewpoint Golf Resort Championship Course

Viewpoint Golf Resort Executive Course

West Course at Sun City Lakes Golf Club

Whirlwind Golf Club - Cattail

Whirlwind Golf Club - Devil's Claw

Wickenburg Country Club

Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club

Wigwam Golf Club - Blue Course

Wigwam Golf Club - Red Course

Wildfire Golf Club - Faldo Course

Wildfire Golf Club - Palmer Course

Willowcreek Golf Course

Aguila Golf Course

Augusta Ranch Golf Club

Cave Creek Golf Course

Encanto Golf Course

Grayhawk Golf Club - Raptor Course

Grayhawk Golf Club - Talon Course

Oasis Golf Club

Superstition Mountain Golf Club - Lost Gold Course

Superstition Mountain Golf Club - Prospector Course

Tatum Ranch Golf Club

The First Tee of Phoenix

Verde River Golf & Social Club

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Saguaro Course

Thanks for the responses so far. To clarify, I’ve done plenty of research on the area but wanted to get kind of an insiders perspective, if you will. Are there many options for well-managed courses with plenty of members, can you join those types of courses without being a millionaire, etc? If you can’t join somewhere can you get by with bouncing around to a few courses regularly without killing your wallet? Basically what are the things you learned or discovered (good and bad) about golf in the Phoenix and surrounding areas that someone like me couldn’t read in an article or easily find via google?

As an analogy, my parents are residents of Myrtle Beach and I’ve played dozens of rounds at many courses there; however, even with the quantity of courses it’s not somewhere I’d want to live and play all the time.

There is a lot of good golf in the summer here and for cheap to relatively cheap. Courses that are $300 in the winter are $80 or less in the summer. Being from Michigan originally I understand that $80 is pretty near the top end price wise for nice courses back home and here for $80 the courses are generally in good shape but not as good as winter. There is a wide range though. Winter golf for most locals means playing the muni's which out here we have some great options in condition, price, and layout. There are also a good number of discount card or players memberships such as the City Golf Pass which is probably the best value. Courses like Grayhawk have a white tee program, We Ko Pa has the wekopass, and OB Sports management group has a pass for their courses in the area, etc. If you are looking for an actual course membership the options can be limited depending on price range.

There is definitely a wide variety though from linksy style to desert to parkland. The one thing I will say though is that there are a lot of courses that are more appealing aesthetically than playability wise. Quintero is one example. Courses that rate high on the Golf Digest type lists but have a lot of gimicky holes. But if you want a cheap $10 9 hole round we have that, a $20-$30 18 holes, we have that, a good selection of solid courses under $60 (in the summer) we have that, and high end golf as well.

FYI, if you are looking to move, I would suggest at least checking out Phoenix/downtown. There is a lot going on here now and a lot of new restaurants/bars going up. Plus Phoenix has the added benefit of being very central to a lot of courses and other areas. I live downtown and I'm literally no more than 30 minutes to a large majority of the courses and other cities such as Scottsdale, Glendale, Chandler, etc., and if you fly a lot, being 10 minutes from the airport is a big benefit.

Everything is relative to your budget. I would not consider myself cheap when it comes to golf but I never spend more than $100 a round even in prime season. I've looked into joining clubs before, but with the variety of superb courses we have at our fingertips, I could not justify spending 3-500 a month at a single course and then have to pay outside of my club.

Once you move here and get a Phoenix address I would highly recommend the city card, you can purchase it at any city course in town: Papago, Aguila, Cave Creek, Encanto, GCU. Papago, GCU and, Cave Creek all have men's clubs that play at least once a month. I personally play in the GCU men's club and it is pretty competitive and social. Dobson ranch is out in Mesa (~20 minutes from downtown) and has a great men's clubs and is a low-cost high-quality golf course. Very popular on these boards.

Troon and Wekopa also offer cards to locals. I've never had one so can't speak to that.

Hope that helps.

Thank you both for such great information, exactly what I was looking for.

> @t4t3r said:

> Thank you both for such great information, exactly what I was looking for.

Yup....exactly the same for me as Olson states. The nice thing is you can do any number of things to make golf work for you here.

If you want a membership with multiple courses, a single course, annual membership, cheap, expensive, or get cards that give you better rates, or just seek out the best price.

For me personally, I play in a league that has an event every week at the best courses in town. I supplement that with the city card and Wekopa pass for the other days. To me this is like a membership - except I have dozens of courses available. :)

> @Olson12 said:

> Here is a list of 157 courses within 45 minutes of the airport.

>

> Ahwatukee Country Club

> Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

> Arizona Biltmore Golf Club - Links Course

> Arizona Golf Resort

> Arizona Grand Golf Course

> Club West Golf Club

> Coldwater Golf Club

> Desert Canyon Golf Club

> Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club

> Foothills Golf Club

> Francisco Grande Resort & Golf Club

> Golf Club at Johnson Ranch

> Golf Club of Estrella

> Grand Canyon University Golf Course

> Hillcrest Golf Club at Sun City West

> Las Sendas Golf Club

> Longbow Golf Club

> Lookout Mountain Golf Club

> Los Caballeros Golf Club

> Mountain Shadows Golf Course

> Poston Butte Golf Club

> Riverview Golf Course

> Starfire Golf Club - King

> The Boulders Golf Club - North Course

> The Boulders Golf Club - South Course

> The Duke at Rancho El Dorado

> The Legacy Golf Club

> TPC Scottsdale - The Stadium Course

> Tres Rios Golf Course at Estrella Mountain Park

> Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch

> Verrado Golf Club - Founder's Course

> Victory Course at Verrado Golf Club

> Western Skies Golf Club

> Wigwam Golf Club - Gold Course

> Adobe Dam Family Golf Center

> Aguila Par-3 Golf Course

> Ambiente Course at Camelback Golf Club

> Apache Creek Golf Club

> Arizona Biltmore Golf Club - Adobe Course

> Arizona Traditions Golf Club

> Bear Creek Golf Complex - Bear Course

> Bear Creek Golf Complex - Cub Course

> Bellair Golf Club

> Camelback Golf Club - Padre Course

> Cimarron Golf Club

> Cobre Valle Country Club

> Continental Golf Club

> Copper Canyon Golf Club - Lake/Mountain Course

> Copper Canyon Golf Club - Mountain/Vista Course

> Copper Canyon Golf Club - Vista/Lake Course

> Coronado Golf Course

> Corte Bella Golf Club

> Coyote Lakes Golf Club

> Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort

> Desert Mirage Golf Course

> Desert Sands Golf Course

> Desert Springs Golf Club

> Eagle Mountain Golf Club

> Encanto Park 9-hole Golf Course

> Falcon Golf Club

> Glen Lakes Municipal Golf Course

> Gold Canyon Golf Resort - Dinosaur Mountain Course

> Gold Canyon Golf Resort - Sidewinder Course

> Granite Falls Golf Club - North Course

> Granite Falls Golf Club - South Course

> Great Eagle Golf Club

> Greenfield Lakes Golf Club

> Ironwood Golf Club

> Karsten GC at ASU

> Ken McDonald Golf Course

> Kierland Golf Club - Acacia/Mesquite

> Kierland Golf Club - Ironwood/Acacia

> Kierland Golf Club - Mesquite/Ironwood

> Kokopelli Golf Club

> Las Colinas Golf Club

> Legend Trail Golf Club

> Lone Tree Golf Club

> McCormich Ranch Golf Club - Palm Course

> McCormich Ranch Golf Club - Pine Course

> McDowell Mountain Golf Club

> Mission Royale Golf Club

> Moon Valley Country Club

> Mountain Brook Golf Club

> Ocotillo Golf Resort - Blue/White

> Ocotillo Golf Resort - Gold/Blue

> Ocotillo Golf Resort - White/Gold

> Orange Tree Golf Resort

> Painted Mountain Golf Resort

> Palm Valley Golf Club - The Lakes Course

> Palm Valley Golf Club - The Palms Course

> Palmbrook Country Club

> Palo Verde Golf Course

> Papago Golf Course

> Pebble Creek Resort - Eagle's Nest Golf Club

> Peoria Pines Golf Club

> Pueblo El Mirage Golf Course

> Quintero Golf Club

> Rancho Manana Golf Club

> Raven Golf Club - Phoenix

> Red Mountain Ranch Country Club

> Robson Ranch Golf Club

> Rolling Hills Golf Course

> Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club - Silver Pony Course

> Silverado Golf Course

> Southern Ridge Golf Club

> Springfield Golf Course

> Starfire Golf Club - Mulligan 9

> Stonecreek Golf Club

> Sun City Country Club

> Sun City South Golf Course

> Sunbird Golf Resort

> Sundance Golf Club

> SunRidge Canyon Golf Club

> Superstition Springs Golf Club

> Talking Stick Golf Club - O'odham Course

> Talking Stick Golf Club - Piipaash Course

> The Legend at Arrowhead

> The Links at Queen Creek

> The Phoenician Golf Club

> Tierra Grande Country Club

> Toka Sticks Golf Club

> Tonto Verde Golf Club - Peaks Course

> Tonto Verde Golf Club - Ranch Course

> TPC Scottsdale - The Champions Course

> Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia

> Troon North Golf Club - Monument Course

> Troon North Golf Club - Pinnacle Course

> Tuscany Falls at Pebble Creek - Falls Nine

> Tuscany Falls at Pebble Creek - Lakes Nine

> Tuscany Falls at Pebble Creek - Palms Nine

> Union Hills Country Club

> Viewpoint Golf Resort Championship Course

> Viewpoint Golf Resort Executive Course

> West Course at Sun City Lakes Golf Club

> Whirlwind Golf Club - Cattail

> Whirlwind Golf Club - Devil's Claw

> Wickenburg Country Club

> Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club

> Wigwam Golf Club - Blue Course

> Wigwam Golf Club - Red Course

> Wildfire Golf Club - Faldo Course

> Wildfire Golf Club - Palmer Course

> Willowcreek Golf Course

> Aguila Golf Course

> Augusta Ranch Golf Club

> Cave Creek Golf Course

> Encanto Golf Course

> Grayhawk Golf Club - Raptor Course

> Grayhawk Golf Club - Talon Course

> Oasis Golf Club

> Superstition Mountain Golf Club - Lost Gold Course

> Superstition Mountain Golf Club - Prospector Course

> Tatum Ranch Golf Club

> The First Tee of Phoenix

> Verde River Golf & Social Club

> We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course

> We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Saguaro Course

>

>

Some of these you will need a helicopter to get there under 45 minutes. Otherwise a solid list. :)

again, in the winter i can't recommend Aguila, Papago, GCU, Dobson, even Cave Creek and Ken MacDonald highly enough. They are in solid to amazing shape and are all good courses, especially the first 3-4.

What am I missing about Papago. I read all the raves here. But from pictures I've seen, it appears very rough to plain poor around the edges. Meaning lots of mud and tire tracks in areas between the tee box and fairways.

I'm not trying to pick on what is an obvious local favorite. It appears to be flat and plain. Just another Muni ?

> @"Carolina Golfer 2" said:

> What am I missing about Papaco. I read all the raves here. But from pictures I've seen, it appears very rough to plain poor around the edges. Meaning lots of mud and tire tracks in areas between the tee box and fairways.

>

> I'm not trying to pick on what is an obvious local favorite. It appears to be flat and plain. Just another Muni ?

Anything but flat - ~150ft in elevation change from highest point - many holes with elevation changes; great greens, great design, great setting. Maybe a little rough as you say; but certainly no mud and tire tracks as you say.

Having been a private member almost every where else that I have ever lived my opinion of private club golf is that it is on the pricey side in Phoenix and there are very few options for private clubs. Unless you are way on the outskirts or in North Scottsdale there are only a very few options for private clubs that are in any way convenient for a family. Really only 4 anywhere centrally located: Phoenix CC, AZ CC, Paradise Valley CC and Moon Valley CC are the only options for private clubs anywhere near the middle of town.

AZ CC 25k+ initiation and last I heard like $1200/month dues.

PVCC forget it unless you know a bunch of people they have a 4 year wait-list for golf memberships.

Moon Valley... They have been hurting for members I have no idea what it costs now

PCC 12,500 initiation and ~$800/month dues I believe currently. Depends on age... Much cheaper if under 40.

Of course this is a limited view of the calley as I live smack in the middle, maybe let us know where you intend to live, that could help.

> @puttnforthe8 said:

> > @"Carolina Golfer 2" said:

> > What am I missing about Papaco. I read all the raves here. But from pictures I've seen, it appears very rough to plain poor around the edges. Meaning lots of mud and tire tracks in areas between the tee box and fairways.

> >

> > I'm not trying to pick on what is an obvious local favorite. It appears to be flat and plain. Just another Muni ?

>

> Anything but flat - ~150ft in elevation change from highest point - many holes with elevation changes; great greens, great design, great setting. Maybe a little rough as you say; but certainly no mud and tire tracks as you say.

Thanks. I watched the hole fly overs on the website. Maybe it didn't do a good job of showing the elevation changes. But if did appear like every hole waa the same. Didn't appear to be any real standout signature hole. Just a straight forward everything in front of you type course.

The greens did look like they had some protection from the bunkers.

At PCC, $7,500/$435 monthly for young professionals (21-39), $12,500/$640 monthly for professional (40-44) and $40,000 / $835 for Active (>45). You have to pay the difference in initiation as you advance categories.

I know people at PVCC and I’m surprised to hear they have a 4 year waitlist. I was told it ~6 months when we were considering joining not long ago.

> @az2au said:

> At PCC, $7,500/$435 monthly for young professionals (21-39), $12,500/$640 monthly for professional (40-44) and $40,000 / $835 for Active (>45). You have to pay the difference in initiation as you advance categories.

>

> I know people at PVCC and I’m surprised to hear they have a 4 year waitlist. I was told it ~6 months when we were considering joining not long ago.

I have a ton of PVCC members as clients. My understanding is 6 months for social member with limited golf and about 4 years for golf membership.

> @Rohlio said:

> > @az2au said:

> > At PCC, $7,500/$435 monthly for young professionals (21-39), $12,500/$640 monthly for professional (40-44) and $40,000 / $835 for Active (>45). You have to pay the difference in initiation as you advance categories.

> >

> > I know people at PVCC and I’m surprised to hear they have a 4 year waitlist. I was told it ~6 months when we were considering joining not long ago.

>

> I have a ton of PVCC members as clients. My understanding is 6 months for social member with limited golf and about 4 years for golf membership.

Ah, that makes sense. That’s kinda like Troon which is no wait for social but 6-8 months for full golf. If you pay the full initiation you have limited access to golf while on the waitlist.

I just ended up joining at Mesa CC and it's really reasonable and it's only 16 minutes from downtown Phoenix...and not bad if you live near the East 101 or even Shea/Scottsdale Rd. area. Members are all really nice and egos are most left at the door. Driving range isn't the best but short game and wedge/short iron areas are great.

> @ferrispgm said:

> I just ended up joining at Mesa CC and it's really reasonable and it's only 16 minutes from downtown Phoenix...and not bad if you live near the East 101 or even Shea/Scottsdale Rd. area. Members are all really nice and egos are most left at the door. Driving range isn't the best but short game and wedge/short iron areas are great.

At what time of day can you get through the stack in less than 16 minutes? ;)

> @Rohlio said:

> > @ferrispgm said:

> > I just ended up joining at Mesa CC and it's really reasonable and it's only 16 minutes from downtown Phoenix...and not bad if you live near the East 101 or even Shea/Scottsdale Rd. area. Members are all really nice and egos are most left at the door. Driving range isn't the best but short game and wedge/short iron areas are great.

> At what time of day can you get through the stack in less than 16 minutes? ;)

>

weekend mornings it's pretty easy

> @ferrispgm said:

> > @Rohlio said:

> > > @ferrispgm said:

> > > I just ended up joining at Mesa CC and it's really reasonable and it's only 16 minutes from downtown Phoenix...and not bad if you live near the East 101 or even Shea/Scottsdale Rd. area. Members are all really nice and egos are most left at the door. Driving range isn't the best but short game and wedge/short iron areas are great.

> > At what time of day can you get through the stack in less than 16 minutes? ;)

> >

>

> weekend mornings it's pretty easy

Fair enough, I won't disagree with that!

As long as you're going with "very generic" and you're coming from a state up north with long summer days, I'll throw in my generally negative view on Phoenix golf (This assumes you're working a roughly 9-5 M-F work schedule). You may think reading this that I despise Phoenix (I don't) but a lot of the folks here are really enthusiastic about this area and I like to throw in the negatives, especially for an out-of-state-er:

Summer-Golf is cheap and tee times are plentiful. It's really hot out. As in, depending on how you handle the heat you may just not want to play very often or at all. In June many courses are in terrible shape. Usually better after that.

Fall-Temps are better but it's still hot. Days are getting shorter. Prices are up a little but still reasonable. Usher in the overseed. Playing turns into a research chore. Who's open, what's their condition, cart path only?

Winter-Nice temps are finally here. Lots of highs in the 60's. This and spring are prime time. Rates are up. Days are shorter (I can't stress this enough, it's the biggest knock on phx golf). Tee times are still available but you better book in advance if you want to play early. Forget an after work round. It's dark. "Cheap/Reasonable" courses busy.

Spring-Nice temps. Lots of 70s-80s. Call it super prime time. Rates are way up. Days are getting longer but still too short for an after work round. Tee times can be hard to come by on short notice due to the demand but you can still always find somewhere to play. "Cheap/Reasonable" courses are almost always packed. 5+ hour rounds normal.

You'll notice from the above posts, there are lots of ways to make golf in Phoenix work for you. But you have to make it work for you. Our climate is basically the reverse of up north, with summer being our "winter". Which means the nice time of year the days are short and the courses packed due to shorter days and increased demand. There isn't time to golf after work so if you're a 9-5'er it's weekends only about half the year, maybe more. If I was moving somewhere for "year round golf" I wouldn't choose Phoenix. But if you wanted to live somewhere with major city ammenties, a reasonable cost of living, AND year round golf it's a good option.

> @dtm6582 said:

> As long as you're going with "very generic" and you're coming from a state up north with long summer days, I'll throw in my generally negative view on Phoenix golf (This assumes you're working a roughly 9-5 M-F work schedule). You may think reading this that I despise Phoenix (I don't) but a lot of the folks here are really enthusiastic about this area and I like to throw in the negatives, especially for an out-of-state-er:

>

> Summer-Golf is cheap and tee times are plentiful. It's really hot out. As in, depending on how you handle the heat you may just not want to play very often or at all. In June many courses are in terrible shape. Usually better after that.

>

> Fall-Temps are better but it's still hot. Days are getting shorter. Prices are up a little but still reasonable. Usher in the overseed. Playing turns into a research chore. Who's open, what's their condition, cart path only?

>

> Winter-Nice temps are finally here. Lots of highs in the 60's. This and spring are prime time. Rates are up. Days are shorter (I can't stress this enough, it's the biggest knock on phx golf). Tee times are still available but you better book in advance if you want to play early. Forget an after work round. It's dark. "Cheap/Reasonable" courses busy.

>

> Spring-Nice temps. Lots of 70s-80s. Call it super prime time. Rates are way up. Days are getting longer but still too short for an after work round. Tee times can be hard to come by on short notice due to the demand but you can still always find somewhere to play. "Cheap/Reasonable" courses are almost always packed. 5+ hour rounds normal.

>

> You'll notice from the above posts, there are lots of ways to make golf in Phoenix work for you. But you have to make it work for you. Our climate is basically the reverse of up north, with summer being our "winter". Which means the nice time of year the days are short and the courses packed due to shorter days and increased demand. There isn't time to golf after work so if you're a 9-5'er it's weekends only about half the year, maybe more. If I was moving somewhere for "year round golf" I wouldn't choose Phoenix. But if you wanted to live somewhere with major city ammenties, a reasonable cost of living, AND year round golf it's a good option.

I think these are pretty fair assesments, although not my experience living here. Im curious, if you were moving somewhere for year round golf where would you choose?

> @dtm6582 said:

> As long as you're going with "very generic" and you're coming from a state up north with long summer days, I'll throw in my generally negative view on Phoenix golf (This assumes you're working a roughly 9-5 M-F work schedule). You may think reading this that I despise Phoenix (I don't) but a lot of the folks here are really enthusiastic about this area and I like to throw in the negatives, especially for an out-of-state-er:

>

> Summer-Golf is cheap and tee times are plentiful. It's really hot out. As in, depending on how you handle the heat you may just not want to play very often or at all. In June many courses are in terrible shape. Usually better after that.

>

> Fall-Temps are better but it's still hot. Days are getting shorter. Prices are up a little but still reasonable. Usher in the overseed. Playing turns into a research chore. Who's open, what's their condition, cart path only?

>

> Winter-Nice temps are finally here. Lots of highs in the 60's. This and spring are prime time. Rates are up. Days are shorter (I can't stress this enough, it's the biggest knock on phx golf). Tee times are still available but you better book in advance if you want to play early. Forget an after work round. It's dark. "Cheap/Reasonable" courses busy.

>

> Spring-Nice temps. Lots of 70s-80s. Call it super prime time. Rates are way up. Days are getting longer but still too short for an after work round. Tee times can be hard to come by on short notice due to the demand but you can still always find somewhere to play. "Cheap/Reasonable" courses are almost always packed. 5+ hour rounds normal.

>

> You'll notice from the above posts, there are lots of ways to make golf in Phoenix work for you. But you have to make it work for you. Our climate is basically the reverse of up north, with summer being our "winter". Which means the nice time of year the days are short and the courses packed due to shorter days and increased demand. There isn't time to golf after work so if you're a 9-5'er it's weekends only about half the year, maybe more. If I was moving somewhere for "year round golf" I wouldn't choose Phoenix. But if you wanted to live somewhere with major city ammenties, a reasonable cost of living, AND year round golf it's a good option.

Agree for the most part but cheap reasonable golf can be found relatively easily anytime of year it's just that in the winter you are relegated to the city courses or courses like San Marcos, AZ Golf Resort, etc.

While I certainly appreciate DTMs comments (plus, I know him, he's a smart and likable guy), I have to say that he generally dislikes the area more than most anyone I know except for fore_life :). I completely understand that POV and don't disagree with it at all. I think his points make a great amount of sense for him and his situation. That said, virtually everyone I'm around on a regular basis looks at it completely differently.

The people that I know that play mostly public golf love the summer and just play less/more money in the winter. The people that I know that belong to private clubs are similar except tend to play a bit more up north in the summer. The one thing that I would say is bonds most all of them is how much they love it here though. The majority of the people that I work with could live anywhere in the US or most any major business area of the world but, like me, they choose to live here. Yep, it gets hot but with everything else we have here activity-wise and the **relative** lack of traffic compared to any metro area that is even remotely similar in size there's just no way that I would want to live anywhere else. I've lived in a bunch of places but the only place I've ever loved living in is AZ. Before anyone that knows me well points out that I also have a residence in NYC, please note that I have that because my wife had when we got together and I haven't been there since Xmas :). There's no way that I could live there full time.

AZ is a great place to live and wouldn't live anywhere else except MAYBE San Diego. The summer is hot but it's really only bad for a few days here and there when it gets in the high one hundred teens. On the bright side...if you bring plenty of water, the courses are empty around 11 mostly and it's easy to get out for a quick round. Coming from Michigan, it's not that bad...I'll take it over 85 or 90 and the same in humidity percentage.

It's still relatively easy to find rounds under $80 in the winter too btw. But if your budget for golf is say $100 per month...play 1 round and buy a range membership for $40 a month (or play 2-3 at a city course). Still better than sitting inside all winter and at least you can practice.

I generally agree with most of the comments in this thread. Everyone handles the heat and golf season differently. I moved here from Columbus, Ohio and didn't research the golf situation as well as I should have. I came here thinking 'well if I played 50-60 rounds a year in Ohio, I'm gonna be playing 100-120 a year here. That's simply not the case.

I work a 9-5 so in the summer I don't have the desire to play in that heat at 4-5 pm and in the winter I don't have enough daylight. I haven't played an after work round since I moved here 2.5 years ago. I find myself playing the same 50-60 rounds a year here, its just spread over 52 weeks as opposed to 30 or so back in Ohio.

This place is unique, that's all there is too it. Because of conditions and weather, this is a golf destination for people from all over, and that creates supply/demand issues that make life difficult for year round residents. We complain about prices but the reality is that courses charge what customers will pay, and there are tons of visitors on vacation willing to pay vacation golf prices during the peak season.

My comparison is NC, where I lived and played for 25 years. In NC, my golf partners would scream if we paid over $60, and during the March-November golf season you could always find very good courses in decent conditions below that. December to February you could play 2-4 times per month at cheap rates, depending on your cold tolerance, but conditions were sporadic at best, usually wet/damp. There were a lot of private clubs with many reasonable cost options. I tended to play once a week during the season, with an extra round or two on occasion, and I would get out a few times a month in winter (my personal temperature limit was 50 degrees and sunny).

In Phoenix/Scottsdale, in season (November to April) I still play once a week, occasionally twice, paying much more. I jump around, but on average probably $100-$120, and that's playing courses of similar quality to those I played in NC. Course conditions are usually superb. In the off season (May to October) I play a bit more because I can get out in the afternoons for 2-3 hour rounds and it's cheap. I'm fortunate that I grew up in Florida and don't mind the heat. There aren't many decent private options at rates anywhere close to what was available in NC, but I'm not a private club guy (at least I haven't been) so that's not an issue for me. That may be one of the biggest differences between AZ and other places like NC, where there are often nice private course options that cost a few thousand to join and a few thousand a year - you will not find anything remotely like that here.

I was happy enough in NC, and I'm happy enough here. Just for golf, I would choose AZ over NC, but it's close and NC was still a great place. Non-golf it's really not close, this place is special.

> @DrSchteeve said:

> This place is unique, that's all there is too it. Because of conditions and weather, this is a golf destination for people from all over, and that creates supply/demand issues that make life difficult for year round residents. We complain about prices but the reality is that courses charge what customers will pay, and there are tons of visitors on vacation willing to pay vacation golf prices during the peak season.

>

> My comparison is NC, where I lived and played for 25 years. In NC, my golf partners would scream if we paid over $60, and during the March-November golf season you could always find very good courses in decent conditions below that. December to February you could play 2-4 times per month at cheap rates, depending on your cold tolerance, but conditions were sporadic at best, usually wet/damp. There were a lot of private clubs with many reasonable cost options. I tended to play once a week during the season, with an extra round or two on occasion, and I would get out a few times a month in winter (my personal temperature limit was 50 degrees and sunny).

>

> In Phoenix/Scottsdale, in season (November to April) I still play once a week, occasionally twice, paying much more. I jump around, but on average probably $100-$120, and that's playing courses of similar quality to those I played in NC. Course conditions are usually superb. In the off season (May to October) I play a bit more because I can get out in the afternoons for 2-3 hour rounds and it's cheap. I'm fortunate that I grew up in Florida and don't mind the heat. There aren't many decent private options at rates anywhere close to what was available in NC, but I'm not a private club guy (at least I haven't been) so that's not an issue for me. That may be one of the biggest differences between AZ and other places like NC, where there are often nice private course options that cost a few thousand to join and a few thousand a year - you will not find anything remotely like that here.

>

> I was happy enough in NC, and I'm happy enough here. Just for golf, I would choose AZ over NC, but it's close and NC was still a great place. Non-golf it's really not close, this place is special.

>

This really resonates with me and is a good summary of why I started this thread. I’m from the east coast and have family/grown up in the Carolinas so the points about cost during different parts of the year, costs for private courses, etc is exactly what I’ve experienced here. It would represent a major shift in thinking for me as it likely does for many people who are transplants. I really appreciate all the great insight from locals and those who’ve become locals.

Walked Aguila yesterday morning and had the place all to myself. What a fun track and a beautiful atmosphere. Loved all the walkers paths around. Greens were in great shape and the bunkers were fair. Definitely will play again.

I do want to play the Raven though