Grayhawk Talon

Couldn’t get on Raptor when I need to play so booked Talon. Buddy of mine said Raptor is awesome but Talon is a tricked up “dog track” (his words).

i know nothing no thought I’d solicit here.....am I making a huge mistake playing Talon?? For $250 it better not be a dog track!

LOL. imo Talon is the better 'course'...far from a dog track. Also, I would not describe Talon as "tricked up" - I actually think Raptor is the one that is tricked up. For example, #10 is a terrible hole that is the epitome of tricked up.

However, it is no where even remotely close to being worth 250!! If I paid 250 for it, I would vomit for a week.

My suggestion would be to try for a time at Verde River if you have to stay in the area. If not, head west to some of the courses out there.

$250 is what it costs in peak time in the morning. Is what it is. Troon is $335, TPC Stadium is $350.....

Ok...then let me rephrase and simply answer your question: Yes, imo, you are making a mistake paying $250 for Talon! There are plenty of other options that would be better.

Verde River maxes out at ~160 rack rate....much better option there.

I’m not overly concerned about the money aspect. I will expense most of it anyway.

just want to know if the course itself is good or not.

LOL - just read the relevant forum then: https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/179150/traveling-to-phoenix-some-course-info-for-you/p1

I think they're both excellent courses, but not worth $250. I prefer Raptor because it doesn't feel as wedged into the local housing. Practically every hole on Talon has homes within view.

Grayhawk Talon is a very enjoyable golfing experience. I have played both 10+ times. In my opinion, there is very little to complain about. I’ve always thought of Talon as the country club course while Raptor is the championship course. Talon has some interesting greens and one of my favorite par 5s in the valley called “3 Sisters.” It is definitely not a dog track. Have a great time!

I'm not a fan of either Grayhawk course. I'd much rather drive out to Quintero and play or go with either We-Ko-Pa course. I think Quintero and We-Ko-Pa crush Grayhawk/Troon North/TPC Stadium on experience. Wickenburg Ranch is a lot of fun too!

There's no way around the fact that winter golf in AZ is expensive. I don't think either Grayhawk course is significantly better than the other. I'm not fond of terms like "dog track" or "tricked up" because they are typically used by people who haven't played a lot of courses who can't explain why they like or dislike a particular course or golf hole. Either course at Grayhawk will make for a nice day out. There are better courses in the area and there are worse courses, just as there are courses that are more and less expensive. If you are looking to play the "best", my fave is Saguaro at We Ko Pa. If you want better value courses (good layouts and less expensive) and are willing to drive, try Southern Dunes, Verde River or Wickenburg. I wouldn't switch to Quintero unless you can get a better green fee. . IMO, it's not any better than Grayhawk.

Grayhawk Talon Pix:

Grayhawk Raptor Pix:

Grayhawk Talon Par 3

Grayhawk Raptor

I personally like the Raptor better.

Talon is by no means a dog track. It will be in very good condition and the facility offers a high level of service. It's just that it's one of many Gary Panks designs in the area and it is very typical of his stuff, not bad by any means, but just sort-of cookie cutter and uninspiring. Nothing there that makes you go "hmmm..." more like "oh, I've seen this before." And no excuse for the island green par 3.

I understand high-season golf is expensive, but the thought of paying $250 for Grayhawk Talon makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

Tom, do you think any of the AZ course qualify for $250?

Only the one with the free booze and strippers. But it is always booked.

All those trips Ive made out let me in which has the free booze and strippers!!!!!

FWIW I find Talon now to be the better of the two courses at Grayhawk I have a WT card and play 8-10 rounds a year at Grayhawk just not too fond of the new 15,16,and 17 on Raptor feel as though course lost some character.

I personally like Raptor just marginally more but both are very good imo. Talon isn’t as difficult but is a very fun golf course. I’ve never understood why Raptor is the so strongly preferred of the two...

This is a perfect thread as to why I hate winter golf escapes. I did the Scottsdale thing the 1st week of off-peak in 2004, I paid MUCH less to play there. I was there a few weeks after Phil won his 1st Masters and being a huge Phil fan i wanted to play his club.

Played the Raptor course, didn't walk away blown away at all. We Ko Pa and Troon North Monument are the ones I was floored by! I paid $65 at GH, $90 at WKP and $110 at TN.

@fore_life:

$250 a round is bucket-list territory for me. I've only spent that much once and that was at Kapalua. But I was there as a tourist, and everything was pretty much $225 and up. If you are paying $225, what's another $75 haha. I can see how someone from the northern climes might have the same motive during a visit to AZ in the winter.

I'm honestly not sure any Arizona course would qualify as bucket list for me. And definitely not $250 worth. As a year-round resident, knowledge of the low season rates makes it doubly hard since I've played all the best courses and typically for less than $100. The best public in AZ for me is Saguaro and that's $50 in the summer. The best private I've played is Desert Forest and I can't remember paying more than $100 as a guest.

Good point, having lived in the valley...its impossible to not think what waiting a few months will do to the rate..

I wish I had played only bucket list courses for $250...