2020 Phoenix Area Course Conditions

[Argonne69]

I've played over 570 courses. Playing the same course everyday is simply not in my DNA.

[Argonne69]

Fun day at Superstition Springs. Interesting layout. I'd almost call it quirky. A few too many short par 4s, but at least they're not boring. The par 5s were tough, especially #17. The greens were small and narrow, and tough to hit. Greens and fairways were in nice shape. Bunkers were absolute garbage. It hasn't rained in a week and yet many had standing water in them. The others were mud or hardpan. My guess is that they overwater the cr-p out of the course. I'd rate it a 4.

Last week I got to play with a 90 year old golfer, Bill. Today's highlight was playing with Shane, a 5 year old player. He played a tournament this past weekend in the 5 to 7 year old age bracket, and finished 3rd. He was probably 40 lbs, and averaged 75 yds on his tee shots. The young man had a great short game. Chips were crisp, and he had excellent speed control on his putts. Impressive to watch.

 

[az2au]

I’m at over 1000 and 95%+ of all of my rounds over the last 5 years have been at clubs I belong to. At this point I have almost zero desire to play at any course that I don’t belong to. It has nothing to do with the dues that I pay. I’ve never considered things that way. I just feel like I’ve learned what I like and I get it at these places. I truly understand both sides but at this point I can’t ever imagine doing the different course thing regularly ever again. Point being, I’ve learned the grass truly isn’t always greener.

[Argonne69]

Clubs? As in plural? How many? Could you play one mid priced course in the valley for an entire year? I sure couldn't.

[Bonneville85308]

Weekend morning times before 10am at Aguila go very quickly but otherwise I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you have the resident card you can't book until 7 days out anyway.

[az2au]

4 clubs (5, soon to be 6 courses) but one is in Mexico and I promise that the other 3 relatively high end ones in the Valley are less per month than you’re spending (forget initiation fees for a moment) with better conditions and better courses. I’m just saying, I did what you’re doing and learned that, for me, I’d rather play at one wonderful place all of the time than I would play all over the place with hit and miss conditions. Not saying I’m right or my way is the only way. Just saying, I was you and changed so you may too.

[Argonne69]

You live here. Apples vs. Oranges. Do any of your clubs offer monthly memberships? I'm guessing no. You commit to a yearly membership and sure you'll save money. Few if any decent courses are going to offer out of town players a deal.

I guess if I was here permanently I'd pick a handful of courses and call it a day. Could you play just one of your clubs exclusively? I don't care how great a course is, I couldn't play it exclusively.

[az2au]

Absolutely. Two of the four would qualify with no issue whatsoever. One of them (DF) I have played hundreds of rounds at and never once thought I’d rather be playing somewhere else. Exclusive is a tough word though. There’s no situation in my life where I won’t be traveling or experiencing other places but if you’re talking 95%+. Yeah, no problem at all.

[Argonne69]

You didn't answer the first part of the question. What area course(s) offers an interesting layout, excellent conditioning, and will cost an out of state player $1000 a month with no down payment for 20+ rounds without a yearly commitment? Which of your courses offer it? I'm guessing zero to none. You commit to an annual membership, and you can probably find one. None that I'm aware are going to offer a month by month membership.

 

[capking]

Sounds good, I doubt we’ll be in good enough shape to make it before 10 anyways haha. Thanks

[AzSuperHack76]

TPC Champions today. Great conditions all the way around, especially the greens. Ball was rolling perfect, 11 or so if I had to guess. I haven't been since they built the new bar area on the outside patio, really nice set up for after the round. Pace was perfect at 4 hours teeing off at 10. $74 was the rate, felt that it was appropriate for this time of year. If I wasn't so lazy I'd have walked it today for the local rate, it was absolutely perfect out.

[puttnforthe8]

Whirlwind - 2 courses $5600/year; You can get Talking Stick (2 courses) for $50/month and rounds are cart fee in the afternoons; Raven has the same; TPC has a membership too; I think there are a few more.

[BirdieRoll]

Corte Bella offers a seasonal membership per their website.

(I can’t speak to the course or membership cost).

[Argonne69]

Whirlwind comes to $1866 a month if you only use it for 3 months. Not quite $1000. 'Not interested in memberships that are restricted to afternoon rounds. TPC Champions Pass is $3299, but it runs for the calendar year. Doesn't quite do it if one is here Dec - Feb unless they plan to return the following winter.

 

[Argonne69]

CB's seasonal pass requires payment Nov - April. It's very likely going to exceed the $1000 a month budget if one only plays Nov - Feb.

[fore_life]

Annual pass at Augusta Ranch is $1295 walking so there haha

[Argonne69]

Lol. See you there Monday through Friday. Can't pass up a bargain.

[Argonne69]

Enjoyable day at Falcon GC. I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's a flat layout, but the trees do a good job framing many of the holes. It could use some more variety in the holes. Conditions were excellent. Fairways were very green, and the greens looked and rolled great. It had a natural look that didn't cross the line into unkept. One of my playing partners is a regular, and he says they've been slowing improving the course over the past three years. As a bonus we got a free airshow from the F-35s and F-16s from adjacent Luke AFB. I'd rate it a 3.5.

[puttnforthe8]

FYI: James Jankowski returning for putting lessons: The Raven dates are 29th January and 2nd February at the moment.

He uses Quintec for analysis....I found it very useful.

BOOKING LINK - https://www.jamesjankowskigolf.com/usabook

 

[puttnforthe8]

[Argonne69]

A very pleasant walk at Sundance today. I'd say it's a notch or two above your typical desert layout in a housing development course. Good mix of holes for the most part. The par 3s need more (length) variety though. The greens were really tough. Multiple tiers, subtle breaks, and rolling at least 10 gave us fits. Conditions were very good. Fairways were a little bare in spots, but otherwise lush. Greens rolled nicely. Bunkers were playable. I'd rate it a 4.

[az2au]

Wow, Sundance! lol. I say this non-sarcastically, I look forward to your posts because you play courses that I have forgotten even exist.

[Argonne69]

Lol. Yes, there's a world outside your small collection of home courses.

Copper Canyon tomorrow.

 

[az2au]

I’m never there to enjoy them. I’ve been in AZ (actually in the US) exactly 6 days since Thanksgiving. In Poland now.

[fore_life]

Can you designate me as a memeber while you’re gone? I promise I’ll keep the bar bill under 2k per month

[az2au]

I didn’t think you were legally allowed to cross the Scottsdale boarder without some sort of escort. ;)

[AzSuperHack76]

You’ll enjoy Copper Canyon, one of the better courses on the West Side. Curly-Schmidt Design, same architects as Southern Dunes. I haven’t played on the new 9 yet but look forward to getting out there.

[mikedejong33]

similar to @Argonne69 I have played most of the nicer courses over the years. Now when we go down, we simply want to play and don't want to spend $200 to do it. To me its more about who you play with and having a good time, rather than where you play. Don't get me wrong, I love playing nicer places... but if I am going to play 8 rounds in 5 days or whatever, I don't want to spend crazy amounts on each round. My inlaws live in the east valley and we usually don't drive to far unless it is for Southern Dunes, Whirlwind, and the odd trip out to Quintero. We usually just play the "cheaper" closer courses. I am coming down in a couple of weeks and we will play: Longbow, Red Mountain, Las Sendas, Painted Mountain (usually as the second round on our 36 hole days), maybe Ocotillo, Trilogy Power Ranch, and of course one trip down to Southern Dunes for a 36 hole day. If I could only play one day it would be 36 at Southern Dunes. Its the best course IMO, and there are no houses, its cheap, its usually not busy. Just love it there. I think we will pass on Quintero, Wekopa, TPC, Whirlwind, etc. because they are just too expensive this time of year. I would rather play 36 with Longbow in the morning and Red Mountain or Painted Mountain in the afternoon, then 1 round at a nicer place (and probably have enough money left over for lunch and beer).

[fore_life]

Hey, I’m married!

[Justin_650]

Hello All!

I am going to be traveling to the Scottsdale area for the first time with 2 other buddies. we are looking to play lots of golf! does anyone have some recommendations about where to play at the end of the month? We would like to play some high end courses, like troon north. We are not sure if it is worth the high price, right now its looking close to $300 for a round. Does anyone have any connections? or would like to invite us to play? :)

 

TIA