Headed to Scottsdale next month. Any one have any must plays?

[kwoodling]

Wife has a work conference so I'm tagging along for 3 days of nothing but golf. It'll be my first time playing west of the Mississippi. Probably playing McCormick Ranch since we are staying close by. Where else should I play??

[tw422]

I wouldn't waste your time at McCormick - get a rental car and play others - if you've never played TPC do it just for the experience (not a great course). The Waste Management stands will be up and it changes the look and feel of the course especially the last 3 holes. TPC Champions course is good. Grayhawk and We Ko Pa are really good too. Keirland and Camelback courses are good to very good. People will pepper in courses like Quintero, Southern Dunes, Wickenburg, etc...and they are all good but they are pretty far from Scottsdale. If you want something affordable check out Papago - decent muni. McCormick is ok but I was really underwhelmed by it. Stay away from Biltmore - overpriced and not a great course. If you search for a member on this site (Argon??) he's been posting pics of courses he's played in and around Phoenix.

[kwoodling]

I was thinking of making the trip to We Ko Pa. From the photos I've seen the scenery looks amazing! Papago is close by to were we're staying. May swap out McCormick for it. I love a good muni.

Thanks for the great info!!

[vallygolf]

https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/179150/traveling-to-phoenix-some-course-info-for-you#latest

[vallygolf]

https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1806392/end-of-march-golf-trip#latest

[puttnforthe8]

Argonne is playing the dregs and dumps of the valley. Do not put any stock into any of those courses as options!

[puttnforthe8]

Do not play Mccormick!!! You can go a mile down the road and play either of the Camelback courses which are head and shoulders. If price is a variable, look for some deals...still do not play Mccormick!

Also, do not waste your time or money on Kierland - it is a boring, resort course with no redeeming qualities. TPC is ok, but not a first choice.If it suits you budget and time wise - the recommendation from me would be: Play Wekopa Saguaro Course, Troon North Pinnacle, Verde River. Papago is a good muni for a little less money.

[tw422]

Agreed but he does good course reviews and takes nice pictures so I thought it would be good for someone who is coming to AZ for the first time.

[puttnforthe8]

For what to avoid only!

[gsteitz]

I came here to suggest WeKoPa, I was there a few years back and those were some of my all time favorite desert courses.

 

Also, if custom putters are your thing at all I definitely stop by MannKrafted at Sunridge Canyon. LaMont is arguably one of the top custom putter makers in the world!

[Sjewell94]

We Ko Pa is excellent. Best conditions for public in the valley. Two courses also, don't sleep on the original Cholla course.

[ATLGator47]

Love We Ko Pa and Troon North already mentioned. I tend to really like Grayhawk (hosting the NCAA championships this year). The Boulders is a little further out but not a bad track overall.

[TK3]

I agree with the previous posts...cannot go wrong with either WeKoPa course. I would also throw in Talking Stick - North Course as well. A wonderful Coore / Crenshaw design.

[Roadking2003]

I would skip TPC and McCormick.

My favorites are both Troon North courses and both Boulders courses.

[Argonne69]

I don't see how anyone can call Papago affordable. It's currently $114 midweek mornings. If you want an affordable muni that's fun, check out Aguila.

Personally, I'd make the trek down to Maricopa to play Southern Dunes. Tee times can be had for $90 or less. Definitely one of the better courses in the area, and a real bargain. Otherwise you can't go wrong with We Ko Pa, Grayhawk, or the Troon courses. However, they'll set you back close to $200.

Eagle Mountain is a fun layout, along with Sunridge Canyon.

[Argonne69]

Lol. I gotta agree. If it's your first visit, or 15th visit, then stay away from the low end courses. I've played most of the better courses in the area, and I'm on a budget this trip.

[newg33b]

We Ko Pa Saguaro is my favorite course I’ve played in AZ on my two trips there. I guess ive stuck to the top recommendations here since I’ve only played the two We Ko Pa courses, southern dunes, and the two Troon North courses. The back 9 at Troon North Monument is awesome, so I’d recommend that one too even though the general consensus is Pinnacle might have a better total of 18 holes.

[CMCSGolf]

Holy Smokes, that's pricey. Has it been this expensive for awhile? I thought I remembered playing it for around $50 in 2014 or so. But my memory could be faulty here...

[Argonne69]

Winter rates for non-residents. Resident rates are $24 cheaper. Non-residents can play in twilight for $50. Summer rates are much cheaper. City Card holders play for $69 weekday mornings.

[cbbaron]

I played with Argonne at Grayhawk Raptor

[Argonne69]

Definitely the highlight of the trip so far!

[cbbaron]

And the company was great

[tw422]

Papago, relative to the other courses in the area at this time of year, is very affordable. 50-80% less depending on the course. I'd also say it's a really good value in term of conditions/layout/challenge/cost. The other thing it has going for is it's close to both Phoenix and Scottsdale. Agree on Aguila although it's a bit of hike from McCormick Ranch area. If you want cheap go to Encanto or GCU however, expect those to be a significant drop off in terms of quality. If you want affordable great quality golf you need to come to Phoenix in May-Sept.

[Tipsy McHooker]

Troon North Pinnacle course, We Ko Pa, Quintero. If willing to make a lil drive Wickenburg Ranch is incredible.

[puttnforthe8]

Nope. $130 after tax and a bucket of balls is not 'good value' in any terms for Papago. Especially considering Southern dunes is less. There are others at a better price as well.

[Cuff]

Avoid Quintero. I did not enjoy.

[livigolfs]

Just got back from Scottsdale and I played 4 courses. Ranked them below:

We-Ko-Pa SagauroTPC Stadium (had voucher)Wickenburg Ranch - fun layout with a bunch of par 5s and 3sVerde RiverAll were really nice even Verde River had great conditions. We-Ko-Pa really stands out though. Loved the design and was absolutely beautiful scenery. I dont know exactly how to describe the feeling other than it's what golf should feel like.

[tw422]

Don’t get your logic. SD is currently $110 (goes to $125 next week) and it’s 45 miles from Scottsdale. Papago which is 10-12 miles from Scottsdale is $138. Compared to other courses within the same range 10-12 miles how is it not a better value?

[cbbaron]

Southern Dunes is one of the top 5 public golf courses in AZ. If was in Scottsdale it would be over 200 next week

[Greg_egg]

We Ko Pa is excellent. If you could only play one course in AZ, I would go with Saguarro at We Ko Pa.