2017 Phoenix area course conditions

[kadillackountry]

I've not yet played Wickenburg Ranch. Isn't it going to be private anyway?

[DrSchteeve]

I've not yet played Wickenburg Ranch. Isn't it going to be private anyway?

 

Eventually, but probably years. Probably the best conditioned track in Arizona right now. And fun.

[YMark]

Wickenburg Ranch isn't supposed to go private for a few years. I don't think that course will survive as private only, maybe semi-private.

 

I played Aguila yesterday and the greens were in the worst shape I've ever seen them. I think they have some fungus/disease issues. Also, not sure what clown chose the pin locations. And a pet peeve of mine..... worse that sunflower seeds..... morons that remove their ball from the cup with their putter. They should be removed.

[Dbogey]

planning a trip out to AZ in late Feb.

 

Looking at Playing:

 

Greyhawk, Wekopa, maybe Troon.....is there another course you guy's would recommend?

[cbbaron]

planning a trip out to AZ in late Feb.

 

Looking at Playing:

 

Greyhawk, Wekopa, maybe Troon.....is there another course you guy's would recommend?

Southern Dunes Im from Quincy go to AZ there 3 times a year

[Dbogey]

planning a trip out to AZ in late Feb.

 

Looking at Playing:

 

Greyhawk, Wekopa, maybe Troon.....is there another course you guy's would recommend?

Southern Dunes Im from Quincy go to AZ there 3 times a year

 

I'll check that one out as well.

[ferrispgm]

Southern Dunes for sure, Ambiente is nice as well.....And I may catch some flack, but Eagle Mountain is a fun layout with great views off the side of the mountain, depends on the course conditioning though.

[Macattack]

Played GCU Golf Course yesterday in 4:20, first time playing it and I thought that it is a pretty decent track for the price. Could have played faster but paired with some very inexperienced golfers.

 

Tee boxes were in good shape and the greens were in great shape and fast (minus a few ball marks). The fairways were in good shape except for a few bare spots here and there. Will go back again to play until the rates go down elsewhere.

[SilverBullets]

planning a trip out to AZ in late Feb.

 

Looking at Playing:

 

Greyhawk, Wekopa, maybe Troon.....is there another course you guy's would recommend?

 

For sure Southern Dunes like the other have mentioned.

 

I was a little disappointed by Troon Pinnacle. The layout really didn't do much for me. It's a pretty course and its in great shape. But there are a ton of forced layup shots/forced carry and there is little to no room to miss. I am good with the fact that there isn't much room to miss. But beating a 3 iron on 6 or 7 tee boxes because I can't hit a wood gets a little annoying.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

planning a trip out to AZ in late Feb.

 

Looking at Playing:

 

Greyhawk, Wekopa, maybe Troon.....is there another course you guy's would recommend?

 

For sure Southern Dunes like the other have mentioned.

 

I was a little disappointed by Troon Pinnacle. The layout really didn't do much for me. It's a pretty course and its in great shape. But there are a ton of forced layup shots/forced carry and there is little to no room to miss. I am good with the fact that there isn't much room to miss. But beating a 3 iron on 6 or 7 tee boxes because I can't hit a wood gets a little annoying.

 

Sure you played Pinnacle? That sounds a lot like Monument to me. Pinnacle I can blast driver on most of the tee shots, monument I can leave driver at home and be just fine.

[cbbaron]

planning a trip out to AZ in late Feb.

 

Looking at Playing:

 

Greyhawk, Wekopa, maybe Troon.....is there another course you guy's would recommend?

 

For sure Southern Dunes like the other have mentioned.

 

I was a little disappointed by Troon Pinnacle. The layout really didn't do much for me. It's a pretty course and its in great shape. But there are a ton of forced layup shots/forced carry and there is little to no room to miss. I am good with the fact that there isn't much room to miss. But beating a 3 iron on 6 or 7 tee boxes because I can't hit a wood gets a little annoying.

 

Sure you played Pinnacle? That sounds a lot like Monument to me. Pinnacle I can blast driver on most of the tee shots, monument I can leave driver at home and be just fine.

Cant think of a non driver hole on Pinnacle

[One_Putt_Blunder]

1 and 2 are safer tee shots with 3 wood 10 and 12 are borderline 3 wood holes. This is assuming playing correct tees for distance. I had to play from 6300 for a tourney once and I hit a lot fewer drivers than normal

[SilverBullets]

1 and 2 are safer tee shots with 3 wood 10 and 12 are borderline 3 wood holes. This is assuming playing correct tees for distance. I had to play from 6300 for a tourney once and I hit a lot fewer drivers than normal

 

I played 36 at Pinnacle on Friday. I had to hit 3i on the following holes: 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, and 12. We played the tees that were one up (6600-6700 range). I carry my driver about 265 to 270 with some roll out in that 280-285 range total, and my 3w doesn't carry as far but it rolls out to generally 260-270.... All of those holes had stuff crossing the fairway in that 250-280 range.

 

Overall I did like the course and we had a lot of fun. But if I am picking a course to pay in that $175 range, I am picking both WeKoPa tracks over Pinnacle. I haven't played Monument yet so I can't comment there. I am fine with having to layup on holes, but, for me and my game, Pinnacle got a little repetitive. Many of the holes, mainly those 6 holes, are fairly similar to one another. A shortish par 4 (most were ranging from 350-385) with some bunkers or desert cutting across the center of the fairway to a green which is well guarded. I like courses which challenge different aspects of your game and encourage you to use many clubs through out your bag. I felt like I hit my 3w (only hit 1 driver in 36 holes), 3i, 7 and 8 irons, PW and my sand wedge. That was it. I think I hit 5 woods also while trying to hit #11 in two.

 

That's obviously probably exaggerating a bit. Sometimes it is just the way you play a specific round. But we played the course twice, back to back, and both times I walked away feeling like it was a really challenging layout that didn't test more than a handful of aspects of my game and lacked some variety. Another perfect example are the Par 3's. 3 of them (6, 8, and 13) are visually different, but they end up playing as virtually the same shot. All of them were in the 170-185 range but based on wind direction and elevation, they were the same shot. A solid 7i for me.

[az2au]

Why not play Pinnacle from the tips? I pretty much always do (can't recall the last time I didn't) and then only 1 and 10 are 3 wood holes. You can hit driver on 1 from the tips if you know where to put it but 10 is a 3 wood holes regardless.

[JLo_73]

Best couple of courses to play regardless of money?

My top 10 golf courses in Phoenix that I could play regardless of money.

 

1) Troon North - Monument

2) Quintero

3) Southern Dunes

4) We Ko Pa - Saguaro

5) Troon North - Pinnacle

6) Greyhawk - Talon

7) The Boulders - South

8) Camelback - Ambiente

9) Greyhawk - Raptor

10) We Ko Pa - Cholla

 

Honorable mention goes to TPC Stadium (I think I would like this course more if it wasn't always on the top of the list for the most expensive courses to play)

 

Playing 5 of your top 11 in mid March with 16 guys on annual trip. So many great options and appreciate all of the local feedback on course conditions.

[kadillackountry]

Why not play Pinnacle from the tips? I pretty much always do (can't recall the last time I didn't) and then only 1 and 10 are 3 wood holes. You can hit driver on 1 from the tips if you know where to put it but 10 is a 3 wood holes regardless.

I like that there are a few holes on that course that make you use the 3 wood. I personally don't like that it's #1 and #10 though, I like to let the big dog eat on #1. Always drives me crazy when the opening hole is less than max. One of my dings on the Pinnacle course.

 

Best couple of courses to play regardless of money?

My top 10 golf courses in Phoenix that I could play regardless of money.

 

1) Troon North - Monument

2) Quintero

3) Southern Dunes

4) We Ko Pa - Saguaro

5) Troon North - Pinnacle

6) Greyhawk - Talon

7) The Boulders - South

8) Camelback - Ambiente

9) Greyhawk - Raptor

10) We Ko Pa - Cholla

 

Honorable mention goes to TPC Stadium (I think I would like this course more if it wasn't always on the top of the list for the most expensive courses to play)

 

Playing 5 of your top 11 in mid March with 16 guys on annual trip. So many great options and appreciate all of the local feedback on course conditions.

Which ones are you missing?

 

I've not yet played Wickenburg Ranch. Isn't it going to be private anyway?

 

Eventually, but probably years. Probably the best conditioned track in Arizona right now. And fun.

I tried to go on their website today to check out tee times, and for whatever reason I can't see the available times. Must have to call them to get a slot?

[One_Putt_Blunder]

AZ2AU brought this up earlier and it has always been a pet peeve of mine as well but it is GRAYHAWK not GREYHAWK

[DrSchteeve]

To use the WR website for tee times, you have to register. You can also call for tee times but the website is more convenient.

[kadillackountry]

To use the WR website for tee times, you have to register. You can also call for tee times but the website is more convenient.

I must not be very computer saavy, because I've done that and it still doesn't show me any tee times. I'll have to call to book soon!!

[Clark_Griswold]

I love how the 3 days of rain that Phoenix gets a year happen to be the 3 days I am in town to play golf.

 

FML.

[az2au]

I love how the 3 days of rain that Phoenix gets a year happen to be the 3 days I am in town to play golf.

 

FML.

 

If it makes you feel any better at all it is an El Niño year so we'll likely get 20-25 days of rain this year instead of 10-13. If you ever want to know the best years to visit PHX in winter look for La Niña years.

 

Wikipedia info aside, sorry. I hate it when people tell me that they came to the Valley and rained them out. It is bad luck and it sucks.

[kadillackountry]

I love how the 3 days of rain that Phoenix gets a year happen to be the 3 days I am in town to play golf.

 

FML.

 

If it makes you feel any better at all it is an El Niño year so we'll likely get 20-25 days of rain this year instead of 10-13. If you ever want to know the best years to visit PHX in winter look for La Niña years.

 

Wikipedia info aside, sorry. I hate it when people tell me that they came to the Valley and rained them out. It is bad luck and it sucks.

 

El Nino rain years though are pretty spotty for the most part. I played last Saturday in the "rain" and we only had rain on about 3 holes. Also note that the weatherman here says "rainy" if there is over 20-30% chance of rain...if not they would say "sunny to partly cloudy" 365 days of the year.

[az2au]

I love how the 3 days of rain that Phoenix gets a year happen to be the 3 days I am in town to play golf.

 

FML.

 

If it makes you feel any better at all it is an El Niño year so we'll likely get 20-25 days of rain this year instead of 10-13. If you ever want to know the best years to visit PHX in winter look for La Niña years.

 

Wikipedia info aside, sorry. I hate it when people tell me that they came to the Valley and rained them out. It is bad luck and it sucks.

 

El Nino rain years though are pretty spotty for the most part. I played last Saturday in the "rain" and we only had rain on about 3 holes. Also note that the weatherman here says "rainy" if there is over 20-30% chance of rain...if not they would say "sunny to partly cloudy" 365 days of the year.

Yeah, like I said it is 20-25 days. Not like we suddenly turn into South Florida :)

[kadillackountry]

I love how the 3 days of rain that Phoenix gets a year happen to be the 3 days I am in town to play golf.

 

FML.

 

If it makes you feel any better at all it is an El Niño year so we'll likely get 20-25 days of rain this year instead of 10-13. If you ever want to know the best years to visit PHX in winter look for La Niña years.

 

Wikipedia info aside, sorry. I hate it when people tell me that they came to the Valley and rained them out. It is bad luck and it sucks.

 

El Nino rain years though are pretty spotty for the most part. I played last Saturday in the "rain" and we only had rain on about 3 holes. Also note that the weatherman here says "rainy" if there is over 20-30% chance of rain...if not they would say "sunny to partly cloudy" 365 days of the year.

Yeah, like I said it is 20-25 days. Not like we suddenly turn into South Florida :)

Haha. That's for sure. It felt a lot like Hawaii rain on Saturday too...which was weird. I did get a killer rainbow view on 17...

[kadillackountry]

You won't get a view like that if there is no rain.

[SilverBullets]

I love how the 3 days of rain that Phoenix gets a year happen to be the 3 days I am in town to play golf.

 

FML.

 

haha I had a buddy and his wife in town from Ohio this past weekend.... It was warmer and less rainy back home than it was here lol. We still got 3 rounds of dry golf in though. Our timing was impeccable.

 

Over new year's it was the same thing. Had a buddy here from NY for the fiesta bowl. We had a beautiful Friday but then Saturday it was chilly and a little rainy. Sunday was a total wash out. Felt bad but that happens when you travel.

[Clark_Griswold]

Coming from the Frozen Tundra, I love every single minute above 32 degrees. We will be fine! Just find the forecast to be funny.

[Sun Devil]

1 and 2 are safer tee shots with 3 wood 10 and 12 are borderline 3 wood holes. This is assuming playing correct tees for distance. I had to play from 6300 for a tourney once and I hit a lot fewer drivers than normal

 

I played 36 at Pinnacle on Friday. I had to hit 3i on the following holes: 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, and 12. We played the tees that were one up (6600-6700 range). I carry my driver about 265 to 270 with some roll out in that 280-285 range total, and my 3w doesn't carry as far but it rolls out to generally 260-270.... All of those holes had stuff crossing the fairway in that 250-280 range.

 

Overall I did like the course and we had a lot of fun. But if I am picking a course to pay in that $175 range, I am picking both WeKoPa tracks over Pinnacle. I haven't played Monument yet so I can't comment there. I am fine with having to layup on holes, but, for me and my game, Pinnacle got a little repetitive. Many of the holes, mainly those 6 holes, are fairly similar to one another. A shortish par 4 (most were ranging from 350-385) with some bunkers or desert cutting across the center of the fairway to a green which is well guarded. I like courses which challenge different aspects of your game and encourage you to use many clubs through out your bag. I felt like I hit my 3w (only hit 1 driver in 36 holes), 3i, 7 and 8 irons, PW and my sand wedge. That was it. I think I hit 5 woods also while trying to hit #11 in two.

 

That's obviously probably exaggerating a bit. Sometimes it is just the way you play a specific round. But we played the course twice, back to back, and both times I walked away feeling like it was a really challenging layout that didn't test more than a handful of aspects of my game and lacked some variety. Another perfect example are the Par 3's. 3 of them (6, 8, and 13) are visually different, but they end up playing as virtually the same shot. All of them were in the 170-185 range but based on wind direction and elevation, they were the same shot. A solid 7i for me.

 

I've played just about every course in Scottsdale and Troon is my favorite. Pinnacle or Monument. If you are a low cap ... maybe the course can be played with less than driver, but I use driver on most of the holes and I average 250 carry. The course offers a lot of variety on shots, so not sure why you're experience is different. But ... that is golf. Golf is different for everyone.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

San Marcos today, first time playing it. Condition wise it was in reasonably good shape after yesterdays rains. Bunkers drained very very well and the sand was excellent. Greens were meh'ish recently sanded maybe in anticipation of the rain and signs of being punched in the last month or so. Rolled ok but fairly average for the most part. Course itself drained very well in landing areas and greens. Not very many mudballs which would have been expected today. Company was great with the fellow wrx'ers and it was a nice walk on a cool windy day.

 

The design as a whole is a bit odd. There are a couple par 4s that are as long as a couple of the par 5s and a couple long par 3s. A couple of the holes had overgrown trees that impacted the original intended lines of play. Enjoyed the walk and for $33 it was a great deal. If I lived closer I might play it again as the greens should improve here quickly after we dry out a bit.

[bhunzel]

How are the conditions of longbow and Papago right now? Coming there in a few weeks and will play one or the other for our last round of the trip. Which would you choose?