2018 Phoenix Course Conditions

[fore_life]

Lone Tree today, they are filling up some of the burnt out areas on edges of fairways but nothing that comes in to play. Greens rolled decent, though a few of them are starting to look like the practice green, which is no bueno

[DBill]

Las Colinas today in Queen Creek, first time out here. Solid deal at $20 for the round. Played right at 3 hours as well. Course layout was fairly bland but the greens and fairways were in pretty good shape. Short course @6600 yards from tips.

 

Not going to make any top lists but wasn't a bad track at all.

[c. howard]

Las Colinas today in Queen Creek, first time out here. Solid deal at $20 for the round. Played right at 3 hours as well. Course layout was fairly bland but the greens and fairways were in pretty good shape. Short course @6600 yards from tips.

 

Not going to make any top lists but wasn't a bad track at all.

 

Yup. Worthwhile in the summer when it is cheap, but way overpriced in season. Greens rolling okay?

[DBill]

Las Colinas today in Queen Creek, first time out here. Solid deal at $20 for the round. Played right at 3 hours as well. Course layout was fairly bland but the greens and fairways were in pretty good shape. Short course @6600 yards from tips.

 

Not going to make any top lists but wasn't a bad track at all.

 

Yup. Worthwhile in the summer when it is cheap, but way overpriced in season. Greens rolling okay?

 

Greens rolled nice, a little slow for my liking.

[fore_life]

I’ve been meaning to play there, not too far and I heard it’s pretty fun. Let’s play!!

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Copper canyon. Pace, conditions and customer were all great. Only negative is the far drive. Greens were punched 3 weeks and are rolling nicely. The new 9 holes has been seeded and are being heavily watered. It will be ready in sept but won’t open until November. I’m going to do some research online to see if Schmidt Curley also designed the new 9 holes. Defintely a more forgiving layout than SD, if you want a challenge move back a tee. The routing is too spread out thru housing however the wind direction changes nearly every hole!

[DBill]

I’ve been meaning to play there, not too far and I heard it’s pretty fun. Let’s play!!

 

I'm in! Maybe we could get a 4 some of guys together from WRX. I usually play Friday mornings or afternoon. Weekends would be fine too.

[BettorThanMost]

Good to hear regarding Copper Canyon - I have been meaning to get out there and burn a Troon Card 2/1 before it expires, but the long drive always scares me off...

 

Played Boulders Saturday (Front 9 on North, Front 9 on South) - greens were fairly slow and bumpy. They had said it was a full 30 days since aerification, but seemed more like 2 weeks to me. Rest of the course was very good.

 

Lookout Mountain this morning - greens were very good, everything else was so-so.

[puttnforthe8]

Ocotillo today and it is an absolute dump!! Stay away. Virtually every aspect of the course is a mess!

[herbygolf21]

Ocotillo today and it is an absolute dump!! Stay away. Virtually every aspect of the course is a mess!

 

Didn't want to hear that. Have a tournament out there next weekend!

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Good to hear regarding Copper Canyon - I have been meaning to get out there and burn a Troon Card 2/1 before it expires, but the long drive always scares me off...

 

Played Boulders Saturday (Front 9 on North, Front 9 on South) - greens were fairly slow and bumpy. They had said it was a full 30 days since aerification, but seemed more like 2 weeks to me. Rest of the course was very good.

 

Lookout Mountain this morning - greens were very good, everything else was so-so.

 

Low handicaps could find copper canyon a bit boring and easy

[az2au]

Good to hear regarding Copper Canyon - I have been meaning to get out there and burn a Troon Card 2/1 before it expires, but the long drive always scares me off...

 

Played Boulders Saturday (Front 9 on North, Front 9 on South) - greens were fairly slow and bumpy. They had said it was a full 30 days since aerification, but seemed more like 2 weeks to me. Rest of the course was very good.

 

Lookout Mountain this morning - greens were very good, everything else was so-so.

 

Low handicaps could find copper canyon a bit boring and easy

Honestly that's Wickenburg Ranch instead of Copper Canyon.

[DrSchteeve]

Eagle Mountain in decent shape. I don't think I've ever seen Eagle Mountain in really good shape - there may be something inherent in the course design that there always seem to be thin and/or mushy areas in the fairways and to a lesser extent some greens. But anyway, I think it's fine right now.

[jatrain]

Quintero today. Conditions were fairly good for this time of year. Greens rolled true but were slow with little break. Fairways were good but rough was thin, especially greenside and around bunkers. $35 teeoff deal time.

 

It was my first time playing there. Mixed feelings. I expected very tricked up with good conditions and great views/terrain. I didn’t really get that. I didn’t think that the course was that tricked up beyond the 3 downhill par threes and #8 (par 5). It was a lot of straight, par 4s with bunkering both sides and elevated greens. I hit driver all day besides 3 (I think, water left) and 8. But I didn’t think they used the terrain all that well, certainly not the views/vistas. It routed between a lot of small little peaks but you rarely see a broad backdrop. Not as impressive as I expected. Also just a weird vibe with the roads that lead to nowhere and empty homesites. Certainly not worth the drive. I tend to like a lot of courses that don’t tend to rate that highly by others on here. I traveled out here for 10+ years before moving and appreciate the point of view of an out of towner wanting something deserty and crazy different. But I wouldn’t even recommend it for that. We-ko-pa is obviously better, but I’d even go with Gold Canyon over it.

[SilverBullets]

Quintero today. Conditions were fairly good for this time of year. Greens rolled true but were slow with little break. Fairways were good but rough was thin, especially greenside and around bunkers. $35 teeoff deal time.

 

It was my first time playing there. Mixed feelings. I expected very tricked up with good conditions and great views/terrain. I didn't really get that. I didn't think that the course was that tricked up beyond the 3 downhill par threes and #8 (par 5). It was a lot of straight, par 4s with bunkering both sides and elevated greens. I hit driver all day besides 3 (I think, water left) and 8. But I didn't think they used the terrain all that well, certainly not the views/vistas. It routed between a lot of small little peaks but you rarely see a broad backdrop. Not as impressive as I expected. Also just a weird vibe with the roads that lead to nowhere and empty homesites. Certainly not worth the drive. I tend to like a lot of courses that don't tend to rate that highly by others on here. I traveled out here for 10+ years before moving and appreciate the point of view of an out of towner wanting something deserty and crazy different. But I wouldn't even recommend it for that. We-ko-pa is obviously better, but I'd even go with Gold Canyon over it.

 

I think you need to play Quintero when it's at peak condition and the greens are rolling quick. When I was there in March, it was hard to hold anything on the green. I had a bunch of approach shots from 100-125 yards. For me that's a pretty stock shot. One I practice a lot and one which I warm up with on the range everytime I play. It's a partial gap wedge will one hop and stop. It's not necessarily a automatic, go to, distance but its about as close to one as I have in the bag. The first few I hit, landed within 10 feet of the hole and rolled off the back of the green. I started playing them 10 yards shorter than the distance to hopefully hold the green. The absurdity fully hit when I was 110 yards out middle of the fairway. Landed one on the front fringe (95 yards) and it rolled all the way to the back collar of the green.

 

The way the greens are protected by bunkers and the fact that they sit on tabletops, having rock hard greens which are incredibly quick made it near impossible to play. I agree with you in the fact that I also don't find the layout overly gimmicky. The 3 elevated par 3's are overkill and poorly designed (one of those would be OK... actually would be awesome.. but 3 ruins all of them) and I don't like one of the par 5's (forget which hole #). But I rarely find a course where I love every hole and par 3's which don't present variety is a common issue. My biggest gripe is how they make the course play.

[copperjeff]

I’ve been meaning to play there, not too far and I heard it’s pretty fun. Let’s play!!

 

I'm in! Maybe we could get a 4 some of guys together from WRX. I usually play Friday mornings or afternoon. Weekends would be fine too.

 

I'm always down for golf in the SE valley! I've played there a bunch of times and its always in good enough shape, especially for summer prices.

[c. howard]

I've been meaning to play there, not too far and I heard it's pretty fun. Let's play!!

 

I'm in! Maybe we could get a 4 some of guys together from WRX. I usually play Friday mornings or afternoon. Weekends would be fine too.

 

I'm always down for golf in the SE valley! I've played there a bunch of times and its always in good enough shape, especially for summer prices.

 

I'm in too, but we're camping this weekend, so I can't until week after next (6/30 or 7/1).

[fore_life]

Yeah I’m going to ABQ this weekend, will post back with some days hat I’d be free

[puttnforthe8]

Ocotillo today and it is an absolute dump!! Stay away. Virtually every aspect of the course is a mess!

 

Didn't want to hear that. Have a tournament out there next weekend!

 

Feel sorry for you....virtually every fairway we played was a mess - dead, torn up, wet/mushy or unplayable. The bunkers were concrete/no sand. Tee boxes beat up. Greens were all over the place, many dead spots, beat up greens.

 

The poor shape of the course is compounding because you can tell no one is caring...not even the course. No sand in the jugs to fill divots, so the fairways are just destroyed with divots. Virtually no pitch marks fixed, no raking of bunker(not that you really could).

 

It literally is a dump! Oh, not to mention they have changed their "rates" and range balls are no longer included!

[ferrispgm]

Played Whirlwind Cattail last Saturday.....course was in decent shape...some soft bare spots around the green and in some fairways but overall it wasn't bad. The course was saturated though. I know we had some rain but I don't think we got that much....had sizeable mud lumps after nearly every tee shot. It looks like they aerated the tees/fairways a week or two prior but nothing to affect play. It was my first time playing here and I actually really like the layout of Cattail....has some really good holes and fun to play. I just wish, as with most other Troon courses, they didn't over water so much. If there was 20 yards or run out the tee shots would require a lot more strategy...even on the long 460+ par 4s.

 

I forgot how good their practice facility is...I wish they offered a practice membership like Arcis....heck, I would even consider paying double for that facility.

[Rohlio]

Played Whirlwind Cattail last Saturday.....course was in decent shape...some soft bare spots around the green and in some fairways but overall it wasn't bad. The course was saturated though. I know we had some rain but I don't think we got that much....had sizeable mud lumps after nearly every tee shot. It looks like they aerated the tees/fairways a week or two prior but nothing to affect play. It was my first time playing here and I actually really like the layout of Cattail....has some really good holes and fun to play. I just wish, as with most other Troon courses, they didn't over water so much. If there was 20 yards or run out the tee shots would require a lot more strategy...even on the long 460+ par 4s.

 

I forgot how good their practice facility is...I wish they offered a practice membership like Arcis....heck, I would even consider paying double for that facility.

 

I am under the impression that WHirlwind does offer a practice membership, so you can use the back range and practice area with unlimited balls. At least I am 95% sure that was the case just a year or two ago. I could be wrong.

[ferrispgm]

Played Whirlwind Cattail last Saturday.....course was in decent shape...some soft bare spots around the green and in some fairways but overall it wasn't bad. The course was saturated though. I know we had some rain but I don't think we got that much....had sizeable mud lumps after nearly every tee shot. It looks like they aerated the tees/fairways a week or two prior but nothing to affect play. It was my first time playing here and I actually really like the layout of Cattail....has some really good holes and fun to play. I just wish, as with most other Troon courses, they didn't over water so much. If there was 20 yards or run out the tee shots would require a lot more strategy...even on the long 460+ par 4s.

 

I forgot how good their practice facility is...I wish they offered a practice membership like Arcis....heck, I would even consider paying double for that facility.

 

I am under the impression that WHirlwind does offer a practice membership, so you can use the back range and practice area with unlimited balls. At least I am 95% sure that was the case just a year or two ago. I could be wrong.

 

I think you're right but I'm pretty sure it was priced pretty high.

[Rohlio]

Played Whirlwind Cattail last Saturday.....course was in decent shape...some soft bare spots around the green and in some fairways but overall it wasn't bad. The course was saturated though. I know we had some rain but I don't think we got that much....had sizeable mud lumps after nearly every tee shot. It looks like they aerated the tees/fairways a week or two prior but nothing to affect play. It was my first time playing here and I actually really like the layout of Cattail....has some really good holes and fun to play. I just wish, as with most other Troon courses, they didn't over water so much. If there was 20 yards or run out the tee shots would require a lot more strategy...even on the long 460+ par 4s.

 

I forgot how good their practice facility is...I wish they offered a practice membership like Arcis....heck, I would even consider paying double for that facility.

 

I am under the impression that WHirlwind does offer a practice membership, so you can use the back range and practice area with unlimited balls. At least I am 95% sure that was the case just a year or two ago. I could be wrong.

 

I think you're right but I'm pretty sure it was priced pretty high.

 

Whirlwind has always been on the pricey side for everything. One of the reasons I only ever seem to play it on last minute outings when all the other courses are booked out. I like the facility but they stay pretty aggressive in their pricing model.

[sub150]

Played Ambiente on Sunday. Greens punched last week, relatively slow greens. Wait a couple weeks to play. Apparently Padre's greens are back. The practice green was pretty damn good.

 

Ambient with the wind E to W is tough on the way back. 8 holes into the wind....not the most fun.

[Rohlio]

Played Ambiente on Sunday. Greens punched last week, relatively slow greens. Wait a couple weeks to play. Apparently Padre's greens are back. The practice green was pretty damn good.

 

Ambient with the wind E to W is tough on the way back. 8 holes into the wind....not the most fun.

 

You just hit the nail on the head about what I don't like about ambiente....all the holes go the same direction, until they turn around. Too little variability in that from hole to hole for my taste. I like the course, but it just doesn't make it to my play list because of that feeling of lacking variety.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Played Ambiente on Sunday. Greens punched last week, relatively slow greens. Wait a couple weeks to play. Apparently Padre's greens are back. The practice green was pretty damn good.

 

Ambient with the wind E to W is tough on the way back. 8 holes into the wind....not the most fun.

 

You just hit the nail on the head about what I don't like about ambiente....all the holes go the same direction, until they turn around. Too little variability in that from hole to hole for my taste. I like the course, but it just doesn't make it to my play list because of that feeling of lacking variety.

 

I believe 3 of the first 10 holes are short/interesting par 4s. Yes it would be better with a routing that has shorter green to tee walks & not out & back. However, there is typically little to no wind here & it is routed similar to the old course

[Rohlio]

Played Ambiente on Sunday. Greens punched last week, relatively slow greens. Wait a couple weeks to play. Apparently Padre's greens are back. The practice green was pretty damn good.

 

Ambient with the wind E to W is tough on the way back. 8 holes into the wind....not the most fun.

 

You just hit the nail on the head about what I don't like about ambiente....all the holes go the same direction, until they turn around. Too little variability in that from hole to hole for my taste. I like the course, but it just doesn't make it to my play list because of that feeling of lacking variety.

 

I believe 3 of the first 10 holes are short/interesting par 4s. Yes it would be better with a routing that has shorter green to tee walks & not out & back. However, there is typically little to no wind here & it is routed similar to the old course

 

I agree it is a fine course and I don't ever avoid it... it just kind of sits their in my mind like "Oh yea ambiente..."

 

One of the things about physical out and backs is that if there is wind one direction just can really start to feel like a slog if you aren't striking it well that day. I just prefer a bit more turning and varied routing.

 

Certainly no reason to dislike the course, just drops it down my list.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

Played Whirlwind Cattail last Saturday.....course was in decent shape...some soft bare spots around the green and in some fairways but overall it wasn't bad. The course was saturated though. I know we had some rain but I don't think we got that much....had sizeable mud lumps after nearly every tee shot. It looks like they aerated the tees/fairways a week or two prior but nothing to affect play. It was my first time playing here and I actually really like the layout of Cattail....has some really good holes and fun to play. I just wish, as with most other Troon courses, they didn't over water so much. If there was 20 yards or run out the tee shots would require a lot more strategy...even on the long 460+ par 4s.

 

I forgot how good their practice facility is...I wish they offered a practice membership like Arcis....heck, I would even consider paying double for that facility.

 

I am under the impression that WHirlwind does offer a practice membership, so you can use the back range and practice area with unlimited balls. At least I am 95% sure that was the case just a year or two ago. I could be wrong.

 

I think you're right but I'm pretty sure it was priced pretty high.

 

Whirlwind has always been on the pricey side for everything. One of the reasons I only ever seem to play it on last minute outings when all the other courses are booked out. I like the facility but they stay pretty aggressive in their pricing model.

I would imagine a "range membership" is very high. I know for fact it is $25 just for a single day pass.

[saltyk9]

Played Whirlwind Cattail last Saturday.....course was in decent shape...some soft bare spots around the green and in some fairways but overall it wasn't bad. The course was saturated though. I know we had some rain but I don't think we got that much....had sizeable mud lumps after nearly every tee shot. It looks like they aerated the tees/fairways a week or two prior but nothing to affect play. It was my first time playing here and I actually really like the layout of Cattail....has some really good holes and fun to play. I just wish, as with most other Troon courses, they didn't over water so much. If there was 20 yards or run out the tee shots would require a lot more strategy...even on the long 460+ par 4s.

 

I forgot how good their practice facility is...I wish they offered a practice membership like Arcis....heck, I would even consider paying double for that facility.

 

I am under the impression that WHirlwind does offer a practice membership, so you can use the back range and practice area with unlimited balls. At least I am 95% sure that was the case just a year or two ago. I could be wrong.

 

I think you're right but I'm pretty sure it was priced pretty high.

 

Whirlwind has always been on the pricey side for everything. One of the reasons I only ever seem to play it on last minute outings when all the other courses are booked out. I like the facility but they stay pretty aggressive in their pricing model.

I would imagine a "range membership" is very high. I know for fact it is $25 just for a single day pass.

 

Just played out here yesterday for $17. Love that I can use their practice facility all day for cheaper than the $25 fee AND I get to play 18 holes as well... course was in just as good of shape as it was when I played it over a month ago - great deal for $17 thru golf now.

[DrSchteeve]

Grayhawk Raptor today. Greens and bunkers were fine. Fairways had a lot of bare areas and were damp in quite a few places. One of those rounds where you were often in better conditions in the rough. Not a bargain at $65.