2018 Phoenix Course Conditions

[puttnforthe8]

TPC Stadium: Transition horrible as expected...either bare and dry or bare and soaked. Greens pretty slow.

 

Southern Dunes: In very good shape tee to green; greens were very, very slow though.

[Bonneville85308]

Wigwam Red this morning. I believe they aerated the greens a few weeks ago. Appears they have healed back to normal, but were a little slow and many putts didn't break as much as they looked like they would. Many aeriation/bare patches in the fairways though the signs in the carts said to play "winter" rules. Course didn't seem as damp as the Gold and Blue do in the morning, but I was getting less roll on drives vs. the Gold course last week for whatever reason.

 

Bunkers are by far the worst of the three courses (they are in good shape on Blue and Gold). Very thin layer of sand over hardpan. Need to basically chip out of them greenside, can't play a traditional bunker shot.

 

Pace was 4:30 which was slow for an early tee time on a tightly-routed course like this.

 

I like the layout so it was a good deal for the $30 or so I paid.

[cbbaron]

TPC Stadium: Transition horrible as expected...either bare and dry or bare and soaked. Greens pretty slow.

 

Southern Dunes: In very good shape tee to green; greens were very, very slow though.

Thank You was going to play Stadium week of 4th but now probably not

[saltyk9]

TPC Stadium: Transition horrible as expected...either bare and dry or bare and soaked. Greens pretty slow.

 

Southern Dunes: In very good shape tee to green; greens were very, very slow though.

Thank You was going to play Stadium week of 4th but now probably not

 

Was also wanting to play stadium (never played it) but looks like I'll pass as well.

Played southern dunes on Friday and sadly the greens were quite slow from being punched recently. Everything else still in good shape and played in 3.5 hours with an 8:00am tee time.

[SilverBullets]

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.

 

Played there yesterday as well. I thought the greens were in really good shape. Running quick (especially for this time of year). We played the fairways are lift, clean and place.. lot of bare spots which were wet resulting in a ton of mud balls.

 

Such a fun course layout though. I love the closing stretch.

[cbbaron]

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.

 

Played there yesterday as well. I thought the greens were in really good shape. Running quick (especially for this time of year). We played the fairways are lift, clean and place.. lot of bare spots which were wet resulting in a ton of mud balls.

 

Such a fun course layout though. I love the closing stretch.

Playing there next Monday the old 15,16, and 17 were great holes new ones are starting to grow on me 18 is my favorite finishing hole

[BettorThanMost]

Dove Valley Ranch on Saturday - course is really dry/firm/fast. Bunkers are garbage, but everything else was pretty good.

 

Papago Sunday. 3 weeks after punching the greens, they are fairly slow but rolled nicely. Everything else in really good shape.

[Olson12]

GCU is really rough right now. bare spots in a lot of fairways and several of the greens are rough! I would avoid for now.

[puttnforthe8]

TPC Stadium: Transition horrible as expected...either bare and dry or bare and soaked. Greens pretty slow.

 

Southern Dunes: In very good shape tee to green; greens were very, very slow though.

Thank You was going to play Stadium week of 4th but now probably not

 

Played a tourney Sun and we had to play the course as GUR; virtually every tee shot and 2nd shot(par 5) was GUR, sometimes the greenside area. The only good part of the course imo was the bunkers.

[AzSuperHack76]

GCU is really rough right now. bare spots in a lot of fairways and several of the greens are rough! I would avoid for now.

 

#8 green was just about completely dead when we played a few weeks ago. Sounds like it hasn't gotten any better.

[AzSuperHack76]

Wickenburg Ranch this past weekend.

 

Near perfection, especially for summer conditions. Best summer conditioned course I have played in a few years. They absolutely know how to take care of things out there. It also helps that it's a few degrees cooler in Wickenburg and how the course lies in the river bottom/canyon/valley areas.

[BettorThanMost]

Wickenburg Ranch is always so good, if only it were 20-30 mins closer to the valley. We played (and won!) the Troon Challenge event out there a couple weeks ago and it was the "worst" I had ever seen it, and would still rate it at a 9/10. Lil Wick is so fun too, we always do a lap or two out there after playing the big course. Lil Wick greens are always perfect, seems like no one plays out there.

[Bonneville85308]

Biltmore Adobe for the first time yesterday evening. $25 resident twilight rate. Course was pretty empty, didn't catch anyone until #16. Greens were aerated 3-4 weeks ago, a little slow as to be expected but in good shape and rolled fine. Some very sizeable dirt patches in the fairways. Rough and tees in good shape. Most bunkers are hardpan.

 

Very, very dull course. Only 2 holes I even really remember being remotely interesting whatsoever, #3 & #10. The $100+ that tourists pay to play this course in the winter has to be one of the biggest golf ripoffs in Phoenix. It's basically a privately owned Encanto. It's a very walkable layout for the winter but I was told only members are allowed to do so which is lame.

[Rohlio]

Biltmore Adobe for the first time yesterday evening. $25 resident twilight rate. Course was pretty empty, didn't catch anyone until #16. Greens were aerated 3-4 weeks ago, a little slow as to be expected but in good shape and rolled fine. Some very sizeable dirt patches in the fairways. Rough and tees in good shape. Most bunkers are hardpan.

 

Very, very dull course. Only 2 holes I even really remember being remotely interesting whatsoever, #3 & #10. The $100+ that tourists pay to play this course in the winter has to be one of the biggest golf ripoffs in Phoenix. It's basically a privately owned Encanto. It's a very walkable layout for the winter but I was told only members are allowed to do so which is lame.

 

Biltmore Adobe for the first time yesterday evening. $25 resident twilight rate. Course was pretty empty, didn't catch anyone until #16. Greens were aerated 3-4 weeks ago, a little slow as to be expected but in good shape and rolled fine. Some very sizeable dirt patches in the fairways. Rough and tees in good shape. Most bunkers are hardpan.

 

Very, very dull course. Only 2 holes I even really remember being remotely interesting whatsoever, #3 & #10. The $100+ that tourists pay to play this course in the winter has to be one of the biggest golf ripoffs in Phoenix. It's basically a privately owned Encanto. It's a very walkable layout for the winter but I was told only members are allowed to do so which is lame.

 

My office is on the edge of the biltmore course...such a boring set of courses...Encanto is better. The Rate for this course in the winter is embarrassing. The location and the short length of it make old people feel like they are young again is my theory.

[ferrispgm]

Biltmore Adobe for the first time yesterday evening. $25 resident twilight rate. Course was pretty empty, didn't catch anyone until #16. Greens were aerated 3-4 weeks ago, a little slow as to be expected but in good shape and rolled fine. Some very sizeable dirt patches in the fairways. Rough and tees in good shape. Most bunkers are hardpan.

 

Very, very dull course. Only 2 holes I even really remember being remotely interesting whatsoever, #3 & #10. The $100+ that tourists pay to play this course in the winter has to be one of the biggest golf ripoffs in Phoenix. It's basically a privately owned Encanto. It's a very walkable layout for the winter but I was told only members are allowed to do so which is lame.

 

Biltmore Adobe for the first time yesterday evening. $25 resident twilight rate. Course was pretty empty, didn't catch anyone until #16. Greens were aerated 3-4 weeks ago, a little slow as to be expected but in good shape and rolled fine. Some very sizeable dirt patches in the fairways. Rough and tees in good shape. Most bunkers are hardpan.

 

Very, very dull course. Only 2 holes I even really remember being remotely interesting whatsoever, #3 & #10. The $100+ that tourists pay to play this course in the winter has to be one of the biggest golf ripoffs in Phoenix. It's basically a privately owned Encanto. It's a very walkable layout for the winter but I was told only members are allowed to do so which is lame.

 

My office is on the edge of the biltmore course...such a boring set of courses...Encanto is better. The Rate for this course in the winter is embarrassing. The location and the short length of it make old people feel like they are young again is my theory.

 

 

Agree....the courses plain suck...and very short as well. I don't mind short courses if they are creative and force you to hit some irons or 3 wood off the tee but these do not with maybe 1 or 2 holes as an exception. I actually prefer Phoenician over here and I'm not a fan of those courses either.

[Rohlio]

Biltmore Adobe for the first time yesterday evening. $25 resident twilight rate. Course was pretty empty, didn't catch anyone until #16. Greens were aerated 3-4 weeks ago, a little slow as to be expected but in good shape and rolled fine. Some very sizeable dirt patches in the fairways. Rough and tees in good shape. Most bunkers are hardpan.

 

Very, very dull course. Only 2 holes I even really remember being remotely interesting whatsoever, #3 & #10. The $100+ that tourists pay to play this course in the winter has to be one of the biggest golf ripoffs in Phoenix. It's basically a privately owned Encanto. It's a very walkable layout for the winter but I was told only members are allowed to do so which is lame.

 

Biltmore Adobe for the first time yesterday evening. $25 resident twilight rate. Course was pretty empty, didn't catch anyone until #16. Greens were aerated 3-4 weeks ago, a little slow as to be expected but in good shape and rolled fine. Some very sizeable dirt patches in the fairways. Rough and tees in good shape. Most bunkers are hardpan.

 

Very, very dull course. Only 2 holes I even really remember being remotely interesting whatsoever, #3 & #10. The $100+ that tourists pay to play this course in the winter has to be one of the biggest golf ripoffs in Phoenix. It's basically a privately owned Encanto. It's a very walkable layout for the winter but I was told only members are allowed to do so which is lame.

 

My office is on the edge of the biltmore course...such a boring set of courses...Encanto is better. The Rate for this course in the winter is embarrassing. The location and the short length of it make old people feel like they are young again is my theory.

 

 

Agree....the courses plain suck...and very short as well. I don't mind short courses if they are creative and force you to hit some irons or 3 wood off the tee but these do not with maybe 1 or 2 holes as an exception. I actually prefer Phoenician over here and I'm not a fan of those courses either.

 

Go play mountain shadows or Ambiente/Padre at Camelback in this area. I also hate the Phoenician.

[az2au]

The Phoenician has removed the small number of holes that were decent. It is an absolutely terrible golf course. Terrible in design, terrible in value and honestly now kinda terrible in scenery. That said, if you forced me to play 100 rounds at the Phoenician or either Biltmore course it would probably be like 80/20 in favor of the Phoenician. All 3 are absolutely terrible.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

Golf Club of Estrella. first loop there. enjoyed it. would I go back? too far of a drive for me so probably not very often. would I tell somebody to go play it one time? abso-frickin-lutely.

 

their fairway transition is kinda spotty right now, but playable. bunkers were great. greens are rolling puuuuure and @10-11-12. they haven't punched yet, think that'll be a few weeks into July.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

The Phoenician has removed the small number of holes that were decent. It is an absolutely terrible golf course. Terrible in design, terrible in value and honestly now kinda terrible in scenery. That said, if you forced me to play 100 rounds at the Phoenician or either Biltmore course it would probably be like 80/20 in favor of the Phoenician. All 3 are absolutely terrible.

 

I’d rather go to in n out or not play & watch the golf channel haha

[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!

 

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!

 

You were not kidding. That course was not very good at all. Very rough shape.

[OspreyCI]

What are Papago’s current conditions like? Might play there tomorrow (Sunday afternoon and wide open on website). I have never played it.

[Bonneville85308]

What are Papago's current conditions like? Might play there tomorrow (Sunday afternoon and wide open on website). I have never played it.

 

I actually played there this morning. Greens were aerated in early June. Still a little slow, but the roll is pretty consistent. Zero burnt out spots or really any imperfections on the greens. The rest of the course is in real good shape compared to its peers. You can tell they must be watering the heck out of the place overnight. No standing water or squishy spots, but the turf is pretty lush and not a whole lot of roll on many holes.

 

Also wasn't as busy in the morning as I had anticipated. By the time we left a bit before noon, the parking lot was really emptying out. Pace was 4 hours. I'd say give it a try tomorrow.

[AzSuperHack76]

Vistancia is in pretty bad shape. I love fast and firm but brown and bare is not fun. Greens are super inconsistent and baked. Fairways are a mess. Bunkers are bad as well. They are aerating soon so maybe that’s why it’s so bad.

[OspreyCI]

What are Papago's current conditions like? Might play there tomorrow (Sunday afternoon and wide open on website). I have never played it.

 

I actually played there this morning. Greens were aerated in early June. Still a little slow, but the roll is pretty consistent. Zero burnt out spots or really any imperfections on the greens. The rest of the course is in real good shape compared to its peers. You can tell they must be watering the heck out of the place overnight. No standing water or squishy spots, but the turf is pretty lush and not a whole lot of roll on many holes.

 

Also wasn't as busy in the morning as I had anticipated. By the time we left a bit before noon, the parking lot was really emptying out. Pace was 4 hours. I'd say give it a try tomorrow.

Thanks. Again, never played it after all the years living here. It’s about time!

[ferrispgm]

Played Aguila yesterday....course was in good shape but the greens were still bumpy from the aerating 3-4 weeks ago which was a little shocking. However, the greens were still surprisingly fast for how bumpy they were and they were fairly firm but receptive. Fairways were all pretty solid though and the bunkers have a lot of sand....I'm not used to having that much sand out here and left most bunker shots 10ft short of my target lol.

[copperjeff]

Played Aguila yesterday....course was in good shape but the greens were still bumpy from the aerating 3-4 weeks ago which was a little shocking. However, the greens were still surprisingly fast for how bumpy they were and they were fairly firm but receptive. Fairways were all pretty solid though and the bunkers have a lot of sand....I'm not used to having that much sand out here and left most bunker shots 10ft short of my target lol.

 

Course was great for a few 1 irons off the tee lol!

 

Was in great shape other than the greens. My guess is 2 more weeks for those.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro.

 

please, everybody, stay away right now.

[DrSchteeve]

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro.

 

please, everybody, stay away right now.

 

we like details

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro.

 

please, everybody, stay away right now.

 

we like details

they're completely closing the course at some point to redo all of the bunkers. and the inevitability of that shows in the condition they're keeping it right now. I'd give it 2.5/5.

[puttnforthe8]

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro.

 

please, everybody, stay away right now.

 

huh? I played yesterday and while it is in transition it was by no means deserving of this comment. So I disagree. I do agree that they are putting in significantly less effort to maintaining.