Thoughts on Privates East Valley...ish

[vallygolf]

So I enjoy my current home club, course is good enough and the practice facilities are quite good. Due to work and other obligations time is my key issue. Currently I play nearly 3/4 of my rounds at courses other than my home course because membership has climbed (SE valley Club Corp, you all know which one) and for example Friday november 30th the first available tee time is 1:18 pm. Probably will be dark before I could finish. Currently I utilize my membership more for practice 2-3 times a week (if there were last minute tee times I would play vs practice). As it stands I am lucky to get out 1 time a month at my home course. Budget isnt a huge constraint, but time is. That is why I joined a course close to home. Im wondering your thoughts on joining a more exclusive club farther away that has more tee time options. Im currently 15 minutes away from my home course. I could probably justify 30 minutes or even a little more if the course had more options for spur of the moment play. Total first world problem...I get that, but I am open to consider suggestions I may not have considered. If there isnt really a budget and I use 30 minutes from say 202@Valvista, golf is the primary driver (amenities not necessary) what would you recommend?

 

 

Edit: South ValVista and the 202 (Gilbert), not Mesa Red Mountain 202. Also open to considering further away if ideal.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

So I enjoy my current home club, course is good enough and the practice facilities are quite good. Due to work and other obligations time is my key issue. Currently I play nearly 3/4 of my rounds at courses other than my home course because membership has climbed (SE valley Club Corp, you all know which one) and for example Friday november 30th the first available tee time is 1:18 pm. Probably will be dark before I could finish. Currently I utilize my membership more for practice 2-3 times a week (if there were last minute tee times I would play vs practice). As it stands I am lucky to get out 1 time a month at my home course. Budget isnt a huge constraint, but time is. That is why I joined a course close to home. Im wondering your thoughts on joining a more exclusive club farther away that has more tee time options. Im currently 15 minutes away from my home course. I could probably justify 30 minutes or even a little more if the course had more options for spur of the moment play. Total first world problem...I get that, but I am open to consider suggestions I may not have considered. If there isnt really a budget and I use 30 minutes from say 202@Valvista, golf is the primary driver (amenities not necessary) what would you recommend?

 

 

Edit: South ValVista and the 202 (Gilbert), not Mesa Red Mountain 202. Also open to considering further away if ideal.

 

Switch to Mesa cc or Pvcc?

[golfandfishing]

You considering Superstition Mountain? I haven’t been out there in several years but did some work with them during the recession. They were taking public play at the time and outside events but by all accounts have recovered nicely and I don’t believe take any outside rounds again (aside from reciprocal or member sponsored). Courses are great, terrific staff and I can’t imagine any issue playing at anytime.

[vallygolf]

You considering Superstition Mountain? I haven't been out there in several years but did some work with them during the recession. They were taking public play at the time and outside events but by all accounts have recovered nicely and I don't believe take any outside rounds again (aside from reciprocal or member sponsored). Courses are great, terrific staff and I can't imagine any issue playing at anytime.

 

Mesa is one I have strongly considered. IMO that course is sneaky good. It isnt flashy, but ticks the boxes of design that appeal to me. Same a s superstition CC it is 30 mins from my house.

 

I know nothing of Paradise Valley CC. Never played there, dont know any members, 46 minutes from my house. I would put it in the hunt if it was ideal......any members thoughts on this?

 

Not sure why it didnt click to consider Superstition Mountain. I like the courses well enough. I actually really like that idea. Im sure I can get all the details from the club, but does anybody have empirical experience with getting out short notice, pace of play, attitudes toward single walkers, etc

 

I think those are great recommendations Thx

[az2au]

You considering Superstition Mountain? I haven't been out there in several years but did some work with them during the recession. They were taking public play at the time and outside events but by all accounts have recovered nicely and I don't believe take any outside rounds again (aside from reciprocal or member sponsored). Courses are great, terrific staff and I can't imagine any issue playing at anytime.

 

Mesa is one I have strongly considered. IMO that course is sneaky good. It isnt flashy, but ticks the boxes of design that appeal to me. Same a s superstition CC it is 30 mins from my house.

 

I know nothing of Paradise Valley CC. Never played there, dont know any members, 46 minutes from my house. I would put it in the hunt if it was ideal......any members thoughts on this?

 

Not sure why it didnt click to consider Superstition Mountain. I like the courses well enough. I actually really like that idea. Im sure I can get all the details from the club, but does anybody have empirical experience with getting out short notice, pace of play, attitudes toward single walkers, etc

 

I think those are great recommendations Thx

I’ve never seen anyone walking at SM but it has also been dead empty every time I’ve been there. Even if they recovered nicely (which I assume they did) I would still bet that is true. Nice place for sure.

[az2au]

Oh and Paradise Valley is walkable and very fun. I would imagine no problem getting out short notice either. Definitely go play a round there before deciding.

[az2au]

PVCC’s current tee time rules: http://media.clubhouseonline-e3.com/media/52/528390/Migrated/Eblast/Golf/Golf%20Rules%202018-19.pdf

[copperjeff]

Played superstition mountain a couple times when they were open for public play a few years ago. Was treated well.

 

I dont have any recent experience except for a couple video blogs a former board member made with Mike Malaska out there. From those videos it didnt look like the course was ever packed.

[Shilgy]

PVCC’s current tee time rules: http://media.clubhouseonline-e3.com/media/52/528390/Migrated/Eblast/Golf/Golf%20Rules%202018-19.pdf

Ugh, just 48 hours advance to make tee times? Not a fan of that.

[fore_life]

What about encanterra?

[az2au]

PVCC’s current tee time rules: http://media.clubhouseonline-e3.com/media/52/528390/Migrated/Eblast/Golf/Golf%20Rules%202018-19.pdf

Ugh, just 48 hours advance to make tee times? Not a fan of that.

Kinda. That’s really only Sunday. You can make times 48 hours in advance other days for blocks but mostly it is show and go. We have that at PCC and I don’t love it. Don’t hate it either but I do prefer the 30 day advanced times and low member count at DF. My guess, based on two rounds at PVCC, is that it is closer to DF than PCC. Small sample size means I could be completely wrong though.

[NDSwim]

How about Arizona CC?

[Shilgy]

PVCC’s current tee time rules: http://media.clubhouseonline-e3.com/media/52/528390/Migrated/Eblast/Golf/Golf%20Rules%202018-19.pdf

Ugh, just 48 hours advance to make tee times? Not a fan of that.

Kinda. That’s really only Sunday. You can make times 48 hours in advance other days for blocks but mostly it is show and go. We have that at PCC and I don’t love it. Don’t hate it either but I do prefer the 30 day advanced times and low member count at DF. My guess, based on two rounds at PVCC, is that it is closer to DF than PCC. Small sample size means I could be completely wrong though.

We use 8 days advance at Tatum Ranch and it works fine. Stiff competition to get weekend prime times but if you really want them your group can get them.

[Rohlio]

Last I heard Paradise Valley CC has a massive multi-year wait list for golf memberships.

[golfdummy]

I have heard the same at Paradise Valley. Also, it's definitely not going to be an inexpensive option.

[vallygolf]

I have heard the same at Paradise Valley. Also, it's definitely not going to be an inexpensive option.

 

Working this option (PVCC) a bit, true on both counts.

Looks like superstition mountain has recovered nicely as the tee sheet seems to be as full as my current course, with both courses booked until mid afternoon.

No word on Mesa yet. I suspect it will be similar.

 

Next step...sell my house, move to Scottsdale and make nice with Desert Forest :). I would work to join if I lived closer. It seems like exactly what I am looking for. All the far east valley private clubs seem to be really full. Im no expert on the economy of golf, but for all the bellyaching going on in the golf world they all seem to be doing fine out here. Am I missing something?

[golfdummy]

I hold a membership at Mesa CC. We are definitely not super busy. We really don't have a tee sheet out there. It's definitely not a desert golf course, more of a parkland layout. It also depends what your looking to spend. 6k down and 600 a month or 40 k down and 1200 a month. Or somewhere in between? Desert Forest is a fantastic place so you really can't go wrong up there either.

[Rohlio]

Speaking with to the golf economy point. It seems to me there are a tremendously low amount of private club options in the valley for the amount of residents we have. Outside of NE Scottsdale it is really few and far between. I would say in our micro economy demand exceeds supply in this area.