2019 Phoenix Area Course Conditions

[Bonneville85308]

@FlashNoonan said:

> Played Moon Valley Country Club on Saturday. It seems they've added some bunkers compared to the last time I've played it. Sand was really, really good. Very similar to TPC Scottsdale's white sand. Greens looked like they were punched a few weeks ago but still held shots and rolled really well. Tees were in good shape. Fairways were average with few dead/bare spots. I think I only came into one bare spot on 14. Lots of OB was plain dirt though. It's a nice getaway from the normal desert courses here. I like the proximity to my house so i'll probably play it again a few times before they restrict public access.

 

I played there in early July for the first time and my thoughts were fairly similar. Good location close to home and work for me, but not a course I'd probably enjoy for playing the majority of my 100+ rounds per year. Easy to walk though.

Once you get 40-50 feet off the fairways to the areas they stopped watering/maintaining years ago, the course gets really ugly/junky looking really fast.

The membership fees are actually really reasonable, and they are located in a solid well-populated upper middle class area, so I'm not sure why it seems they are constantly struggling for new members.

[azgolfer44]

> @vallygolf said:

> > @Rohlio said:

> > > @azgolfer44 said:

> > > > @az2au said:

> > > > IMO we might have 50 courses in the entire state (both public and private) that are above 3 on that scale BTW. Less than 10 that are above 6 as far as I know and to my knowledge I've played every course that could possibly qualify other than "The Other" at Scottsdale National (Mineshaft would get a 4 from me).

> > >

> > > Ok let’s guess the 10

> > >

> > > Desert Forest

> > > Forest Highlands-Canyon

> > > We Ko Pa Saguaro

> > > Whisper Rock Upper

> > > Some of the Desert Mountain courses (2)

> > > Pine Canyon

> > > Estancia

> > > Southern Dunes

> > > Maybe Mirabel or Troon CC

> > >

> > > I agree that Las Sendas and McDowell mountain are 3’s or less.

> > >

> > >

> >

> > What about Wick Ranch?

>

> I really enjoy Wickenburg Ranch, it is a fun course and manicured. IMO it isnt at the same level from a design perspective as those listed above.

 

This rating is based on the Doak criteria. https://golfcoursegurus.com/rankings/doakscale.php I would say Wick Ranch is between a 5 and 6 on the scale. Fun layout and superb conditions for public course, especially in Arizona in the winter months where golf is limited in the rest of the USA. But not all 18 are memorable and would have a hard time recommending to someone out of state to travel to just play that course.

[az2au]

> @vallygolf said:

> > @Rohlio said:

> > > @azgolfer44 said:

> > > > @az2au said:

> > > > IMO we might have 50 courses in the entire state (both public and private) that are above 3 on that scale BTW. Less than 10 that are above 6 as far as I know and to my knowledge I've played every course that could possibly qualify other than "The Other" at Scottsdale National (Mineshaft would get a 4 from me).

> > >

> > > Ok let’s guess the 10

> > >

> > > Desert Forest

> > > Forest Highlands-Canyon

> > > We Ko Pa Saguaro

> > > Whisper Rock Upper

> > > Some of the Desert Mountain courses (2)

> > > Pine Canyon

> > > Estancia

> > > Southern Dunes

> > > Maybe Mirabel or Troon CC

> > >

> > > I agree that Las Sendas and McDowell mountain are 3’s or less.

> > >

> > >

> >

> > What about Wick Ranch?

>

> I really enjoy Wickenburg Ranch, it is a fun course and manicured. IMO it isnt at the same level from a design perspective as those listed above.

 

Agree, more aligned with Mirabel.

[AzSuperHack76]

Boulders North Course, overall in good shape. It was soaked due to the rain they had this moring but to be expected. Greens were inconsitent in speed, that would be my biggest complaint. Got around in 330 teeing off at 730.

[tcbringhurst]

GCU today: there were some soaked spots, greens were a little bumpy from aeration earlier, but otherwise was a great course! Sand was very playable

[AzSuperHack76]

500 club, overall in ok shape. Greens are super grainy and super slow right now, slowest I have seen them in recent memory.

[OspreyCI]

> @DrSchteeve said:

> https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1266068/las-sendas-why-the-dislike

> ^^^^^

> There's a whole thread dedicated to the topic. Basically it has many poorly designed holes - awkward layout - and is crammed into relatively tight (and uninspiring) community housing.

> > @OspreyCI said:

> > > @DrSchteeve said:

> > > I'd rather play McDowell Mountain on dirt.

> > > > @OspreyCI said:

> > > > > @mvoss said:

> > > > > > @OspreyCI said:

> > > > > > Anyone play McDowell Mountain lately? I have never played there.

> > > > >

> > > > > According to multiple posts in this forum, it's in awful condition right now. Haven't played there myself lately.

> > > > Thanks. Just canceled my tee time for next week. Appreciate it.

> > > >

> > > > Las Sendas instead...

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> > What don’t you like about Las Sendas? My buddy loves it.

>

>

Ok, on the Las Sendas hate. No thanks. Starter and bag guy just started the day off wrong with crappy attitudes. Then the course was the same way. I understand now.

 

That place just makes no sense. Played first off today and course was ok, greens were just ok, and hitting a good drive does mean anything.

 

Played with some young fellas that hit it long as DJ. Was fun to watch. So three of of the foursome were playing the TM M6. Wow.

 

As us military aircrew say... Go Around on Las Sendas.

 

[Bonneville85308]

Aguila early this morning. Everything about the course conditions and experience were just about perfect in my opinion.

[Rohlio]

> @OspreyCI said:

> > @DrSchteeve said:

> > https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1266068/las-sendas-why-the-dislike

> > ^^^^^

> > There's a whole thread dedicated to the topic. Basically it has many poorly designed holes - awkward layout - and is crammed into relatively tight (and uninspiring) community housing.

> > > @OspreyCI said:

> > > > @DrSchteeve said:

> > > > I'd rather play McDowell Mountain on dirt.

> > > > > @OspreyCI said:

> > > > > > @mvoss said:

> > > > > > > @OspreyCI said:

> > > > > > > Anyone play McDowell Mountain lately? I have never played there.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > According to multiple posts in this forum, it's in awful condition right now. Haven't played there myself lately.

> > > > > Thanks. Just canceled my tee time for next week. Appreciate it.

> > > > >

> > > > > Las Sendas instead...

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > > What don’t you like about Las Sendas? My buddy loves it.

> >

> >

> Ok, on the Las Sendas hate. No thanks. Starter and bag guy just started the day off wrong with crappy attitudes. Then the course was the same way. I understand now.

>

> That place just makes no sense. Played first off today and course was ok, greens were just ok, and hitting a good drive does mean anything.

>

> Played with some you fellas that hit it long as DJ. Was fun to watch. So three of of the foursome were playing the TM M6. Wow.

>

> As us military aircrew say... Go Around on Las Sendas.

>

 

Don't say we didn't warn you.

[azgolfer44]

> @Bonneville85308 said:

> Aguila early this morning. Everything about the course conditions and experience were just about perfect in my opinion.

 

Agree. Best conditioned course I have played this summer. Course was setup nice too. Such a great deal right now. It’s really too bad they are over seeding in 2 weeks.

 

 

[fore_life]

Let’s get a group out to Aguila

[AzSuperHack76]

> @fore_life said:

> Let’s get a group out to Aguila

 

I’d be down.

[t4t3r]

Visiting next weekend (28th-1st). From reading the last few pages it seems like any of the commonly recommended courses will be a great taste of AZ golf (we-ko-pa sagauro, papago, or aguila)? Looks like verde river, quintero, or southern dunes as possibilities as well?

[DrSchteeve]

> @t4t3r said:

> Visiting next weekend (28th-1st). From reading the last few pages it seems like any of the commonly recommended courses will be a great taste of AZ golf (we-ko-pa sagauro, papago, or aguila)? Looks like verde river, quintero, or southern dunes as possibilities as well?

Presuming all available pre-overseed, recommended preference 1) Verde River perfect conditions for bargain rates. 2) SD good conditions. 3) Aguila perfect and a bargain. 4) Saguaro is, of course, fantastic, just haven't seen recent reviews, same 5) Papago. 6) Quintero usually has great conditions.

[t4t3r]

> @DrSchteeve said:

> > @t4t3r said:

> > Visiting next weekend (28th-1st). From reading the last few pages it seems like any of the commonly recommended courses will be a great taste of AZ golf (we-ko-pa sagauro, papago, or aguila)? Looks like verde river, quintero, or southern dunes as possibilities as well?

> Presuming all available pre-overseed, recommended preference 1) Verde River perfect conditions for bargain rates. 2) SD good conditions. 3) Aguila perfect and a bargain. 4) Saguaro is, of course, fantastic, just haven't seen recent reviews, same 5) Papago. 6) Quintero usually has great conditions.

 

Is $25 for Verde a local rate only? Seeing $50/60 on their website which is still reasonable, but I'd take $25. :)

[DrSchteeve]

> @t4t3r said:

> > @DrSchteeve said:

> > > @t4t3r said:

> > > Visiting next weekend (28th-1st). From reading the last few pages it seems like any of the commonly recommended courses will be a great taste of AZ golf (we-ko-pa sagauro, papago, or aguila)? Looks like verde river, quintero, or southern dunes as possibilities as well?

> > Presuming all available pre-overseed, recommended preference 1) Verde River perfect conditions for bargain rates. 2) SD good conditions. 3) Aguila perfect and a bargain. 4) Saguaro is, of course, fantastic, just haven't seen recent reviews, same 5) Papago. 6) Quintero usually has great conditions.

>

> Is $25 for Verde a local rate only? Seeing $50/60 on their website which is still reasonable, but I'd take $25. :)

It's not $25 now. That was before the September rate hike (everywhere). Still a relative bargain, and I can personally attest that conditions are perfect and no reason they won't stay that way to overseed....

[fore_life]

Verde does the whole “dynamic pricing” thing too, don’t they?

[DrSchteeve]

> @fore_life said:

> Verde does the whole “dynamic pricing” thing too, don’t they?

Yes, they do.

[azgolfer44]

> @t4t3r said:

> Visiting next weekend (28th-1st). From reading the last few pages it seems like any of the commonly recommended courses will be a great taste of AZ golf (we-ko-pa sagauro, papago, or aguila)? Looks like verde river, quintero, or southern dunes as possibilities as well?

 

Every course should be in near perfect condition. I’ll update the thread on Papago after this weekend.

 

[AdExec]

Played moon valley CC while it’s on golf now. Greens in mostly great shape, fairways were mostly good, but overall course conditions are looking run down. It’s a nice change of pace from the typical desert courses. For a “private club” it’s looking very tired. Still worth its current price at $45.

[DBill]

Anyone play Power Ranch lately? It's been a good 2 or 3 months since I have played and booked an afternoon round today on a whim to just get out.

[DBill]

Trilogy Power Ranch this afternoon. Overall OK conditions, some burnt spots on fairways and a few of the greens. The fairway bunkers were absolute trash, hard, crispy and terrible. Bright spot was I teed off at 4:00, and played 18 as a single before dark and paid $21 with a cart.

[OspreyCI]

> @DBill said:

> Trilogy Power Ranch this afternoon. Overall OK conditions, some burnt spots on fairways and a few of the greens. The fairway bunkers were absolute trash, hard, crispy and terrible. Bright spot was I teed off at 4:00, and played 18 as a single before dark and paid $21 with a cart.

 

Is there any of that little green stuff called grass on any green? Last time I was there it was horrendous.

[DBill]

> @OspreyCI said:

> > @DBill said:

> > Trilogy Power Ranch this afternoon. Overall OK conditions, some burnt spots on fairways and a few of the greens. The fairway bunkers were absolute trash, hard, crispy and terrible. Bright spot was I teed off at 4:00, and played 18 as a single before dark and paid $21 with a cart.

>

> Is there any of that little green stuff called grass on any green? Last time I was there it was horrendous.

 

Surprisingly some of the greens were pretty decent, rolled slow, but some still seem to be in recovery mode still in spots.

[DrSchteeve]

Mountain Shadows fine shape, begin overseed Monday.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Wkp cholla was very wet yesterday

[mvoss]

Played both WeKoPa courses over the weekend. Conditions close to perfect imo. Maybe fairways on Cholla were a tiny bit furry, but not bad at all.

[fore_life]

Western skies, I had the Itch to play, should have applied calamine

[Bonneville85308]

Kenny Mac was in good condition by muni standards yesterday. Course wasn't over-watered, a couple greens had some small areas that were patched with sod but otherwise were good. Not exactly the most challenging course around, but I do enjoy the layout and had a 3.5 hour early morning round with some cool strangers for $29 with cart. They don't overseed for 3 more weeks I believe.

[OspreyCI]

> @fore_life said:

> Western skies, I had the Itch to play, should have applied calamine

That’s my home course. Lol. Live right by it and great for a quick round after work.