2019 Phoenix Area Course Conditions

[Schley]

> @az2au said:

>

> That storm was pretty cool last night. Here's a picture looking back up the 16th hole at Troon CC and towards my house (less than 2 miles from where we standing). We heard a bunch of emergency vehicles and I'm guessing people got stuck up on Tom's Thumb during the storm. Great round with @Olson12 @MackDaddy480 and one other. This was our 34th hole of the day so the 30* temp drop was welcome even if it came with crazy winds.

 

Looks like a rainbow shot tracer for a nice 5 iron?.

[Argonne69]

> @az2au said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Orange Tree this morning/afternoon. In over 1000 rounds of golf I don't think I've ever used the phrase "My ball is sitting down in the fairway". Lol. They were shaggy to say the least. And wet. Picked up more than my fair share of mud balls. The greens looked good, but were slow. Not quite painfully slow, but close to it. Bunkers could use more sand.

> >

> > Pace of play was brutal on the front. My playing partner and I were the first group behind the morning men's league. They had a shotgun start, and the last group made the turn to #1 20 minutes behind the pace. We played the front nine in 2:40. Luckily we had clear sailing on the back, and finished under 4 hours. The rain started falling when we were on the final tee box.

> >

> Orange Tree is the kinda of course that makes me wonder why anyone cares about golf.

>

 

Lol. If one's top priority is cheap golf, I guess it fits the bill. Not terribly exciting. There seemed to be quite a few resort guests out there behind us. 'Not sure why one would travel to Scottsdale for a stay and play at OT.

 

[cbbaron]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @az2au said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Orange Tree this morning/afternoon. In over 1000 rounds of golf I don't think I've ever used the phrase "My ball is sitting down in the fairway". Lol. They were shaggy to say the least. And wet. Picked up more than my fair share of mud balls. The greens looked good, but were slow. Not quite painfully slow, but close to it. Bunkers could use more sand.

> > >

> > > Pace of play was brutal on the front. My playing partner and I were the first group behind the morning men's league. They had a shotgun start, and the last group made the turn to #1 20 minutes behind the pace. We played the front nine in 2:40. Luckily we had clear sailing on the back, and finished under 4 hours. The rain started falling when we were on the final tee box.

> > >

> > Orange Tree is the kinda of course that makes me wonder why anyone cares about golf.

> >

>

> Lol. If one's top priority is cheap golf, I guess it fits the bill. Not terribly exciting. There seemed to be quite a few resort guests out there behind us. 'Not sure why one would travel to Scottsdale for a stay and play at OT.

>

Like Ive said previously have stayed there like almost 20 times good setup in room but never played course

 

[puttnforthe8]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @az2au said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Orange Tree this morning/afternoon. In over 1000 rounds of golf I don't think I've ever used the phrase "My ball is sitting down in the fairway". Lol. They were shaggy to say the least. And wet. Picked up more than my fair share of mud balls. The greens looked good, but were slow. Not quite painfully slow, but close to it. Bunkers could use more sand.

> > >

> > > Pace of play was brutal on the front. My playing partner and I were the first group behind the morning men's league. They had a shotgun start, and the last group made the turn to #1 20 minutes behind the pace. We played the front nine in 2:40. Luckily we had clear sailing on the back, and finished under 4 hours. The rain started falling when we were on the final tee box.

> > >

> > Orange Tree is the kinda of course that makes me wonder why anyone cares about golf.

> >

>

> Lol. If one's top priority is cheap golf, I guess it fits the bill. Not terribly exciting. There seemed to be quite a few resort guests out there behind us. 'Not sure why one would travel to Scottsdale for a stay and play at OT.

>

 

Not sure the prices are to be considered "cheap" and when you move to value - there is virtually none! There are far better options. Verder River is essentially the same price - and is 50x the course. Buy a couple of different passes and you are going to get way more value.

[Bonneville85308]

I like playing Orange Tree sometimes during the summer after work when it's $19 for 18 holes with cart and the course is empty. I think #9 is a fun hole, otherwise it's a snoozer. The shade is nice in summer. The layout is such that it is easy to skip around a slow group and then come back to play the skipped holes when you pass by them again. That's about it all it has going for it in my mind.

[Argonne69]

It looked like a number of places were closed for the day. Given the wet conditions, the wind, and the possibility of additional rain, I decided to work on my short irons at Rolling Hills. It beat banging balls on a range. Given the postage stamp sizes greens, my chipping also got a good workout. The course was wet, but playable. Greens were slow and bumpy. I assume the regulars here aren't used to proper greens. The course is not going to win any awards, but it's better than sitting inside all day, or paying top dollar to play a better course cart path only.

 

[Argonne69]

Stonecreek this afternoon. Sloppy conditions. Cart path only. Standing water in many places. The paths under the streets had four inches of water on them. Definitely don't recommend walking.

The greens were quite receptive, no surprise, but were very slow. Looks like it's going to take a few days to dry out.

 

[Argonne69]

Encanto this morning. For a muni I was rather impressed by the conditions. The fairways were a bit wet and shaggy, but otherwise very green. The greens were very nice. The best greens I've played on this week. Barely a blemish, and rolling a solid 10.

Not much of a course, but for $28 I'm not complaining. My ballstriking has been spotty the past couple of days, so no sense paying top dollar to hack the ball around the course. 100th round of the year. Yeah. It's going to be a good year.

[Rohlio]

I feel like you are running some sort of "Tour of the Worst courses in the valley" anti prize over the last week.

 

I do agree that Encanto is in much better shape than it used to be (I live right next to it)

[Argonne69]

Lol. No doubt. Between the poor weather, and my game being less than stellar at the moment, I figured I would knock out a number of lesser courses I haven't played before stepping it up. I'm on a fixed income now, so I'm trying to limit my rounds on the $$$ courses. I'm sure there's a happy medium. I've got 3+ months ahead of five rounds a week, and I figure it's better to start low and work my way up than work my way down.

 

[OspreyCI]

I am jealous as much as you get to play. Enjoy man. Lots of spoiled rich AZ golfers on this site. Us common folk can’t afford $100 a round through the winter. Even playing the “worst “ courses, as people here talk about, is still better than living somewhere you have to shut it down for winter like many people do.

 

 

[Argonne69]

Thanks. I had the pleasure of playing with two new golfers today. It was the first time each had played with a stranger. One has been playing nine months, and the other 5 months. They each had their share of good, and not so good shots. We sometimes forget what it's like to step on to one's local muni.

I'm big on value. TPC Sawgrass? Way overpriced. Karsten Creek? Ripoff. A well conditioned muni for less than $30? Not something I'd play frequently, but certainly worth an occasional visit when conditions are are spotty.

 

[Arizonalefty59]

I love me some Encanto! Glad the conditions are good.

[jatrain]

Yeah, Encanto is far from the one of the worst courses in the valley. It’s great for what it is.

[Rohlio]

"Great"... Quite a stretch.

I find it extremely hard to justify that statement when aguila costs the same amount.

I am happy Encanto exists and with the improved conditioning the last few years it is perfectly fine for a quick simple round, but let's face it that is the exact same thing I would say about Palo Verde

[puttnforthe8]

Duke Sat and it was pretty good shape except for a few muddy spots. Greens rolled good but a little slow. $35 made it good value.

[AzSuperHack76]

Played Longbow for the first time today. What a solid course. Super fun layout. Good vibe on the property, loved the patio with the bags, and ping pong tables, decent spot to catch a game. Great conditions except for the bunkers, very thin/sparse sand in most of them. It was cart path only, teed off at 0950, got around in 3:40 minutes, and that was us taking our time.

 

I'll make it a point to get out there a couple of times a year. Opposite end of the world for me coming from NW Peoria.

 

 

[Argonne69]

The Legend at Arrowhead today. Funny, but I didn't see any legends. OTOH, there was a lot of goose sh-t. The course was in playable condition, but there were faults. The tee boxes were in rough shape on a number of holes. Bunkers were awful with practically no sand. The greens were the saving grace. They were in very nice shape, rolling about 10. I swear some of the tee markers were angled 20 degrees or more away from the centerline of the fairway.

Very forgettable course. It's an OK layout, but there are few memorable holes. Don't particularly care for boring holes surrounded by homes. Paying the riding rate to walk also leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth. Can't say I'd ever come back.

 

[az2au]

You're really hitting all of the special places early I see. Truly one of the worst courses in the Valley.

[parkleo]

I have moved to Gilbert from Scottsdale and was wondering what the feedback is on Las Colinas in queen creek.

[azgolfer44]

Las Colinas is a very basic Arizona course bordered by houses. Pretty easy tee to green. Greens are usually good shape. Nice driving range. I used to play it when my in laws lived in Queen Creek. Comparables would be Lone Tree or The Duke.

[Argonne69]

Lol. I played 176 courses in the Chicago area. You're going to get a few rotten eggs when you chalk up an extensive list. I'll get around to many of the better courses eventually. I'm hoping to play five rounds a week for the next 12 weeks or so. I can't imagine there are 60 "special places" in the area. Well, I hope not.

[az2au]

I’ve played all but one course in the entire Valley. Around half of them are questionable at best.

[az2au]

That’s around 231 courses (some are gone now) as I believe the current count is around 208 or so.

[fore_life]

Which one haven’t you played?

[vallygolf]

This is awesome(the fact you have played all but one).....Do you have plans to play the last one? If it is KoKopeli I would pass:)

[puttnforthe8]

Oasis out in San Tan - they recently closed it and they are leveling it. One less course.

[az2au]

Other course at Scottsdale National.

[az2au]

Used to be my full time hobby. Ironically, now it would be very easy for me to get on virtually any of them and I have very little interest in doing so. If I have time to play, I just play at a place I already belong.

[puttnforthe8]

Need some help...I can only come up with 201 - Note: Counted the 27 hole courses as 1 course. Boundary was Quintero to Rio verde to Poston to Southern dunes to Estrella to Copper Canyon. Oasis is close/levelled.
PHX Area Courses.xlsx