Desert Ridge Area Practice and Play on a Budget

[Argonne69]

I'll likely be in the Desert Ridge are from November through February. I've played nearly all of the top courses in the Phoenix area, but now I'm looking for recommendations for a "home" course that has a decent practice area, including a short game green w/ bunkers, and would be fairly easy to walk. My plans are to practice an hour or so Monday through Friday, and then walk 18. I'm hoping that I can get a state ID to get a resident rate, but if not I'll have to pay out of state rate. I'd like to stay fairly close, i.e. 15 minute drive.

 

Any courses that come to mind? Do courses offer package deals for (unlimited) weekday play?

[puttnforthe8]

Dove Valley may be your best option - the owner does monthly packages.

There are no 'unlimited' play options anywhere in AZ that I know of, unless you have a membership.

 

[az2au]

I think you’re likely looking at the Grayhawk White or Black tee card (can’t remember which one fits that description) although not sure that they let anyone walk in the winter these days.

 

Also, don’t think you need a local ID unless you are getting a card for the munis and joe of them are within 15 minutes.

 

If you’re going to be doing this every year I think you’ll likely want a national membership at a local private club. Otherwise I don’t think you’ll find anything that is a decent value within 15 minutes. Wildfire may have something similar to Grayhawk as well. Again, not sure they allow walking in the high season.

[DrSchteeve]

McDowell Mountain.

[az2au]

@cbbaron would be good to speak to about this.

[cbbaron]

> @az2au said:

> @cbbaron would be good to speak to about this.

I have a Grayhawk WT card costs me 500 gets me four free rounds and other rounds are 40-60 off rack rate can use the practice facility for $25

 

[Argonne69]

Looks like the Grayhawk WT cards are sold out for 2019. Also, with me needing only 2 months in early 2020, I imagine I wouldn't get my money's worth. Am I safe to assume that the practice area is open to all guests with a tee time? It may be easier to simply book a late morning round and show up 90 minutes early to get in some practice.

 

'Looked at McDowell Mountain. Rack rates for residents range from $72 to $92 a round weekday for the timeframe I'll be there. That includes a cart, and I'm guessing they don't allow walking. They have a Players Club Card, but the link is broken. FFS.

 

I may have to accept that the better courses are probably out of my price range, and focus on the 2nd/3rd tier courses with a discount card. Stonecreek, Orange Tree, or Starfire?

 

 

[Argonne69]

> @puttnforthe8 said:

> Dove Valley may be your best option - the owner does monthly packages.

> There are no 'unlimited' play options anywhere in AZ that I know of, unless you have a membership.

>

 

A little better. $150 for the DVR Rewards Card, and then $55 - $77 for noon to 1 pm start times, and $45 - $55 for 1 pm to 3 pm.

[az2au]

Dove Vally May be a bargain but man is that a terrible range and course.

[cbbaron]

I make 2-3 trips a year to Az for a total of say 21 days and I find alot of value in WT card granted my wife is with with me on half the trips and I have other people that travel with me as its good up to four players

 

[Bonneville85308]

Westbrook Village in Peoria does 30, 60, 90 day etc. memberships for unlimited play. 36 holes, two ranges with large grass tee areas, I believe one has a practice bunker. They are in an "active adult" community and the courses are lined with houses (with wide setbacks, not too close to being in play) but they are usually in good condition, although the greens will be a bit slower than many of the higher ranked courses elsewhere. Both courses are easily walkable and some people do walk them in winter. I know I have. I'd rather drive a bit and play those instead of the lower tier Scottsdale courses like Starfire or Stonecreek during winter. Probably 25-30 minutes from Desert Ridge, but in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic. If you don't have a need to play top quality course architecture and are on a budget, this could be a good option if you are willing to drive beyond 15 minutes.

 

Edit: You have to understand my mentality, I'd rather play 10 rounds on a mediocre course than 1 round on a great one. Sometimes I feel like some people on here would rather play no golf at all than play a course not ranked in the top 15 in the area. If I were visiting this area for the winter coming from a place burred in snow, I'd want to fit in the most rounds for the budget I had.

[az2au]

> @Bonneville85308 said:

> Westbrook Village in Peoria does 30, 60, 90 day etc. memberships for unlimited play. 36 holes, two ranges with large grass tee areas, I believe one has a practice bunker. They are in an "active adult" community and the courses are lined with houses (with wide setbacks, not too close to being in play) but they are usually in good condition, although the greens will be a bit slower than many of the higher ranked courses elsewhere. Both courses are easily walkable and some people do walk them in winter. I know I have. I'd rather drive a bit and play those instead of the lower tier Scottsdale courses like Starfire or Stonecreek during winter. Probably 25-30 minutes from Desert Ridge, but in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic. If you don't have a need to play top quality course architecture and are on a budget, this could be a good option if you are willing to drive beyond 15 minutes.

>

> Edit: You have to understand my mentality, I'd rather play 10 rounds on a mediocre course than 1 round on a great one. Sometimes I feel like some people on here would rather play no golf at all than play a course not ranked in the top 15 in the area. If I were visiting this area for the winter coming from a place burred in snow, I'd want to fit in the most rounds for the budget I had.

 

Not exactly my mentality and not really a factor overall but I can say with 100% certainty that I’d rather play less golf than play mediocre golf courses. I don’t view either of us as right or wrong. You have to decide what is important to you. I’d drive a less expensive car and live in a less expensive house before I’d play lower quality golf courses. Two things: I get that it is easy for me to say and I also get that absolutely not everyone sees things the same way.

[Argonne69]

> @Bonneville85308 said:

> Westbrook Village in Peoria does 30, 60, 90 day etc. memberships for unlimited play. 36 holes, two ranges with large grass tee areas, I believe one has a practice bunker. They are in an "active adult" community and the courses are lined with houses (with wide setbacks, not too close to being in play) but they are usually in good condition, although the greens will be a bit slower than many of the higher ranked courses elsewhere. Both courses are easily walkable and some people do walk them in winter. I know I have. I'd rather drive a bit and play those instead of the lower tier Scottsdale courses like Starfire or Stonecreek during winter. Probably 25-30 minutes from Desert Ridge, but in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic. If you don't have a need to play top quality course architecture and are on a budget, this could be a good option if you are willing to drive beyond 15 minutes.

>

> Edit: You have to understand my mentality, I'd rather play 10 rounds on a mediocre course than 1 round on a great one. Sometimes I feel like some people on here would rather play no golf at all than play a course not ranked in the top 15 in the area. If I were visiting this area for the winter coming from a place burred in snow, I'd want to fit in the most rounds for the budget I had.

 

I look for value. I've played most of the high end public courses in the U.S., including the ones in the Phoenix area, but I also have no problem walking 18 on the local muni for $25. Since I'm looking to practice and play five days a week, I think I need a reasonable course to simply swing a club and work on some fundamentals. I imagine I'll play some of the better courses on occasion during the extended stay, but for practice something inexpensive is fine. $75 a round for 25 rounds a month adds up quickly.

[fore_life]

500 club ??

[ferrispgm]

Honestly....Aguila though a slight hike may not be a bad option......Their range is decent and the short game area though smallish isn't bad and it's typically not very busy. The course is solid and you can walk. You could get a city card and it's a really good bargain.

 

There is also McCormick Ranch. The range tends to be beat up but the short game area is good. Courses are mediocre...typically in decent shape but out of place here in AZ as they are more Florida-like. They also have some wonky holes but to be fair, some good ones as well. I practiced there a lot when I first moved here.

[Argonne69]

> @fore_life said:

> 500 club ??

 

I've played the course before, but didn't check out the range/practice area. Any good?

 

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Check out talking stick. Wildfire is a pain to walk

[fore_life]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @fore_life said:

> > 500 club ??

>

> I've played the course before, but didn't check out the range/practice area. Any good?

>

 

I’m not really sure, I’m in Gilbert so haven’t played there since I was a kid living in the west side.

 

I don’t think they have 6 month options but might want to call them.

 

Are you set on Desert Ridge area? If you aren’t, then I can pass along several places near me that have 3/6 month options as well as as range passes

[DrSchteeve]

500 Club practice facilities are fair. You can chip and putt anytime but conditions vary and can be crowded. There is a practice bunker. The range is just an open field with some yard markers, but the grass is OK.

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @fore_life said:

> > 500 club ??

>

> I've played the course before, but didn't check out the range/practice area. Any good?

>

 

 

[Argonne69]

Thanks for the tips everyone. Realistically I don't have to commit to a course the day I arrive. There are a handful of courses I haven't played in the area, so I think I'm going to spend the first two or three weeks playing the local courses, checking out their facilities, and talking to the staff. I can make a decision about a "home" course after that.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Check out Tatum ranch

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Argonne it’d be fun to get together for a round. I’ve read a lot of your trip reports (st Andrews...)

 

If I had to play McCormick ranch 4x/week I would quit the sport

[fore_life]

> @BUCKEYERBALL88 said:

 

> If I had to play McCormick ranch 4x/week I would quit the sport

 

 

 

You don’t love the game

[Argonne69]

> @BUCKEYERBALL88 said:

> Argonne it’d be fun to get together for a round. I’ve read a lot of your trip reports (st Andrews...)

>

> If I had to play McCormick ranch 4x/week I would quit the sport

 

Thanks. I'll have plenty of time I'm sure.

[puttnforthe8]

Actually, I forgot about Talking Stick...they have their PDP for $49 a month: https://talkingstickgolfclub.com/pdp

Range access free (2 bags); and you can golf for $15 after 130.