2020 Phoenix Area Course Conditions

[OspreyCI]

Good. Playing it Sunday at 5:40.

[puttnforthe8]

Champs course - played in 3:30 this afternoon; greens very firm and fast today. they punched around the greens and tee boxes. Everything else quite good.

[Bonneville85308]

Cave Creek driving range this afternoon to figure out what the heck is wrong with my swing now. About half of the "stalls" were open and were spaced out well, grass tee in decent condition but a bit unlevel. Large basket was $9. About 8 balls in the basket either had the dimples worn off completely or were otherwise duds. The only thing I don't like is that you have to carry the basket full of balls all the way across the parking lot to the range from the clubhouse. I caught my foot on some loose gravel and almost lost the whole thing. That would have been quite the scene.

[8milespast]

So neither the entire north side of the driving range being canted at about a 45 degree angle nor the closest flag being about 160 out were sticking points for ya? Interesting

[OspreyCI]

Thanks for the recommendation. Fun round at sunrise this morning with a foursome walked it at 3.5 hours. Fun round with some great guy and players. Great shape too.

[Kuhndogg8]

Played Southern Dunes this morning. First time down there and absolutely loved it. Great course layout and conditions were excellent. Got a bit warm, but I suppose it's that time now. The flies were out in full force. Totaled it up the other day and that's my 62nd Phoenix area course I've played. It shot right up almost to the top, only behind Desert Mountain Outlaw. Pace was good - played a 4some in 4 hours right on the nose. Definitely understand why it's so high on many rankings in the forum. I'll be back down there plenty in the future.

[puttnforthe8]

I was there this morning too...great shape. Amazing how the greens look so fast, but really are not. They roll great. We were first out and the mosquitoes were the issue that early - but spray worked well. Finished in 1:50 minutes as the 1st tee time out!! :) !!!!!!!!

[fore_life]

Is anyone else feeling guilty about playing? My last round had a very weird vibe like “I shouldn’t be doing this” and I shot a million, whew knew empathy was a swing fault lol

[AzSuperHack76]

Longbow Golf Course Yesterday, in excellent shape. Greens are super quick right now. Such a fun course to play. Lot's of female pro's out there yesterday prepping for a Cactus Tour event next week. Played in front of Haley Moore, holy crap she can bomb it, saw a couple of her approach shots into the green as well, she has some serious game, it was fun to watch.

[puttnforthe8]

 

Not "guilty" exactly, but I have had those moments where I look to see if anyone is judging. lol And the whole 'vibe' as you say has affected my game - I go out to get swings in and haven't cared much about warmup, putting out, looking for balls, etc - I just hit the shot and move on.

[az2au]

I spent a lot of time internally debating whether I felt it was OK or not but having done it a few times and realizing it is the least contact I make with anyone that I don’t live with outside of my house I don’t have as much of an issue with it now.

[Argonne69]

Illinois has been on lock down for over a month. The courses will be opening May 1st with only twosomes allowed, and 15 minute tee times. Don't feel guilty. Get out there and get some exercise. Sigh. I lost close to 30 lbs over the winter there, but I haven't teed it up in nearly two months. I've gained back 10 pounds at least. As long as you're practicing good social distancing, I don't see any problem.

[AzSuperHack76]

Absolutely no guilt here, if done right it’s one of the few activities that we can do with minimal risk. Just a walk in the park chasing a little white ball.

[avguy]

I haven't played a round since last week of Feb, but lots of range visits into a retirement area in my area of E. Mesa - that over there gives me some guilt as I am younger than most there.

So, to knock the cobwebs off it, will play two days in a row starting Monday @ Ken Mac (old fave-boring but easy) and then out into a desert wash course on Tue @ Apache Creek. That second one I love the setting but hate some of the course where grass runs out for no reason with a rock iron needed at times.

Hope to get single rider cart. On my mtn bike canal ride - today, Sunday @ about 100deg., the fair-weather crowd finally thinned out with the heat. I am usually the lone wolf on my runs and bike outings all summer.

I don't mind golf outings solo in the mid-summer heat because of my conditioning.

[OspreyCI]

Wait.... you played 18 in 1:50 minutes?? Must have shot around Par with no balls in the desert. That’s fast for a muni, but SD is a different story. Impressive.

[Kuhndogg8]

Totally agree on the greens. It was so odd. Seemed like they were lightning but it just didn't go that hard. Left everything short.

[puttnforthe8]

First tee time out :) 6:08a! no looking for balls, own carts, and no mulling. Scores were 73 and 77....so close to par.

[capking]

Are driving ranges still open for you guys?

[azgolfer44]

Yes haven’t heard any closures

[capking]

Well I’m glad I visited your fine state in January, this is awful hoping for our courses to open up. Driving ranges appear to be off the table when they open up.

[az2au]

Desert Forest closed the driving range and I've heard of some other clubs as well. Phoenix Country Club driving range is only open for warming up, no practice.

[El_Nino_AZ]

I don't feel guilty. I've actually had to step back a few times. An older guy (prob in his 60's) walked up to shake my hand on the first tee. I had to back away and say, "Uhhhh social distancing?" If you're responsible and do it right, golf is one of the best things to do right now. Every time I go to the store, I see cross contamination and measures that are taken by the stores to "help." They make people feel better but we're sharing germs all the same.

[vallygolf]

It always makes me chuckle when I see people in the stores with gloves on having no clue about infection control. Most often they are making matters worse for themselves and others. Golf really is the perfect sport for correct social distancing. Im thankful we still have it available.

[willgolf4money]

Red Mountain Ranch today and still in decent shape (fairways getting burnt and firm in places, some green edges starting to burn). Price is very fair right now and if you can handle going out more towards the middle of the day, pace is usually great.

[OspreyCI]

Little off topic. Anywhere in the Valley you can get club repair right now? I need a driver sleeve reshafted. Sorry. Thought this would be The best place to ask fellow AZ golfers.

[azgolfer44]

contact all about golf through IG. Todd will take care of you. He’s a great guy and has a nice business.

[avguy]

Second that....he has 3 sets of my irons in his store for consignment last I checked. I brought 4 of them over in early March b4 the state orders of many store shutdowns.

He sold one just prior to becoming appointment only, so call him first to see what his hours are now.

[OspreyCI]

Thanks fellas.

[fore_life]

And another one for Todd and All About Golf, awesome guy and shop!

[OspreyCI]

I have driven by it many times and now I have a shop to go use and support. Like that he has PXG products too. Appreciate it.