2020 Phoenix Area Course Conditions

[Kuhndogg8]

Verde River on Saturday.  First time up there and really liked it.  Nice variety on long/short across all the 3's/4's/5's, lots of really fun holes.  Conditions were perfect.  Greens were cruising.  I didn't go off till closer to noon, so fairways were fine, but I'm guessing in the AM they're probably pretty soaked.  Course had been booked solid till 11.  We caught up with the train on the back 9 and a slowish group in front, but nothing too unreasonable.  They're building and selling those houses as quick as they can.  Not much space left to fill in out there. 

[FlashNoonan]

Copper Canyon (Vistas & Lakes) on Sunday. First time out there. Holy cow,  I thought the Sun City courses had wide fairways! Course was in pretty good shape given it's Troon managed. Staff was the friendliest I've come across during this covid era. Definitely worth a return visit imo.  

[oldmotor]

Looking for advice on where to play. I’m flying into Phoenix in the morning of the 8th. Going to play Ak-Chin Southern Dunes on my way to Yuma for 2 days, then back to Phoenix on the 10th. Leaving the night of the 11th. and would like to get a round in. Looking for a desert style course that’s not lined with houses. Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

[azgolfer44]

11 minutes ago, oldmotor said:

Looking for advice on where to play. I’m flying into Phoenix in the morning of the 8th. Going to play Ak-Chin Southern Dunes on my way to Yuma for 2 days, then back to Phoenix on the 10th. Leaving the night of the 11th. and would like to get a round in. Looking for a desert style course that’s not lined with houses. Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

Take a look through this post. Seems like Grayhawk is in great shape. We Ko Pa should be good by now. Papago is close to the airport and a fun course. 

[oldmotor]

Thanks for the response. I had read thru the thread and was looking at those three as well as others. Ended up going with Papago.  Thanks.

[azgolfer44]

19 hours ago, oldmotor said:

Thanks for the response. I had read thru the thread and was looking at those three as well as others. Ended up going with Papago.  Thanks.

Good choice. Club championship is a little over two weeks out so course should be solid. 

[Bonneville85308]

Corte Bella this afternoon. Course was in excellent condition all around. Fairways were playing nice and firm. Greens were pretty slow but consistent and blemish-free. I was impressed how well the course is holding up in the heat. Caught a group on the last few holes but otherwise flew around.

[oldmotor]

Starfire nine hole course. May be able to get that in on the 10th. Worth the effort to try?

Edited September 4, 2020 by oldmotor

[Kuhndogg8]

9 hours ago, oldmotor said:

Starfire nine hole course. May be able to get that in on the 10th. Worth the effort to try?

 

No.  Not worth any amount of effort.

 

I don't have a status report on current conditions, but if you're looking for something quicker that day, maybe check out Mountain Shadows.  Very fun par 3 course and great facilities/location/views.

[ferrispgm]

Played McDowell Mtn today.  Fairways in decent shape.  Greens were shaggy and patchy.  They were slow but didn't bounce as much as you would think by looking at them.  The tee boxes need some work....lots of holes where it was difficult to find a flat spot and some where you couldn't.  

[StarFleetGolfer]

On 9/3/2020 at 9:16 PM, oldmotor said:

Starfire nine hole course. May be able to get that in on the 10th. Worth the effort to try?

No, terrible course. I’d rather not play

[oldmotor]

Ok thanks, I may just look at Mountain Shadows and go from there.

[Kuhndogg8]

Grayhawk Talon on Saturday.  Some chipping areas around the greens were soaked, but other than that it was perfect.  Played the Boulders on Sunday.  It felt like a very confusing day because they put us off on back of the South, then front of the North.  Still not sure I have my bearings 2 days later.  Courses were in surprisingly rough shape.  Greens were rolling great, but fairways just patchy spots of bare or really shaggy.  For the time of year, was pretty disappointed with those conditions.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

I think Apache stronghold has been closed all summer. Anyone hear when or if they will reopen? 

Edited September 8, 2020 by BUCKEYERBALL88

[YMark]

Is Grayhawk still getting up over $100 in Sept?

 

[Kuhndogg8]

13 hours ago, YMark said:

Is Grayhawk still getting up over $100 in Sept?

 

 

Yeah, Sunday morning was $100.  Holiday weekend Sunday, though, so maybe a little better the rest of the month.

[tcbringhurst]

Wigwam Gold Monday. Greens were in better shape than a month or two ago but slow. Had several putts come up short. Fairways and bunkers are in great shape as usual. The summer pass was well worth it. 

[Bonneville85308]

TPC Champions this morning. Excellent condition all around. I was hoping that being about 10 days out from closing for overseed, combined with cooler temperatures this week, that they would back off on the watering a bit, but unfortunately the whole course was absolutely drenched and soggy as usual.

[spier072]

Question what is in better shape right now? Talon or Raptor? Also between Papago, and the two Talking Stick courses what would you play next week? Also anyone seen conditions at Gainey Ranch or Biltmore recently? Thanks all! Love reading through all these comments.

[AZ_JHWK]

I played both Talon and Raptor in August. Both were in really great shape.

[Kuhndogg8]

1 hour ago, spier072 said:

Question what is in better shape right now? Talon or Raptor? Also between Papago, and the two Talking Stick courses what would you play next week? Also anyone seen conditions at Gainey Ranch or Biltmore recently? Thanks all! Love reading through all these comments.

 

Played both in the last 2 weeks and both were fantastic.

[spier072]

1 hour ago, Kuhndogg8 said:

 

Played both in the last 2 weeks and both were fantastic.

Which two are you referring to?

[Kuhndogg8]

Talon and Raptor

[azgolfer44]

Papago is a good shape right now. Based on what I’ve heard, I’d assume better than talking stick.

[oldmotor]

10 hours ago, azgolfer44 said:

Papago is a good shape right now. Based on what I’ve heard, I’d assume better than talking stick.

Just finished playing it a couple hours ago. Fun track in really good conditions. Played with two locals and had a good time. Definitely recommend it. Also plays Ak-Chin a couple days and also enjoyed it as well. Also, due to time restraints, play the mine hole course at Starfire. Only recommend it if you're a new player or have a very high handicap. Very unassuming. 

Edited September 11, 2020 by oldmotor
Misspell

[Argonne69]

The pandemic has put my RV plans on hold, so I'll be heading back to Phoenix for the winter. Depending on the weather in Chicago, I expect I'll be down there in late October. When is the over seeding usually finished? Thanks. 

[Bonneville85308]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

The pandemic has put my RV plans on hold, so I'll be heading back to Phoenix for the winter. Depending on the weather in Chicago, I expect I'll be down there in late October. When is the over seeding usually finished? Thanks. 

 

There is a schedule posted in a topic about 2020 overseed about 4 below this one. Many courses listed that will be among the first to overseed will be re-opened by late October in the Phoenix area, but I'm guessing most of those will have CPO restrictions until early November.

 

I recall you like to walk, but keep in mind on a course with CPO restrictions, you are going to be playing a slow round behind the 95%+ players who ride and have to deal with the CPO. If it were me, I'd probably stay in Chicago until early November unless you get shut out of golf there earlier due to bad weather.

[sdemo]

Anybody play Southern Dunes, Quintero, or Wickenburg Ranch lately? Have some folks coming in from out of town and want to show them a top tier course that’s a bit away from town. 
 

Im sure WR is perfect, but a longer drive, and I haven’t played it yet. Quintero is more for scenery / wow factor, whereas Dunes is probably my favorite public layout in AZ. Though I love the courses, not super interested in taking them to Verde River, Troon, Grayhawk, Wekopa, TPC Stadium, or the other N Scottsdale popular courses. 

[puttnforthe8]

1 hour ago, sdemo said:

Anybody play Southern Dunes, Quintero, or Wickenburg Ranch lately? Have some folks coming in from out of town and want to show them a top tier course that’s a bit away from town. 
 

Im sure WR is perfect, but a longer drive, and I haven’t played it yet. Quintero is more for scenery / wow factor, whereas Dunes is probably my favorite public layout in AZ. Though I love the courses, not super interested in taking them to Verde River, Troon, Grayhawk, Wekopa, TPC Stadium, or the other N Scottsdale popular courses. 

 

Southern Dunes - perfect except bunkers (inconsistent due to rains)

Quintero - perfect with greens running 12-13; rough grown up silly...ball lost off the FW.

Wick - very good shape, lots of watering has some of the usual holes a bit muddy

[sdemo]

1 hour ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

Southern Dunes - perfect except bunkers (inconsistent due to rains)

Quintero - perfect with greens running 12-13; rough grown up silly...ball lost off the FW.

Wick - very good shape, lots of watering has some of the usual holes a bit muddy

 

Thank you! Based on that feedback, leaning heavily toward Southern Dunes. Quintero pricing is always a bit... proud... and don't really want to deal with searching for balls + longer round due to rough.