2020 Phoenix Area Course Conditions

[Argonne69]

49 minutes ago, toypor said:

Did you get your i200 bent?

 

No, not yet. I called Vann's in Scottsdale, and they won't do it. I'll be out in Peoria on Wednesday, so I'll give the one in Sun City a call. If they can't do it I'll swing by All About Golf on Thursday on my way back from Southern Dunes.

 

[Bonneville85308]

I played Foothills in 'tukee on Christmas day on a cheapo GN hot deal. Last time I played it was on New Years Day 2020. As before, it was in scruffy but not terrible condition, and I do like the layout. Average overseeding job in the fairways with some typical thin spots; above average overseeding quality around the greenside aprons. Bunkers had good sand but looked like they hadn't been raked by either the customers or the staff in weeks. Greens looked like they hadn't been cut in a few days (to be fair, I didn't expect them to be cut on Christmas morning), speed somewhat inconsistent, about average speed for a lower end course. Course generally played firm and fast which was nice. One thing I do like about this course compared to a lot of others is that they leave the bermuda rough fairly high before it goes dormant, so it doesn't get matted down to hardpan as fast, and it is easier to get an iron under the ball. As usual with this course, everything from the outer edge of the rough to the backyards of the houses looks like garbage. I was first off by myself so pace was no issue. First time I walked it and it was a very easy walk.

 

Despite the positives I mentioned, It's not worth $85 or whatever they usually charge this time of year.

 

Edited December 29, 2020 by Bonneville85308

[YMark]

8 hours ago, Ohiogolfer1 said:

Played victory at verrado yesterday place is perfect in my mind best course in the valley public layout and conditions 

 

What are they getting at Verrado right now? Love that course.

[puttnforthe8]

30 minutes ago, YMark said:

 

What are they getting at Verrado right now? Love that course.

$80 if you get this deal:  https://www.underpar.com/courses/verrado-golf-club (Free replay and includes a $12 meal credit for each player (can be used for any item on the menu))

 

Otherwise 99 until next week I think and it will go up another 10 or so.

Edited December 29, 2020 by puttnforthe8

[rochestergolfer36]

1 hour ago, puttnforthe8 said:

$80 if you get this deal:  https://www.underpar.com/courses/verrado-golf-club (Free replay and includes a $12 meal credit for each player (can be used for any item on the menu))

 

These are great prices for Verrado and some others I saw on that site, I'm coming from out of town and had never heard of that site before so thanks for sharing.

 

Any other sites you find deals on other than golfnow.  

[ferrispgm]

Anyone played Golf Club of Estrella recently?  Playing there on Thursday and curious as I have never played it in prime season...I normally only play in summer.

[Bonneville85308]

My beef with Verrado right now is that, depending whether you book online or call, they seem to be either not allowing or highly discouraging single players to book tee times, I'm guessing to avoid any "shared cart" drama. I don't remember either course being an easy/tight routing for walking either.

[Argonne69]

Pleasant afternoon at Tonto Verde Peaks. The course is fairly benign, and definitely not worth $129. Very few holes really stand out. It could use more bunkering. Greens aren't overly challenging. I'd much rather play Verde River.

 

Conditions are very good. Fairways are not too shaggy. Bunkers have sand. Greens look great, and are rolling at 10. Pace is good. I went off as a single behind a twosome, and played through one group on the 13th. I'm standing on the 17th teebox waiting to hit, and I should be finished at the 3:20 mark. 

 

[MColin28]

How is Verde River?  Coming in next week and looking to add a course.  We have WickRanch, both WKP, Southern Dunes and Eagle Mountain.  Trying to do 36 on Sunday.  Thinking 8am Eagle then Verde at 1245.  Wondering if Verde is in good shape and a fun/picturesque course; never played it.  Thanks.

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, MColin28 said:

How is Verde River?  Coming in next week and looking to add a course.  We have WickRanch, both WKP, Southern Dunes and Eagle Mountain.  Trying to do 36 on Sunday.  Thinking 8am Eagle then Verde at 1245.  Wondering if Verde is in good shape and a fun/picturesque course; never played it.  Thanks.

 

I played it back on December 17th. See my review two pages back. It's a very nice layout, but IMHO it's not in the same class as the top courses in the area. That said, it's not uber expensive either. 

 

Pics: Verde River

 

[Argonne69]

I took my great niece out for a round at Peoria Pines this morning. First visit to the course. I was pleasantly surprised. Decent executive layout with a few longer holes and some challenging par 3s. Conditions were good. I've heard some horror stories about the conditions lately, but they seem to have turned the corner. A few tee boxes were in rough shape, but most were fine. Fairways were better than a few of the regular courses. Greens looked great, but were only rolling 7 to 8. Bunkers were sad, though. 

 

The 3:45 pace was much slower than I would like on a short course, but not unbearable. 

 

I was able to get my Ping i200 bent at Golf Galaxy in Peoria after the round. Hopefully the head won't fly off. Lol. 

 

Heading down to my favorite area course tomorrow for my final round of the year, Southern Dunes. 

 

Edited December 30, 2020 by Argonne69

[puttnforthe8]

Sunridge today....I played it because I got an amazing rate considering all the nonsense going on at courses now.  And man, I felt ripped off.

 

The course is a disaster and the service/staff are a disaster.  

 

Tee to green the course is just an utter mess...it felt like nothing is taken care of, fixed/repaired/maintained.  There were areas where spots were bulldozed and made it a pain just to get the tee box.  The greens have these weird 2-3 color swirls.  They were fast of course but wildly inconsistent.  The bunkers are horrible.  Some tee boxes are terrible.  Muddy spots right in front of greens.

 

Pace ended up being 4:25 - essentially finished in the dark.  

 

It must be bring your kids free day today as the course was packed with kids. Nice to see the kids out there, but it is not nice when the parents let them run all over the place, fight on the greens, mess up the greens, and other things.  

 

Service was non-existent anywhere except the cart girl.  

 

Just a total mess.

[puttnforthe8]

If anyone has a Verrado Victory scorecard, can you please send me an image of the local rules.  Thanks

[Argonne69]

A mostly pleasant day at Southern Dunes, minus the 90 minute frost delay. I was warming up, literally, before the round, and it felt like hitting rocks. The temps did climb into the acceptable range after a few holes. My 195th round was a nice way to finish the year. Conditions were excellent. Fairways were slightly brown, so one could actually get a little rollout on the drives. Bunkers were fine for the most part, but I did find a couple that needed another 1/2" of sand. Greens looks great, and were quite speedy. I'd say at least 11. Pace was decent at 4:00. Another bad draw today with my playing partners. At least one was short and fairly straight. The second was a little crooked, but kept the ball in play for the most part. The third shouldn't have been on the course. I think he hit 3 fairways. He topped at least two dozen shots that didn't go more than 15 yds. He shanked a good dozen. He pulled another dozen left into the desert. I spent more time in the desert helping him look for balls than I cared to. It felt like a shooting gallery at times.

 

Happy New Year, everyone.

 

Edited December 31, 2020 by Argonne69

[Bonneville85308]

Played Palmbrook this morning. ~1 hour frost delay. I brought 3 of my buddies who can't break 100, they ended up enjoying the course because it was easy for them to keep the ball in play.

 

Some fairways on the front were a little thin in spots. Greens all rolled smooth, and quick by Sun City standards, although a few on the back nine looked a bit off visually. Course generally played dry, but I wouldn't say it was playing firm. Only real wet spot was the approach apron on #15. Bunkers were all good. Ridiculous amount of goose crap on the last 100 yards of #17.

 

Pace was 3:40, pretty good for probably the 10th or so group of the day, never waited on the group ahead and the group behind only waited on us a few times on the front. Overall a good value for $50.

Edited January 1, 2021 by Bonneville85308

[MColin28]

On 12/30/2020 at 2:48 PM, Argonne69 said:

 

I played it back on December 17th. See my review two pages back. It's a very nice layout, but IMHO it's not in the same class as the top courses in the area. That said, it's not uber expensive either. 

 

Pics: Verde River

 

Any suggestions for a replacement of VR?

[azmx]

29 minutes ago, MColin28 said:

Any suggestions for a replacement of VR?

If you were going to replace one of the two that day I’d replace Eagle Mountain, not Verde River.  Eagle Mountain is training wheels golf with some decent views. Not a very interesting course IMO. Verde River is slightly better in almost every way. 

[MColin28]

55 minutes ago, azmx said:

If you were going to replace one of the two that day I’d replace Eagle Mountain, not Verde River.  Eagle Mountain is training wheels golf with some decent views. Not a very interesting course IMO. Verde River is slightly better in almost every way. 

Ok, thank you! Any suggestions for Eagle Mountain?

[azgolfer44]

We Ko Pa Cholla for my last round of the year. Course was great with nothing to complain about except the 2.5 hour back nine. It was expected given the two hour frost delay. The two groups in front of us were both playing a tee box or two back from where they should have been. Greens were probably 10ish. Not super speedy but solid. 
 

I know this is the minority opinion but I enjoy Cholla as much as Saguaro.  Happy new year! Papago tomorrow and Sunday. 

[Argonne69]

9 hours ago, MColin28 said:

Any suggestions for a replacement of VR?

 

As noted, I'd stick with Verde River, and try to add one of the Troon North courses. Troon is less than 15 minutes away from Verde River on the way back to Scottsdale. With daylight short, you don't want to be spending too much time in the car.

 

Another option would be to play Quintero the same day as Wickenburg Ranch, as you pass Quintero on the way to Wickenburg. The locals tend to not like Quintero, but it has some great views, and is worth playing at least once, even if it doesn't hold up to repeated plays.

 

[Argonne69]

Edit: Moved post to 2021 thread.

 

Edited January 2, 2021 by Argonne69