2020 Phoenix Area Course Conditions

[azgolfer44]

I really enjoy Los Cab. Good mix of holes in length and elevation. Greens can get pretty quick. I think it is a course that gets more enjoyable every year I play it in June. And one of the hardest par 5s in the state—#7.

[puttnforthe8]

[Bonneville85308]

It's a course I'd enjoy playing maybe once per year. Relatively cheap in winter and never crowded when I've been there on weekends. Has a handful of fun holes that set up well for my short/straight ball flight. That course was originally 9 holes and they added on 9 more later. The newer 9 holes have a truly bad routing somewhere around 5-6-7 to accommodate a failed housing development from the last bubble that was graded and never built. You have a 300 yard green to tee ride to tee off on a hole, then after that hole you ride back 300 yards alongside the hole you just played to the next tee. On maybe two or three of the holes that have hard-surface cartpaths instead of dirt/gravel, they are way too close to tiny greens and you sort of have to take the paths into consideration when hitting your approach shot, which I would call bad design.

 

[Argonne69]

I played it a few years back in January two weeks before the Waste Management. I paid roughly half that. $400+ is just too much for that course.

[Argonne69]

Another pleasant day in the valley. Toka Sticks today. I wasnt expecting much, but the course does have a few teeth. The small greens have some tiers and dropoffs that require precise approaches. I hit a lot of greens, but held far fewer. Greens were surprisingly quick, possible rolling 11. There are enough mature trees to be penal if one is offline. Didn't care for the par 3s. Only one was somewhat interesting. Fairways and rough were lush. More than happy with the conditions. I'd rate it a 3.5.

 

[isaacbm]

Is your Scale out of ten?

[Argonne69]

Yes, 1 - 10.

[lvlites]

Argonne69......Have you played Apache Stronghold yet?

[MColin28]

Flying in Monday 1/27 (landing at 9:10am local) and looking to play. Working Tuesday. Wednesday I free up at 10am and am playing.

 

Question: Buy the 36 hole package at WeKoPa for Mon/Wed or play 1x at WeKoPa and 1x at Southern Dunes. Both places never been before. Been to all the other "big ones" and some smaller courses.

[Argonne69]

No, but it's on my list. I'll likely play it on my way home in early March.

[Argonne69]

I'd play Saguaro at We-Ko-Pa, and then head to SD, even if it is a long hike. It's ~53 miles, and should take an hour in mid-day traffic.

[lvlites]

You may want to make that course your home for the month of March. Just my opinion though.

[isaacbm]

I’m just curious if you’re keeping track of all of the ratings that you’re giving these places. Just wondering iwhat the highest ranked courses are so far...

[puttnforthe8]

 

Sorta depends where you are staying, but I would reverse it....head to Southern Dunes after you land. Play Wekopa Saguaro when you get out of work.

[DrSchteeve]

Well, Apache Stronghold is a fantastic course layout wise, conditions always in doubt, and unless you want to spend your nights at what appears to be a mediocre casino you won't have anything else to do, truly middle of nowhere.

[jatrain]

Ive decided that it’s time for an Apache Stronghold trip, any ideas what month gives the best chance for decent conditions?

Also, Encanto today. Conditions were as good as they can be for that course. Good pace of play at 3:30.

[Argonne69]

Nope. Other than Grayhawk, nothing has been that memorable, and worthy of a repeat visit. Well, perhaps Aguila is worth another round.

 

[driveandputtmachine]

So I am part of a group flying in on Wednesday 1/29, playing Dinosaur Mountain on Thursday, going to the tournament on Friday, then Saguaro on Saturday and Raptor on Sunday. I have obviously seen multiple reviews on the conditions at Raptor and Saguaro on WRX.

Has anyone played Dinosaur Mountain lately and can talk about the conditions?

[MackDaddy480]

Have you played GCU yet?

[Argonne69]

Yes. Decent layout. Really liked the bunkering. Probably worth another round.

[Argonne69]

I'm playing the Sidewinder course at Gold Mountain today. I assume conditions on the two would be similar. I'll post my review later today.

[Rohlio]

Club West still exists? I thought it was all dirt now?

[vallygolf]

Dinosaur Mtn usually has better conditions. Rarely are conditions a concern there.... with that said I have not played there this season.

[jcleve]

I have played dino mountain a few times this year conditions are superb.

[Argonne69]

Gold Canyon Sidewinder was less than thrilling. It's certainly no Dinosaur Mountain. The front nine has a handful of interesting holes, with only a smattering of homes. Holes 9 through 18 are meh. Typical flat housing complex golf. The 18th was a fun closing hole, though, with an elevated green protected by a huge bunker. Conditions were playable, but not pristine. The overseeded fairways were thin in spots. For some strange reason they dyed the dormant Bermuda rough on the front. The greens were not overseeded, and were bumpy. At least they had some speed, probably 10 to 11. I'd rate it a 4.

[Schley]

Agree I thought it was done.

[puttnforthe8]

...it was intended as sarcasm, but poorly written - since Argonne is playing all the kips in town. Note: You could technically still get out there and play the course.

[suaviter]

Looking for any recommendations ... will be passing thru and staying with a friend two nights next week. He is not much of a golfer anymore so anywhere that is decent, would not break the bank ($100 and under) and we could get around while not being bothered too much as he will likely spray a few. He says he lives "20 minutes south of Scottsdale if that helps."

 

[Argonne69]

Lovely day at Grandview. Very playable course with wide fairways and fairly generous greens. A couple of the holes have danger off the tee, but otherwise it's bombs away. Par 3s were snoozers. Conditioning was excellent. Lush fairways, and smooth greens. They were rolling at 8 to 9, so a bit slow for my liking. Bunkers were fantastic. Nice, fluffy sand. I'd rate it a 4.

[fore_life]

Got a good deal for poston on Sunday, excited to check it out peak season, always gone in the summer.

 

two open spots at the 10am deal time on teeoff

 

Beautiful day out on my range spot this morning