Flagstaff - which club to join?

[digger71]

Thinking it may finally be time to pull the trigger on a summer home in Flagstaff to get out of the Phoenix heat. Some nice private golf to choose from in Flagstaff but with Covid it's a bit tough to get a feel for the clubs. Looking at the following:

Pine Canyon - very nice facilities, good golf course, most expensive

Flagstaff Ranch - least favorite course but still is fun to play, also least expensive, did not seem very busy when I visited

Forest Highlands - very good golf (36 holes) but the place seems extremely busy

Just my wife and I - don't need too much of the family and social bit, really just looking for good golf and the ability to find a game

Any thoughts, suggestions, opinions, etc would be appreciated

[Schley]

I have no idea other than Forest Highlands which is first cabin club and golf experience. A friend used to play there often in the summers with a member friend and said it is the best club in AZ. Pine Canyon I know is ritzy but they have some incentives as recently as last year, albeit for building there. https://pinecanyon.net/better-together/

 

Would be a great thread to have aa2au around to post as he is clued in with all things private AZ.

[AzSuperHack76]

I’ve been fortunate enough to play Forrest Highlands several times over the last couple of summers with a friend/member. I’ve never found it to be too busy on the course or around the clubhouse, at least on the weekdays. Pretty casual environment for the most part. People seem to kind of come and go. A lot of money at that club, but people don’t come off as stuffy or unwelcoming to guests.

[vallygolf]

Pine Canyon is the best course in N arizona, and possibly the state for a fun solid layout.  It ticks the golf box for sure.  Just redid the bunkers and they are fantastic.  Membership is a bit more high end, but the times I have been there as a guest it didnt seem stuffy at all.  Pretty strict on polices (no cell phone etc) you decide if that is good or bad.  2 courses at Forest Highlands both great, and diversity is nice, but I like Pine Canyon enough to pick the one over the two.  Forest Highlands is also pretty high end, but seems more relaxed (again you decide if that is good or bad) than Pine Canyon.  Those IMO are the two best options if feasible, I dont think you could miss at either.  The other recommendation which would be more affordable and closer to phoenix is the Rim Club in Payson.  Fantastic course and club.  Not on par with Pine Canyon, or the Club at Forest Highlands, but it is a fantastic value, especially if you buy an existing property vs new build.You also get reciprocal play at Chaparral Pines (I think they have a dual membership offering as well).  Chaparral Pines is lined by tall pines (all of these basically are tree lined), but over does it with too many pinched fairways for my liking to be a frequent play.

Edited August 26, 2020 by vallygolf

[DGata]

Pine Canyon then Forest Highlands also second The RIm/Chaparral Pines in Payson as an option. Flagstaff is a much better place than Payson but its a farther drive too.