Top 30 AZ public

[vallygolf]

Wekopa (Saguaro)

AkChin Southern Dunes

Troon North (Pinnacle)

Grayhawk (Raptor)

Wickenberg Ranch

Ventana Canyon (Mountain)

Quintero

Sterling Grove

Troon north (Monument)

Golf Club at Dove Mountain

Grayhawk (Talon)

Verrado (Founders)

Wekopa (Cholla)

TPC Scottsdale

Sewalio

Laughlin Ranch

Camelback (Ambiente)

Boulders (south)

Boulders (north)

Verrado Victory

Longbow

Eagle Mountain

Legend Trail

Tucson National

Silver Creek 

Whirlwind (Cattail)

Whirlwind (Devils Claw)

Aguila

Los Caballeros

Arizona National

 

*Edits: corrected spelling, Removed Blackstone and Papago.  Added Aguila and Arizona National

** Second Edits Removed Sunridge Canyon for Eagle Mountain.  Replaced Starr Pass with Legend Trail.

 

So there you have it.  My "off the top of my head" top 30 public in Az.  There are actually a couple on here I have not played, but based on other opinions I put them in where I thought they would fit.  I would love those who have played some of these courses very often to chime in on gross misses and even omissions  (I seriously could be leaving off an obvious one).  My hope is to hone this list based on better (your considered input) up to date info, and then get back out to play them all by the end of the year.  No offense taken if you disagree.  I'm open to being wrong.

 

 

Edited January 20, 2022 by vallygolf

[puttnforthe8]

1 hour ago, vallygolf said:

Wekopa (Saguaro)

AkChin Southern Dunes

Troon North (Pinnacle)

Grayhawk (Raptor)

Wickenberg Ranch

Ventena Canyon (Mountain)

Quintero

Sterling Grove

Troon north (Monument)

Golf Club at Dove Mountain

Grayhawk (Talon)

Verrado (Founders)

Wekopa (Cholla)

TPC Scottsdale

Sewalio

Laughlin Ranch

Blackstone

Camelback (Ambiante)

Boulders (south)

Boulders (north)

Papago

Verrado Victory

Longbow

Sunridge Canyon

Starr Pass

Tucson National

Silver Creek 

Whirlwind (Cattail)

Whirlwind (Devils Claw)

Los Caballeros

 

 

So there you have it.  My "off the top of my head" top 30 public in Az.  There are actually a couple on here I have not played, but based on other opinions I put them in where I thought they would fit.  I would love those who have played some of these courses very often to chime in on gross misses and even omissions  (I seriously could be leaving off an obvious one).  My hope is to hone this list based on better (your considered input) up to date info, and then get back out to play them all by the end of the year.  No offense taken if you disagree.  I'm open to being wrong.

 

 

 

Comments:  

• Blackstone is not public.
• Papago is not top 30 imo - a good course to play, but it's not even the best muni...Aguila is.
• Sunridge night not be top 30 - Eagle Mountain across the road is a better course, just for comparison 
• I would not put Starr Pass in a top 30
• Legend Trail is close
• Up for consideration are the Sedona courses in a top 30 - Oak Creek or Sedona Golf resort
• While course wise it may not be top 30 for the AZ resident - the views and conditions get it there for out of towners and the occasional play: Dinosaur Mountain 
• Minor spelling - Ambiente, Ventana

Edited January 18, 2022 by puttnforthe8

[RainShadow]

I'd put Arizona National in Tucson on that list.

 

[vallygolf]

1 hour ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

Comments:  

• Blackstone is not public.
• Papago is not top 30 imo - a good course to play, but it's not even the best muni...Aguila is.
• Sunridge night not be top 30 - Eagle Mountain across the road is a better course, just for comparison 
• I would not put Starr Pass in a top 30
• Legend Trail is close
• Up for consideration are the Sedona courses in a top 30 - Oak Creek or Sedona Golf resort
• While course wise it may not be top 30 for the AZ resident - the views and conditions get it there for out of towners and the occasional play: Dinosaur Mountain 
• Minor spelling - Ambiente, Ventana

LOL  I didnt know Blackstone was private.  Played it 3 times in a group...had no idea.  Ill have to change that.  Thanks for the heads up on Oak Creek and Sedona Golf Resort.  I have not played either. 

Where would you slot them?

Does Aguila belong on the list?

As I think about Dinosaur Mtn.  I would rather play there than Sunridge or Eagle Mountain so I can see it being on the list.  I had basically swapped Sunridge for Eagle Mtn as I had read Eagle mtn was a total loss and in the process of recovery.  

Thanks for the edits.

[vallygolf]

43 minutes ago, RainShadow said:

I'd put Arizona National in Tucson on that list.

 

Another one I have not played.  How does it rate to Sewalio and Tucson National?

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I am headed out to Scottsdale soon and I am going to try and sneak in 3 rounds. I am thinking:

 

WeKoPa Saguro

Talking Stick North

either Quintero or Longbow

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

2 hours ago, vallygolf said:

LOL  I didnt know Blackstone was private.  Played it 3 times in a group...had no idea.  Ill have to change that.  Thanks for the heads up on Oak Creek and Sedona Golf Resort.  I have not played either. 

Where would you slot them?

Does Aguila belong on the list?

As I think about Dinosaur Mtn.  I would rather play there than Sunridge or Eagle Mountain so I can see it being on the list.  I had basically swapped Sunridge for Eagle Mtn as I had read Eagle mtn was a total loss and in the process of recovery.  

Thanks for the edits.

 

Always tough bro - once you get into the 20s it ends up a lot of perception.  Some folks love The Raven - Where does it fit?  Aguila, design wise and these days conditions, you could make an argument that it could be on the list - the area, views, looks and "rough edges" can make it seem like it shouldn't be.  I've always like Estrella - many don't and over the years it has gotten worse due to housing.  

 

The Sedona courses are funny - I prefer Oak Creek, but lots of people like Sedona Golf resort better - probably because of views.  But they may be right at the late 20s. LOL.

 

 

Edited January 18, 2022 by puttnforthe8

[vallygolf]

13 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

Always tough bro - once you get into the 20s it ends up a lot of perception.  Some folks love The Raven - Where does it fit?  Aguila, design wise and these days conditions, you could make an argument that it could be on the list - the area, views, looks and "rough edges" can make it seem like it shouldn't be.  I've always like Estrella - many don't and over the years it has gotten worse due to housing.  

 

The Sedona courses are funny - I prefer Oak Creek, but lot's of people like Sedona Golf resort better - probably because of views.  But they may be right at the late 20s. LOL.

 

 

Seriously,  15-30 was hard to differentiate. Boulders and Whirlwind were tough.  I find myself mixing holes and courses so until I play them more I couldnt be definitive.  Mostly I wanted to make my own list of the top 30 and work to play them all this year.  I may do a quick write up after checking one off.  Thought I might keep it here on this thread.  I just want confirmation that I am not missing any must play top 30 public.

Edited January 18, 2022 by vallygolf

[AzSuperHack76]

38 minutes ago, vallygolf said:

Seriously,  15-30 was hard to differentiate. Boulders and Whirlwind were tough.  I find myself mixing holes and courses so until I play them more I couldnt be definitive.  Mostly I wanted to make my own list of the top 30 and work to play them all this year.  I may do a quick write up after checking one off.  Thought I might keep it here on this thread.  I just want confirmation that I am not missing any must play top 30 public.

I could do without either Boulders course to be honest, again personal preference. I could see some shuffling with Ventanna Canyon, Vistancia, Golf Club of Estrella or Copper Canyon in the mix, heck, even Dinasaur Mt could be considered a top 30, just for the views alone and being very Arizona/Desert Unique. I believe Oak Creek deserves a spot for sure. 

 

I like your list overall, ratings are highly subjective as we all know. 

Edited January 18, 2022 by AzSuperHack76

[RainShadow]

On 1/18/2022 at 11:37 AM, vallygolf said:

Another one I have not played.  How does it rate to Sewalio and Tucson National?

I'd say the layout is better than either with more character ( not goofy, LOL) 

Conditioning wise maybe a half step below, but still pretty good. The bunkers are the weak link, but they've been doing work on them for the past two years and while not perfect, they are B+.

 Course has substantial yet subtle elevation changes, and plays a bit longer than stated on the card. If the wind is up things get interesting......

 Best views of any course in the area.

Fees are around $70 including cart.

 

Edited January 20, 2022 by RainShadow

[cbbaron]

I like Joe prefer Eagle Mountain over Sunridge Canyon and I also think Highly of Legend Trail 

[cbbaron]

Dove Mountain  I think its Saguaro and Tortolita where they played match play. Played it once really liked but kicked my a@#

 

Edited January 20, 2022 by cbbaron

[vallygolf]

Any updated on Eagle Mountain?  How has the course recovered from losing the greens?

[DrSchteeve]

Oak Creek in Sedona is a traditional parkland course in a stunning setting. Good mix of holes. Robert Trent Jones SR and JR design.  At least in the discussion of top courses.  Sedona Golf Resort has the stunning views without much else - reminds me of Desert Canyon with a lot of elevation changes but oddly designed holes. 

[puttnforthe8]

2 hours ago, vallygolf said:

Any updated on Eagle Mountain?  How has the course recovered from losing the greens?

Mostly yes.  There is an occasional rough patch.  The areas in the fairway were about 75% recovered.  It was definitely not what we come to expect of EM, but it certainly is not an utter mess anymore.  

[Pleasedwith3putts]

I've always preferred cholla over saguaro at Wekopa

[vallygolf]

 I want to put Oak Creek on the list, but I have never played it and so have no frame of reference.  Looking at the courses on the list are there any that stand out that should be replaced by Oak Creek?

 

***Silvercreek is a personal favorite that will always be on my top 30 list, so even though a case could be made to take it off it is my one bias course that wont ever be below 30.

Edited January 20, 2022 by vallygolf

[RainShadow]

13 hours ago, cbbaron said:

Dove Mountain  I think its Saguaro and Tortolita where they played match play. Played it once really liked but kicked my a@#

 

The problem with Dove Mountain is the greens are ridiculous. 

Unless you've played there a bit, it's unlkely you'll score well.

Overpriced Nicklaus design, IMO

[RainShadow]

11 hours ago, DrSchteeve said:

Oak Creek in Sedona is a traditional parkland course in a stunning setting. Good mix of holes. Robert Trent Jones SR and JR design.  At least in the discussion of top courses.  Sedona Golf Resort has the stunning views without much else - reminds me of Desert Canyon with a lot of elevation changes but oddly designed holes. 

 The views are what sells Sedona golf resort. Fun course, but other than the scenary, nothing special.

 

Edited January 20, 2022 by RainShadow

[puttnforthe8]

2 hours ago, vallygolf said:

 I want to put Oak Creek on the list, but I have never played it and so have no frame of reference.  Looking at the courses on the list are there any that stand out that should be replaced by Oak Creek?

 

***Silvercreek is a personal favorite that will always be on my top 30 list, so even though a case could be made to take it off it is my one bias course that wont ever be below 30.

 

Wait til you make a trip...it's border and it's your list anyways.  

 

For me it would be above 3-4 on your list.  So plan on it this summer. 

[DrSchteeve]

On 1/20/2022 at 8:56 AM, vallygolf said:

 I want to put Oak Creek on the list, but I have never played it and so have no frame of reference.  Looking at the courses on the list are there any that stand out that should be replaced by Oak Creek?

 

***Silvercreek is a personal favorite that will always be on my top 30 list, so even though a case could be made to take it off it is my one bias course that wont ever be below 30.

 

Well it is much better than Sterling Grove, TPC (either course), Ambiente (and I'm a fan), Boulders (either course), Whirlwind (either course), Silvercreek (despite the OP's personal preference), Eagle Mountain. I might say Aguila but then this entire board would pan me...

Edited January 21, 2022 by DrSchteeve

[fore_life]

I too have a soft spot for silver creek, probably one of my favorites. 

[AzSuperHack76]

2 hours ago, fore_life said:

I too have a soft spot for silver creek, probably one of my favorites. 

Same, anything Panks designs is pretty dang good. 

[vallygolf]

16 hours ago, AzSuperHack76 said:

Same, anything Panks designs is pretty dang good. 

Agreed.  I think he really hits the sweet spot of playable with enough challenge for the better player to keep it interesting.

[fore_life]

Did Panks do oak creek Cc?

[puttnforthe8]

14 minutes ago, fore_life said:

Did Panks do oak creek Cc?

\Panks did Sedona Golf Resort actually.   Trent Jones Sr & Jr did Oak Creek

[teejaywhy]

On 1/20/2022 at 8:04 AM, RainShadow said:

The problem with Dove Mountain is the greens are ridiculous. 

Unless you've played there a bit, it's unlkely you'll score well.

Overpriced Nicklaus design, IMO

 

The greens are the most fun part of the course IMO.   The rest of the course (like many JN courses) is just 18 kicks to the nuts.

 

 

[RainShadow]

9 minutes ago, teejaywhy said:

 

The greens are the most fun part of the course IMO.   The rest of the course (like many JN courses) is just 18 kicks to the nuts.

 

 

I guess they're fun to putt, if that's all you're there for. Scoring is a another story all together. 

I just found that unless you were on the right level, of the 3 or 4 on many of them, you could easily 4 putt.

Miss the green, and good luck on a lot of them.

 

[JustinG76]

Quintero is a MUST play….unreal. 
 

My “go to” is Eagle Mountain when I’m in town…good layout, good conditions, great staff and overall good vibe. 

[JustinG76]

On 1/19/2022 at 10:27 PM, vallygolf said:

Any updated on Eagle Mountain?  How has the course recovered from losing the greens?

Played it a handful of times since October of last year and as recently as last week….greens are in great shape and when I played it in October for the first time ever I would have never known they had issues with the greens. 
 

I did make a hole in one on #13 during my first round ever at Eagle Mountain so I might be a little biased 😉