Tucson summer weather for golf?

[golfingal]

We're considering Tucson for our next move and have been there while the weather was decent - but watching it this summer, it seems to be very similar to Florida (where we lived for several years) - hot, and raining all the time... humid too?  Being Californians, we HATED Florida weather.    People from Canada and such places didn't understand us not liking it - they thought it was "paradise" - so this question is probably more for people used to great year round weather, who made the move to Tucson.

 

Is it playable in summer?  Do the daily storms cut your golf day short or force you to not play?  Does it become a humid wet muddy mess?  Does it go to cart path only a lot?  Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[Krt22]

I read your previous thread about Scottsdale area since I am in Northern CA and considering making the move down there as well. Already moving on from that? Just curious as to why

[Bonneville85308]

Tucson metro is slightly less hot than Phoenix metro and gets about 3 inches more rain per year on average. It's still only about a third of the average annual US rainfall. Tucson has very low humidity most of the time, like Phoenix. Nothing like Florida at all, none of that daily afternoon summer thunderstorm business. Except for immediately after a few major summer storms, the only CPO you will typically encounter is right after fall overseeding.

 

I thought you were leaning towards joining Blackstone in Peoria/Vistancia? Curious what made you change your mind on that.

Edited August 16, 2022 by Bonneville85308

[Arizonalefty59]

I wish it rained that much, pretty rare for afternoon storms even during the monsoon season. I've never seen a Tucson course go to CPO even after a heavy overnight rain. Very playable during the summer, and a little cooler than the valley. 

[golfingal]

Thanks for the replies.  This screenshot shows a snippet of weather - rain, every day in many cases - which is what I was wondering about.  Watching over the past month or two it seemed like this kind of forecast was a regular occurrence...some all day long.

 

Our Phoenix plan went bust even though we purchased a Blackstone membership.  The move was a relocation for work - hubby actually was living/working/golfing there for several months and we almost bought a house - but our NorCal house hadn't sold yet, (the market started getting flakey) and a much better (headhunter) offer came along in L.A. so he took it and we sold our Blackstone membership at a loss.     Now our house has sold so we're back looking at Tucson - which we originally liked over Phoenix for a retirement area, due to the elevation/cooler temps and more options for houses with views.  After he actually experienced playing a lot in Phoenix in summer, he felt it was probably a bit too hot!

[Arizonalefty59]

The forecast has been misleading over the last few weeks. It’s definitely not an issue playing in the afternoon, nothing like Florida. 

[DrSchteeve]

Typical Arizona forecast: 3 days ahead 80% chance rain, 2 days ahead 40%, day of 10%, actual precipitation is a few drops. I grew up in Florida. Nothing like Florida. But it's still hot. 

Edited August 18, 2022 by DrSchteeve

[chisag]

On 8/16/2022 at 5:02 PM, Arizonalefty59 said:

I wish it rained that much, pretty rare for afternoon storms even during the monsoon season.

 

... Amen to that! In Phoenix it isn't unusual to have zero rain from December to June. 3" more in Tucson is still way too little. 

[jlbos83]

The forecast for this weekend is on the unusually wet side, even for the monsoon season.  So far this summer I have played at least once every weekend, often twice, and have not been rained out.  It was close a couple times, with storms popping up, but still got the round in.  The only rainout this summer was a afternoon league match, where we started the first hole dry, and came off the first hole as if we had jumped in a pool, and called it a day. 

Things to remember, monsoon is really only two months, plus or minus a little.  Even though there is rain around on many day, that does not mean it will be where you are.  The storms are often small, and move off quickly.  It very rarely rains all day, only as a result of the remains of a tropical storm finding its way up here from the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortes).  More than once we have decided to head to the clubhouse, driven half a hole, turned around and gone back to playing.  From my experience, around Tucson for 20 years, it's nothing like Florida!

We've had a fair amount of rain this summer, but a lot has been overnight, which is the best kind!

I would conclude by saying that if you want to golf every day it's hard to do better than Tucson.  Almost never too cold in the winter, cooler (in relative terms) and cheaper than Phoenix.  Might lose 15 days in the whole year to weather (maybe).  And if it's a bit wet or cold one day, the next one will probably be better!

 

[Arizonalefty59]

Played Dove Mountain yesterday. Got rained on for 15 minutes, took cover, then went back to playing with no interruptions. Even if it does rain, it doesn't last long. 

[jlbos83]

Just to follow up, and kind of demonstrate what DrSchteeve was saying...

Saturday was probably playable for much of the day, at least where I was.  Had other things to do, so I wasn't on the course, but I was out and about, and while it was cloudy with some showers it wasn't really stormy.  Yesterday was cloudy most of the day, but no rain (at least where I was), and I played.  Even walked as it was a little cooler than it has been, though plenty humid, for here.

[596]

A few years ago almost retired to Tucson.  But life got in the way and we retired to Florida.

 

We were in Sedona for about 8 years. Went to Phoenix and Tucson often for races. Tucson is higher elevation then Phoenix, thus a tad cooler.  Most of Arizona will get a few storms that are fairly small, not wide spread, they come and are then gone. I used to cycle when in Sedona and could be 1 mile from a storm and it was sunny where I was and pouring down rain 1 mile away.  Had to take cover from a lightning/hail storm once in June during a mountain bike ride.  After it passed it was sunny again.

 

My wife and I talk about what it would have been like retiring in Arizona.  Don't regret Florida, but Arizona would have been different. 

[golfingal]

Thanks to everyone for the comments - I appreciate the input!  😀

[lurkinghobbit]

On 8/22/2022 at 1:07 PM, golfingal said:

Thanks to everyone for the comments - I appreciate the input!  😀

 

Would also be appreciative if you could come back upon club selection and let us know what you found.  I'm still a few years away, but am considering Tuscon as an alternative to Phoenix.  Thanks!

 

[golfingal]

On 8/24/2022 at 10:31 AM, lurkinghobbit said:

 

Would also be appreciative if you could come back upon club selection and let us know what you found.  I'm still a few years away, but am considering Tuscon as an alternative to Phoenix.  Thanks!

 

We ended up deciding against Arizona as it’s just a bit too hot for us so we are staying in California. The affordability in Tucson however is much more attractive over Phoenix was very expensive at the good clubs. Good luck!

[kthomas]

Rain is infrequent, but when it does happen it generally is a torrential downpour for 10-30 minutes and then it's over. 

 

It's hot. Not as hot as Phoenix, but triple digit temperatures. I play in summer all the time, just need to be prepared. Drink LOTS of water, skip the alcohol. Cover up and wear sunscreen on any exposed skin.

 

Lots of great deals and tee times during the summer. Courses won't be in pristine condition, but generally they are decent.