Arizona Golf Trip

[Golferguy209]

Hi all,

I’m heading to Phoenix area next week to get some golf in at Quintero, Troon North - monument course, and Raven Club at Verrado. This is my first time playing in Arizona. I’m from California and mostly play in the Bay Area. Looking for any golf tips when it comes to playing in Arizona like average yardage adjustment, hitting off the desert and hard pan, avoiding snakes, etc.

thanks in advance!

[chisag]

18 minutes ago, Golferguy209 said:

Looking for any golf tips when it comes to playing in Arizona like average yardage adjustment, hitting off the desert and hard pan, avoiding snakes, etc.

 

 

... Been living here for 4 years full time and still haven't seen a snake. Saw some sidewinder tracks in several bunkers at Southern Dunes but no snake. I think you will find fairways and especially dormant Bermuda rough to roll more than you are used to. 

 

... I had some DI golfers offer me advice that some will think sacrilege. But since I play forged irons they said during practice rounds or playing for fun they use their own local rule. If they end up in the desert and they have a clear shot they move to the closest grass without penalty. If on rocks large enough to interfere with their swing or there are shrubs or trees blocking their shot, they move to the closest grass with a 1 stroke penalty. My group has adopted this local rule. 
 

[Golferguy209]

25 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Been living here for 4 years full time and still haven't seen a snake. Saw some sidewinder tracks in several bunkers at Southern Dunes but no snake. I think you will find fairways and especially dormant Bermuda rough to roll more than you are used to. 

 

... I had some DI golfers offer me advice that some will think sacrilege. But since I play forged irons they said during practice rounds or playing for fun they use their own local rule. If they end up in the desert and they have a clear shot they move to the closest grass without penalty. If on rocks large enough to interfere with their swing or there are shrubs or trees blocking their shot, they move to the closest grass with a 1 stroke penalty. My group has adopted this local rule. 
 

That’s a great local rule. Just a group of friends going, no crazy competition or money on the line. I’ll bring this up to the group. Thanks!

[soregongolfer]

I didn't hit out of the desert during my trip last year.  I love my Mizunos too much.  

[cassel191919]

I was an idiot and decided to try to hit out of the desert on my first trip, it takes a nice chunk out the club. I would highly recommend not trying it. 

[chisag]

2 hours ago, cassel191919 said:

I was an idiot and decided to try to hit out of the desert on my first trip, it takes a nice chunk out the club. I would highly recommend not trying it. 

 

 

... When I first moved out here I had a pretty clean lie in the desert, just sandy with light pebbles. Hit down and through with my 7 iron and the deep scratch like an alignment aid on the sole from a sharp rock just under the surface was bad enough but the chunk it took out of the face right at the sole was brutal. Never tried it again. 

[Golferguy209]

Noted! Don’t hit out of the desert! 😅

[Socrates]

The biggest difference you will find is the quality and quantity of things that want to rip and puncture your clothes and skin.  You really want to be cautious when you approach the scrub area because the next thing you know, you are bleeding because some razor sharp thorn just nicked your leg.  The other thing I wish I had with me was a small collapsable ball retriever.  I don't know how many balls I had to walk away from that were "right there" and just had to put another into play because they were just out of reach in a thorny bush or patch of cactus (Dove Mountain). 

 

If you are afraid of hitting out of the desert, be like many others and buy a cheap 6 or 7 iron at a flea market and keep that in the bag.