Scottsdale Gems... Any hidden?

[RedWolfWay]

I've been fortunate enough to bring a group to AZ in January each year for the last handful of years and have touched a lot of the good tracks in the Phoenix area. Each year we seem to try and outdo the year previous, as we've grown the group to 8 and extend the trip little by little each year. Our group is willing to try about anything, as I've drug these boys pretty much all over the valley. I'm looking for something we've not been to and always looking for something that is off the beaten path so to speak that is worth the play. Trying to stay in the greater PHX area as we are staying in Scottsdale. 

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

[jatrain]

There’s not really any “hidden” gems in Scottsdale.  Maybe Mountain Shadows as a fun, 2nd round of the day at twilight.  Or Aguila (not Scottsdale) for the best combo of design plus price (it’s a Muni).  
 

It’d be helpful if you list what you’ve already played. 

Edited September 19 by jatrain

[teejaywhy]

Tell us where you have played and what you liked.

 

[FirstFlight]

Not a gem, but a track with unexpected teeth...Camelback(Ambiente). 

-many fairways transition from fairway cut to a first cut of rough, that is ankle high or more!

-most fairways have a slight left to right tilt, decieving, because they actually funnel drives to the right more than expected(sometimes to the first cut).

- many greens are on the smaller side, and many are slightly elevated and table-top. 

-course does not route back to club house between 9 and 10. Drink cart does come around many times.

-our group didn't do our homework on this course before playing it...all I know is I want another crack at it because it took my lunch money and gave me a fat lip!

[SilverBullets]

On 9/19/2023 at 6:14 PM, FirstFlight said:

Not a gem, but a track with unexpected teeth...Camelback(Ambiente). 

-many fairways transition from fairway cut to a first cut of rough, that is ankle high or more!

-most fairways have a slight left to right tilt, decieving, because they actually funnel drives to the right more than expected(sometimes to the first cut).

- many greens are on the smaller side, and many are slightly elevated and table-top. 

-course does not route back to club house between 9 and 10. Drink cart does come around many times.

-our group didn't do our homework on this course before playing it...all I know is I want another crack at it because it took my lunch money and gave me a fat lip!

 

This was going to be my answer.  It's not necessarily 'hidden' but it's also not nearly as well known as the bigger name tracks in Scottsdale. Yet, it's a very good golf course.  I wouldn't have it on the same tier as Troon North, Wekopa, and Grayhawk, but I have it well ahead of places like Talking Stick, Legend Trail, Eagle Mountain, etc.  It's also much more centrally located and provides some good views sitting in between the 2 mountains.

 

The thing I like the most about Ambiente is that it's different and changes things up from the other courses in the valley.  It's kind of in between a parkland course and a "links style" course.  It's a straight out and back layout.  1-10 go straight out, 11 starts turning back, and 12-18 head back to the clubhouse.  There's fescue-ish high grass lining many of the holes with sandy desert beneath.  

 

Beyond the unique-ness and change of pace Ambiente provides, it's just an enjoyable golf course to play.  It's typically in great shape (it was the best conditioned course I played this summer), they provide enough length to make the course as challenging as you'd like to take on, and It's just a really solid layout overall.  

 

The biggest downside is the cost.  They are pretty much charging top tier greens fees.  

Edited September 21 by SilverBullets