Need some recommendations for public course options in Tucson

[novakjrp1]

Heading to Tucson next week for a family wedding and looking for some recommendations on public courses.  We already have on round booked at AZ National and we are looking for another other good value public courses.  Maybe one that sometimes fly's under the radar compared to the more well known public courses such as Dove Mountain, Ventana, Omni National.  Sewailo is closed for over-seeding until Thanksgiving.  And I saw some very recent reviews saying that Star Pass greens aren't in great condition at the moment.  Any other recommendations?  We will be staying in the NE part of Tucson if that helps with any recommendations.  Thanks! 

[Bonneville85308]

Forty Niner is probably the closest public course to NE Tucson other than what you mentioned, I haven't played there in 5+ years though. Closest Tucson muni to your location might be Fred Enke. Dorado is a cheap "executive" length course on the E side of town that would make a good second round for a 36 hole day. The two 18-hole courses at El Conquistador are excellent values and usually in good condition but will be more of a drive, same for Quarry Pines. Tucson lacks a good high-speed east-west road so what doesn't look far on a map can be a long drive with a million traffic lights.

 

Edited October 31, 2023 by Bonneville85308

[novakjrp1]

Thanks for the reply!

[HGLucky13]

FortyNiner is a good layout. It had alot of bare patches about 6 weeks ago. I am not sure if they have done overseeding yet. If they have that is likely better. I would second Quarry Pines, fun course, the front 9 and back 9 play like 2 different courses. As far as city courses go Randolph/Dell Urich is a decent place to play. Conditions were good a few weeks ago when I played. And I heard Silverbell grass was in good condition which is rare, probably going to play there next weekend to check it out. It is a good layout, but it is usually beat into submission. If you go down south San Ignacio is another course that is alot of fun, along with Canoa Ranch

 

[Phreddy]

Avoid Dove Mountain.  At this time next year it might be a good call, but they are knee deep in renovation.  My understanding is that only 1 of the 3 9's is open.  To play 18 you need to play the same 9 twice.  The work they are doing will be great going forward:  Improving sight lines off the tees, redoing bunkers and blowing up the dumbest greens in the solar system.  Just not a good option this year.

 

Phred

[novakjrp1]

Just a quick update for anyone else looking at Tucson golf.  We ended up playing Arizona National and Star Passe.  Both great public tracks and what you think of when playing desert golf.  Paid $79 for a morning tee times at AZ National. And $94 for a morning tee time at Star Passe.  AZ National was in better condition than Star Passe and had great rolling greens.  Star Passe had some greens that were repaired in spots, but overall not bad or anything.  I’m sure they’ll be great in a few weeks.