Phoenix Area - Public Play Situation?

[Primo1868]

Hey Team,

It's looking like over the next year my wife will have a good opportunity for career advancement which will bring us to the Phoenix area. We are currently in the process of trying to understand where to live - looking at Mesa/Tempe/Chandler area at the moment. For anyone familiar with the area, I have a few questions:

1) I'm familiar with the highly ranked public/private options in the area (although I have never played golf in AZ). What I do not have a good bead on is good public options with nice practice facilities and how they operate. So far in life we have been lucky enough to always live on or near a public golf course on the east coast, so, I've always took advantage of the "membership" opportunity to have a consistent place to play and practice. It seems like, through the research I have done already, that most of the public courses offer some sort of "pass" which includes rate discounts/practice facility discounts/reciprocal discounts/advanced tee times - but all are still based on a daily fee. Are there are publics that have an annual our monthly all-inclusive membership? Somewhere where I can avoid a daily fee?

2) Are there any private or semi-private options in the area that are accessible to the average man? We have the potential to pay a reasonable amount for golf expenses. It does seem like the majority of private options are based on invite only. Do any of the private options have an HOA based membership option?

 

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Primo

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

4 hours ago, Primo1868 said:

Hey Team,

It's looking like over the next year my wife will have a good opportunity for career advancement which will bring us to the Phoenix area. We are currently in the process of trying to understand where to live - looking at Mesa/Tempe/Chandler area at the moment. For anyone familiar with the area, I have a few questions:

1) I'm familiar with the highly ranked public/private options in the area (although I have never played golf in AZ). What I do not have a good bead on is good public options with nice practice facilities and how they operate. So far in life we have been lucky enough to always live on or near a public golf course on the east coast, so, I've always took advantage of the "membership" opportunity to have a consistent place to play and practice. It seems like, through the research I have done already, that most of the public courses offer some sort of "pass" which includes rate discounts/practice facility discounts/reciprocal discounts/advanced tee times - but all are still based on a daily fee. Are there are publics that have an annual our monthly all-inclusive membership? Somewhere where I can avoid a daily fee?

So the underlined is not totally true.  There are different options across the area.  So it depends on which course.  Additionally, the elements of these options are not always the same i.e. practice discounts, etc.  

 

There are only a few public courses that have annual memberships.  This really isn't an option.  Especially, since you are looking to live in the East Valley.  The best possible options are the courses 'card' or a general card (Troon, Arcis, Whirlwind (https://api.emailinc.net/public_message_view.jsp?s=29no2ytbyb);  

 

You really will need to determine your budget and how far you want to travel.

 

2) Are there any private or semi-private options in the area that are accessible to the average man? We have the potential to pay a reasonable amount for golf expenses. It does seem like the majority of private options are based on invite only. Do any of the private options have an HOA based membership option?

Not really; and the ones that do are not great (Red Mtn Ranch, Phoenician, etc). 

 

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Primo

Bottom line, AZ golf is primarily Daily fee or Fully Private - the in between lacks much to be desired, except in a few instances.   

 

 

 

Firstly,  Plenty to read for more details:  https://forums.golfwrx.com/forum/160-southwest/

 

See above for details.  But need more info to make further reccos.

[Primo1868]

30 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Firstly,  Plenty to read for more details:  https://forums.golfwrx.com/forum/160-southwest/

 

See above for details.  But need more info to make further reccos.

Hey @puttnforthe8 thank you for the link. I have seen a bunch of previous threads which go into significant detail but for a non-resident who is not familiar with the area in any way shape or form, it's hard to make a lot of those threads make sense. 

 

I guess I can reword my first question somewhat more simply and give you an example:

Q: Is there annual membership options to regular public golf courses?

Example: My wife and I currently live in a subdivision with a public golf course. Considering it is "semi-private" I have the option to daily fee or join as a member. I opted into joining as a member and use the practice facility and play 4-5 times per week.

 

When I'm doing a little housing market research and I find a housing development near a public golf course in Mesa/Tempe/Chandler; the public golf course does not have an advertised membership (in all of the cases I have found). All of the courses I've seen offer some sort of city pass/card etc. 

 

Does that make my first question more clear?

Edited February 21 by Primo1868
clarity

[puttnforthe8]

10 minutes ago, Primo1868 said:

Hey @puttnforthe8 thank you for the link. I have seen a bunch of previous threads which go into significant detail but for a non-resident who is not familiar with the area in any way shape or form, it's hard to make a lot of those threads make sense. 

 

I guess I can reword my first question somewhat more simply and give you an example:

Q: Is there annual membership options to regular public golf courses?  No - not really.  We have things like that new Whirlwind "pass" or Tee card at Grayhawk, Arcis Card, etc.  

Example: My wife and I currently live in a subdivision with a public golf course. Considering it is "semi-private" I have the option to daily fee or join as a member. I opted into joining as a member and use the practice facility and play 4-5 times per week.

 

When I'm doing a little housing market research and I find a housing development near a public golf course in Mesa/Tempe/Chandler; the public golf course does not have an advertised membership (in all of the cases I have found). All of the courses I've seen offer some sort of city pass/card etc. 

 

Does that make my first question more clear?

 

 No - those do not (or very rarely) exist in AZ.  We have things like that new Whirlwind "pass" or Tee card at Grayhawk, Arcis Card, etc.

 

 

 

 

[Primo1868]

1 minute ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

 No - those do not (or very rarely) exist in AZ.  We have things like that new Whirlwind "pass" or Tee card at Grayhawk, Arcis Card, etc.

 

 

 

 

Great - that answers my question. I'll keep combing through the previous threads for further details. I'll reach out to you (as you seem to be very helpful and informative) if I have any specific questions. Thanks!

[puttnforthe8]

Just now, Primo1868 said:

Great - that answers my question. I'll keep combing through the previous threads for further details. I'll reach out to you (as you seem to be very helpful and informative) if I have any specific questions. Thanks!

 

The one course that has something in the east valley is Lone Tree: https://www.lonetreegolf18.com/images/2024_Annual_Membership_flyer_THIS_ONE.pdf

 

While an average course and average facilities - it is one of the few options.  I think this has a waitlist.

 

 

 

[Primo1868]

5 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

The one course that has something in the east valley is Lone Tree: https://www.lonetreegolf18.com/images/2024_Annual_Membership_flyer_THIS_ONE.pdf

 

While an average course and average facilities - it is one of the few options.  I think this has a waitlist.

 

 

 

Awesome - thank you. 

[Bonneville85308]

Since covid I've seen a decline in annual "unlimited play" passes available to anyone at public courses in Phoenix metro; i. e. pay $5,000 a year for unlimited play whenever. They've either been eliminated completely, waiting lists have been enacted, or new restrictions have been put on them that make them unattractive (can't play early AM weekends, etc.)  In the SE valley I believe Las Colinas in Queen Creek still has an annual unlimited play pass.

 

The trend seems to be moving towards "players club" discount cards that you pay a few hundred bucks for and then get a per-round discount.

[fore_life]

Yeah man that ship has sailed, very few options left and then if they do offer, there’s usually tons of stipulations etc.

https://www.bearcreekaz.com/bear-course-season-passes/

 

whats your age demographic?

[fore_life]

Also, here’s our membership options for my par 62 out in Gilbert 

 

[Shilgy]

I don’t know that pat of town….or the public course situation very well….but none of the south areas have a deal like Wildfire used to have these days?  As I recall it was $4500 annually about five years ago. I’m surprised some of them don’t but if they can currently fill the tee sheets with full paying play I guess there is little benefit to doing so.  Before Covid it guaranteed them income but it’s not needed in their business model post pandemic.

[Primo1868]

1 hour ago, fore_life said:

Yeah man that ship has sailed, very few options left and then if they do offer, there’s usually tons of stipulations etc.

https://www.bearcreekaz.com/bear-course-season-passes/

 

whats your age demographic?

34 years young!

[Primo1868]

1 hour ago, Shilgy said:

I don’t know that pat of town….or the public course situation very well….but none of the south areas have a deal like Wildfire used to have these days?  As I recall it was $4500 annually about five years ago. I’m surprised some of them don’t but if they can currently fill the tee sheets with full paying play I guess there is little benefit to doing so.  Before Covid it guaranteed them income but it’s not needed in their business model post pandemic.

 

Thanks for chiming in, @Shilgy! 

[fore_life]

16 hours ago, Shilgy said:

I don’t know that pat of town….or the public course situation very well….but none of the south areas have a deal like Wildfire used to have these days?  As I recall it was $4500 annually about five years ago. I’m surprised some of them don’t but if they can currently fill the tee sheets with full paying play I guess there is little benefit to doing so.  Before Covid it guaranteed them income but it’s not needed in their business model post pandemic.

FWIW whirlwind had one, but they cancelled it and kicked out all annual pass members.

 

i use mesa country club as an example, when I was a member it was 1k initiation and 240 a month, now it’s like 30k/$680 a month with a wait list. It’s insane. 

[AZ_JHWK]

I've been out here about 5 years, and I spent the first 2 years playing as many courses as possible. You find out what you like pretty quickly. After that you can dial in what kind of card/membership you want. 

 

 The Chandler/Gilbert/Tempe area offer many options, as does, of course, Scottsdale and the West Valley. It's not unusual for me to drive 30-40 minutes to play on a regular basis. 

[Primo1868]

18 minutes ago, AZ_JHWK said:

I've been out here about 5 years, and I spent the first 2 years playing as many courses as possible. You find out what you like pretty quickly. After that you can dial in what kind of card/membership you want. 

 

 The Chandler/Gilbert/Tempe area offer many options, as does, of course, Scottsdale and the West Valley. It's not unusual for me to drive 30-40 minutes to play on a regular basis. 

This sounds pretty spot on. We will prioritize location to work and figure it out from there. Thank you for your input! 

[puttnforthe8]

40 minutes ago, Primo1868 said:

This sounds pretty spot on. We will prioritize location to work and figure it out from there. Thank you for your input! 

 

I forgot one thing after reading other responses.  The main problem with the 'public' memberships that do exist or the passes/cards is:  There is so much good golf to be had in the area that it really is not worth locking in to one place.  Take the example I sent from Lone Tree - You would have to play there over 100 times and use the practice facilities a lot to come close to having any real value.  LT is a $25-40 course at best and you will find that price part of the year.     .........I would never want to have to play LT 100+ times!!   No way.

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

@Primo1868 I had not noticed that you are in GA.  I will be out there in a couple of weeks playing the Reynolds courses, Old Barnwell, Tree Farm, Aiken and UofGA!  Really looking forward to the trip!

[Primo1868]

1 hour ago, puttnforthe8 said:

@Primo1868 I had not noticed that you are in GA.  I will be out there in a couple of weeks playing the Reynolds courses, Old Barnwell, Tree Farm, Aiken and UofGA!  Really looking forward to the trip!

That’s a hell of a trip. Enjoy!!

 

thanks again for all the recs. 

[cheinsen23]

On 2/21/2024 at 5:16 AM, Primo1868 said:

Hey Team,

It's looking like over the next year my wife will have a good opportunity for career advancement which will bring us to the Phoenix area. We are currently in the process of trying to understand where to live - looking at Mesa/Tempe/Chandler area at the moment. For anyone familiar with the area, I have a few questions:

1) I'm familiar with the highly ranked public/private options in the area (although I have never played golf in AZ). What I do not have a good bead on is good public options with nice practice facilities and how they operate. So far in life we have been lucky enough to always live on or near a public golf course on the east coast, so, I've always took advantage of the "membership" opportunity to have a consistent place to play and practice. It seems like, through the research I have done already, that most of the public courses offer some sort of "pass" which includes rate discounts/practice facility discounts/reciprocal discounts/advanced tee times - but all are still based on a daily fee. Are there are publics that have an annual our monthly all-inclusive membership? Somewhere where I can avoid a daily fee?

2) Are there any private or semi-private options in the area that are accessible to the average man? We have the potential to pay a reasonable amount for golf expenses. It does seem like the majority of private options are based on invite only. Do any of the private options have an HOA based membership option?

 

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Primo

 

 

McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale has two courses, always great greens. They have an unlimited play package for I believe 4k for a 7 day pass. 

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, cheinsen23 said:

McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale has two courses, always great greens. They have an unlimited play package for I believe 4k for a 7 day pass. 

 

I'd rather eat lint. 

 

[cheinsen23]

6 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'd rather eat lint. 

 

lol

[puttnforthe8]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'd rather eat lint. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Shilgy]

23 hours ago, fore_life said:

FWIW whirlwind had one, but they cancelled it and kicked out all annual pass members.

 

i use mesa country club as an example, when I was a member it was 1k initiation and 240 a month, now it’s like 30k/$680 a month with a wait list. It’s insane. 

I’m a lifetime member at Tatum Ranch and…..yes, with Arcis and post Covid we have too many members.  That said the course is in great shape.

 

The initiation fees have varied over the years.  When they first opened it was 30k….then it dropped after 2007 as low as 1k plus credits(!)…now it’s back over $30k.  The initiation fees are really just demand based and post Covid it’s nuts. DC Ranch is $300k(?).  Here in Arizona dues are high largely based on water expense.

 

Right now all of the courses, both private and daily fee, are riding the wave of golf popularity.  It remains to be seen if it lasts or starts to recede again.

[SilverBullets]

Raven has an option which might work for you.  I think it's $90 per month and it gives you daily range access, discounted rates, and cart fee only twilight rates.  

[puttnforthe8]

1 hour ago, SilverBullets said:

Raven has an option which might work for you.  I think it's $90 per month and it gives you daily range access, discounted rates, and cart fee only twilight rates.  

 

Raven is the Arcis card.  $119 a month and rates for the rounds.