Traveling to Phoenix.....Some course info for you

[AzSuperHack76]

3 hours ago, AdExec said:

The rates are the highest I’ve seen all over the valley right now. Troon North up to $411 for prime tee times. Grayhawk in the $350 range. TPC Stadium at $480. Even the Wekopa resident rate at $200. Makes me wonder how high the summer tee times will be priced this year. The covid golf boom is real.

It’s awful. I don’t mind paying a premium for a good course but compared to the rest of the country and some of the courses I’ve played, the value out here is awful. 

[AZ_JHWK]

19 hours ago, AdExec said:

The rates are the highest I’ve seen all over the valley right now. Troon North up to $411 for prime tee times. Grayhawk in the $350 range. TPC Stadium at $480. Even the Wekopa resident rate at $200. Makes me wonder how high the summer tee times will be priced this year. The covid golf boom is real.

 

The WeKoPa website has summer rates for AZ residents at $55. In 2020 it was $45 and 2021 it was $49, so they have stayed pretty reasonable. 

[StudentGolfer4]

16 hours ago, AzSuperHack76 said:

It’s awful. I don’t mind paying a premium for a good course but compared to the rest of the country and some of the courses I’ve played, the value out here is awful. 

You think the prices are mainly a result of being close to a major metro area in PHX or what? I’m with you about being willing to pay for elite golf courses but in my opinion the PHX area has zero of them. 
 

Want me to pay 450ish for Pinehurst, The Ocean Course or Whistling Straights? Ok I can justify that as a top 5-10 public and a bucket list course. 

$300 for Bandon or $225 for Sand Valley? Count me in, especially with 50% off replay rates. 
 

400+ for Troon or TPC Scottsdale. Ouch. 
 

Really goes to show how overpriced many of the local Arizona courses are. And inadvertently proves that Ak Chin for $150ish has to be the best value around. (Thanks again for those of you who told me to go play it last year!)

Edited March 24, 2022 by StudentGolfer4

[chisag]

8 minutes ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

You think the prices are mainly a result of being close to a major metro area in PHX or what? I’m with you about being willing to pay for elite golf courses but in my opinion the PHX area has zero of them. 

 

 

... If the weather wasn't so awesome in winter and people didn't travel to Phoenix from all over the world for the warm temps and low humidity, either for the snowbird season or a weekend/week long vacation and wiling to pay whatever they charge, the rates would be much more reasonable.  He!! even before Covid the winter rates were much more reasonable than they are now. 

[vandyfan]

We just did a golf trip for 8 guys out there that included two nights at Hyatt House Old town + 1 rd at Talking Stick + 2 rds at We Ko Pa + 1 rd at Raven. If you assume the room rate at Hyatt is $200/night (per the website rack rate) split 4 ways (4 guys in 2 rooms) then our lodging cost was $100 each for the two nights. The package was about $950 per person so that works out to $850 for golf spread across the 4 courses which works out to an avg greens fee of $212. Not a great value but not terrible either. Pinehurst was like $1300 for the same amount of golf. 

[doc52]

35 minutes ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

You think the prices are mainly a result of being close to a major metro area in PHX or what? I’m with you about being willing to pay for elite golf courses but in my opinion the PHX area has zero of them. 
 

Want me to pay 450ish for Pinehurst, The Ocean Course or Whistling Straights? Ok I can justify that as a top 5-10 public and a bucket list course. 

$300 for Bandon or $225 for Sand Valley? Count me in, especially with 50% off replay rates. 
 

400+ for Troon or TPC Scottsdale. Ouch. 
 

Really goes to show how overpriced many of the local Arizona courses are. And inadvertently proves that Ak Chin for $150ish has to be the best value around. (Thanks again for those of you who told me to go play it last year!)

 

TPC isn't as bad of a deal when you compare it to the other courses in the area charging $300+ for mediocre conditions. At least at TPC you know what you're going to get.

[chisag]

11 minutes ago, blackbdmillsaps said:

... avg greens fee of $212. Not a great value but not terrible either.

 

... When I lived in Chicago and visited Phoenix I would agree. But when you live here and pay $35 with a cart to play The Raven in the summer, with an Arcis card at $55 a month it is only $25 to play. $212 is a tough pill to swallow. 

[tw422]

I just booked Grayhawk Raptor for the weekend after next and it was $380 for a 630am tee time.  I'm coming from LA area where public tee times are literally non existent but that is borderline obscene (with tax it will be over $400).  I have to believe that demand for golf is not inelastic? 

[teejaywhy]

On 3/24/2022 at 10:15 AM, StudentGolfer4 said:

You think the prices are mainly a result of being close to a major metro area in PHX or what?

 

Entirely predicated on the warm winter climate and tourists willing to pay to play a green course in warm sunshine when the course back home is covered in snow.

 

Doesn't leave much for us locals other than the munis, 3rd tier courses and trolling golfnow for that occasional "hot deal."

 

Prices flip when the summer temps approach.  

[cbbaron]

I am a frequent AZ travler. I live in one of the highest housing cost areas in the country Boston area. That being said like AZ you cant get a tee time highest green fee you'll see here is like 160 which I have joked it could be 200 and they would still be sold out

[loc]

Scottsdale Saturday afternoon. 
 

Staying basically on McCormick ranch property. 
 

looking for nice casual bars for evening drinks and casual dinners?

[puttnforthe8]

1 hour ago, loc said:

Scottsdale Saturday afternoon. 
 

Staying basically on McCormick ranch property. 
 

looking for nice casual bars for evening drinks and casual dinners?

Best overall - downtown Scotts is Citizen Public House - especially HH and if you like cocktails.  They make their own infused stuff.  Casual, great food, etc.

 

Roka Akor is right near you and if you sit at the bar, they have a nice HH menu --- sushi, seafood, japanese

 

Behind your property on Hayden are 3 great choices in Twisted Grove, Grassroots and Rockefeller.

 

Alma and The Vig are in the area too.

 

Those may give you plenty of options.

 

 

 

 

 

[Miker20890]

looking to do 36 holes at talking stick last week of april. what time should i make the two tee times for?

[Damenace613]

10 hours ago, Miker20890 said:

looking to do 36 holes at talking stick last week of april. what time should i make the two tee times for?

I'll be there the last weekend of April and sunset is around 7. One of the days we are playing 36 so we booked the first around 7:30am and then another at 1pm to give us time to eat lunch in between the rounds.

[Damenace613]

12 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Best overall - downtown Scotts is Citizen Public House - especially HH and if you like cocktails.  They make their own infused stuff.  Casual, great food, etc.

 

Roka Akor is right near you and if you sit at the bar, they have a nice HH menu --- sushi, seafood, japanese

 

Behind your property on Hayden are 3 great choices in Twisted Grove, Grassroots and Rockefeller.

 

Alma and The Vig are in the area too.

 

Those may give you plenty of options.

 

 

 

 

 

Excellent. We have a reservation for Citizen Public House for one of the nights. Thanks once again for all your help and suggestions!

[Miker20890]

booked rounds for my trips last week of april.

 

36 at talking stick

dinosaur mountain

tpc champions

 

really would have like to play either troon north or grayhawk but pricing is insane. might trade out dinosaur mountain or tpc for wickenburg ranch

 

[puttnforthe8]

On 4/2/2022 at 8:48 AM, Miker20890 said:

booked rounds for my trips last week of april.

 

36 at talking stick

dinosaur mountain

tpc champions

 

really would have like to play either troon north or grayhawk but pricing is insane. might trade out dinosaur mountain or tpc for wickenburg ranch

 

Def play Wick Ranch instead of one of those.  WR is going private, you may not ever get to play it again - the others will always be there.

[Miker20890]

5 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Def play Wick Ranch instead of one of those.  WR is going private, you may not ever get to play it again - the others will always be there.

Yea probably will do it but have to wait til a week out. 

[AzSuperHack76]

1 hour ago, Miker20890 said:

Yea probably will do it but have to wait til a week out. 

You may want to call them. I have had them accommodate of group of friends that came into town a few weeks out. 

[TAG617]

We'll be out there first week in May (4th-7th). My brother booked tee times at WeKoPa (both courses) and TPC Champions. What can we expect? Should we make any changes to those courses? Guys seem excited for WeKoPa. 

 

Any recommendations for spots to hit on Cinco de Mayo keeping in mind it's 4 guys in their 40's... 

 

Thanks! 

[fore_life]

Is it 4 guys in their 40’s who just want to relax or 4 guys in their 40’s whom hate their wives and are wanting to burn it all down?

[TAG617]

15 hours ago, fore_life said:

Is it 4 guys in their 40’s who just want to relax or 4 guys in their 40’s whom hate their wives and are wanting to burn it all down?

 

Hahaha, my crazy days are definitely behind me but we like to have a good time.  I'm thinking more of a cool bar with some music and no college kids. 

[R4haehl]

On 3/15/2022 at 11:33 AM, R4haehl said:

Heading to Scottsdale for a bachelor party at end of month. I have played quite a bit of golf in the area in the past and we are only playing 1 round on this trip. Group of 10 and I would consider myself the only golf sicko. Goal was to have green fee between $150-200 and have proximity to the house we were staying of about 20-30 min. I booked some times about a month ago (maybe even 1.5 mo ago) and was surprised to see how much was already booked that far in advance.

 

That said, I have tee times booked at:

- Lookout Mountain

- McDowell Mountain

 

Someone I spoke to who had played both told me for a bachelor party they would choose Lookout over McDowell for the elevation change on the course and that it has 5 par 3s and 5 par 5s. He mentioned that McDowell is underrated but is very much a normal course and not much to remember about it.

 

Any feedback appreciated between the 2 chosen. At this point not looking to play elsewhere as it is hard to come by tee times 2 weeks out.

Wanted to follow up on this after my trip last weekend. We played Lookout Mountain. I completely understand all the reasons it isnt loved, however it was perfect for our group and none of them complained. They all loved the elevated views on the back 9. Conditions were good, aside from bunkers that had very little sand in them. Odd lay out overall, especially on the back and drive from pro shop to 1st tee was goofy. I know for a fact that conditions at other courses in the area are far superior, but for a bunch of guys from Seattle where most havent played in a few months and those that have lately are playing in very soft and slow conditions, it was very enjoyable. 

 

The pace of play was not good and we had asked if we could play as 2 5somes rather than 4/3/3. Marshal said if his superiors werent out there he was cool with it. We could have played as a 10some and kept pace, likely even pushing the group in front.

 

Would I play there again? Probably not. Did I have fun? Yes... It also helped that I started birdie-eagle-birdie to go 4 under thru 3 holes haha. Ended up posting a 1-under round with a few bogeys and birdies mixed in which felt good but it was mostly a driver/wedge course for me. For having 5 par 3s, I really thought there would be a bit more variance in distance as I think 3/5 of them all played about the same distance. The back 9 was funky and target-y as lots of desert golf is, then the booze was really flowing after 8th hole... so while I was trying to post a good round and have fun with the fellas, I dropped a few shots knowing I could have posted a very low score (for me) and a 1 under round is very good for me, but I have shot it a few times.

 

@chisag @Bonneville85308 @puttnforthe8 @vallygolf @MUNIGRIT Thank you all for your input ahead of my trip, it gave me a good idea of what to expect and I'd say you nailed it. I think any later in the season, I could see parts of that course getting completely baked out. It wasnt perfect but it served the purpose for a bachelor party. 

[vandyfan]

On 4/5/2022 at 7:43 AM, TAG617 said:

My brother booked tee times at WeKoPa (both courses)

 

As a tourist who played for the first and only time there last month I think the two courses are rather distinct from each other. Commonalities are obviously desert surrounds, good conditioning, etc. Saguaro, to me (obviously all of this is "to me" and not statement of fact), is more subtle and less penal. I scored SIGNIFICANTLY better from basically the same distance at Saguaro (was almost my best round ever). Several driveable holes, pretty wide landing areas most every where. I think from an overall enjoyment and "would I play this everday" test, this course won out. 

 

Cholla is bit more dramatic and less subtle in its design. Many of the holes are beautiful but are more demanding off the tee as well. Very cool first hole and then it was a while before there was another hole I really enjoyed. I thought the par 5 second was particularly difficult as it was 574 yds but played into like a 15-20 mph wind which made it seem like a 625-650 yd hole. I think I hit driver, 3w, 5iron just to get on in 3. Cholla has a few tee shots where you have like 100 yds to land it in and they have these "oasis" holes (as we called them) where you have a super wide fairway bifurcated by a stand of trees but for the most part it is harder off the tee and, overall, harder I would say. Again, it was visually interesting but not as fun to play. 

 

Also get there early, I thought they had great practice facilities. 

[Miker20890]

On 4/2/2022 at 11:48 AM, Miker20890 said:

booked rounds for my trips last week of april.

 

36 at talking stick

dinosaur mountain

tpc champions

 

really would have like to play either troon north or grayhawk but pricing is insane. might trade out dinosaur mountain or tpc for wickenburg ranch

 

 

change of schedule. Only able to play 1 round the first day. Is grayhawk or troon worth the almost $200 more than talking stick?

[scooterhd2]

20 hours ago, Miker20890 said:

 

change of schedule. Only able to play 1 round the first day. Is grayhawk or troon worth the almost $200 more than talking stick?

 

Personally not a fan of talking stick. Not a destination course to me. I tend to splurge when traveling so I'd opt for the nicer courses. But if you wanted to stick in a similar price range maybe Southern Dunes if you can make it down there. Otherwise, Sunridge, Las Sendas, or Rancho Marana are fun tracks that usually dont break the bank.

Edited April 15, 2022 by scooterhd2

[SilverBullets]

On 3/24/2022 at 10:15 AM, StudentGolfer4 said:

You think the prices are mainly a result of being close to a major metro area in PHX or what? I’m with you about being willing to pay for elite golf courses but in my opinion the PHX area has zero of them. 
 

Want me to pay 450ish for Pinehurst, The Ocean Course or Whistling Straights? Ok I can justify that as a top 5-10 public and a bucket list course. 

$300 for Bandon or $225 for Sand Valley? Count me in, especially with 50% off replay rates. 
 

400+ for Troon or TPC Scottsdale. Ouch. 
 

Really goes to show how overpriced many of the local Arizona courses are. And inadvertently proves that Ak Chin for $150ish has to be the best value around. (Thanks again for those of you who told me to go play it last year!)

it’s insane.  I caved and bought a Troon twosome card.  I’ve been shocked how much it has helped.  I’ve been able to use the 3 day booking to get times pretty much every weekend.  Both whirlwind courses have been $115 or so and then I get a discount off of that due my Troon rewards.  Not the greatest golf courses but they have been in good shape, are challenging enough, are somewhat interesting and they cost under $200 lol

 

the best deal in the valley is still the resident walking rate at TPC Champs… if you can snag a time. 

[chisag]

5 hours ago, scooterhd2 said:

 

Personally not a fan of talking stick. Not a destination course to me. I tend to splurge when traveling so I'd opt for the nicer courses. But if you wanted to stick in a similar price range maybe Southern Dunes if you can make it down there. Otherwise, Sunridge, Las Sendas, or Rancho Marana are fun tracks that usually dont break the bank.

 

 

... I feel similar about Talking Stick. I love Southern Dunes but I absolutely hate Las Sendas. Choosing and playing courses can be so personal. For instance Camelback, I love Ambiente but don't care for Padre. Really like Gary Panks courses Aguila and Raven, but the Legacy not so much. Verrado Founders is a must play on my list but Verrado Victory is a pass for me. 

Edited April 16, 2022 by chisag

[YMark]

5 hours ago, scooterhd2 said:

 

Personally not a fan of talking stick. Not a destination course to me. I tend to splurge when traveling so I'd opt for the nicer courses. But if you wanted to stick in a similar price range maybe Southern Dunes if you can make it down there. Otherwise, Sunridge, Las Sendas, or Rancho Marana are fun tracks that usually dont break the bank.

 

Rancho Manana? If so, that's bottom tier course. 

[AzSuperHack76]

12 hours ago, YMark said:

 

Rancho Manana? If so, that's bottom tier course. 

Rancho Manana may be one of the worst, forced layouts in the Phx area, just a waste of land.