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

[Golf Pig]

1 hour ago, Pants87 said:

Curious if anyone has played Red Mountain Ranch in Mesa AZ lately?

 

I played RMR earlier this month. I thought overall it was in good shape. The greens were slow but smooth. The fairways were in great shape. The bunkers... not so much. It's worth playing in my opinion.

[Baraethon]

What time of year do prices start dropping and tee sheets open up a bit again? I'd rather deal with 100 degree heat than the current prices and booking...

[puttnforthe8]

20 hours ago, Baraethon said:

What time of year do prices start dropping and tee sheets open up a bit again? I'd rather deal with 100 degree heat than the current prices and booking...

 

Mid May.

 

 

This is a decent guide for changes:

 

Oct 20 – Jan 4, 2024 Jan 5 – Feb 4, 2024 Feb 5 - Feb 12, 2024 Feb 12 – April 21, 2024 April 22 – May 19, 2024 May 20 – June 16, 2024 June 17 – Aug 29, 2024 Aug 30 – Oct 6, 2024

 

[chisag]

13 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

Mid May.

 

 

This is a decent guide for changes:

 

Oct 20 – Jan 4, 2024 Jan 5 – Feb 4, 2024 Feb 5 - Feb 12, 2024 Feb 12 – April 21, 2024 April 22 – May 19, 2024 May 20 – June 16, 2024 June 17 – Aug 29, 2024 Aug 30 – Oct 6, 2024

 

 

 

... It's pretty crazy ain't it? Most snowbirds are gone by mid April and courses start looking empty, especially after 11am but they don't really adjust prices til at least Mid May. 

[MattM97]

Well looks like I'm coming back to Phoenix next year, at the worst possible time....WM Open for a bachelor party.

 

They put me in charge of golf, this is not gonna be pretty. 

[AzSuperHack76]

3 hours ago, MattM97 said:

Well looks like I'm coming back to Phoenix next year, at the worst possible time....WM Open for a bachelor party.

 

They put me in charge of golf, this is not gonna be pretty. 

Go to Tucson for a couple days, you’ll have great golf options at a fraction of the price. Then head up and watch the WMO. 

[MattM97]

52 minutes ago, AzSuperHack76 said:

Go to Tucson for a couple days, you’ll have great golf options at a fraction of the price. Then head up and watch the WMO. 

 

That's honestly what I told them will most likely happen unless we have enough people I might be able to get a booking somewhere. But I ran off a few prices right now and their faces dropped, don't forget adding 30% for exchange rate too. 

 

I was also looking at Southern Dunes but will look into Tuscon for sure. I had a list somewhere. 

[shinto]

Any advice on how the following courses will be in mid May?  How hot does it get during that time?

 

1) Quintero (afternoon round)

2) We-Ko-Pa (both courses) (Early and afternoon rounds)

3) Troon North, Monument (early day round)

 

Is there a maintenance schedule for these courses for when over seeding or aerating will occur?

[1puttTUT]

How worried should I be about next weekend's forecast? Out there fri 2nd-mon 5th.

 

 

 

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

1 hour ago, 1puttTUT said:

How worried should I be about next weekend's forecast? Out there fri 2nd-mon 5th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb can be a pretty crappy month.  From what I read it will be about 1/3 of an inch…so not a lot of rain, but it will be most of the day on Sat.  But may not affect the other days.
 

AZ forecasts are average, so this could miss, be later or far less.  

It does appear it will be chilly for sure.  
 

 

[chisag]

55 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

AZ forecasts are average, so this could miss, be later or far less.  

 

 

... Especially rain. Much more miss than hit. The irony is in Illinois I never wanted to see it rain because we got too much but here I welcome it yet rarely get it. 

[1puttTUT]

1 hour ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

Feb can be a pretty crappy month.  From what I read it will be about 1/3 of an inch…so not a lot of rain, but it will be most of the day on Sat.  But may not affect the other days.
 

AZ forecasts are average, so this could miss, be later or far less.  

It does appear it will be chilly for sure.  
 

 

 

Yeah I didn't know if 30-40% just meant it would likely be cloudy with a minor chance of rain.

 

In Michigan it's always cloudy so that means nothing haha.

[hackeraz]

5 hours ago, 1puttTUT said:

How worried should I be about next weekend's forecast? Out there fri 2nd-mon 5th.

 

 

 

 

 

That's way too far out to even consider. Talk of another big atmospheric weather event coming into CA but still much disagreement between Euro and GFS models on if it will stay north in the Sierras or move into the Southwest.

 

Yes, I read the snow reports/forecasts every single day this time of year 🙂

[azgolfer44]

On 1/25/2024 at 12:17 PM, shinto said:

Any advice on how the following courses will be in mid May?  How hot does it get during that time?

 

1) Quintero (afternoon round)

2) We-Ko-Pa (both courses) (Early and afternoon rounds)

3) Troon North, Monument (early day round)

 

Is there a maintenance schedule for these courses for when over seeding or aerating will occur?

Courses should be good. I’d call to confirm but aeration is typically after Memorial Day. Overseed is in fall. 
 

Will be hot but won’t be overwhelming especially on carts. Just drink lots of water. If not, you’ll fall behind fast and can’t catch up 

[shinto]

1 minute ago, azgolfer44 said:

Courses should be good. I’d call to confirm but aeration is typically after Memorial Day. Overseed is in fall. 
 

Will be hot but won’t be overwhelming especially on carts. Just drink lots of water. If not, you’ll fall behind fast and can’t catch up 

Thanks...will definitely call them.

 

Any comment on the line up of tracks?  Should Southern Dunes replace any of those I have, or any other courses?  Budget isn't too much of an issue, we're looking for a great layout with good views.

[Argonne69]

26 minutes ago, shinto said:

Thanks...will definitely call them.

 

Any comment on the line up of tracks?  Should Southern Dunes replace any of those I have, or any other courses?  Budget isn't too much of an issue, we're looking for a great layout with good views.

 

Personally I prefer Southern Dunes to Quintero, but if you're looking for views Quintero is going to be better. Probably going to be double the price, but it's certainly worth a visit. 

 

[shinto]

9 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Personally I prefer Southern Dunes to Quintero, but if you're looking for views Quintero is going to be better. Probably going to be double the price, but it's certainly worth a visit. 

 

 

Would you choose Southern Dunes over Troon Monument?

[hackeraz]

41 minutes ago, shinto said:

 

Would you choose Southern Dunes over Troon Monument?

I wouldn't given the criteria you've listed. 

[Argonne69]

17 minutes ago, hackeraz said:

I wouldn't given the criteria you've listed. 

 

I have to agree. Southern Dunes is my favorite course in the area, but from a scenic standpoint it trails the four listed. SD is still a scenic course, but it doesn't have the vistas of the others. 

 

[shinto]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I have to agree. Southern Dunes is my favorite course in the area, but from a scenic standpoint it trails the four listed. SD is still a scenic course, but it doesn't have the vistas of the others. 

 

 

1 hour ago, hackeraz said:

I wouldn't given the criteria you've listed. 

 

Appreciate the replies guys!

[hlca]

I'm going to be visiting in mid-March.  Friends live in Chandler, and I have a chance to play one round.  Thinking about staying at the Arizona Grand Resort, though I'm seeing mixed reviews.  Have young kids so they might like the facilities.  Would like to play some desert golf that's not too far away.  Would you guys agree with picking Whirlwind - Devil's Claw over WW-Cattail, Raven, and Legacy?  Any other options I should consider?  Since I'm playing as a single, I have a placeholder at Cattail.  Waiting for a single slot to open up at Devil's Claw.

[chisag]

9 hours ago, hlca said:

I'm going to be visiting in mid-March.  Friends live in Chandler, and I have a chance to play one round.  Thinking about staying at the Arizona Grand Resort, though I'm seeing mixed reviews.  Have young kids so they might like the facilities.  Would like to play some desert golf that's not too far away.  Would you guys agree with picking Whirlwind - Devil's Claw over WW-Cattail, Raven, and Legacy?  Any other options I should consider?  Since I'm playing as a single, I have a placeholder at Cattail.  Waiting for a single slot to open up at Devil's Claw.

 

 

... I am not a fan of Legacy for a variety of reasons including hard pan "bunkers" and I certainly would not put it in the same category as your other choices. I love Raven and join during the summer because it is a tree lined course and provides much needed shade when temps get well into triple digits. That said I would not call it a desert course so it probably shouldn't be on your list if that is a priority. 

... That leaves either of the Whirlwind courses. Expensive in March but so is every other course and both are true desert courses. "Not too far away" pretty much limits your choices and I can't think of another desert course near by I would recommend. 

[Argonne69]

17 hours ago, hlca said:

I'm going to be visiting in mid-March.  Friends live in Chandler, and I have a chance to play one round.  Thinking about staying at the Arizona Grand Resort, though I'm seeing mixed reviews.  Have young kids so they might like the facilities.  Would like to play some desert golf that's not too far away.  Would you guys agree with picking Whirlwind - Devil's Claw over WW-Cattail, Raven, and Legacy?  Any other options I should consider?  Since I'm playing as a single, I have a placeholder at Cattail.  Waiting for a single slot to open up at Devil's Claw.

 

Longbow is 30 minutes away. 

 

Personally, I'd make the 35 minute drive to Southern Dunes. Some don't consider it a "proper" desert layout, but it's my favorite course in the valley with plenty of desert elements. 

 

[chisag]

30 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Personally, I'd make the 35 minute drive to Southern Dunes. Some don't consider it a "proper" desert layout, but it's my favorite course in the valley with plenty of desert elements. 

 

 

... I know Southern Dunes seems to garner some pretty strong opinions but it is one of my favorites too. When I visited Phoenix for the first time for an outing in the mid 90's I wanted to see treeless rock covered Mountains close by and cactus (preferably saguaro) and a dusty desert terrain like a spaghetti western. I don't remember all the courses we played but I was disappointed in the ones that didn't fit that description. 

... Plenty of great courses in the Chicago area as you well know, so as long as it was a nice course in good shape, I favored scenery over course quality. Since Whirlwind fits that description and Ak Chin does not, I didn't mention it. Roadrunners and Bobcats can be seen at Whirlwind and the 5 or 6 times I have played Southern Dunes (and loved every round) I didn't so much as see a hawk. Now that I live here and can play desert courses every day, I enjoy the oasis of trees at SD but that is different story. 

[hlca]

I should have mentioned that I played in AZ a few times.  Did both courses at Wekopa, Southern Dunes, Wickenburg Ranch, Verrado (Founders).  I'll check out Longbow as well.  

 

ETA -- canceled the Cattail booking, and changed to Longbow.

Edited February 26 by hlca

[puttnforthe8]

10 hours ago, hlca said:

I should have mentioned that I played in AZ a few times.  Did both courses at Wekopa, Southern Dunes, Wickenburg Ranch, Verrado (Founders).  I'll check out Longbow as well.  

 

ETA -- canceled the Cattail booking, and changed to Longbow.

Hmm...hope you enjoy it - I would not have swapped WW for LB.  Just a far better experience at WW.  

[hlca]

24 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Hmm...hope you enjoy it - I would not have swapped WW for LB.  Just a far better experience at WW.  

 

Can you explain what you mean?  

[puttnforthe8]

21 minutes ago, hlca said:

 

Can you explain what you mean?  

WW is a better range, chipping area, putting area, restaurant, pro shop, carts, service, etc.

 

WW is a better location - quiet and peaceful vs planes flying overhead

 

WW is prettier - mountains and true desert vs. bushes, hotels, buildings

 

WW is better conditions; better greens; better bunkers.

 

The only think LB is better (and I love LB - but this is for visitors) is some better designed holes and a bit tougher.

 

I believe they are around the same price.  As a local, at same price I am 7/8 out of 10 WW.  But I consider the whole picture too.   I still would not direct a visitor for a single round to LB over WW.

[hlca]

OK thanks!  Gives me some food for thought.  

[MattM97]

On 1/22/2024 at 6:23 PM, MattM97 said:

Well looks like I'm coming back to Phoenix next year, at the worst possible time....WM Open for a bachelor party.

 

They put me in charge of golf, this is not gonna be pretty. 

 

Bittersweet news but my buddy decided that the bachelor party to Waste Management is too insane to do and called it off. I think he finally saw what I was talking about with everything, so glad i don't have to organize that but was upset that I wasn't going back to AZ.

 

Until someone messaged me on Instagram and tried to convince me to go out to a social event in April which I'm now digging into to see if possible, but I might make that happen.