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

[One_Putt_Blunder]

here is the overseed schedule for fall 2009 for those interested.
[url="http://www.scottsdalegolfadventures.com/arizona-overseed.php"]http://www.scottsdalegolfadventures.com/arizona-overseed.php[/url]

[bossanovawitcha]

For those one a budget - the best deals in the East Valley this summer can be found at:

Foothills Golf Club (Phoenix / Ahwahtukee / Chandler). $18 anytime weekdays all summer pretty much. $25 includes lunch. Remarkable value. Weekend, you can get unlimited golf and unlimited beverages (non-alcoholic) with lunch for $39.
Superstition Springs Golf Club (Mesa). If you've got 2-4, you can work one of their temp specials and they'll give it to you if you ask nicely. $35 for unlimited golf and lunch or breakfast and a sleeve of Pro-V1s. GREAT breakfast burrito, BTW. This course is always in impeccable shape. Non-desert layout is welcome as we locals get plenty of desert golf.
Longbow (Mesa) - very underrated course. No hosues on the course which makes for a very aesthetically pleasing round. You can score deals for $35 weekday and $40 weekend that include a dozen Srixons.
Las Sendas (Mesa) - people either love it or hate it. But for $30-$40 (golfnow), its a steal. Probably the toughest starting holes (1 and 9) that you'll find. I love playing Las Sendas, but some people are too afraid to put up a big #.
Sunridge Canyon (Fountain Hills) - $35 all summer!
Gold Canyon (Dinosaur) - you can still get a 10 round voucher for $250. You won't play a funner desert course. Desert wildlife abounds - ran across a bobcat in a bunker once. On SI's list of 10 most underrated courses in America. Go find out why. Sidewinder is nice (especially the updated 9), but Dinosaur Mountain is the special course.

[Rusty2228]

I am travelling to Phoenix for work at the end of the month and will be able to get one round in I think. I have looked at a lot of places and they all seem to be closed for overseeding the time I am going to be there (25th-30th of October).

I am staying downtown and am looking to play the 25th at a course that is relatively near the city, as I don't plan on renting a car. Can anyone make recommendations for a course that is open?

Thanks in advance.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Rusty i would try Papago, Raven at south mountain, maybe asu karsten and the legacy. All are a short cab ride away

[Rusty2228]

Thank you, I will look into those.

Do you know about relative ease of tee times for a single? I fly in that day so I don't want anything too concrete yet.

[ted628]

[quote name='Rusty2228' post='2005783' date='Oct 14 2009, 08:49 AM']I am travelling to Phoenix for work at the end of the month and will be able to get one round in I think. I have looked at a lot of places and they all seem to be closed for overseeding the time I am going to be there (25th-30th of October).

I am staying downtown and am looking to play the 25th at a course that is relatively near the city, as I don't plan on renting a car. Can anyone make recommendations for a course that is open?

Thanks in advance.[/quote]


[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' post='2008182' date='Oct 15 2009, 10:39 AM']Rusty i would try Papago, Raven at south mountain, maybe asu karsten and the legacy. All are a short cab ride away[/quote]

Papago is in the process of overseeding 10/5 to 26.
Raven @ South Mountain will finish overseeding next Monday (10/5 - 19).
Karsten finished overseeding on 10/8.
Legacy starts overseeding next Monday, 10/19 to 31.

I would say out of these 4, Karsten will be in better shape. Besides, Karsten is fun if you like hilly layout.

Phoenician's 3 courses finished overseeding on 10/1.

I would say try either Karsten or Phoenician. Right now the green fees of either course are not for budget golfer but worth the money.

Ted

[Rusty2228]

Thanks to all!

From the websites I think I am going to go with ASU Karsten.

Any restaurant recommendations, while I am picking your brains?

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Karsten will be interesting. Tough track the first time you play it. Make sure to check out the wall of champions in the shop/grill. Lots of big names on there. As far as restaurants go. Grab a burger at Deluxe. If you dont mind shelling out some cash City Hall Steakhouse is fantastic and worth every penny. There is a fantastic well known gourmet pizza place close to downtown phx but i just cant think of the name. But you need to get there early.

[TML]

[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' post='2010192' date='Oct 16 2009, 11:19 AM']Karsten will be interesting. Tough track the first time you play it. Make sure to check out the wall of champions in the shop/grill. Lots of big names on there. As far as restaurants go. Grab a burger at Deluxe. If you dont mind shelling out some cash City Hall Steakhouse is fantastic and worth every penny. There is a fantastic well known gourmet pizza place close to downtown phx but i just cant think of the name. But you need to get there early.[/quote]
Pizzeria Bianco. Go early about 45 mins before opening or expect a long multi-hr wait. Otherwise, if you can hook up a group of 6, you can make a reservation.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Yup thats the place. I always forget the name though. There is another pizza/italian place that is really good called la grande orange or something like that. Been there a few times and its been good.

[fore_life]

if youre in tempe, swing by the cornish pasty company and grab a pasty and a pint. Perfect post round meal.

[Rusty2228]

Played Karsten on Sunday and was very happy with it. I had called earlier sunday because I was a single, and was 'suggested' by the pro shop to try golfnow.com which saved me 45% over normal rates. (rental clubs sucked, only had regular flex shafts.)

I got paired up with a threesome of very good guys who we set up a small match with and had a really good time. We played the tips, which I can see makes a huge difference from the golds. On the scorecard it added 700 yards, but it seemed like a lot, especially on the par threes.

I loved the club house. So much 'stuff' I blew all my savings in there.

Thanks all for the suggestion.

[Ohiogolfer1]

thinking of joining Ahwatukee Country Club
anyone on here a member
any thoughts on the course

[fore_life]

Actually I am a member at Ahwatukee, and ONE_PUTT is a former member as well.

Its a fun course, usually the greens are in great condition, and all of the staff and members are very friendly. 3 weekly skins games, member tournaments, and playing privlages at The Lakes and The Duke make it a SOLID deal. In the summer time, you kind of break even as far as monthly dues VS a cost of a round booked on golfnow.com, but in the winter time, you can more than make up for it if you get out and play more than twice a week, and hit balls a few times a week. Otherwise, you might be better off just buying a southwest pass or golfcard or something of the like.

Now would be a good time to join though. They have recently leveled all of the tee boxes(had a few problem holes), and they are adding all new sand to the bunkers any time now. Once they do that, then they would have remedied any gripes I may have had about the course.

If you'd like to play and meet some of the members, shoot me a PM and we'll set something up! Also, kee an eye out for the next AZ golfwrx outing that will be held at Ahwatukee in January!

[Ohiogolfer1]

i am down for the outing so let me know........ also in regards to ACC i almost have to join it. intiation right now is only 500 bucks and with only 200 a month and dues it is a steal with the cost of golf right now.

i will let u know when i join so we can meet up later

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Acc is a solid enough course to warrant joining especially as mark said you get access to the duke and a good par 3 course as well. I would still be a member, but I got laid off back in March and had to let the membership go. Like Mark said during the summer months its tough because you can play all the highend courses for cheap.

[Ohiogolfer1]

anyone heard anything about the i15 irons dont know if this is the right room for this but value fellow AZ members thoughts

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Finally got around to play Sunridge Canyon. Ill update my original post with more of a review and ill get some picks up within the week. Overall pretty good track. Front nine has some odd holes. The last 5 or 6 holes more than make up for it and may be the best set of closing holes in the valley.

[dmitch37]

To add to a post I contributed to a while ago. We have visited Phoenix from the UK twice since my first post (5 times in all) most recently at the start of November 09. Thoughts on the courses we played are as follows, in no particular order:-

[b][u]Raven Verado[/u][/b] - First course we played on our first trip 4 years ago. We were blown away by the quality of the place then and that is still the case now. Great course/layout and always in top condition. The food is also the best I've ever had at a golf course!

[b][u]Estrella Mountain Ranch[/u][/b] - Very similar to whats written above about Raven. Greens are always in fantastic condition, they always do us a good deal (36 holes, lunch and 12 pro V's each for $70).

[b][u]Longbow[/u][/b] - The one and only time is 5 holidays we've been disapointed with a Phoenix golf course. Greens in terrible shape, flat uninspiring layout. How they can charge $99 for a round of golf is close to being criminal. We paid half that and felt it over priced.

[b][u]Coyote Lakes[/u][/b] - Better than Longbow, priced correctly. Decent enough course but not really memorable.

[b][u]Eagle Mountain[/u][/b] - Spectacular golf course. Love everything about the place. A cut above anything else we'd played in PHX when we first played there 2 years ago.

[u][b]Troon North, Pinnacle[/b][/u] - We played here for the first time this year and easily the best course we've come across in Arizona. Tough golf course, fast greens and perfect fairways.

[b][u]We Ko Pa, Cholla[/u][/b] - Another top notch golf course, a close second to Troon.

We aim to be back in 2010 but after the line up we had this year we're going to struggle to improve the quality of the golf!

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='dmitch37' post='2103757' date='Dec 4 2009, 03:04 PM']To add to a post I contributed to a while ago. We have visited Phoenix from the UK twice since my first post (5 times in all) most recently at the start of November 09. Thoughts on the courses we played are as follows, in no particular order:-

[b][u]Raven Verado[/u][/b] - First course we played on our first trip 4 years ago. We were blown away by the quality of the place then and that is still the case now. Great course/layout and always in top condition. The food is also the best I've ever had at a golf course!

[b][u]Estrella Mountain Ranch[/u][/b] - Very similar to whats written above about Raven. Greens are always in fantastic condition, they always do us a good deal (36 holes, lunch and 12 pro V's each for $70).

[b][u]Longbow[/u][/b] - The one and only time is 5 holidays we've been disapointed with a Phoenix golf course. Greens in terrible shape, flat uninspiring layout. How they can charge $99 for a round of golf is close to being criminal. We paid half that and felt it over priced.

[b][u]Coyote Lakes[/u][/b] - Better than Longbow, priced correctly. Decent enough course but not really memorable.

[b][u]Eagle Mountain[/u][/b] - Spectacular golf course. Love everything about the place. A cut above anything else we'd played in PHX when we first played there 2 years ago.

[u][b]Troon North, Pinnacle[/b][/u] - We played here for the first time this year and easily the best course we've come across in Arizona. Tough golf course, fast greens and perfect fairways.

[b][u]We Ko Pa, Cholla[/u][/b] - Another top notch golf course, a close second to Troon.

We aim to be back in 2010 but after the line up we had this year we're going to struggle to improve the quality of the golf![/quote]


Good stuff thanks Dmitch. A few of those like Raven at Verrado and Estrella Mountain I have not had the chance to play so thanks for the mini review.
I agree about longbow last time I played it I got on for free and was still very unimpressed by the condition and quality of the course.
Wekopa Cholla I need to play a few more times to really get the feel of it, from the times I have played it I stil enjoy Saguaro more.

[dmitch37]

We played Cholla simply because it had been out of overseeding for a couple of weeks longer and in our experience this generally means better greens.

Both Raven & Estrella are worth the 45 minute drive. However this year we were shocked by how quite EMR was on a Saturday, not an issue for us as we had the course to ourselves but it did make us wonder how its a viable business.

[fore_life]

I cant believe how cheap it was for EMR!!!! 70 for 36 holes and 12 prov's?

[dmitch37]

They appear to value our repeat business at EMR. We've had that deal the last 3 years, they don't advertise this anywhere. When we played there this time round they we're running another off of 36 holes, lunch and a sleeve of balls for $45. Which seems good value also.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='dmitch37' post='2103757' date='Dec 4 2009, 03:04 PM'][b][u]Longbow[/u][/b] - The one and only time is 5 holidays we've been disapointed with a Phoenix golf course. Greens in terrible shape, flat uninspiring layout. How they can charge $99 for a round of golf is close to being criminal. We paid half that and felt it over priced.

[b][u]Coyote Lakes[/u][/b] - Better than Longbow, priced correctly. Decent enough course but not really memorable.[/quote]

It pains me to read this because Longbow is my "home" course, I play it regularly and normally would happily recommend to visitor and residents alike. While it is probable that the greens were not up to snuff in early November (only 3-4 weeks grow-in on the rye overseed), I just don't get the "flat and uninspiring" comment. And to rank Coyote Lakes better - ouch!

Everyone's tastes vary and I acknowledge that, but from my experience, Longbow presents a thoughtful and challenging design that remains interesting for repeated play. In addition, the course is normally superbly maintained with fast and firm conditions. While it doesn't possess the elevation changes of the foothills courses, by no standard of measurement can it be considered flat. The entire property has a gradual slope from east to west which is used to create a variety of both uphill and downhill holes not to mention adding interest to the breaks on the greens. Not to mention, Longbow is a core layout that does not wind its way through housing corridors. For what it is worth, I would put Longbow in the top 3 publics in the southeast part of the valley.

As for price point, I can't disagree that paying a big rate for less than perfect conditions will detract from the overall experience and perhaps that is the underlying reason for your disappointment. I typically don't even like to play a course with less than 8 weeks grow-in given the conditions and the rates they charge (not just Longbow).

As for the Golf Club Estrella, and The Raven at Verrado, they both offer some EXTREMELY attractive deals. There is a reason they do that because they are in far flung areas of the valley and struggle to attract business. They both offer a very good product, especially Verrado which I put in my top 10 Phoenix, but just don't have the visibility of the Scottsdale clubs. You wondered how the GCE can be viable given the empty weekend business, well, I'm pretty sure they are doing everything they can just to keep the lights turned on.

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='dmitch37' post='2103757' date='Dec 4 2009, 03:04 PM']To add to a post I contributed to a while ago. We have visited Phoenix from the UK twice since my first post (5 times in all) most recently at the start of November 09. Thoughts on the courses we played are as follows, in no particular order:-

[b][u]Raven Verado[/u][/b] - First course we played on our first trip 4 years ago. We were blown away by the quality of the place then and that is still the case now. Great course/layout and always in top condition. The food is also the best I've ever had at a golf course!

[b][u]Estrella Mountain Ranch[/u][/b] - Very similar to whats written above about Raven. Greens are always in fantastic condition, they always do us a good deal (36 holes, lunch and 12 pro V's each for $70).

[b][u]Longbow[/u][/b] - The one and only time is 5 holidays we've been disapointed with a Phoenix golf course. Greens in terrible shape, flat uninspiring layout. How they can charge $99 for a round of golf is close to being criminal. We paid half that and felt it over priced.

[b][u]Coyote Lakes[/u][/b] - Better than Longbow, priced correctly. Decent enough course but not really memorable.

[b][u]Eagle Mountain[/u][/b] - Spectacular golf course. Love everything about the place. A cut above anything else we'd played in PHX when we first played there 2 years ago.

[u][b]Troon North, Pinnacle[/b][/u] - We played here for the first time this year and easily the best course we've come across in Arizona. Tough golf course, fast greens and perfect fairways.

[b][u]We Ko Pa, Cholla[/u][/b] - Another top notch golf course, a close second to Troon.

We aim to be back in 2010 but after the line up we had this year we're going to struggle to improve the quality of the golf![/quote]

Nice trip!


Dmitch: Try these as possibilities next time.

Try this one out next year: Stay South

Gold Canyon Dinosaur, Gila River(Devils Claw & Cattail); Soutern Dunes; Ocotillo, Legacy(or Raven Sth Mountain).
or

Northwest:

Hillcrest, Trilogy at Vistancia(also Blackstone if you can get on), Anthem(both courses), Make a drive to Quintero

Or back up Nth East:

Other Troon Course, Boulders, Vista Verde, Legend Trail, TPC coourses, Kierland.

[Charlie.Dont.Surf]

can any locals recommend a good instructor? preferably one who won't break the bank long term. Newb golfer here

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='Charlie.Dont.Surf' post='2112330' date='Dec 8 2009, 03:51 PM']can any locals recommend a good instructor? preferably one who won't break the bank long term. Newb golfer here[/quote]

Can you post some more info:

How new to golf are you? What are you trying to accomplish? What do you shoot now? etc.

[Charlie.Dont.Surf]

[quote name='puttnforthe8' post='2112418' date='Dec 8 2009, 06:30 PM'][quote name='Charlie.Dont.Surf' post='2112330' date='Dec 8 2009, 03:51 PM']can any locals recommend a good instructor? preferably one who won't break the bank long term. Newb golfer here[/quote]

Can you post some more info:

How new to golf are you? What are you trying to accomplish? What do you shoot now? etc.



[/quote]

Picked up clubs for first time at age 30 a year ago. Played 20-25 times since then. Started out hitting 130-145. Dropped down to 115-125 and recently have been around 105-110. Broke 100 for first time last time I played. Can't hit anything below a 6 iron so I usually use a hybrid. Most of my irons seem to go way shorter than what they should be yardage wise. Driver I hit fairly consistent..usually 200-225 but its straight. Totally inept at pitching/chipping. Ok at putting I guess. But I doubt I actually know what I'm doing with all of the above.

I'd like to find a good quality instructor who would essentially plan out like a strategy to improve my overall game over the next 6 months - 1 year. Assuming 2-4 lessons per month depending on how much it costs. I play weekends and occasionally hit the range at night during the week(mainly hit off tee cuz the mats kill my wrists). Based on how I play right now I don't really see how with good instruction, putting the time in both on the course and at the range...how I couldn't be hitting below 100 regularly within 6 months or a year.

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='Charlie.Dont.Surf' post='2115533' date='Dec 9 2009, 11:42 PM'][quote name='puttnforthe8' post='2112418' date='Dec 8 2009, 06:30 PM'][quote name='Charlie.Dont.Surf' post='2112330' date='Dec 8 2009, 03:51 PM']can any locals recommend a good instructor? preferably one who won't break the bank long term. Newb golfer here[/quote]

Can you post some more info:

How new to golf are you? What are you trying to accomplish? What do you shoot now? etc.



[/quote]

Picked up clubs for first time at age 30 a year ago. Played 20-25 times since then. Started out hitting 130-145. Dropped down to 115-125 and recently have been around 105-110. Broke 100 for first time last time I played. Can't hit anything below a 6 iron so I usually use a hybrid. Most of my irons seem to go way shorter than what they should be yardage wise. Driver I hit fairly consistent..usually 200-225 but its straight. Totally inept at pitching/chipping. Ok at putting I guess. But I doubt I actually know what I'm doing with all of the above.

I'd like to find a good quality instructor who would essentially plan out like a strategy to improve my overall game over the next 6 months - 1 year. Assuming 2-4 lessons per month depending on how much it costs. I play weekends and occasionally hit the range at night during the week(mainly hit off tee cuz the mats kill my wrists). Based on how I play right now I don't really see how with good instruction, putting the time in both on the course and at the range...how I couldn't be hitting below 100 regularly within 6 months or a year.
[/quote]


I forgot to ask what part of town....Anyways,

Well something like what you are looking for Jason Carbone out at Wigwam is highly recommended by many. However, this may be more $ than you want to spend.

Out in the East Valley the instructor at Dobson Ranch is good..but the facilities are not the best.

I have heard very good things about Kay Jeanquartier at Ocotillo and the folks at Whirlwind(now this is top notch facilities).

Out West, Greg Ellis at Vistancia is one of the best around and Vistancia has nice facilities. I worked with Greg!

So here is my personal opinion though....at your stage you should do 1 of two things - >>> Go to a Golf School (Gold Canyon has a very good one with summer prices be much better, Wigwam at the Jim Mclean school) and spend a few days learning.

The other option would be to work with a decent golfer and learn some things to improve and then go take lessons down the road.

I say this from personal experience....I could not break 100, I am now down to a 4.5 and have only started taking lessons over the last year to try and get better. I started out at the PGA store for some lessons and then the course.



Good Luck.

[Ohiogolfer1]

So for my birthday my wonderful wife surprised me and took me to the boulders resort. We played the South course and may I say this course was amazing. Greens were in amazing shape. holes added some tricks but nothing like troon north. fairway grass perfectly cut with its fair set of challenges in the rough. My favorite holes were the ones involving the elevated tee boxes. this course may have the best views in the valley.

price wise this was the best deal. We got a room for 2 nights, all you can golf for 2 people, breakfast and lunch included, on a side note you get 1 daily massage which is great after 36 holes of golf. this all in 1 package is a must do for anyone coming to AZ. Hats off to my wife for picking this I would for sure do it again