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

[Rohlio]

I was wondering how The Phoenician course is. My wife and I will be staying at the resort at the end of April, and I've never played there. Is the course worth the cost, or am I better off taking an Uber to courses near by for a better value and get a couple of rounds instead of just 1 expensive round.

 

I've been to Scottsdale before, and I played Kierland and Talking Stick with some buddies. I really enjoyed Kierland more than Talking Stick.

 

Let me start bottom up: No it is not worth the price; They recently reopened after redesigning the course from 27 holes to 18 holes now. While the course is better, it is still not worth the price. But it is decent now.

 

You would be better served playing Papago and Legend Trail for example. Looking at the prices for the Phoenecian GOLFnow has it at $249 - 199; this is outrageous and heinous!!!

 

Thanks for the info. As we get closer to the trip, I'll get a better idea of when I'll have time to play. I'm hoping to play twice out there, but I'll definitely get at least 1 round in.

 

I live fairly close to the Phoenician. You are definitely going to enjoy the property. It is a nice overall experience, with excellent service, but golf course itself is a bit overpriced. Papago and Camelback are very close and would be good options. All that being said, unless you are on a budget, I am always a proponent of playing the golf course at the resort you are staying. In addition to the service, it is nice not having to leave the property, and the amenities at the Phoenician are top notch. Plus, I like having my spouse join me for a few holes or a drink after at the restaurant. Much more relaxing way to play golf instead of Ubering all over town and losing that time on vacation.

 

One other thought - if you get an early tee time, they may let you play another 9 or even 18 at the end of the day for a nominal charge or free. Probably not on the weekend but weekday. Never hurts to ask the professional on the day of play.

 

But the Phoenician is such a terrible course... I mean so bad. The price only adds insult to injury. He is do close to Camelback Ambiente, Camelback Padre, and Papago which are all purely better golf experiences and less expensive to boot.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Phoenician is an awful golf course. Great resort but huge rip off. 200+ is almost wekopa money and that's 100x better. Ambiente much better bet for close by in the upper tier pricing Papago on budget. Hell play Kierland before the Phoenecian

[az2au]

I stay at the Phoenician at least 2-3 times/year even though I live less than 40 min away (corporate meetings). Great resort, probably my second favorite in town behind the Four Seasons at Troon North (live about 3-5 minutes away from that one!). I generally have to end up playing at the Phoenician at least once/year for corporate events. It is terrible. The redesign made it better and it stilll wouldn’t be in the top 400-500 courses I’ve ever played. If you add the cost factor in it would be pretty close to the absolute bottom. I don’t have a single good thing to say about it. I don’t even think the service is very good. The carts suck, the food is mediocre and overpriced. Heck, even the conditions are usually mediocre. Perhaps the only worse value here is Biltmore. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever paid a penny of my own money to play it either. I still feel like I’ve been robbed.

[jah7838]

Thanks for the input on the Phoenician. I was leaning towards not playing it, and these replies helped confirm my initial thoughts when doing some research on other golf courses. Looking forward to the resort itself. It does look like it'll be a lot of fun!

[Rohlio]

Thanks for the input on the Phoenician. I was leaning towards not playing it, and these replies helped confirm my initial thoughts when doing some research on other golf courses. Looking forward to the resort itself. It does look like it'll be a lot of fun!

 

It is a great resort! Have fun!

[pearls24]

Thanks for the input on the Phoenician. I was leaning towards not playing it, and these replies helped confirm my initial thoughts when doing some research on other golf courses. Looking forward to the resort itself. It does look like it'll be a lot of fun!

 

It is a great resort! Have fun!

 

If you really want to play then try Camelback Ambiente which is very close by.

[Kuhndogg8]

The resort is great. Definitely recommend Papago and Camelback. Another great option is Mountain Shadows which is 5 minutes away. It is an awesome par 3 course behind Camelback. Great views and service (4 seater golf carts!). I know they had issues getting the greens to come in this winter so it's not great right now. I'm not sure if they'll overseed and come back in by April, but if they do it's an outstanding option. Close by and just a couple hours for a blast of a course.

[95124hacker]

Me and a few non-golfers are going in a couple of weeks. We have tee times at GCU. I noticed tee times are spaced 4 minutes apart. Is that normal for Phoenix/Scottsdale? I’m used to 7-10 minute spacing. Not so much worried about me, but for my non-golfing friends. A few years ago we played Wigwam and weren’t rushed or pushed.

 

How about Aguila? Do you think that will be better for us?

[Bonneville85308]

Me and a few non-golfers are going in a couple of weeks. We have tee times at GCU. I noticed tee times are spaced 4 minutes apart. Is that normal for Phoenix/Scottsdale? I'm used to 7-10 minute spacing. Not so much worried about me, but for my non-golfing friends. A few years ago we played Wigwam and weren't rushed or pushed.

 

 

When you booked online, did they have available tee times for like the first 2 hours of that day, then nothing? It's really not 4-minute tee times. They are sending people off both #1 and #10 tees in a "crossover" type set up. Papago does this on Saturdays in the summer since everyone wants to play early before it gets hot. It only looks like 4 minute times, I'm guessing they do it this way since if you give two groups the same time, it will confuse everyone. They probably have a shotgun event in the afternoon that they are concentrating the morning play early for. Their normal interval is 8 minute tee times.

 

Personally, I don't like playing when a course is using crossover times. You lose the benefit of getting out early and playing fast because you will just run into a ton of groups on the second nine.

 

For a group with "non-golfers" I'd recommend playing Aguila in the late morning or afternoon once it's already running at a slow pace. If you play any of the muni courses early in the morning slowly you are going to get pushed by the regulars who want to get out before the slow players and play fast.

[95124hacker]

Me and a few non-golfers are going in a couple of weeks. We have tee times at GCU. I noticed tee times are spaced 4 minutes apart. Is that normal for Phoenix/Scottsdale? I'm used to 7-10 minute spacing. Not so much worried about me, but for my non-golfing friends. A few years ago we played Wigwam and weren't rushed or pushed.

 

 

When you booked online, did they have available tee times for like the first 2 hours of that day, then nothing? It's really not 4-minute tee times. They are sending people off both #1 and #10 tees in a "crossover" type set up. Papago does this on Saturdays in the summer since everyone wants to play early before it gets hot. It only looks like 4 minute times, I'm guessing they do it this way since if you give two groups the same time, it will confuse everyone. They probably have a shotgun event in the afternoon that they are concentrating the morning play early for. Their normal interval is 8 minute tee times.

 

Personally, I don't like playing when a course is using crossover times. You lose the benefit of getting out early and playing fast because you will just run into a ton of groups on the second nine.

 

For a group with "non-golfers" I'd recommend playing Aguila in the late morning or afternoon once it's already running at a slow pace. If you play any of the muni courses early in the morning slowly you are going to get pushed by the regulars who want to get out before the slow players and play fast.

 

Yes I think you’re right. I need to call them to confirm that’s the case. Looks like some guys aren’t playing so I only need 1 tee time now anyway

 

EDIT: GCU is indeed splitting tees that day. They have us all together now starting on the front 9.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

ASU Karsten to close in May

 

I hate the mounds and lack of width but it’s definitely interesting. Not a great course or a pretty one but better than a Doak 0 imho. I’ll try and get out there 1 last time. Hopefully they allow walking

 

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2019/02/18/asu-karsten-golf-course-close-early-may/2813691002/

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I'm throwing a party to celebrate

[Rohlio]

ASU Karsten to close in May

 

I hate the mounds and lack of width but it’s definitely interesting. Not a great course or a pretty one but better than a Doak 0 imho. I’ll try and get out there 1 last time. Hopefully they allow walking

 

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2019/02/18/asu-karsten-golf-course-close-early-may/2813691002/

 

Good riddance.

[teejaywhy]

ASU Karsten to close in May

 

I'm throwing a party to celebrate

 

Good riddance.

 

GolfWRX outing in the planning, stand by for more info...

[puttnforthe8]

ASU Karsten to close in May

 

I'm throwing a party to celebrate

 

Good riddance.

 

GolfWRX outing in the planning, stand by for more info...

 

Winner of the event gets first stick of dynamite to blow up the hole of their choosing.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

ASU Karsten to close in May

 

I'm throwing a party to celebrate

 

Good riddance.

 

GolfWRX outing in the planning, stand by for more info...

 

Winner of the event gets first stick of dynamite to blow up the hole of their choosing.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Might need to turn the reigns over to someone else to manage this thread. Wife and I are going to be discussing a rather large move, to a different kinda of sand. Hawaii. Sounds like she might have a pretty good promotion offer and something we have discussed in the past.

[SpeedKills7]

Hey Guys,

 

Heading to Scottsdale at the end of next month with the wife and in-laws. Renting a house this time instead of staying at a resort.

Looking for areas you recommend and areas to avoid. Going the Airbnb route so not much neighborhood info on there.

Looking for a quieter neighborhood where the houses aren’t right on top of each other.

Thanks.

[DrSchteeve]

Hey Guys,

 

Heading to Scottsdale at the end of next month with the wife and in-laws. Renting a house this time instead of staying at a resort.

Looking for areas you recommend and areas to avoid. Going the Airbnb route so not much neighborhood info on there.

Looking for a quieter neighborhood where the houses aren't right on top of each other.

Thanks.

 

In Scottsdale, the farther north you go, the more likely to have houses not on top of one another. Paradise Valley isn't technically Scottsdale, but next door and much of Paradise Valley would also suit.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Hey Guys,

 

Heading to Scottsdale at the end of next month with the wife and in-laws. Renting a house this time instead of staying at a resort.

Looking for areas you recommend and areas to avoid. Going the Airbnb route so not much neighborhood info on there.

Looking for a quieter neighborhood where the houses aren't right on top of each other.

Thanks.

 

Define not right on top of each other? We talking acreage or just looking for something with a little more side yard space vs a 15 foot clearance?

 

 

If looking for the former then look north of Pinnancle Peak road in 85255 or 85262 ZIPs. If looking for the later then anything in 85255 the north east end of 85260 or 85258/9 are solid places to start

[SpeedKills7]

Thanks guys. Not looking for anything crazy. Just want to have a decent back yard with a pool.

[DrSchteeve]

Thanks guys. Not looking for anything crazy. Just want to have a decent back yard with a pool.

 

Anywhere in North Scottsdale is going to get you that. The only semi-questionable areas in Scottsdale are downtownish.

[fore_life]

Lol spoken like a true north scottsdalian

[DrSchteeve]

Lol spoken like a true north scottsdalian

 

Just happens to be true...and I have no problems with any of those areas, just trying to help answer the question.

[azgolfer44]

Downtown Scottsdale is not questionable. I would also look in Arcadia (camelback and 44th). It is just outside of Scottsdale. Older homes but nice central location close to restaurants and bars.

[az2au]

South Scottsdale by the strip clubs is what Doc means I think. Downtown is definitely not questionable.

 

85255 and 85262 will definitely give you what you want. FWIW, I live in 85255.

[puttnforthe8]

Lol spoken like a true north scottsdalian

 

Just happens to be true...and I have no problems with any of those areas, just trying to help answer the question.

 

Agreed....such a crappy, arrogant response.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Might need to turn the reigns over to someone else to manage this thread. Wife and I are going to be discussing a rather large move, to a different kinda of sand. Hawaii. Sounds like she might have a pretty good promotion offer and something we have discussed in the past.

 

 

False alarm, turned out it was more of a lateral move for her. Higher pay to offset the cost of living, but not a justifiable move at this time. Still not opposed to the idea but the numbers have to be right.

[DrSchteeve]

Matt we are happy for us but always wish the best for you.

[5 O'Clock Charlie]

Wife and I are renting a house on Las Sendas at the end of the month. I wanted to play there 5 years ago when we made our first trip out there. I was thinking of playing Las Sendas and LongBow because they are close. I'll figure out the rest in the next few weeks, but could use some feedback on those 2 if anyone can provide it. Thanks!