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

[YMark]

4 hours ago, eric61 said:

Anybody have a recommendation for a driving range in Scottsdale that’s open pretty late?

 

Coronado has a lighted range and open till 9:00 (or used to be, haven't been there in a while).  It's on Miller Road, just north of Thomas. About 20 minutes from there is Ken MacDonald in Tempe and it ha a lighted range.

[eric61]

2 hours ago, YMark said:

 

Coronado has a lighted range and open till 9:00 (or used to be, haven't been there in a while).  It's on Miller Road, just north of Thomas. About 20 minutes from there is Ken MacDonald in Tempe and it ha a lighted range.

Thanks dude. I hit the Coronado range tonight shortly before they sold the last buckets. Wanted to get some practice in before Southern Dunes tomorrow morning, We-Ko-Pa on Thursday and TBD Friday.

[MUNIGRIT]

Quintero is not worth 300 plus bucks. Huge rip off especially with the ttitude out there. Unfortunately that is probably the most expensive week to play golf in Scottsdale/AZ.

Edited December 1, 2021 by MUNIGRIT

[azgolfer44]

15 hours ago, eric61 said:

Anybody have a recommendation for a driving range in Scottsdale that’s open pretty late?

Cornonado on Miller and McDowell. Lights and grass. Only accepts cash. 

[AZ_JHWK]

21 hours ago, shadymg said:

 

lol, yeah i've come to realize that. some of these green fees get tripled!! It's pretty wild. Clearly i'm not the only one looking, WeKoPa (Saguaro) is already fully booked teh days & times we can play. Cholla is available, but for the price $255 versus Southern Dunes ($189) seems like Ak Chin is the better way to go if i don't mind the drive right?

 

the others i'm thinking of that would work location and price wise (but i can't book more than 60 days out) would be LEGACY and PAPAGO. Those are both slightly over $100 but the reviews seem great.

 

As a worst case resort, there does seem to be plenty of muni's in the area if we get desperate lol, with Robson & McDonald around the area, but couldn't find any reviews in the last century on them

Cholla is a great course, but there are a few quirky holes that make you pull a club you might not want to. Also more demanding off the tee.  Southern Dunes is worth the extra 20 minute drive. You mentioned Legacy, there is another good course close to that called Raven. You can book that date now. Lots of pine trees and not a desert feel at all. Cheers!

[shadymg]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think we're set on getting to Southern Dunes as the splurge round, then the next nice round at Papago (or should it be Legacy?).

 

So besides the question on Papago vs Legacy, then the question for when we arrive, any difference between the cheaper sub-$80 local munis in the Tempe area? Or all about the same what you'd expect from a muni? EDIT: Note we probably won't get there early enough to finish the round, so hence why we don't want to really spend too much $$$$ for this round.

 

Here are the munis I found nearby:

TEMPE GOLF COURSES (from Golfpass)
Ken McDonald Golf Course	Tempe	$44
Rolling Hills Golf Course	Tempe	$36
Dobson Ranch	Mesa	$83
Arizona Grand Golf Course	Phoenix	$69-105
San Marcos Golf Course	Chandler	$55

 

Edited December 2, 2021 by shadymg

[Bonneville85308]

1 hour ago, shadymg said:

Thanks for all the feedback. I think we're set on getting to Southern Dunes as the splurge round, then the next nice round at Papago (or should it be Legacy?).

 

So besides the question on Papago vs Legacy, then the question for when we arrive, any difference between the cheaper sub-$80 local munis in the Tempe area? Or all about the same what you'd expect from a muni? EDIT: Note we probably won't get there early enough to finish the round, so hence why we don't want to really spend too much $$$$ for this round.

 

Here are the munis I found nearby:

TEMPE GOLF COURSES (from Golfpass)
Ken McDonald Golf Course	Tempe	$44
Rolling Hills Golf Course	Tempe	$36
Dobson Ranch	Mesa	$83
Arizona Grand Golf Course	Phoenix	$69-105
San Marcos Golf Course	Chandler	$55

 

 

Ken McDonald is actually an excellent value for what they are charging right now, and was in nice shape after overseed when I played it a few weeks ago. For $44 I wouldn't be upset if I didn't finish.

Dobson's layout is better than Kenny Mac IMO but $83 for a round you might not finish there is a bit spendy for what it is.

Rolling Hills is a short course, par 62, something like 3800 yards.

San Marcos is a pretty blah course but not a bad value in winter for $55.

AZ Grand is a hot steaming piece of garbage, forget it.

Edited December 2, 2021 by Bonneville85308

[shadymg]

15 hours ago, Bonneville85308 said:

 

Ken McDonald is actually an excellent value for what they are charging right now, and was in nice shape after overseed when I played it a few weeks ago. For $44 I wouldn't be upset if I didn't finish.

Dobson's layout is better than Kenny Mac IMO but $83 for a round you might not finish there is a bit spendy for what it is.

Rolling Hills is a short course, par 62, something like 3800 yards.

San Marcos is a pretty blah course but not a bad value in winter for $55.

AZ Grand is a hot steaming piece of garbage, forget it.

 

SO HELPFUL, thank you!!! Will do our best to get on Ken McDonald (backup would be San Marcos). thank you!!

 

So then the final choice, is between PAPAGO vs LEGACY. Looks like a $20 difference (papago is more), so not that big a deal. I'm leaning towards Papago, but i've read good things about both. One of those can't go wrong choices? Is one obviously better?

[Argonne69]

2 hours ago, shadymg said:

 

SO HELPFUL, thank you!!! Will do our best to get on Ken McDonald (backup would be San Marcos). thank you!!

 

So then the final choice, is between PAPAGO vs LEGACY. Looks like a $20 difference (papago is more), so not that big a deal. I'm leaning towards Papago, but i've read good things about both. One of those can't go wrong choices? Is one obviously better?

 

It would be a coin flip for me. Papago is not your typical muni. It will kick your behind. It's not a shock that it's the ASU home course. Legacy is a solid layout, and not your typical desert track. Nothing great, but an overall playable layout that doesn't scream "desert". 

 

I'd also look at Aguila. Another Phoenix muni that isn't quite as tough as Papago, but still a challenge. 

 

[azgolfer44]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

It would be a coin flip for me. Papago is not your typical muni. It will kick your behind. It's not a shock that it's the ASU home course. Legacy is a solid layout, and not your typical desert track. Nothing great, but an overall playable layout that doesn't scream "desert". 

 

I'd also look at Aguila. Another Phoenix muni that isn't quite as tough as Papago, but still a challenge. 

 

For yo

 

6 hours ago, shadymg said:

 

SO HELPFUL, thank you!!! Will do our best to get on Ken McDonald (backup would be San Marcos). thank you!!

 

So then the final choice, is between PAPAGO vs LEGACY. Looks like a $20 difference (papago is more), so not that big a deal. I'm leaning towards Papago, but i've read good things about both. One of those can't go wrong choices? Is one obviously better?

For your group, I’d go with Papago. Better vibe. Fun to play ASU course. And one of the best after round spots to hang. Personally, I like the course much better too. 

[eric61]

Thanks for the help leading up to my trip last week, everybody. I wound up sticking with Grayhawk because Wildfire was charging roughly the same price. Some quick reviews/thoughts:

 

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes: Incredible value -- and not just for Arizona in the winter when everything's expensive; this course would be a good value anywhere in the country. Really nice course in very good condition. One of the guys I played with was a regular; he said the course was in better-than-usual shape for the start of the winter season, but that the fairways and greens were slower than usual because of the proximity to overseeding. I believe it; the course played a lot like the relatively soft Midwestern courses I'm used to.

 

The starter told me the greens were rolling an 11 or 12. I am ... skeptical. They seemed slower. But I'm not complaining -- I had one of the best putting days of my life there, and wound up shooting a good (for me) score despite being ridiculously inaccurate off the tee all day because the putter was working.

 

It's a bit out of the way, but if you're making a trip and budget is at all a factor, it'd be very high on my list. 

 

We-Ko-Pa's Saguaro course: This one was my favorite of the trip, even though I played my worst golf that day. The views are beautiful, and it matched what I had in mind when I thought of desert golf. The course is in fantastic condition. If I was booking another trip, I'd start it with the stay-and-play here and build the rest of it around that. Great views and some challenging holes. One of my playing partners had played Troon North the day before and said Troon's greens were faster, but I certainly don't have any complaints about the greens' speed or condition. They were pretty "what you see is what you get," much like Southern Dunes.

 

Lots of roadrunners and rabbits on the course. We were also approached on the 12th tee box by a coyote that was alarmingly comfortable with humans. It didn't bother us -- it was big and clearly well-fed, and just seemed to want to see if we were going to throw it a hot dog or something -- but still, weird behavior. Don't feed the coyotes, guys.

 

Tip for Midwesterners heading to Arizona: Take a "desert club." An old, beat-up iron or wedge or something. Even if you're pretty accurate, at least once or twice you'll need something you don't mind hitting off rocks if you're playing here. 

 

Grayhawk's Talon course: First of all, the facilities at Grayhawk are unreal. Great clubhouse with an incredibly nice locker room, great driving ranges, good chipping and putting greens, etc. It's a first class experience. 

 

It's more expensive than the others, but I wouldn't say the course was better. Don't get me wrong, it's a really nice course that's in great condition. It's also a bit more like what you'd find in other parts of the country. There are some desert features that come into play, but they don't define the course the way they do at We-Ko-Pa. Definitely some interesting holes, including a very drivable par 4 on the back 9. 

 

If you're a Phil Mickelson fan, this place is a must. If you're traveling with a partner who isn't that into golf but will enjoy the facilities, it's one I'd definitely recommend. I didn't feel like the course was one I'd have to return to the way I did at We-Ko-Pa, but I don't have any complaints, either.

 

Getting around: I rode rather than walking. I wouldn't recommend walking any of the courses the first time you play them unless you're in great physical condition, because the walking paths aren't particularly intuitive and there are some climbs. The second time you play them, sure. Saguaro appeared to be the most walkable by far, with mostly short and direct paths to the next tee box, followed by Southern Dunes. Grayhawk has some long distances between holes and weaves through some houses and roads, so I would not recommend walking there at all. If I was playing them again, I'd probably walk Southern Dunes and We-Ko-Pa and ride at Grayhawk.

 

The carts at Southern Dunes were the best. Their GPS systems were accurate, you could order food from the course, etc. The GPS wasn't working in my cart at We-Ko-Pa, and the carts at Grayhawk don't have screens at all. 

[Cmk]

Troon North Monument worth the 225 Green fees in Jan for a vistor?

[azgolfer44]

57 minutes ago, Cmk said:

Troon North Monument worth the 225 Green fees in Jan for a vistor?

 I am surprised you can get a time for $225, unless it is twilight, in which case you are not guaranteed 18 holes.  Course is scenic, usually in great condition, and has some memorable holes.  I think $225 is pretty good value, considering an average course will be at least $125-$150 range.  FWIW, I prefer Pinnacle over Monument.

[Cmk]

8 hours ago, azgolfer44 said:

 I am surprised you can get a time for $225, unless it is twilight, in which case you are not guaranteed 18 holes.  Course is scenic, usually in great condition, and has some memorable holes.  I think $225 is pretty good value, considering an average course will be at least $125-$150 range.  FWIW, I prefer Pinnacle over Monument.

Golf Now has $225 (475 with tax for a twosome) on a Monday 8:10 Tee time in Jan , Pin is like 35 dollars more so Hence leaning towards Monument... 

 

Playing that Sat before at Sun Ridge Canyon, thanks to underpar.com it's 125$ a person there so saving some decent money, that's why I was thinking using that saved money put it towards Troon 

Edited December 7, 2021 by Cmk

[SilverBullets]

On 12/6/2021 at 10:36 PM, Cmk said:

Golf Now has $225 (475 with tax for a twosome) on a Monday 8:10 Tee time in Jan , Pin is like 35 dollars more so Hence leaning towards Monument... 

 

Playing that Sat before at Sun Ridge Canyon, thanks to underpar.com it's 125$ a person there so saving some decent money, that's why I was thinking using that saved money put it towards Troon 

 

Pinnacle is worth the $35 upgrade in my opinion.  Monument is good but I think Pinnacle is great.  Pinnacle is right there with the best public courses in the valley, if not the best.  Monument is a half step down layout wise in my book.  I'd have Pinnacle in the top 3 to 5 public tracks in the valley.. and I can easily argue it's #1 depending on my feelings that day... I'd have Monument closer to 7-10.  

[loc]

Starting to book our 8th trip out to AZ in April. As always looking for new ideas or updates on courses. 

 

Played in the past but would play again if something got upgraded or changed or such. 

Visti Verdi

Longbow

Southern dunes

Legends Trail

Sunridge Canyon

Eagle Mt

Lookout Mt

 TPC Both

Dinosaur

Sidewinder

Talking Stick

Raven at Verrado (both)

Legends Trail

Club West

Quintero

Trilogy

Troon Monument

Troon Pinnicle

Stone Creek

Wekopa saguro

ASU Karten

Legacy

Papago

Wickenburg

Raven South Mountain

Sterling Grove

Verrado Victory

McCormic Ranch

 

2022 Tentative (looking for suggestions, trying to keep 6 round at about $700 or close to if possible)(prices are a guess in April)any that shoudl be removed or added?

 

Legacy 80

Wekopa Saguaro 340 package

Wedopa Chola 0

Las Sendas 90

Phoenician 140

Quintero 175 (we have one guy thats wants to try this one again)

[puttnforthe8]

57 minutes ago, loc said:

Starting to book our 8th trip out to AZ in April. As always looking for new ideas or updates on courses. 

 

Played in the past but would play again if something got upgraded or changed or such. 

Visti Verdi

Longbow

Southern dunes

Legends Trail

Sunridge Canyon

Eagle Mt

Lookout Mt

 TPC Both

Dinosaur

Sidewinder

Talking Stick

Raven at Verrado (both)

Legends Trail

Club West

Quintero

Trilogy

Troon Monument

Troon Pinnicle

Stone Creek

Wekopa saguro

ASU Karten

Legacy

Papago

Wickenburg

Raven South Mountain

Sterling Grove

Verrado Victory

McCormic Ranch

 

2022 Tentative (looking for suggestions, trying to keep 6 round at about $700 or close to if possible)(prices are a guess in April)any that shoudl be removed or added?

 

Legacy 80

Wekopa Saguaro 340 package

Wedopa Chola 0

Las Sendas 90

Phoenician 140

Quintero 175 (we have one guy thats wants to try this one again)

 

Consider 36  holes on the Quintero day and play Los Caballeros in Wickenburg - new ownership and it is improved and it already was pretty good.

Phoenician is not good - so I can't recommend, unless you really want to play it.  Las Sendas also, but for different reasons.

 

Looks like you have never played the Boulders, so a definite add there - 36 holes, North is the better course but most of the time it is only open to members.  South is scenic.

You don't have Whirlwind on there - so that is a consideration.

Copper Canyon is a pretty cool course (3 9s) - I really have become a fan lately.

Vistancia is another really good course to consider.

Could see if Wildfire is a decent price.

And of course Aguila for a good course at a good price, just not pretty.

All these are better choices over Las Sendas and Phoenician.  

 

 

 

 

[AzSuperHack76]

5 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

Consider 36  holes on the Quintero day and play Los Caballeros in Wickenburg - new ownership and it is improved and it already was pretty good.

Phoenician is not good - so I can't recommend, unless you really want to play it.  Las Sendas also, but for different reasons.

 

Looks like you have never played the Boulders, so a definite add there - 36 holes, North is the better course but most of the time it is only open to members.  South is scenic.

You don't have Whirlwind on there - so that is a consideration.

Copper Canyon is a pretty cool course (3 9s) - I really have become a fan lately.

Vistancia is another really good course to consider.

Could see if Wildfire is a decent price.

And of course Aguila for a good course at a good price, just not pretty.

All these are better choices over Las Sendas and Phoenician.  

 

 

 

 

@loc I agree with the above, I would not recommend the Phoenician or Las Sendas to any visitor. I'll ad on that Verrado Founders is well worth it, Verrado Victory and Founders are a great combo. Golf Club of Estrella is another solid addition, they had condition issues this past year but have recovered from that and should be great in April. 

[LBattaglia93]

I'm heading down to Arizona in January and have two days to play in Phoenix on 1/21-1/22. We'll be driving up from Tucson on Friday so we're already planning on playing Southern Dunes (loved this track when we played it last year). 

 

Does anyone have a spot they'd recommend for a Saturday morning round, preferably something < 1 hour from the airport? Last year we played WeKoPa Saguaro for this Saturday round and it may have been my favorite course I've played in Arizona. The normal top options are pushing $300+ for Saturday (Grayhawk, Troon, Boulders) and ideally we'd like to keep this in the $150-$250 range. 

 

This is our last round of a long trip so we're willing to splurge if those top courses are worth it; I'm just curious if there are any hidden gems in that lower price bracket that punch above their weight. 

[toypor]

4 hours ago, LBattaglia93 said:

I'm heading down to Arizona in January and have two days to play in Phoenix on 1/21-1/22. We'll be driving up from Tucson on Friday so we're already planning on playing Southern Dunes (loved this track when we played it last year). 

 

Does anyone have a spot they'd recommend for a Saturday morning round, preferably something < 1 hour from the airport? Last year we played WeKoPa Saguaro for this Saturday round and it may have been my favorite course I've played in Arizona. The normal top options are pushing $300+ for Saturday (Grayhawk, Troon, Boulders) and ideally we'd like to keep this in the $150-$250 range. 

 

This is our last round of a long trip so we're willing to splurge if those top courses are worth it; I'm just curious if there are any hidden gems in that lower price bracket that punch above their weight. 

On Saturday you should be able to get from Verrado Founders to the airport in 50 minutes or so. 

[DrSchteeve]

Southern Dunes

[pingnewbie]

Are there courses that allow fivesomes on a Saturday morning in January? Just beginning my research.

[puttnforthe8]

2 minutes ago, pingnewbie said:

Are there courses that allow fivesomes on a Saturday morning in January? Just beginning my research.

No.  Maybe the absolute dregs of golf courses at 4pm.  But otherwise No.

[pingnewbie]

Very true! We'll probably do 3 & 2, someone unfortunately latched on to the group.

[loc]

On 12/9/2021 at 12:50 PM, puttnforthe8 said:

 

Consider 36  holes on the Quintero day and play Los Caballeros in Wickenburg - new ownership and it is improved and it already was pretty good.

Phoenician is not good - so I can't recommend, unless you really want to play it.  Las Sendas also, but for different reasons.

 

Looks like you have never played the Boulders, so a definite add there - 36 holes, North is the better course but most of the time it is only open to members.  South is scenic.

You don't have Whirlwind on there - so that is a consideration.

Copper Canyon is a pretty cool course (3 9s) - I really have become a fan lately.

Vistancia is another really good course to consider.

Could see if Wildfire is a decent price.

And of course Aguila for a good course at a good price, just not pretty.

All these are better choices over Las Sendas and Phoenician.  

 

 

 

 

Thanks. What two 9s on Copper Canyon would you recommend?

[puttnforthe8]

6 hours ago, loc said:

Thanks. What two 9s on Copper Canyon would you recommend?

I'm a Mountain - Vista preference.

[Mtn_Mikey]

15 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

I'm a Mountain - Vista preference.

Agree on Mountain/Vista although outside of # 8, Lake isn't bad. Tough getting reasonable tee times even for Sun City Festival residents.

[MUNIGRIT]

On 12/9/2021 at 8:46 AM, loc said:

Starting to book our 8th trip out to AZ in April. As always looking for new ideas or updates on courses. 

 

Played in the past but would play again if something got upgraded or changed or such. 

Visti Verdi

Longbow

Southern dunes

Legends Trail

Sunridge Canyon

Eagle Mt

Lookout Mt

 TPC Both

Dinosaur

Sidewinder

Talking Stick

Raven at Verrado (both)

Legends Trail

Club West

Quintero

Trilogy

Troon Monument

Troon Pinnicle

Stone Creek

Wekopa saguro

ASU Karten

Legacy

Papago

Wickenburg

Raven South Mountain

Sterling Grove

Verrado Victory

McCormic Ranch

 

2022 Tentative (looking for suggestions, trying to keep 6 round at about $700 or close to if possible)(prices are a guess in April)any that shoudl be removed or added?

 

Legacy 80

Wekopa Saguaro 340 package

Wedopa Chola 0

Las Sendas 90

Phoenician 140

Quintero 175 (we have one guy thats wants to try this one again)

Phoenician isn't worth 140. Id look into a Troon card honestly. How far you can book out will be the sticking point. You can probably get your whole group to split it.

[derekshurmanek]

Traveling to Phoenix area in February, looking at playing The Raven or AK-Chin. Any recommendations or details about each club that will help me decide? Which one would you rate higher in terms of condition?

[cbbaron]

4 hours ago, derekshurmanek said:

Traveling to Phoenix area in February, looking at playing The Raven or AK-Chin. Any recommendations or details about each club that will help me decide? Which one would you rate higher in terms of condition?

If I had 10 rounds 8 at Ak Chin 2 at THE Raven