Vista Verde

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Back center on 4 is not too bad its the far left that is tough. you have about a 3 yard circle to land the ball to stay on that shelf, on the green, and out of the bowl. 5 is tough no matter where the pin is because its 470 yards from the back tees, a big green with a bunch of elevation change that you are normally hitting anything from 7 iron to 2 hybrid into depending on the wind.

 

Last time I was out there the wind was blowing so hard into us that the normally long 630 yard uphill par 5 17th I hit driver 3 wood 3 wood all pretty solid and still did not reach the green, I did hit a nice little pitch over the bunker to a foot for par though

 

To those that havent played it yet the 5th green is the second pick in TJY's original post and the 4th green is the first of my pictures, ironicaly it looks like the pin is back center in my pic.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='Reif' date='12 June 2010 - 09:09 PM' timestamp='1276402146' post='2505706']

... I liked it, but I will say for a one time deal it's a little frustrating.

There were some pin positions that were really unfair unless you knew exactly what the deal was (back center on 4 and front left on 5, for example), and some holes that I wasn't really sure where to hit it off the tee. The complementary yardage book is OK, but not great for help with this.

It's a course you'd enjoy much more the second time, I think, so if you're only in town for short time . . .

[/quote]

Can't disagree with you, but I've never found that too many good courses revealed themselves easily to the first time player. While that may be the expectation for some, I think one would end up limiting themselves to the standard resort/tourist type courses that are lacking any quirk or character. Although Vista finds itself in this market to stay afloat, the course is designed more as a members course. I think it is a pretty thoughtful layout that can remain interesting to play over the long run.

Fact is, Kavanaugh's greens are not going to be figured out for a good many plays, if then. His style tends toward the smaller micro contours, with lots of bumps humps and wrinkles, as opposed to having bigger bolder features, but coupled with the general and deceptive slope of the property, Vista Verde's greens will give the best players trouble.

Hole #4 does have one of the bolder green features on the course. But it is only a wedge or 9i. Although I like the green, the hole is one of my least favorite because of the bunkering. Way too busy. I really dislike the look of the bunkers flashed up into the slope above and behind the green. #18 suffers from the same lack of restraint.

[finalist]

I played this course a few weeks ago. I loved the greens. They rolled true and semi quick, and also allowed for great wedge play. It was a tough day though. I had a really really hard time adjusting to hitting everything 2 clubs longer.

[Reif]

[quote name='tjy355' date='16 June 2010 - 11:19 AM' timestamp='1276701592' post='2513048']

Hole #4 does have one of the bolder green features on the course. But it is only a wedge or 9i. Although I like the green, the hole is one of my least favorite because of the bunkering. Way too busy. I really dislike the look of the bunkers flashed up into the slope above and behind the green. #18 suffers from the same lack of restraint.
[/quote]

Well, it is what it is, but I played with a kid (a really good stick) who hit a beautiful wedge that landed about 2 feet from the pin and bounced into the back bunker.

So it seems that when the hole is back there you need just to play to the hollow and make your three.

Yeah, it's "only" a wedge, but it seems to me unless the pin is down in that hollow you'd have to get really lucky to make a two, and if you're not in that hollow and the pin is back center it's a pretty tough two putt, and a pretty impossible up and down.

Reif

[Reif]

[quote name='tjy355' date='16 June 2010 - 11:19 AM' timestamp='1276701592' post='2513048']

Can't disagree with you, but I've never found that too many good courses revealed themselves easily to the first time player.
[/quote]

To a certain extent, I agree,

But usually the better courses have a yardage book that while maybe you won't hit the best shot, at least you kind of know where to hit it.

It wasn't unfair (well, front left pin on five is unfair, I think), I just found it more difficult to figure out a line of play standing on the tee than most courses.

I would definitely go back, though.

Reif

[Charlie.Dont.Surf]

anybody played it recently?

Thinking of playing this given its just $47 right now...but I'm with a bunch of guys who are all 30+ HC and are used to places like Silverado, Starfire, and Desert Canyon.

Not sure if they will be turned off by the sea of brown too

anyone have any pics so i can see what the course/sea of brown looks like?

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Charlie from what I have heard they completley overseeded this year so you should not have the see of brown. The last person I talked to played about a month ago and said it was in good condition. Definatley a step above Starfire. Silverado, and Desert Canyon.
Even if it is not overseeded it was very cool to play in dormant conditions the ground was hard so you were still getting summer like roll out but the green complexes were still lush green from being overseeded. The only issue I had with the dormant conditions is being somewhat of a digger with my irons the firm ground would take its toll on my hands/wrists.

I have been debating about heading up there on Friday myself, If I make it I can post back about the conditions for sure. If you get out there before Fri let us know how the conditions are.

[ALTSean]

Any updates from people who have played it this year (2011)?

[One_Putt_Blunder]

We just played it last weekend it is in very good shape. They do have another aeration planned soon so you might want to check with them before you book.

[sabram]

Here are photos of Vista Verde from May 2011

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/580154555gmlmsX"]Vista Verde[/url]

[ALTSean]

Thanks, I'm in San Diego, but have family in Phoenix so I'll have to check it out next time I'm in town. Hopefully before the rates go up!

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1310864015' post='3397284']
Here are photos of Vista Verde from May 2011

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/580154555gmlmsX"]Vista Verde[/url]
[/quote]

Do I see a house being built out there?

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I don't recall any new construction going on just the same house/model home that is on the right side of #3

[sabram]

[quote name='tjy355' timestamp='1311081986' post='3403934']
Do I see a house being built out there?
[/quote]

I also only recall the one near #3/#4. It was a nice house though.

[chiromikey]

i just played last weekend and it's not a course i'd play again during the summer. there's not a single source of shade on the entire 18! other than that, i did like the layout but the greens are only half recovered from aeration.