Question for fellow AZ golfers!

[MMIX]

Where's da shade?!

Okay pretty simple... As we AZ golfers know it's hotter than a virgin on prom night outside these days. I was curious as to what are some courses that offer some damn shade?! I played Orange Tree last week and didn't sweat hardly at all (due to the plethora of tree coverage). I'd love to play Grayhawk, Troon, etc. right now to take advantage of the cheaper rates (compared to the "arm and leg" cost during the winter), however, they are desert courses. So if anybody can give me a heads up as to where are some decent courses with shade/tree coverage, that would be awesome! :D Thanks in advance! :good:

[azgolfer2]

You can find some shade trees at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale. Be advised however, they are in the rough not the fairway. Most greens surrounded by trees but I don't recall they produced the shade you are looking for. Also, when it's this hot everythiing feels hot including the dirt. Good luck in ur quest and keep us advised if u find the shady lane mecca.

[teejaywhy]

Not sure how much shade you can get playing golf in Arizona, but here are a few of the more traditional style golf courses with mature trees:

 

Talking Stick South course - Scottsdale

Wigwam Resort (3 courses) - Goodyear

McCormick Ranch (2 courses) - Scottsdale

Dobson Ranch GC - Mesa

Arizona Biltmore Adobe Course - Phoenix

Camelback GC Padre course - Scottsdale

Maryvale Municipal - Phoenix

Estrella Mountain GC - Goodyear

Ken McDonald GC - Tempe

Starfire (Scottsdale CC) - North/South nines - Scottsdale

San Marcos GC - Chandler

Francisco Grande - Casa Grande

[MMIX]

Thanks for the input...

 

I played McCormick a couple weeks ago and my buddy and I thought that the plethora of water on the course made it more hot and humid for some reason... I don't know.

 

It sucks that some of the really nice courses are "desert" courses and have like zero shade. Those are the ones that are usually $100 and well over in the cooler months.

 

Just my $0.02.

[teejaywhy]

My thoughts are that trees don't really provide any significant cooling effect on a golf course. I think it is more of a mental thing. Sure, if it is a slow round, it is nicer to wait in the shade, but truthfully, when you are playing golf, hopefully you are playing from the fairways where there aren't any trees. I think what you noticed is true, is the more traditional courses with more grass, trees and water tend to seem to hold the humidity and the trees block the breeze. Too many trees start to compete with the turf for air, water and sunshine, and golf is all about the TURF!

 

The best way to beat the heat in the AZ summer is to play EARLY and be off the course by no later than 11AM.

[fore_life]

[quote name='tjy355' post='1830975' date='Jul 20 2009, 07:18 AM']My thoughts are that trees don't really provide any significant cooling effect on a golf course. I think it is more of a mental thing.[/quote]



Hahaha Tom I dont know man, to me it makes a huge difference. When its 115 out those 2 or 3 degrees in the shade seem to help, or at least give you a break from getting beat down by the direct sunlight. I have a hard time playing desert courses in the summer, I enjoy a shaded tee box or parking the cart in the shade while someone else hits.

[MMIX]

[quote name='fore_life' post='1835735' date='Jul 21 2009, 10:46 PM'][quote name='tjy355' post='1830975' date='Jul 20 2009, 07:18 AM']My thoughts are that trees don't really provide any significant cooling effect on a golf course. I think it is more of a mental thing.[/quote]



Hahaha Tom I dont know man, to me it makes a huge difference. When its 115 out those 2 or 3 degrees in the shade seem to help, or at least give you a break from getting beat down by the direct sunlight. I have a hard time playing desert courses in the summer, I enjoy a shaded tee box or parking the cart in the shade while someone else hits.
[/quote]

That's what I was thinking exactly... I mean granted I do tee off NO LATER than 7 (or at least try to) in the summer! However, when playing and driving up, you RARELY get to hit right away... So calculate waiting on most shots, I'd rather wait in the shade, those 2,3-5 or whatever degrees help a ton... IMO that is.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='fore_life' post='1835735' date='Jul 21 2009, 10:46 PM'][quote name='tjy355' post='1830975' date='Jul 20 2009, 07:18 AM']My thoughts are that trees don't really provide any significant cooling effect on a golf course. I think it is more of a mental thing.[/quote]



Hahaha Tom I dont know man, to me it makes a huge difference. When its 115 out those 2 or 3 degrees in the shade seem to help, or at least give you a break from getting beat down by the direct sunlight. I have a hard time playing desert courses in the summer, I enjoy a shaded tee box or parking the cart in the shade while someone else hits.
[/quote]

Hey Mark! Maybe my brain is fried from playing in the sun too much ! Playing Longbow tomorrow at 1PM - it's a complimentary event (Flightcard) but not sure if it's worth it - IT'S BEEN FREAKING HOT!!!

Do they have trees at ACC? I'm still waiting for my invitation...

[fore_life]

Hey Tom, they've got plenty of trees out there, and youre more than welcome to join me anytime. Can you play at all during the week? The course is pretty dry right now, noot in bad shape just the greens are alot slower than they used to be, and the greens were what made the course so nice to play. Hopefully the bit of rain we've gotten will help em out.

In addition to the trees providing shade, they also make great cover so you dont have to worry about catching a shanked 4 iron hahah.

Shoot me a PM if you want to play monday of wed in the morning, I'll make a tee time as soon as I hear from you.

[MMIX]

Never played Longbow...

Sounds nice though!

[amerza18]

Not sure about the shade in the summer here, but I carry a portable Mister bottle in my bag if I am playing in this heat. It makes that bag heavy from the car to the cart, but it really works. Sometimes, I can jimmy-rig it to the top of the cart. Helps me out.

I am also a shade ho. The 2 degrees helps I don't care what other people say.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='DEEMO' post='1840299' date='Jul 23 2009, 11:31 PM']Never played Longbow... Sounds nice though![/quote]

No shade!

[fore_life]

I'll be out playing at Ahwatukee CC all day tomorrow if anyone is interested. Shoot me a pm. I'll tee off for my first 18 probably at 745 or 8, should be able to fly around in 3 hrs or less. I know you can find sweet deals on golfnow right now, and if you book a tee time, they'll fit you in with me if anyone wants to play. I'll check my pm's before I leave.

PS I get teh southwest pass rate or whatever the lowest rate is for guests. The greens are NICE right now, but they are punching them again next week

[MMIX]

Playing Grayhawk tomorrow! Only 25 bucks at 7:40am!!! Can't wait!

[fore_life]

how were the conditions???

[fore_life]

Played Ocotillo on Sat morning, its another nice Troon course with lots of water and lots of shade. Its a fun course(27 holes) but its pretty short even from the tips. But I was loving the shade.

[teejaywhy]

Played for the first time Sunday, a course that should be mentioned in this thread. The Arizona Biltmore Links course. Like the historic sister course, the Adobe, the Links course is a shaded, all-turf, traditional layout that is reasonably priced in the summer.

The course itself from the design standpoint, is nothing flashy, but reasonably interesting, the back nine at least. The course is routed into two 9-hole single-fairway loops. The front nine circles the perimeter of the Adobe course, is basically flat, with some water hazards and some distractingly nice real estate. The back nine heads north, away from the Biltmore hotel complex and gains elevation as it works its way up the shoulder of the Phoenix mountain preserve. #13 and #14 are two medium length par 4's that offer uphill approach shots to a green surface blind from below. The top of the course is the tee of #15, a drop shot par 3 with the busy traffic of Lincoln Drive marking the left boundary and a grand view of the mountains and valley east and south. 17 and 18 play back down to the clubhouse.

Greens and bunkering are very traditional and nothing out of the ordinary. The back nine makes good use of the elevation change and promotes strategic play. While the course is routed through homes and commercial development, the playing corridors are generous. The course is tree-lined and the trees are often used to define the line of play, but for the most part are not too intrusive and provide nice shade while waiting on your next shot. Pace of play was 4:45 on a Sunday, 8:30AM but there was an event going on, not sure if that reflects a normal pace of play.

The course was in very good condition all around. Recommended for an enjoyable day where you don't have to hit off of rocks if your ball strays from the fairway. Thumbs up for the greens and bunkers, city views and friendly service. Thumbs down for the ever-visible cart path that seemed perpetually in play.

The Biltmore Links course plays 6300 yards from the tips, Par 71, 69.5/125 rating.

[fore_life]

Sweet, I went to high school right there at Camelback High but have yet to play the Biltmore. Ive heard that they are in bad shape financially but good to know the course is still in nice golf condition.

Did you book it off golfnow?

[fore_life]

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='fore_life' post='1864743' date='Aug 4 2009, 04:06 PM']Sweet, I went to high school right there at Camelback High but have yet to play the Biltmore. Ive heard that they are in bad shape financially but good to know the course is still in nice golf condition.

Did you book it off golfnow?[/quote]

Actually, I was playing in a charity scramble event, but you can book the Biltmore on Golfnow. Maybe not worth it in the high season, but a good pick right now at bargain summer rates.

Check out the Adobe course, an even more traditional core layout. The long history of that course (1928 Billy Bell design) was very close to an end as it nearly succombed to redevelopment pressures in the late 90's. Instead, the course was kept and the routing was altered to give up some land for development and at the same time a major renovation was performed by Forest Richardson.

[fatgolfer]

My problem is I shoot around 100 still, so lots of time in the sun. Anyone try one of those big floppy hats you can get wet?

[1-OFF GOLF]

Thanks for the post including Cave Creek, by far my favorite course on the north side and seems like just enough trees to not be in the way all the time. I'll be playing there Sunday, maybe Saturday.

Morgan

[fore_life]

Cool info Tom, I'll have to check it out. Im definately a fan of the older courses and Ive seen quite a bit of the course just by driving around in that area and getting up to no good hahaha. Ive seen it on golfnow for around 20 or 30. In your opinion, is it worth it to play there for that price considering Ocotillo and The Legacy are in the same price range?




PS has anyone played Aguila or Vistal lately? I know neither are shade courses, just wondering what the conditions are like this summer.

[amerza18]

+1 on Aguila, I've heard some good stuff about that course. Wonder what the prices are right now and what the conditions are like

[fore_life]

I know you can book aguila for $18 bucks off the city's website. Ive played ther before and next to papago, its the longest Phoenix Muni at 7037 yards with a rating of 72.4 and slope of 129 from the tips. It was in nice condition last summer and Ive wanted to get out there again, just need to go for it.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='fore_life' post='1865435' date='Aug 4 2009, 09:10 PM']Cool info Tom, I'll have to check it out. Im definately a fan of the older courses and Ive seen quite a bit of the course just by driving around in that area and getting up to no good hahaha. Ive seen it on golfnow for around 20 or 30. In your opinion, is it worth it to play there for that price considering Ocotillo and The Legacy are in the same price range?

PS has anyone played Aguila or Vistal lately? I know neither are shade courses, just wondering what the conditions are like this summer.[/quote]

Both courses at the Biltmore are pretty short. The Adobe only 6400 so that may affect your decision. While I haven't played it since the redo, I'd say it would be worth at least one play to see it for yourself.

While I like the Legacy OK, I'm not a fan of Ocotillo.

Haven't been out to Vistal or Aguila ever in the summer. I like both courses. Obviously they are not going to have the conditioning standards the upscale places have. Summertime for me is the time to play the courses that are out of my budget in the winter.

[fore_life]

I hear you about the price difference. Oddly enough, every time Ive played Vistal in the Summer, its been in decent condition but Ive never been pleased with the winter conditions.