Arizona golf near the airport

[yahtzee]

6 of us flying into PHO mid-December and looking to play an midday round on a Monday. Ideally, would like to be near the airport in the interest of time and would like something memorable. Suggestions?

[puttnforthe8]

Depends what you consider close.

But within 10-15 minutes you have Legacy, Raven at South Mountain, Papago, ASU Karsten.

Within 20-25 min You have Red Mountain Ranch(private with a few public times open daily), Las Sendas, Talking Stick and Longbow.

courses above ranked:

Red Mountain
Las Sendas
Legacy
Raven
Talking Stick
Longbow, Papago, ASU

If you are able for a 30 minute jaunt then there is much more on offer.

[greekoneaz]

Grayhawk 25 Minutes as well as the TPC and Wildfire at Desert Ridge. like previous poster said Raven at S Mountain is good.. good luck use Golfnow.com

[teejaywhy]

Of those mentioned (all very close to the airport), nothing particularly memorable.

Raven @ S. Mountain - not one of my favorites at all, in fact, a totally forgettable layout that is always kept soggy. The pine tree motif is totally out of character.

The Legacy - Literally next door to the Raven, and designed by the same guy (Gary Panks), the Legacy plays much more firm and fast and thereby more enjoyable golf IMHO. Again, not a particularly memorable layout, it is still a solid course and typically in great shape. Service and amenities at a high level.

Papago - City of Phoenix municipal that underwent a several million dollar renovation last year. Total new irrigation system, new tees, greens, bunkers and fairways. The private entity hired to do the renovation and operate the course ran out of money so while the playing surfaces are in great shape, the infrastructure and periphery still has the muni feel. Papago is a solid course that is a great lay of the land routing that makes wonderful use the natural terrain. Nice views of the city and the nearby colorful rock buttes. Normally I would recommend it to everyone, HOWEVER, the business model the new operators tried to implement is the one in use at Torrey Pines, BethPage Black, etc... (reasonable rates for the locals, gouge the tourists). Unfortunately, without the finished infrastructure there is no way I can recommend anyone pay the out of town rack rate. If you can play it for $60 or less, I would give it two thumbs up.

30-45 minute drive brings a lot of other courses into play.

[fore_life]

People always overlook vistal which is probably about a 15 min drive from the airport and a pretty decent desert layout. Weekday teetimes can be made for UNDER 30 BUCKS via golfnow. I havent played it since overseed, but Ive heard its in solid shape right now. Its not going to be on the same level of Troon courses, but its a good layout that has good mountain views, very affordable, and very close to the airport.


Review with pics:
[url="http://arizona.twoguyswhogolf.com/reviews/vistal.html"]http://arizona.twoguyswhogolf.com/reviews/vistal.html[/url]



WEBSITE:
[url="http://www.vistalgolfclub.com/"]http://www.vistalgolfclub.com/[/url]

[steverinoarizona]

May be too late for you but Whirlwind is a pretty fast ride from the airport and has two very nice courses on the reservation (no houses alongside the course).

[golfermatt]

[quote name='fore_life' post='2102539' date='Dec 4 2009, 06:16 AM']People always overlook vistal which is probably about a 15 min drive from the airport and a pretty decent desert layout. Weekday teetimes can be made for UNDER 30 BUCKS via golfnow. I havent played it since overseed, but Ive heard its in solid shape right now. Its not going to be on the same level of Troon courses, but its a good layout that has good mountain views, very affordable, and very close to the airport.


Review with pics:
[url="http://arizona.twoguyswhogolf.com/reviews/vistal.html"]http://arizona.twoguyswhogolf.com/reviews/vistal.html[/url]



WEBSITE:
[url="http://www.vistalgolfclub.com/"]http://www.vistalgolfclub.com/[/url][/quote]

Vistal is very much a desert course. It has the tenancy to eat me and my golf balls alive

[fore_life]

Yeah I hear that, especially hole number 5 or 6(the one that plays towards the mountain with like ZERO room behind it). Fun layout, I just wish it was ran by a managing firm that would keep it in great condition.