Las Sandes vs Estrella vs Legend Trail vs Raven Verrado

[edg71908]

So we are heading out to AZ from MN in a couple weeks and Im wondering how to rank these courses? They all look nice, I would love any advice.

Pricewise they are all simular, distance doesnt matter. From reading on here do they rank in this order? We will play 2 of the four.

Thanks guys

 

1. Raven Verrado

2. Las Sandes

3. Estrella

4. Legend trail

[birdman72]

I would rank them:

1. Verrado
2. Estrella
3. Legend Trail
4. Las Sendes

[isaacbm]

[quote name='birdman72' timestamp='1299824021' post='3045794']
I would rank them:

1. Verrado
2. Estrella
3. Legend Trail
4. Las Sendes
[/quote]

Played 3 of them on the gateway tour. I would agree with this rating. Skip Las Sendas unless you have clubs that you don't mind if they look like they've been hit off of gravel. missed fairway = rocks. Estrella and Verrado are both good hard desert courses but I think they're a little more fair. Verrado has some of the nicest greens we played on tour.

[JJH]

I've only played Estrella and Verrado and they are both incredible courses. I'd give a slight edge to Estrella, but its close.

[teejaywhy]

I would echo Birdman's rankings.

All are cart-ball style real estate routings in nice foothill settings that feature native desert surroundings.

Verrado - best of the bunch, great mix of interesting holes, generous playing corridors, firm/fast conditioning. Very good restaurant as well.

Estrella and Legend Trail are a slight step below but stil pretty good.

Las Sendas - a visually stunning but very difficult course. Some interesting holes there but very unforgiving of even slightly wayward shots.


If great golf is your interest and you are not concerned about amenities (like no clubhouse...), check out Vista Verde. Built before the real estate bust, the surrounding development is on hold which means no homes to interfere with the views. Same price point as the others.

Enjoy your visit!

[edg71908]

Would you say Vista Verde is better than Estrella and Legend? I think they are all the same price point.
Thanks

[isaacbm]

Vista Verde is great! They're about 60 miles apart so if you're staying in the n.e. around scottsdale then play vista verde. Estrella is way s.w. side of the valley.

[edg71908]

We are staying in Tempe, so they are about the same distance apart. How would you rank the the two based on condition, layout, senery?
Thanks again

[BParis]

What price are they quoting you out at Vista Verde? I played there several times in mid February for $50 a round.

[DavePelz4]

Verrado also has pretty wide fairways and I'd consider it more of a second shot course. It's a great desert course. The last time I played there they had a 36 hole package with range balls and either breakfast/lunch or lunch/dinner and it was something like $75.00. And the restaurant is great...the bar overlooks the 18th hole and you can watch people finishing.

Las Sendas is a tough, tough track. As said if you're off the fairway you're in trouble. If these are your first rounds of the year, definitely start on Verrado. You won't be disappointed.

[edg71908]

Here is the line up (need help with the vista/estrella)

Day 1 - Raven Verrado
Day 2 - Vista Verde / Estrella (which is better condition, layout, senery)
Day3 - Superstition Mtn - prospector
Day 4 - Superstition Mtn - Lost gold

[isaacbm]

Also, the last time I played Vista, they still had no club house or cart going around the course. They built the place planning for real estate expansion the then the crash hit...

Course is great but not much for amenities.

Views are good at both...

[BParis]

[quote name='isaacbm' timestamp='1300024595' post='3051015']
Also, the last time I played Vista, they still had no club house or cart going around the course. They built the place planning for real estate expansion the then the crash hit...

Course is great but not much for amenities.

Views are good at both...
[/quote]

There still is no clubhouse. They have a nice range, but nothing else. The course pretty much stands on its own, and for the price, it is a great value.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I'm torn on that one Vista and Estrella are two of my favorites. You can't go wrong with either. If you are looking for amenities then go with estrella if it's pure golf then go with vista

[Bama_Rich]

[quote name='edg71908' timestamp='1299991988' post='3050511']
Here is the line up (need help with the vista/estrella)

Day 1 - Raven Verrado
Day 2 - Vista Verde / Estrella (which is better condition, layout, senery)
Day3 - Superstition Mtn - prospector
Day 4 - Superstition Mtn - Lost gold
[/quote]

I haven't played Vista Verde, but just played Estrella in late January and loved it! The last three holes provide unbelievable scenery!!

Here is a link to pictures from my trip. They include The Duke, Southern Dunes, GC of Estrella and Superstition Mountain.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=284773&id=501932179&l=07349c5872
Here's a link to video of my tee shots from GC of Estrella Hole 17 & 18 respectively.

Hole 17 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TziZS57EckA
Hole 18 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJnb3QJYk88

No matter what courses you choose, you'll have a blast!

[edg71908]

Bamma,
Thanks, Estrella looks top notch. I think that is the one I will go with. If you get a chance next time play superstition mountian. Last year we played it and it was in PGA tour condition. We played it after watching the accenture down in Tuscan and it was as nice if not better.
Thanks again, going in 6 days and counting!!!

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Btw the 17th at estrella is my favorite par 3 in town it make or break your round.