Longbow in Mesa AZ

[SpinMill75]

Nice course or?

Headed down to the desert in a few weeks and have been looking at this course online. I've never played it before and am considering it due to the fact that its close to where I'll be staying......

Any thoughts? Good, bad, or? Is there another course I should be looking at in that area instead? Already played Gold Canyon.

Thanks!

[StarFleetGolfer]

It is a good desert course. In the east I prefer Wekopa, Superstition Mountain, Las Sendas, and Gold canyon in that order.

[teejaywhy]

Good course. My favorite in the southeast valley. Good mix of holes, great conditioning, generous off the tee, treacherous greens. A core golf course without housing intrusion. One detractor would be it is adjacent to the Mesa Falcon Field airport, so planes will be buzzing overhead.

Can't say it's a good value at the rack rate of $140, there are better places to play at that price point but you can typically get a discount rate around $75.

[SpinMill75]

[quote name='tjy355' timestamp='1300196229' post='3056911']
Good course. My favorite in the southeast valley. Good mix of holes, great conditioning, generous off the tee, treacherous greens. A core golf course without housing intrusion. One detractor would be it is adjacent to the Mesa Falcon Field airport, so planes will be buzzing overhead.

Can't say it's a good value at the rack rate of $140, there are better places to play at that price point but you can typically get a discount rate around $75.
[/quote]


Hi tjy355,

Thanks for the info. I would be getting the $75 rate if I choose to play there.
Would there be a better course in the price point in that area?
I'm open to suggestions.....

Thanks, Spin

[CG05]

I like gold canyon, superstition, and ocotillo better. It's not a bad course though.

[teejaywhy]

Check the threads in the Golf Course Reviews, Resorts and Travel > Southwest sub-forum including the pinned topic "Travelling to Phoenix ..."

Some good info. I might have even posted a more detailed review of Longbow somewhere in there... (?)

You can find some good golf for $75 or less in high season but the better courses are far flung about the valley.

My idea of what makes a good course may differ from many, I look at design factors and golf values more than conditioning and peripheral elements.

[drake47]

Las Sendas is really close, it is always in great shape, but is much more challenging than Long Bow. I also agree with the other poster, the planes over Long Bow can get very annoying. Check golfnow.com for deals at Las Sendas.

[hbear]

at full pop, longbow is not worth it.
As posted, Las Sendes is a MUCH better play.

Overall not a bad track, but there are better.
Howeve for $75, I think you are is good shape.

[teejaywhy]

Las Sendas is certainly worth a play, but not something I would visit often. If you are a very good golfer, you may enjoy the challenge, if you are of average skills, it is more like several kicks in the nuts. It is a real estate routing with desert buffer and there are many holes with little room for error. Some very good holes for sure, but quite penal IMHO. Longbow is more fun to play and it's walkable if you like that.

A very good value and a good course is the Mesa city muni Dobson Ranch. Not comparable to the upscale courses but very well maintained for a muni course.

Gold Canyon Dinosaur is mostly about the views and expensive this time of the year. Sidewinder - don't bother.
Superstition Mountain is a private that accepts public play, two pretty good courses, but nothing super special.
Red Mountain Ranch is another private accepting public play, A Pete Dye layout that is quite interesting, quirky, target style, wild greens.
Whirlwind has 36 holes, nice amenities and conditioning (Troon managed), courses are mostly forgettable but fun to play.
Superstition Springs is OK, traditional layout (not desert)
Beyond these, the quality drops off if you're staying in the south east valley.