Vegas/Scottsdale Trip Advice

[C. Spackler]

I'm in the planning stages of a trip that will take me to both Las Vegas and Phoenix/Scottsdale for about 3 days at each location. I'd like to get, at least, 4 rounds in over the week (2 each location). Can anyone suggest any top notch courses that aren't the typical suburban courses that wind their way through countless subdivisions, true desert courses. I guess I'm looking to get away from it all and become one with nature...:rolleyes: . Any suggestions would be helpful.

[puttnforthe8]

Well for your AZ trip: Saguaro at WekoPa and Vista Verde....or if you don't mind the drive, The Rim in Payson or Quintero out past Lake Pleasant.

Whirlwind doesn't have houses, and it is a good course...but not 100% AZ golf...its "resort desert golf".

Troon North is partial houses and partial desert...so thats an option.

[sabram]

PHX - We-Ko Pa Saguaro & We-Ko-Pa Cholla, Southern Dunes and The South course at the Boulders. Four of my favorites. No way anyone would say these are typical suburban courses and little or no housing.

LV - The three Paiute courses, The Chase at Coyote Springs (50 min drive), 2 courses at Primm (40 min drive), Wolf Creek (80 min drive)

Photos (no houses)

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/557768692fBmMJz"]Wolf Creek[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/563720024mtsCgK"]We-Ko-Pa[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/579754338vryUaV"]Southern Dunes[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/572996717coTLEe"]The Chase[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/572988212ooOjZL"]Paiute[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/557826506HYlPLl"]Primm Lakes[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/557831461nMfftu"]Primm Desert[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/557662043DmPEmD"]The Boulders South Course[/url]

[C. Spackler]

Excellent information, guys. Thanks!

[teejaywhy]

Two thumbs up for We-Ko-Pa. 36 holes. No housing. Scenic desert foothill setting with great views. And great golf.

The Saguaro is my favorite public access course in the state.

[C. Spackler]

An unforeseen event has just recently reared its ugly face (no, not my wife) and I've been forced to shorten my trip. This means that I have to choose ONE of these two locations. I'll be arriving on a thursday evening and hoping to go 36, 36 and 9 before flying back sunday evening.

I've narrowed the courses down to the following:

LAS VEGAS/MESQUITE OPTION:

THURSDAY (EVE approx 5:00) - Arrive Las Vegas - Drive to Mesquite.
FRIDAY - Play Wolf Creek and Connestoga, return to Vegas area.
SATURDAY - Play (36) @ Paiute on Friday.
SUNDAY - Either play the 3rd @ Paiute or possibly TPC Las Vegas or The Badlands, I'm open for suggestions close to the airport.

PHOENIX/SCOTSDALE OPTION:

THURSDAY (EVE approx 4:00) - Arrive Phoenix. (If there's enough time, possibly play 18 ANYWHERE)
FRIDAY - Play both Troon North courses
SATURDAY - Play both WeKoPa courses.
SUNDAY - TPS Scotsdale (Stadium) or Grayhawk (Either Course)

My first and most important question to the resident experts is which of these options would you choose and which appears to be more "doable" and offer the best bang for my buck. I'm not that big into the casinos so that doesn't really play into my decision making. In terms of travel, traffic, course traffic, etc, which is a better option for a single (wife is visiting sister, I'm single for the weekend). Also, on Sunday, my departing flights would be approximately 3:00-3:30ish. Is that problematic for any of my sunday options? I'm looking at an early (7:00-8:00) t-time so would it be smart to play the Sunday round relatively close to the airport to avoid any possible delays. I'm thinking this might be more of an issue for Vegas with the weekend travelers.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I've never been to either spot so I'd be happy going to either but I'd like to make it as stress free as possible...not running from place to place on a deadline. Also, if you think you would have a better itinerary, by all means, please feel free to share. Thanks again!!!

[sabram]

Both trips are doable. The drive to Mesquite form McCarron Airport in Vegas is the biggest travel consideration, but I've done that and it's not a terrible drive. I haven't played Conestoga, but have played all of the others on your two lists and they are all top notch. The two We-Ko-Pa courses are my favorites in PHX and the Troon courses are nice too, but the Troon courses have housing, albeit very high end housing. Wolf Creek is an unforgettable course and as far as "eye candy", memorability and uniqueness it probably stands out from among all of the ones on your list. The three Paiute courses are excellent, although Sun Mtn and Snow Mtn are pretty similar to one another. The two TPC courses are the weaker links on each trip, but still pretty good. I'd suggest getting a price quote on both btrips and if one comes out materially less costly I'd do that one. It's likely they'll be fairly close in price nso you may have to flip a coin. You can always do the other one next year.

[puttnforthe8]

Please do not waste your time with TPC Scottsdale unless you just want to say you played it! Boulders, Raptor at Grayhawk, Vista Verde, Superstition Lost Gold, Dino Mtn. are much better choices.

If you get in around 4, you can get a round at Legacy or Raven South Mountain...15 min from the airport.

[C. Spackler]

Very good information, especially the Legacy round at arrival. One other question. I keep getting mixed reviews about Troon. While most everyone agrees that it is a great track, others have commented, like Sabram above, that there are too many homes on the course. I'm coming from Houston and have lived in Florida, so I'm very familiar with track/cookie cutter, albeit, high end homes that surround courses but is it something that takes away from the course and game play or is it just something that differentiates it from a typical desert course?

I agree with others that have mentioned that part of the enjoyment with some of these courses is the fact that you really are in the middle of no where an thats attraction to playing these desert/mountain courses..............becoming one with nature and the course...................without the kids jumping in the pool as you tee it up or someone cutting their yard as you attempt a birdie putt for your best round of your life. Thanks again, guys.

[teejaywhy]

As real estate courses go, Troon N is one of the better ones. While the housing is certainly there, it is not particularly intrusive. There is typically a good buffer of native areas and the large boulder outcroppings enhance the scenic experience. The property has some good natural movement to it as well.

Fact is, 95% of the golf development in AZ has occurred in the past 25 years and nearly every one has the real estate component. To find a core routing, you are left with a handful of the older courses and the newer ones built on tribal land.

I recommend Legacy over Raven @ S Mtn for a round close to the airport.

[Ping33]

Here is a non golf related tip. Watch your vehicle! Be careful where you park, even valet parking, especially in Vegas. And by all means possible try not to leave your clubs or any valuables in the car. Take them with you into your room or condo at night if possible. I don't have good luck out there in regards to vehicles, two thefts to date, they stole the vehicles, one was brand new $150,000.00 semi with the trailer. They nailed that in the time it took us to get down to our rental car and drive through the parking lot at Treasure Island, and a rental car was stolen in Phoenix. What a nightmare, and I am in no hurry to go back. Just be careful where you go, try to stay in the tourist areas and ask if you have any doubts regarding your safety. Not to sound like a p***y, or saying things are that bad out there, it's not Mexico, yet... Just watch yourselves and have fun.

[puttnforthe8]

AS TJY stated....AZ courses have houses on them...its just a matter of how many and positioning.

There are only a few that don't. Troon has a few holes with houses close by, but they do not take away from the course. Same with Boulders.

With the exception of all the Indian Res. courses and Vista Verde, everything else has homes.

[fore_life]

Papago is very close to the airport (take the 143 north to McDowell), and there are no houses,too.

[TML]

if you are not gambling, Scottsdale offers far better value and golfing ROI. Skip TPC and play one of the grayhawk courses.

[mflores]

Looks like you got some good ones

I just got back from a Scottsdale trip last weekend

. We Ko Pa rocks! Awesome courses, great staff - I can't say enough about the golf there - worth the trip alone. Cholla is more scenic and the other one is great also.

Troon North - so so for me. Played both and the greens were not in the best shape last weekend. Pace was so so - they get a lot of play. Not very scenic because of the houses - course design is great but just not my favorite.

Vista Verde - just pure golf - no clubhouse but a very nice course.

Have fun - grab some steaks at Mastro's after Troon