Surviving High Season in Phoenix

[moxie]

Cheap arse over here.

Greetings all,

I just began playing this year, and I have really been enjoying the off season.I try to play 2-4 rounds a week if I can, which is relatively affordable this time of year, which brings me to my question.

I would like to keep up this rate of play if at all possible, or close to it, during the peak golfing season.
Since we have so many experienced members here I wanted to ask how everyone else keeps their costs down.
Is the SWPGA pass worth it? Troon Card? Eagle Card? Bribing the staff? Sneaking on as a walker?

I intend to walk as much as possible when the temps drop, so I know that can save me money, just want to start planning now so I don't sticker shock and disappointment.

Thanks for any input!

[One_Putt_Blunder]

IMO the passes are only worth it if you get multiple free rounds out of it such as the Eagle card that used to get you 6 free rounds one each at the eagle courses. The Troon card is probably the best of the bunch $10 replay rounds, but it is also the most expensive and the courses are the most expensive. The cards themselves dont provide much of a discount vs what you can pay on golfnow so outside of the replay deal with the Troon card the only real value is the free rounds.
Personally I drive more in the winter to play better courses for lower prices. GC of estrella has been reasonable in the winter, vista verde used to be more reasonable in the winter but went up this year. TPC champions walking rate of $50 was another hidden deal. I just stick with the golfnow hotdeals and book the best course I can in the $40-$50 range even if I have to drive further.

[moxie]

I figured that might be the case, especially since no one is really upfront about the actual pricing in season with the card.
Makes it difficult to do the math and determine if you would actually save money.

I wish I could just retire, then I would become a member somewhere and play at least once a day. Hah.

Appreciate the reply.

[quarterskins]

I've only got one high season under my belt. In the East Valley, the best rates I found in Jan, Feb, Mar, and early April were the 8am and 12:30pm shotgun starts at Apache Wells for $39, which included a sleeve, usually Pinnacle Golds (which really isn't a bad ball), and afternoons at Las Colinas ($39) and Johnson Ranch (about $45 on GolfNow, IIRC). Also, the late in the day walking rate at Augusta Ranch is always tough to beat. Right now it's $5. I don't recall what it was in the winter, but it was likewise comparably cheap. It's a par 64, but the surfaces are usually quite good.

[fore_life]

This will be my first high season since I've been playing golf again (3 years) that I have not had a membership somewhere. I gave up my membership at ahwatukee 2 months ago, but man, for winter time, it was a killer deal. $200/month, unlimited range balls, golf at club west, the duke, the lakes, and ahwatukee cc. If I played more than 4 times a month in the winter, it saved me money. In the summer though, you've got to play like an animal to make it worth it, and with me now being a full time student, it just wasn't happening like before.

That being said, I plan on joining Shalimar executive course when rates shoot up, that way I can still play alot of golf during the week, and maybe one or two nice spendy rounds per month, still keeping my total cost per month under $200.

As far as memberships go, I know Mesa CC has a zero initiation, month to month trial membership for $200.

Municipal courses keep golf affordable, but they are also pretty packed



The Gold Card from Ahwatukee golf properties is nice because not only does is offer discounted rates at the duke, club west, and ahwatukee, but also all ob sports courses such as longbow, wekopa, the raven @ south mountain, as well as courses up in Prescott, as well as out of state tracks,too. It's kind of like the poor mans Troon Card lol.