Best place to walk in Tucson

lostboy · September 20, 2006

Tired of carts

down in Tucson on business, but getting to play almost every day. We have been playing Tucson National, however, the cart thing is old. Any recommendations on a nice walking course? TIA

jmc · September 20, 2006

If you're staying on the north side of Tucson, there really aren't too many courses made for walking. There's Arthur Pack, or however it's spelled, but it's a muni course and is never in very good shape. Most of those courses are built around a community or resort.

If you head down towards the city, the Randolph golf complex is pretty decent. They have two 18 hole courses and the "Randolph" course is where the LPGA plays (played?) the Welch's. Easy to walk course.

If you can, go play the Gallery. You'll have to ride a cart, but I think it the best Tucson course. Esp the South course. On no. 9 from the tips, it's a 725 yd par 5. Greens are awesome...

Best of luck.

lostboy · September 20, 2006

Thanks for the heads up. Will check out the Randolph courses. Do you know the rough price range for the Gallery courses. Always a bit careful when they don't list rates. Photos are incredible though... May have to spring for it regardless...

jwh

jmc · September 20, 2006

Last I remember, the course was around $165ish. Probably depends on the time of day also. I've played a lot of courses all over, and I really have to say that The Gallery is easily in my top 3. They may still have some of the cheaper rates, since I seem to remember the "winter" golf season doesn't start until Oct. I think more so because most of the Tucson courses are desert courses and you have to shoot to a target area. The Gallery is a lot different.

But if you're looking for cheap, the Randolph complex is really pretty decent. Probabaly around $45ish for an out-of towner.

Shoot me a PM if you have any other questions.

Jeff

christoufr · September 20, 2006

I have lived in Scottsdale for the last 3 years, but formerly lived and played in Tucson since the mid 60s.

IMHO all the Munis are good walking courses. If you can stand to ride you must try Vistoso, and Arizona National (Raven), also Starr Pass, and La Paloma are wonderful desert courses. I hope you enjoy your time in Tucson.

lostboy · September 21, 2006

Wow. Wound up playing Arizona National today. Got my game handed to me by that course; shot a 96 and it easily could have been worse. Talk about target golf, OMG. Didn't realize until too late that it has a slope rating of 146 on a course of ~6800 yards from the tips!!! :cheesy: Too many blind tee shots, shots over the desert to small greens, and and way too many traps... Incredible views, tho... Well worth the $40 summer rates, and 10 lost balls :D

And, I thought the Tucson National Course was tough... :crazy:

Tomorrow, I am on for the Gallery South Course. $70 Summer Rate. It has a slope rating of 140, so it should be interesting...

Thanks for all the comments, definitely want to come back and play a bit better.

akap4surf · September 21, 2006

being born in tucson i'd have to say play randolph if you want to walk. But my favorite tucson course will always be ventana.

:D

jmc · September 21, 2006

Yeah, I think AZ National is a good course, but I just never really liked the whole desert target golf. I had one of the better rounds of my life there. I was -3 for the first 6 holes and then went to number 7 an got a triple bogey. I ended with a 76 from the whites, which was pretty damn good for me.

I usually went and played Randolph and would walk. It's cheap and a decent track, especially the Dell Urich course, and I lived about 5 mins away. Plus if it's hot out, you can get wasted on a can of beer. :D

Depending on how long you're staying.... (none are really walking courses)

Starr Pass was where the pros used to play the Tucson event. They've now added another 9 holes (27 total), and it's pretty nice too.

Heritage Highlands is a pretty good course, a little of a cross between The Gallery style and AZ National. The 13th hole is, I think, one of the stupidest holes in golf. The 14th tee is awesome.

Vistoso is nice and may still be under $70. The greens and the course are nice; the tee boxes are very hard.

I never had a chance to play Ventana, but that course looks super-tight. I've walked a couple of the holes when I had meetings at the hotel.

You can also try www.golf520.com to see if there are some cheaper rates on some of the places. If I just overlooked a Golfwrx sponsor then let me know and I'll edit.

Let me know what you think of The Gallery....