Phoenix, Vegas, Somewhere else?

[razz11]

Getting a trip together for the end of February/March and would enjoy a few opinions. We are from Montana and flights are cheap to AZ and NV so it's between those two. Which place would be best for weather and value courses (price vs condition)? We would like to play a top of the line course or two, but the rest would be cheaper since it is a week trip. I'm thinking Phoenix obviously for weather, but who knows. Where would you guys recommend and if you could list some courses that would be great. Appreciate any opinions, thanks!

[rvgolfer]

Unless you plan to play 36 holes each day, I'd suggest Las Vegas. More things to do when you aren't playing golf.

[Par Fore]

Mesquite is about perfect that time of year. a little slower than Vegas, but you can still gamble, and the courses are close together so you can play 36/day with out much travel. IMO you're not going to get a day of 36 holes much better than Wolf Creek and whereever else you choose to play.

[mljones99]

Vegas, easily.

[dgrelecki]

Phoenix easily. It's very common for Vegas to be in the 30's through the early morning in February. So, if you want to get max golf in, choose Phoenix/Scottsdale. Vegas isn't a good golf trip, it's a GREAT guys trip. Phoenix you can hit up some top tier courses, and some very cool value courses as well. Vegas really just don't have that many "value" courses.

Really, why not do both? It's only about a 4.5 hour drive??

[jabrch]

Vegas golf is much more expensive than Scottsdale. You have fewer options in Vegas. And transportation from the strip to the courses is expensive. I'm not saying that it isn't good golf - it's just expensive. For me, if my sole intent was golf (36 a day, dinner, a few drinks, and a nap to get ready for an early morning tee time the next day) I'd do Scottsdale. Plenty of facilities with two courses - so you can easily get in two rounds, on different courses, have a bit in between, and not be rushing....or dealing with the inevitable issues that spending all night in a casino/bar/club cause to my golf game.

The "cheaper" golfcourses in Vegas are awful relative to the cheaper options in Scottsdale/Phoenix. The top tier - both rock.

If you go to Vegas, don't miss Bali Hai. That would be your more expensive course - and it is right on the strip. But it is absolutely awesome. Splurge on a caddie there - since it will be your more expensive round, and really savor what that course is.

If you do Phoenix/Scottsdale, I'd play 2 at WeKoPa (moderately priced), 2 at Grayhawk, and I'd play Westin Kierland. I'd AVOID the Phoenician and the Stadium Course at TPC. Both are way overpriced for what they are. If you want to play just one round one day, the coolest thing in the area is going up to Sedona and playing Sedona Golf Club. It's simply awesome. It is a 2 hr drive...but well worth it. If you are a photographer, PLEASE bring your camera and post pics back...I never get tired of seeing people's interprestation of the Red Rocks Mountains and a golf course playing into them.

Seriously - if this is a golf trip, I'd do Arizona. If it's a buddies, get messed up, drink, gamble, ho around, and play some golf, then you can't go wrong with Vegas.

[dgrelecki]

In Scottsdale/Phoenix:

Troon North Courses (I prefer Pinnacle)
We-Ko-Pa - Absolutely Gorgeous, and not a house on it (and a casino on site)
Gold eagle Dinosaur - Cool elevation, etc.

Value:
TPC (not the stadium course)
Lookout Mountain

(Sorry, I'll update later...have a meeting to hop into...gotta work some times!)

[Hateto3Putt]

I vote for Vegas.

Lots of golf and you can win the greens fees back at the dice table!. Plus, the list of "other" stuff to do is never, ever ending. If you've never been there, and you're from Montana, it will really blow your mind. (for the record, my Sister used to teach in Baker Montana, I drove her out there), that's about the prettiest state on the planet (in the summer!)

No matter where you go you'll need to rent a car (forget taxis on a golf trip). I swear by the car rental site AUTOSLASH.com. I've used them numerous times at several locations and they always find the best rates. You book your trip (no credit card required to book, except in very few locations). Then they find and add deals, coupons, and price changes to your original rental. Last time I was in Vegas, my weekly rental started out at $185, by the time I landed the price was slashed (get it?) to $67. FOR A WEEK. The price dropped 5 times between the time I booked and the time I traveled. For the record, you pay nothing until you're at the car rental counter.

Rereading the above it looks like a sales pitch but I assure you I have no affiliation with that site whatsoever, I'm just a truly satisfied repeat customer.

Don't get me wrong Phoenix rocks, but whether you're going with just the guys, or non golfing spouses, Vegas has everything you're looking for!

Good luck.

[razz11]

Thanks for all the info so far guys. I'll start off by saying that we have all been to Vegas. This group has no problem making our own fun and we enjoy pretty much any place we go. Honestly it might be better to avoid Vegas for a golf trip. Anyways keep the suggestions rolling in. What's the weather usually like in AZ this time of year vs. Vegas?

[jabrch]

Weather shouldn't be much a problem. AZ should be in the low 70s. Vegas in the low 60s.

It all depends on what you want to do besides golf... Sounds like you aren't looking for the gambling and the all night Vegas thing. Even if you are, there is gambling in AZ (You can stay at We Ko Pa or go there at night if you want to gamble)

I'd do AZ if golf was the primary consideration on the trip.

[Reidman]

+1 on Mesquite/St. George. Top notch golf...and a Vegas feel (gambling) without having to deal with....you know....Vegas.

Must plays:

Wolf Creek (Mesquite)
Conestoga (Mesquite)
Sand Hollow (St. George)
Coral Canyon (St. George)
The Ledges (St. George)

also a new one near Mesquite called Coyote something...have not played but gets lots of love on this site.

[Hammer99]

We do an Oct trip where we fly into Vegas. Rent cars and head to Mesquite. Play wolf creek and conestoga. Head into Utah and play coral canyon and sand hollow. Then catch coyote springs on way back into Vegas. Then Bali hai in Vegas.

My fave courses of these are sand hollow and coyote springs

[ceyoung]

[quote name='jabrch' timestamp='1326125310' post='4050339']
If you do Phoenix/Scottsdale, I'd play 2 at WeKoPa[b] (moderately priced)[/b],

[/quote]

Not sure what you consider 'moderate' but I'm guessing coming from Montana for a round of golf it's not $185-205. [url="http://wekopa.com/rates-and-packages/green-fees/"]http://wekopa.com/rates-and-packages/green-fees/[/url]
I hear WeKoPa is awesome though and worth the money.

See here for the Phoenix list that was put together and is very good. Pretty much tells you everything you need to know.
[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/179150-traveling-to-phoenixsome-course-info-for-you/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...e-info-for-you/[/url]


I recently played with a guy who does a Mesquite trip every year. Sounds like a good trip to me if all you want to do is play golf, hangout and drink with your buddies.

[jabrch]

I didn't think it was that expensive...my bad.

[razz11]

You guys are complicating things! Haha. Thought Phoenix was the way to go, but Mesquite sounds like a good trip. CEYOUNG you pretty much hit it on the head. All we really want out of this trip is golf, beers, and to get out of town. We definitely do not need Vegas to party all night, and the more I think about it I kind of want to avoid that. Our last trip to Vegas was... well, Vegas. Thanks again everyone!

[5 O'Clock Charlie]

Phoenix -

Papago (City course ~ $60, a great value)
Dove Valley Ranch ~ $75
The Sanctuary ~ Got comped, but I think they are around $80

That was March 2011

Edit - Someone else mentioned Look Out Mountain. It's $75, but I would actually play Papago twice (or Dove Valley) before I went back to Look Out Mountain. Or go sight-seeing. Lol Last couple holes were all ripped up. Plus there is a gay par 3 (I think it's #9) It's short and stupid.

[kg92lefty]

[quote name='dgrelecki' timestamp='1326125104' post='4050325']
It's very common for Vegas to be in the 30's through the early morning in February.
[/quote]

not even

[quote name='Reidman' timestamp='1326207846' post='4055443']
+1 on Mesquite/St. George. Top notch golf...and a Vegas feel (gambling) without having to deal with....you know....Vegas.

Must plays:

Wolf Creek (Mesquite)
Conestoga (Mesquite)
Sand Hollow (St. George)
Coral Canyon (St. George)
The Ledges (St. George)
[b]
also a new one near Mesquite called Coyote something...have not played but gets lots of love on this site.[/b]


[/quote]

coyote springs. highly recommend it but it is 45 to an hour out of town...

[sabram]

Link to photo album of Coyote Springs: The Chase at Coyote Springs Pix

 

Coyote Springs #2 -Par 5 from tee

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='5 O'Clock Charlie' timestamp='1326255628' post='4062737']

Edit - Someone else mentioned Look Out Mountain. It's $75, but I would actually play Papago twice (or Dove Valley) before I went back to Look Out Mountain. Or go sight-seeing. Lol Last couple holes were all ripped up. Plus there is a gay par 3 (I think it's #9) It's short and stupid.
[/quote]

I nominate this post for the course review hall of fame.

[jabrch]

[quote name='razz11' timestamp='1326255490' post='4062713']
You guys are complicating things! Haha. Thought Phoenix was the way to go, but Mesquite sounds like a good trip. CEYOUNG you pretty much hit it on the head. All we really want out of this trip is golf, beers, and to get out of town. We definitely do not need Vegas to party all night, and the more I think about it I kind of want to avoid that. Our last trip to Vegas was... well, Vegas. Thanks again everyone!
[/quote]


Seriously - if you end up doing Arizona, try to make time for Sedona Golf Resort. It very well could be the prettiest golf course I have ever played.

[url="http://www.sedonagolfresort.com/sites/courses/custom2.asp?id=998&page=57233"]http://www.sedonagol...=998&page=57233[/url]

And it plays up at about 4000 feet above sea level - so you can rip the ball when you hit it right.

The par 3 #10 is as picturesque as any hole I have ever played.

[putts4bogey]

Mesquite, NV has nice courses and a little post-golf fun as well.

[Par Fore]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1326262951' post='4063331']
[quote name='dgrelecki' timestamp='1326125104' post='4050325']
It's very common for Vegas to be in the 30's through the early morning in February.
[/quote]

not even

[quote name='Reidman' timestamp='1326207846' post='4055443']
+1 on Mesquite/St. George. Top notch golf...and a Vegas feel (gambling) without having to deal with....you know....Vegas.

Must plays:

Wolf Creek (Mesquite)
Conestoga (Mesquite)
Sand Hollow (St. George)
Coral Canyon (St. George)
The Ledges (St. George)
[b]
also a new one near Mesquite called Coyote something...have not played but gets lots of love on this site.[/b]


[/quote]

coyote springs. highly recommend it but it is 45 to an hour out of town...
[/quote]

I have never played in Vegas, and have only played Talking Stick in the Pheonix area. Any of the courses mentioned in Mesquite/ St. Geroege area blows Talking Stick away. I go with my buddies to Mesquit every January, that last weekend of the month and we have never not played because of the weather. we do have some occasional chilly starts but days in the mid to upper 60's are far more common, so end of Feb/March you will be looking at temps in the upper 60's to low 70's. and I don't think that you will play a better group of courses so close together than what you will get an Mesquite. Go to golfmesquite.com or redrockgolftrail.com and you will get all the help you need setting up a trip. No traffic, great courses, wonderful weather, it's great. and whoever says that Vegas has lows in the 30's in march, I'm not sure that there is a month out of ther year that the average low is 30.