Phoenix Golf course recommendations

[Poser]

We are having our annual meeting this month and I was looking for a couple courses at a reasonable rate to play. We are staying at the McCormick golf ranch so the closer the better too. I would love to play Troon but, I'm sure it's expensive. Really want to play a desert style course.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='fuab' timestamp='1326210126' post='4055631']
We are having our annual meeting this month and I was looking for a couple courses at a reasonable rate to play. We are staying at the McCormick golf ranch so the closer the better too. I would love to play Troon but, I'm sure it's expensive. Really want to play a desert style course.
[/quote]

Check out the Southwest section of the "Courses, Memberships & Travel" subforum. Lots of course reviews and recommendations.

Yes, Troon North is expensive, along with the TPC the two most expensive daily fee courses in town.

What is a "reasonable" rate that you are willing to pay? The best in town IMO is We-Ko-Pa Saguaro @ $185, about 60% of what Troon N costs. But you can find great golf for less than $100 as well.

[Poser]

Was looking for around 60-80 bucks.

[fairwayallday]

I played a few when I went out including Wekopa. In that range try vista verde. That place was as good as most of the courses I played during my stay, except wekopa.

[MyBluC4]

[b][size="3"]Raven, Phoenix, Arizona[/size][/b]
Just got back from a business trip in Phoenix. Caught an early round at Raven Golf Club. Easy to get to from town. Absolutely great experience.
The course is beautiful, beautifully maintained and fun to play. From the tips the yardage is 7078 with a 72.8/130 rating. Not to shabby for a desert location. We played the Championship tees at 6722 yards with a 70.5/125 slope.
The course was designed by David Graham and Gary Panks (two of the best) and carries a big time 4.5 star rating from Golf Digest. It's like playing a parkland course in the middle of the desert. Fabulous desert views and vegitation, with lush fairways, large greens and plenty of pine trees. The service was top notch. Even the lunch in the grill room was very good.
Priced at $110 a round including cart and practice balls, Raven is a quality value all around

[teejaywhy]

Given your criteria of a desert course and a budget of $60-80, you will need to drive a little bit. 30-40 minutes will get you to some nice places. Prices are from golfnow.com

+1 on the Vista Verde recommendation. Best combination of good course and value price (~$65). Not the place to visit if you desire "amenities" like a nice clubhouse because there is not one. Built as part of a real estate development just as the market tanked, the infrastructure and housing are on hold but a very nice golf course is there. This would be the farthest drive ~50 min from McCormick Ranch.

My second recommendation is Sunridge Canyon. A fairly stern test but a good layout. A real estate routing, but in a nice natural canyon setting with great native desert surroundings (boulders, etc) (~$80) ~30 minute drive

Third would be the TPC Champions course. This would be a manufactured course (i.e. built with a bulldozer and "re-vegetated"), but a nice walkable core routing, fun to play and a reasonable price (~$60 weekdays, ) ~20 minute away

One more recommendation: If the words "Coore & Crenshaw" have any significance to you and you are willing to bump up your budget to ~$100 - Talking Stick North. Actually, on golfnow you can find the occasional $75 tee time. ~10 minutes away.

[Poser]

Thanks guys

[fairwayallday]

I was disapponted with both courses at talking stick. Another one to consider, may have to use golfnow to get the rate down, would be longbow. I tried to get on there but never could, heard a lot of great things though

[fore_life]

Longbow is awesome! Ive yet to play talking stick but always agree and trust Tjy's opinions.

Raven for 110 is way too much IMO

[CMUgol4]

To all the AZ guys, my brother and I are looking at playing We-Ko-Pa amongst others around mid-May. Is there any concerns with maintenance at that time? Just don't want to plan a trip and be playing punched greens for 4 days. Thanks in advance for all the advice!

[MileHighClub]

I visit family in Phoenix several times each year and have found some great deals at GolfNOW and EZ Links (even in season). Was there in mid December and played Arizona Grand and Vistal each for $35 including cart. Those are two nice courses, although nothing spectacular. You should be able to find some good deals if you don't mind driving a bit.

[Olson12]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1326338347' post='4069243']
Longbow is awesome! Ive yet to play talking stick but always agree and trust Tjy's opinions.

Raven for 110 is way too much IMO
[/quote]


Mark I had the pleasure of playing raven a few weeks ago with the owners of my company. I was in the best shape i have ever seen it. Since the new company took over and they did some major renovations. They gutted all the bunkers and filled with new sand. took out alot of the excess vegitation. The greens were perfect and rolling at a good fast pace. For someone vistiting from out of state if $100 is within your price range I would recomend Raven. The best part is how they space the groups. They don't call the next group to the tee until the group in front of them is off of #1 green. This is probably why the rates are on the high side.

[tnord]

I played Troon North for $100 in August.....freaking awesome. one of my top 5 favorites.

I thought Eagle Mountain was great for the $50 I paid for it also in August, might fit your $60-$80 criteria.

[jabrch]

[quote name='MyBluC4' timestamp='1326311012' post='4066479']
[b][size="3"]Raven, Phoenix, Arizona[/size][/b]
Just got back from a business trip in Phoenix. Caught an early round at Raven Golf Club. Easy to get to from town. Absolutely great experience.
The course is beautiful, beautifully maintained and fun to play. From the tips the yardage is 7078 with a 72.8/130 rating. Not to shabby for a desert location. We played the Championship tees at 6722 yards with a 70.5/125 slope.
The course was designed by David Graham and Gary Panks (two of the best) and carries a big time 4.5 star rating from Golf Digest. It's like playing a parkland course in the middle of the desert. Fabulous desert views and vegitation, with lush fairways, large greens and plenty of pine trees. The service was top notch. Even the lunch in the grill room was very good.
Priced at $110 a round including cart and practice balls, Raven is a quality value all around


[/quote]

The best thing about Raven is that it is also the home of Martin Chuck - so you can get a chance to meet the creator of the Tour Striker! Next trip to AZ, this is on my agenda - hopefully along with a lesson from him. He's been so helpful on-line for free, I can't imagine what a few hours with him might do for me.

[xjohnx]

Another to look at within your price range is Legend Trail. Awesome course in great shape.

[drake47]

[quote name='tnord' timestamp='1326383380' post='4071139']
I played Troon North for $100 in August.....freaking awesome. one of my top 5 favorites.

I thought Eagle Mountain was great for the $50 I paid for it also in August, might fit your $60-$80 criteria.
[/quote]

These prices will not happen during the "high" winter-early spring season.