Trip to Ping Headquarters & golfing

[boycer]

Ok,

 

Never been to Phoenix before. I get to be fit at Ping on March 16th and was wondering where to stay and play from March 16th-18th. Any recommendations nice places to stay close to Ping headquarters or a golf resort close to Ping? Right now, not sure if the wife is going or a buddy. Any recommendations on fun places to eat/party/shop?

 

Thanks

[puttnforthe8]

Nothing in the immediate vicinity worth mentioning. Ping factory is up in the I17 area which is Industrial or older part of town. Plus not much to do in that area. The closest resort would be Pointe at Tapatio. Only one course though...and it is average.

You could stay up the I17 a bit(around 101 and I17) and hit Anthem and Quintero, but neither are "resorts".

You might as well head over towards scottsdale. There are multiple resorts that way. Boulders, Phoenecian, TPC, Kierland, etc. etc.

Nightlife, activities, shopping and dining will be in the Camelback or Scottsdale areas as well.

I recommend The Mission, Cowboy Ciao, Cafe Monarch for top eats. Kierland is good for shopping.

[boycer]

Ok, buddies cant go, so the wife is going with me and she doesnt golf. so I will need a nicer resort that has shopping around. not sure I will even play a course now. :-(

Guessing it will be nice enough to hang out by the pool around March 16th?

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='boycer11' timestamp='1329330381' post='4291651']
Ok, buddies cant go, so the wife is going with me and she doesnt golf. so I will need a nicer resort that has shopping around. not sure I will even play a course now. :-(

Guessing it will be nice enough to hang out by the pool around March 16th?
[/quote]


I would strongly consider Whirlwind then. They have 2 courses, a spa, 3-4 good restaurants, Casino, pools, nice area.

You could get a round in on one of the courses and sen the wife to AJI spa...she would be thrilled! Then dinner at Kai....that may get you a second round on the other course.

It is quick enough up to Scottsdale for the shopping stuff that staying down southeast is not that big of a deal. There is the standard shopping in the East Valley with 2 huge malls and some nice strip centers.

You could do Kierland as well.

Have fun.

[boycer]

Looks like a busy time of year. Seems like a few off the hotels are all booked.

[OlyJay]

The Four Season's @ Troon .




Splurge a bit and relax poolside and if you want to golf , the courses are very nice .

It's in the North Scottsdale area . Pinnacle peak is very close if you like to hike , You can drive up to Cave Creek Area and hit up the Buffalo Chips Saloon for some fun at night , a few beers and the bull riding is good entertainment .

Enjoy the Sun while you are there .

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='boycer11' timestamp='1329357152' post='4294829']
Looks like a busy time of year. Seems like a few off the hotels are all booked.


[/quote]

Spring Training

[boycer]

What do you guys think about the Biltmore?

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='boycer11' timestamp='1329455598' post='4306075']
What do you guys think about the Biltmore?
[/quote]

For staying or playing?

Never stayed there, so I can't comment. I've heard it's nice.

As for playing:

The Links Course: awful
The Adobe Course: Historic from the standpoint, it was one of the early courses in town. Recently renovated. Dead flat, parkland style course that would give you absolutely no flavor of Arizona golf.

[Pleasedwith3putts]

I did something similar last year and since my flight was scheduled quite late, I just stayed in one of the local hotels for about $80 all up which was adequate. You are then 400 yards from the factory which is open for collections from 6.30AM and fittings start at 7.30. Figured there was zero point dropping $300+ on that first night at a resort (I was staying at Scottsdale Princess which is lovely) when I was liteally just going to be sleeping there for 7 hours and the saving funded an extra purchase. Just something to think about

[boycer]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Just kind of looking for something to make it like a getaway weekend for the wife to enjoy also. I am getting a VIP fitting thanks to Mike Gallager at Ping, so I have a 8:30 appt. He is recommending the Sherton right now close to Ping. Or the Mission Palms.

The Biltmore was kind of close to everything like shopping and resturants for the wife. Not even sure I will play a round of golf. Biltmore was $279, but seemed kind of upidy for me. :-)

Fourseasons at Toon was all booked as well.

[pearls24]

Can anyone schedule fittings at Ping? I am heading to Scottsdale the end of this month and would consider getting fit for the new I20 driver. Thx!

[southpaw72]

[quote name='pearls24' timestamp='1330656094' post='4415903']
Can anyone schedule fittings at Ping? I am heading to Scottsdale the end of this month and would consider getting fit for the new I20 driver. Thx!
[/quote]

No. Its a first come first serve basis. You can call ahead and see what the wait time would be if you have limited time to fit it in.

[pearls24]

Thx. Do you know how busy they tend to get during week days?

[tesuquegolfer]

I was not overly impressed with my driver fitting a few years ago. For one, it was indoor and the guy I worked with didn't seem that interested in spending too much time, and he tried to send me off with a few drivers to try/borrow at a nearby range. I went 10+ years ago for iron fitting and was surprised to say they hadn't changed their setup much in that time. Unless they have changed a lot recently, I would say it is very weak for one of the top club manufacturers in the business.

The LPGA is playing at Desert Ridge on the border of Phoenix and Scottsdale that weekend. I am planning to be there Wed-Sat from NM. I am staying at a Marriott not to far from the Tourney. If you are looking to experience desert style golf, I would recommend Greyhawk (~$200) or WeKoPa ($185) , both have 2 courses and are fabulous in my opinion. I have played the course someone mentioned above at the Hilton Tapatio Cliffs, Lookout Mountain. I thought it was okay and in great shape when I played,. In fact, it was entirely overseeded inc. the rough which is unusual for a lot of courses in the area where they typically only overseed the fairways. Mid range courses will probably be over $150 right now as it is peak season with Troon and TPC well over $200. Check golfnow.com or ezlinks.com for deals. Once you figure out where you want to play, take a look at the map for hotels and freeway access. Phoenix is pretty big and spread out. I like the NE corner of the 101 freeway in Scottsdale as it is a nice area with lots of good golf nearby. Good luck and enjoy.

[boycer]

Wow, I didnt realize the LPGA was their that weekend. No wonder why everything was booked.

I booked a room at the Biltmore for Thurs-Sun. I might need to check out the LPGA event with the wife.

Anybody recommend any sportsbars in the area. March madness weekend also.

[teejaywhy]

Don't know about any specific sports bars but I don't think you will have trouble finding one. Just south of the Biltmore is the intersection of 24th St and Camelback. East and west of this intersection on Camelback is quite populated with shopping, restaurants and nightclubs.

1 mi east is Tarbell's - a nice place for dinner. Adjacent is a cool liquor store called The Sportsman that has a bar area with wines and beers by the glass and some great snacks.

[fore_life]

Also try dlux on 32st and camelback, northwest corner. Postino on 40th st and campbell is really good too