Phoenix Area Course Conditions - 2012

[Major9000]

[quote name='moxie' timestamp='1345825567' post='5527684']
[u][b]Boulders - North Course, Carefree, AZ: August 23rd, 2012[/b][/u]
$45 plus fees from GolfNow. Teed off around 2:30 with a threesome of my buddies. What an excellent day. The weather really took a turn for the better so it was hot but humidity was down so it wasn't a sweat fest. The course conditioning was great. It has rained 1.5" over night so the course was playing quite damp. That said the greens still played nicely even though they were a touch soggy, which has to be a sign of good conditioning overall. The bunkers where in fantastic shape. The one I found my self in on the first par 3 had very large grain sand which I had never seen before, we had no problem making shots out of them all day though. There were a few patches here and there that were in rough shape, but it never detracted from play. I found the course to be fun and relatively forgiving for a "Desert Golf" style course.
[/quote]

Going to be there in a few weeks, great to har the courses are in good shape despite the heat!

[moxie]

Cheap season has just about come to a close, but i wanted to share my last round.

[b]Whirlwind - Cattail - Sept. 28 - $60[/b]
I was very skeptical of the price this time of year, but I was blown away by the course conditions. I havent been playing long but I experienced the best greens I have ever played. Putts rolled true with good speed. If you are looking for a final place to close out the summer season this week I would take a look. Based on their posted prices I think they know they are top notch for the area.

[fore_life]

Holy s***, $60 right now? Gotta give it up to Troon, they have balls haha.


Moxie, do yourself a favor and play papago again before they scalp it for overseed, its soooooo good right now!

[moxie]

The price was definitely high, but they earned it. And that was the twilight rate!

I would love to try make it out there. I assume they will scalp it this week sometime?

[fore_life]

4 more days of golf before papago closes down.


I played Vistal on Tuesday, it opened last thursday after overseeding tees and greens already. Grass grew in nicely, and the greens were rolling surprisingly well. True, just not fast, but not shaggy either so at least you had a chance of rolling some in. They had been cut and rolled already though so that was nice.

I just picked up a range membership out there so I'll keep everyone updated as far as its condition, it might be the place to play for cheap rates and non-shaggy conditions.

While they have removed a great deal of the fairway bunkers(re: like almost all of them), its still a fun place to play as long as you get out ahead of the crowds and foot draggers. When speaking with some of the guys in the pro shop, they said that the bunkers were removed not only to soften the course, but also to reduce maintenance costs,and the course is turning a profit now so other issues can be addressed. Tee boxes were mowed and fairways were nice and fully turfed, just a little slow, which is to be expected. But every time I've been out there, it seems to be getting better and better.

[natural_one]

Mark- with a Vistal range pass, does this mean you're done with Mesa CC?

I'd be down for a Vistal round soon if it's somewhat cheap...Arrowhead is closed until the 19th, so I need to venture out a little, and our reciprocal program is nothing to brag about while it's closed.

Just got back from a week in Idaho and Montana...played 6 rounds. Unbelievable courses and perfect weather.

[fore_life]

[quote name='natural_one' timestamp='1349711737' post='5765489']
Mark- with a Vistal range pass, does this mean you're done with Mesa CC?

I'd be down for a Vistal round soon if it's somewhat cheap...Arrowhead is closed until the 19th, so I need to venture out a little, and our reciprocal program is nothing to brag about while it's closed.

Just got back from a week in Idaho and Montana...played 6 rounds. Unbelievable courses and perfect weather.
[/quote]


Yeah I'm done, they can kiss my a** haha. Got dinged an additional $125 in cart fees for when I brought guests out!

Vistal is like $35-ish right now during the week, and f you have a smart phone, vistal has an app where you can book tee times and there's a $5 off coupon you can use, too.

I'm going to play there next Monday if anyone is interested.

[natural_one]

gotcha. that sucks.

I may join you if my week goes well. Would you be looking to get out early morning?

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1349400928' post='5752671']

I played Vistal on Tuesday...
...fairways were nice and fully turfed, just a little slow, which is to be expected.
[/quote]

So are you saying they have overseeded fairways this year?

I guess that's something they can do saving money from bunker maintenance...

[fore_life]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1349726183' post='5766679']
[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1349400928' post='5752671']

I played Vistal on Tuesday...
...fairways were nice and fully turfed, just a little slow, which is to be expected.
[/quote]

So are you saying they have overseeded fairways this year?

I guess that's something they can do saving money from bunker maintenance...
[/quote]


No Tom they just did tees and greens, just commenting that there aren't any bare spots out there.

Tyler,

I'm pretty much free to play whenever, any time work best for you?

[natural_one]

Let me get back to you by Wednesday/Thursday. Earlier the better, as I'll be headed back to my office the rest of the day once we're finished.

[fore_life]

Sounds good, earlier is better for me,too.

[natural_one]

Vistal, as early as possible is good for me and one buddy who wants to join. (monday the 15th)

[fore_life]

One spot open on Monday the 15th, 6:26 @vistal if anyone wants in.

[natural_one]

some rough stuff out there with overseed, but....

[u]Hillcrest, October 9th, 2012[/u]
Fairways were wet and shaggy, Having some plugged teeshots in the fairways. Greens were very slow. I believe they had been open less than a week coming out of overseed, and said that it will get better and faster daily.
Carts were rough and cart path only, we played after 2pm for $20 which isn't bad considering our home course is closed until the 19th and it eased the fix momentarily. No bev cart, range balls start at $3 for a small hitting off grass.

[u]Stonecreek, October 12th, 2012[/u]
Fairways were shaggy, but pretty nice. We played lift clean and place due to the slight sogginess of them. Greens were very slow....40' putts were damn impossible to get to the hole. Short putts wobbled quite a bit, but it's still golf when everything else seems closed. Paid $39 with cart, teed off at 6:40am and played in just over 3hrs. Bev cart was present and range balls start at $6 with mats only.

[teejaywhy]

For a point of reference as to conditions after a given period of grow-in
(assuming the courses went by the published schedule)

Vistal
start date - sept 10
Played - Oct 2 (3 weeks)

Hillcrest
Start: Sept 17
Played - Oct 9 (3 weeks)

Stonecreek
Start: Oct 1
Played - Oct 12 (< 2 weeks)

[fore_life]

Up at vistal today getting some much needed practice(Monday might be a long day Tyler lol).

Greens are rolling normal and everything looks good.

Weekend tee times are $45, weekday $35

If you play out there, I'd highly recommend playing as early as possible as the course is busy and mid day can lead to some really slow play during weekends.

[natural_one]

Hahaha, no worries! Need I remind you...tempo, ease of transition at the top into acceleration!

Looking forward to it! My buddy who's coming is on a pretty bad slump and has a trip to Bandon in a couple weeks, so he's trying to cram in a lot of golf and figure stuff out too.

its allll gooood.

[fore_life]

Just got this email for superstition springs:

$35 with cart and range balls, good til mid December. Valid anytime mon-thurs, after 11 fri-sun

http://www.idealgolfer.com/deal/phoenix/superstitionsspringsgolfclubmesa

[puttnforthe8]

Seven Canyons....very poor shape!! The fairways are destroyed from birds tearing up ground. Greens were patchy in many places. Bunkers were hard ground and empty. Broken rakes.

[fore_life]

Where's everyone playing at post overseed?

I'm playing vistal tomorrow but that will be my last round there before I venture out to aguila and Papago. Papago is supposedly already stimping at 9 and in great shape, lowering the mowers daily

[quarterskins]

Poston Butte doesn't overseed their greens and they were in great shape last week.

[natural_one]

[u][b]Continental 11/9/12[/b]- [/u] $25 with cart at 9am. Fun par 60 and the greens were just 2.5 weeks out of overseed. Not bad considering. Range is mats, bev cart is often, and the pace was surprisingly quick for a touristy scottsdale track. i think we played in 3hrs. Big skins game here usually on Fridays too.

[u][b]Talking Stick North 11/9/12[/b][/u] Had a hookup so not sure on price, but the course is great shape. The greens will become a little more responsive soon as they are still a little sandy under the grass, but they rolled very true and pretty quick which is a nice change. There was big scramble going on on the south course that had the likes of some dudes sporting 2012 MLB championship rings, as well as some pga tour wins. Some abuse awareness campaign or something. I would definitely considr Talking Stick resort/casino with the two courses if I was planning a winter trip out this way.

[fore_life]

I'm planning on playing Papago or aguila on wed or thurs, I'll post up the conditions. I think aguila has been open longer, but last year Aguilas greens were really soft and soggy for awhile after opening.Ill probably go to Papago first since its close.

Playing Dobson ranch the day before thanksgiving too.

[jzona]

Played Aguila this morning. Overseeding came in full on the fairways and greens. Greens are way soft, backed up a hybrid on #17, never did that before. Greens were slow, around 8, they may be faster in the afternoon after the morning moisture evaporates. Cloud cover all morning so moist conditions prevailed. Other than that pretty good shape for a muni.

[fore_life]

I'll add that Papago is in great shape, fairways are perfect and greens rolling at near 10 and true. It's gonna be a good season there, picking up right where they left off. With the city card, probably one of the best values in the winter months

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Vista Verde is in terrific shape greens are rolling very quick right now. Only downside is it is busier now that people are finally catching on to what a great course it is, especially with the Tonto Verde members so pace of play is taking a hit

[preacher]

Played Vistal today early morning. I will say this course has some potential to be a decent course, however it is in bad shape for this time of year. They over seeded tee boxes and greens only. When I say greens, I don't mean the fringe or 10 ft around the putting surface, I mean actual green only! The fairways are dormant Bermuda that has been painted...honestly they should charge 25 weekday and 30-35 max on weekend, at $49 with tax it is a ripoff.

Jason

[One_Putt_Blunder]

If Vistal could ever get the conditions to just above decent it would be a great course. I love the layout of the course but never really played it in above average condition

[natural_one]

Played TPC stadium course Friday after Thanksgiving with a member out there. While I really cant stand the layout, the course was in fantastic shape as it prepares for the Waste Management Open. The greens could (and will soon) roll much faster as they were a little shaggy for my tastes. The tips tees were closed which sucks as several of the holes for me were not long enough for driver from the tees we played, but still fun. Grandstands were built which is a cool feeling.

Also played Tatum Ranch last Monday in a scramble. Never really liked the layout all that well, but the course is in good shape and the greens are decent. They could use a little speed to them but overall, fun easy track with nice scenery and amenities.