Tucson area course conditions - 2012

CJ Hanson · June 6, 2012

Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain

Played the Saguaro - Tortolita nines on 6/3. Course was in real nice shape. There were some brown spots here and there (not surprising given the time of year), but the greens, although difficult, were in outstanding shape. In fact, I've never played softer, more receptive greens anywhere in Arizona (especially during the summer months).

The course was designed for professional golfers, so every little miss seems to get magnified, but I highly recommend this course. It will definitely challenge you.

Randolph North

Played on 5/27. Greens were in nice shape given the time of year. A little on the firm side, but rolling true. They seem to be having problems with the fairways. Some holes, they were perfect.....some holes, lots of brown. Still a great value in Tucson and a good test from the tips.

teejaywhy · June 7, 2012

[quote name='CJ Hanson' timestamp='1339002829' post='5041590']

...I've never played softer, more receptive greens anywhere in Arizona (especially during the summer months).

[/quote]

Thanks for the update. We'll try to avoid it until conditions improve.

CJ Hanson · June 11, 2012

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1339075788' post='5046302']
[quote name='CJ Hanson' timestamp='1339002829' post='5041590']

...I've never played softer, more receptive greens anywhere in Arizona (especially during the summer months).

[/quote]

Thanks for the update. We'll try to avoid it until conditions improve.
[/quote]

Not sure why you would want to avoid perfect greens, but to each his own....

Anyway, played StarrPass (Rattler/Roadrunner) this morning. Course is in great shape. Greens are in excellent condition, fairways and tee boxes show little sign of wear and tear. This is definitely a tough test though, so if you're not a straight hitter, bring lots of balls!!!

teejaywhy · June 12, 2012

[quote name='CJ Hanson' timestamp='1339389743' post='5065166']
[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1339075788' post='5046302']
[quote name='CJ Hanson' timestamp='1339002829' post='5041590']
...I've never played softer, more receptive greens anywhere in Arizona (especially during the summer months).

[/quote]

Thanks for the update. We'll try to avoid it until conditions improve.
[/quote]

Not sure why you would want to avoid perfect greens, but to each his own....

[/quote]

Oh, I thought you said they were soft ? :lol:

CJ Hanson · June 14, 2012

[b][u]Star Pass[/u][/b]
Played the Rattler and Roadrunner nines on Sunday. Course was in excellent shape. Greens were absolutely perfect.

JayAreOhh924 · June 16, 2012

Glad to see another Tucsonian on here!

for the record, I was on the Randolph range this morning and the condition there is JUNK, avoid it if you have the option to use another range.

CJ Hanson · June 19, 2012

Played Vistoso on Sunday morning. Truthfully, I was really scared when I made the reservation because I've heard mixed reviews on the condition of the course. The greens were perfect. The fairways and tee boxes had some spotty areas, but not enough to keep me from going back. At $32 in the am, this is quite a deal right now.

secondary · June 19, 2012

At AZ National today. Brown, but greens look good. Played Dell Urich last Friday and even though the range was scary, the greens and the course were actually in good shape. I was sort of blown away.

JayAreOhh924 · June 22, 2012

Played The Pines on Wed, course was in great shape other than the greens. Theyre still very grainy from the seeding 2 weeks ago. Good $20 though if you can get over the greens for a while.

slaveofthegov · July 14, 2012

I have my brothers coming in from Texas at the end of the month for our 3rd Annual AZ Golf Fiesta! We play Dove Mtn every year and I try to find two other courses they haven't played yet to fill in the other two days!

I had already thought about taking them to Vistoso, so this is good news that the course is in decent shape. I've played it a few times and it was hit or miss as to the condition. Not so worried now, so I think we will go.

Anybody have news about the condition of Del Lago in Vail? I am thinking of taking them there as well as I like the track, but also know from experience that during the summer, its condition can deteriorate.

If anybody has any other suggestions of courses to play that are in good shape I would appreciate it. I would prefer courses that we haven't played yet so here is the list of where we have played to date: Starpass, AZ National, Poston Butte.

Thanks!

CJ Hanson · July 16, 2012

[quote name='slaveofthegov' timestamp='1342238448' post='5272302']
I have my brothers coming in from Texas at the end of the month for our 3rd Annual AZ Golf Fiesta! We play Dove Mtn every year and I try to find two other courses they haven't played yet to fill in the other two days!

I had already thought about taking them to Vistoso, so this is good news that the course is in decent shape. I've played it a few times and it was hit or miss as to the condition. Not so worried now, so I think we will go.

Anybody have news about the condition of Del Lago in Vail? I am thinking of taking them there as well as I like the track, but also know from experience that during the summer, its condition can deteriorate.

If anybody has any other suggestions of courses to play that are in good shape I would appreciate it. I would prefer courses that we haven't played yet so here is the list of where we have played to date: Starpass, AZ National, Poston Butte.

Thanks!
[/quote]

I would definitely take them to Ventana Canyon. Either course would work, but I prefer the Mountain over the Canyon course. The course is always in good shape and you can get decent prices on golfnow.com. They are two of the better courses in Tucson.

I can't comment on Del Lago's condition this year. However, last summer, the course was in horrendous shape. That doesn't mean it's the same this year, but you should be aware they had a rough summer last year.

Have fun on your trip!!

divebreck · July 29, 2012

Tubac is in great condition except for a few tee boxes and the fairway on #1 rancho, i guess the bremuda got snuffed out by the rye grass. The greens could be the best I've played here in a few years.

CJ Hanson · July 30, 2012

[b][u]Crooked Tree[/u][/b]
Course was in very nice shape. Fairways were in good condition, greens and area around greens were in great shape. Bunkers were wet, but no big surprise there given the amount of rain we've gotten the past few weeks.

Paid $25 on golfnow.com.

CJ Hanson · August 7, 2012

[u][b]Dell Urich[/b][/u]
Played Dell Urich on Sunday. Overall, I'd say about 7/10. Greens, although a tad on the slow side, rolled very true. Not a lot of brown on the greens. Fairways were a little spotty. Looks like they are having an issue with crab grass, but it's nothing that would keep me from going back. I didn't spend any time in the bunkers (for once!!!), so I can't really comment on them. I still think the city charges too much for Randolph and Dell Urich in the summer ($36 for rewards members, add $12 for a cart for non-rewards members), but based on recent articles in the paper, the city is losing millions a year on these courses so I'm not surprised.

CJ Hanson · August 21, 2012

[b][u]Silverbell[/u][/b]
Let me preface this by stating that I don't expect much of the city courses in the summer. That being said, the course wasn't in bad shape. Greens were slow (as expected), some fairways were just ok, and some bunkers were like small lakes (no surprise given the amount of rain we've had recently). For only $14 though (via EZ Links), I can't complain.