Southern dunes or ocotillo.

[chase211]

We are coming to Phoenix on feb 22-25 and have everything setup except our second tee time on Sunday. We are playing trilogy at power ranch(free round) in the morning at 7:40 and we are trying to decide which course to play. Our other concern is how long it will take us to drive to southern dunes. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. We are more than willing to consider other courses if someone has other suggestions.

[teejaywhy]

I would drive twice as far to play Southern Dunes over Ocotillo. Southern Dunes is Top 10 in state, Ocotillo is a cookie cutter residential course with way too much water, not much different than a typical Florida course.

If I had to split 10 rounds between them, I would play 10 rounds at SD and 0 at Ocotillo.

[teejaywhy]

OK, I see you are looking for a second round after playing Power Ranch. Southern dunes might be just too far. Let me think about this.

[puttnforthe8]

Kinda of tough....7:40. I had a 2.5hr frost delay this morning and a 2hr delay last Sat. We may be coming out of delays by Feb but it still could be in play.

I will assume a 1 hr delay. So you are not teeing off until 8:40. Course is ez and decent pace is kept there. So you would finish by 1pm. It will be 40 minute drive to get to Southern Dunes. So 2:00 tee time. You will be hard pressed to finish your round.

Ocotillo will be allow a finish. You could also consider Whirlwind. As TJ notes, Ocotillo is more of a course to just get your practice in. Nice shape and lush...but not Arizona golf. But I guess neither is Power Ranch. I would still consider Whirlwind.

[chase211]

Thanks for the input. We played whirlwind last year and enjoyed it but we were hoping to try somewhere new this year. This will be our second trip out there and we are playing gold canyon on sat. Trilogy and open slot on Sunday and troon on Monday. We would skip trilogy but free golf is tough to pass up. I might wait to see the weather forecast for that weekend to see if frost delays could be an issue. If not, play dunes, if they are play ocotillo.

[Skydiver22]

I would pass on the freebie at Power ranch and just head out to the Dunes. Might get 27 in... They have given me a neice rerack rate in the past for the second round.

[Arizonalefty59]

Definitely Southern Dunes over Ocotillo.

[fore_life]

[quote name='kvnhlstd' timestamp='1358127686' post='6222537']
I would pass on the freebie at Power ranch and just head out to the Dunes. Might get 27 in... They have given me a neice rerack rate in the past for the second round.
[/quote]

Agreed. Or maybe play dunes then come back to power for the 2nd round?

[teejaywhy]

I still think it's too much of a haul to Southern Dunes from Power Ranch.

There is really not much of note quality-wise in the SE valley. You're still ~30 minutes from Longbow, my top pick for this side of town. There is also Las Sendas which many consider a top course on the east side, I don't like it myself. Another option across the street from Las Sendas is Red Mountain Ranch. It's a crazy Pete Dye design so bring a sense of humor and you will have fun here.

A few choices that are a little closer to Power Ranch:
- Toka Sticks: An OK course, flat, parkland style with muni level conditioning. Former Williams Field AFB course. Not a destination course by any measure but very cheap and fun to play.
- Lone Tree: Another residential course, not bad, not expensive. Usually pretty well maintained.
- Bear Creek: Chandler muni, (inexpensive) pretty good layout, decent conditioning.

None of these courses are tracks you would travel to Phoenix to play, but would be OK for a second round without too much travel time.

[chase211]

Thanks for all the input guys. We've decided to play Southern Dunes in the morning and make a late afternoon(1:45 to 2:15) tee time at Power Ranch. That way if we are running late or we can't finish we don't miss much as we have all played Power Ranch before and know it's nothing special.

[Reidman]

[quote name='chase211' timestamp='1358452686' post='6247637']
Thanks for all the input guys. We've decided to play Southern Dunes in the morning and make a late afternoon(1:45 to 2:15) tee time at Power Ranch. That way if we are running late or we can't finish we don't miss much as we have all played Power Ranch before and know it's nothing special.
[/quote]

Nice choice...be sure to carb up before Southern Dunes. For a wide open course, it will wear you out.

[crew_138]

Southern Dunes rocks.

[ckguy914]

Smart choice there, Southrn Dunes over Ocotilo all day everyday.

[sabram]

Great Choice.

 

 

Southern Dunes #14 from front tee zoomed r by tewiespix, on Flickr

 

 

Southern Dunes #13 view back to fairway r by tewiespix, on Flickr

 

 

Southern Dunes #16 right side fairway bunk 130 yds out r by tewiespix, on Flickr

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631871012549/with/8130790022/

Southern Dunes Slideshow

[isaacbm]

I've played over 600 courses and Southern Dunes is in my top 20 for sure. Ocotillo wouldn't crack the top 300...

[chase211]

I just got back from our trip to Phoenix and I wanted to thank everyone that suggested we go down to southern dunes. It was very windy on Sunday morning when we played there and I still loved it. I would suggest southern dunes to anyone that asked me. The course was in perfect condition and the staff was great. I will play it again whenever I manage to get back down to Phoenix

[Reidman]

Okay....I will be the one to ask. What did you shoot...on one of the longest/hardest courses you can play...and in the brutal 40 mph wind and cold? We gotta know !!!

[One_Putt_Blunder]

More importantly what was the club choice on #6 the 242 yard par 3? Depending on the wind that could be 4 iron to driver, and I have played it in enough wind to hit driver from the tips

[esketores]

I'm playing Southern Dunes three times the week of March 10th.

[chase211]

I shot a 82 and hit a three wood on 6 and came up well short but managed to get up and down for my par. The round was salvaged with a birdie-birdie-par to finish the round.