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Give me your best Phoenix/Mesa Courses...

My wife and I go every year to Phoenix for golfing usually in March. Here are the course we typically golf:

Raven at Verrado - decent rates, nice course and they throw in lunch and an on the course snack with you green fee. The resturaunt is nice.
Kierland Golf Course - they have 27 holes and a really nice layout. I really liked this course alot and they actually have a guy playing bag pipes on the 18th green at dusk if you're still around.
Lookout Mountain - place really went down hill. They took out all of the water on this course and replaced it with sand. Some nice views but the course is in bad shape. I heard Troon bought it so maybe it will improve.
TPC Scotsdale - Cool course, but I actually prefer Kierland more. Maybe becuase I encountered one too many d-bags on the course.
 
Well, we leave Wednesday and here's how the course list is shaking out so far...I regret to say I got shot down on MY big three because of cost. (Troon, WeKoPa and Grayhawk)

*Thursday - McDowell Ranch
*Friday - Ocotillo
*Saturday - Supersition Mountain
*Sunday - Rio Verde 36 holes (Price was right - FREE)

Question: Has anyone played Lookout Mountain this year? Baldcopper's comments scare me a bit. Hopefully Troon Mgmt. got this course squared away. This was on our "maybe" list.

Has anyone here ever played Rio Verde? We have some friends playing it this week said it was pretty decent.

Looking forward to swinging the sticks and this course list isn't too bad. I'd appreciate any comments on the course list as it is not to late to make a change.
 
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I have not played any of them but the Travel article in the Feb edition of Golf Digest featured Papago GC (4*, $47-$99), ASU Karsten (4.5*, $90-$100), Raven GC (4.5*, $105-$115), Ahwatukee CC (not listed) and Club West GC (3.5*, $110). Check out the article for details if you can get your hands on it.
 
Played the following...
Greyhawk Raptor
Greyhawk Talon
We Ko Pa Cholla
We Ko Pa Saguaro
Boulders North
Boulders South
Troon North Pinnacle
Troon North Monument
Eagle Mountain
Legend Trail
Dove Valley Ranch
Would recommend all except the bottom 3...I did not feel they belonged in the same class as the others (especially DVR).
 
I have to go to Phoenix next week for work, and I should have a free afternoon on Monday, April 2.

It looks like I can play one of the Troon North courses for about $100 or the TPC Stadium course for about $220. For those who have played them, is it worth the extra $120 to play the stadium course?

Also, if there are any Phoenix-area THPers looking for an afternoon round next Monday, I'd love to play.
 
I've played them both as an out of towner, I'd go with Troon North. If this were a once in a lifetime guys trip where you knew youd never be back there, I'd play TPC just so you can say youve played it. Troon North is awesome.
 
NO WAY - in fact, I'd pay more for Troon North than TPC Scottsdale and $100 is rediculously good for that course. I lived in Scottsdale for 5 years up near the Boulders/Troon and worked right next to TPC Scottsdale. I really like TPC Scottsdale and the final 4 holes are among the best final stretch I've ever played (and its cool to play where the pros play, of course), but Troon North is still probably my favorite public course of all time - perfect condition, challenging but fair. I will say that since moving away about 6 years ago I have not played at Troon North but heard they mixed the two previous courses, Moonument and Pinnacle. This is a shame to me because I thought they provide unique experiences. The old Monument is the one I was referring too as my favorite public course of all time.

Caveat: Troon North is definitely more of a desert golf course than TPC if that matters (i.e., a little more "target" but definitely not so much that is too difficult)

ATLGolfer said:
I have to go to Phoenix next week for work, and I should have a free afternoon on Monday, April 2.

It looks like I can play one of the Troon North courses for about $100 or the TPC Stadium course for about $220. For those who have played them, is it worth the extra $120 to play the stadium course?

Also, if there are any Phoenix-area THPers looking for an afternoon round next Monday, I'd love to play.
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Totally agree from a person that lived in North Scottsdale for a while. When Legend Trail opened we used to call it the "Baby Troon North" because it was basically a much cheaper (although somewhat less spectacular) course as the Monument Troon North course but similar in that it is a fair, but challenging test. I think it is better than Eagle Mountain and Dove Valley Ranch although all three can be reasonable alternatives if priced appropriately. If you are in South more toward the city of Phoenix, I really used to like Ocotillo a lot. I must note I moved away 6 years ago and haven't played any of these since.

weighoverpar said:
Played the following...
Greyhawk Raptor
Greyhawk Talon
We Ko Pa Cholla
We Ko Pa Saguaro
Boulders North
Boulders South
Troon North Pinnacle
Troon North Monument
Eagle Mountain
Legend Trail
Dove Valley Ranch
Would recommend all except the bottom 3...I did not feel they belonged in the same class as the others (especially DVR).
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Thanks for the responses, JK and ddxu. It looks like I'll be playing Troon.
 
There's a good course or two open to the public right in Sedona as I recall (I think the Sedona Golf Resort but been a while so I'd have to look it up to be sure) - not as spectcular as North Scottsdale courses but that is a couple hours (maybe a little less) away

MikeJ said:
I'm heading to Sedona in April with the family and plan to play twice. Once in Sedona with the wife and kids and once at another course with myself and oldest son. Would like to play a higher end course, any recommendatons and how far away from Sedona would I need to go?
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UPDATE: Just back from the trip that started this thread. Below are the courses we played and a few brief notes...

Day One - McDowell Mountain - Ok for a warm up course, but no one in the group was impressed with the layout or the condition. The greens, however, were very nice as were the tee boxes. No need to return to this one.

Day Two - Ocotillo - Fantastic golf course. Not a desert course, but 27 holes of water filled adventure. The whole group was impressed. Great greens here as well. This is one of the best non- desert courses in the area.

Day Three - Superstition Mountain - Very nice desert course. Some of the nicest greens you will EVER play. We played the "Prospecter" course which was home to a LPGA event. The whole group was impressed.

Day Four- We were supposed to play up at Rio Verde on our final day, but decided after the last two days, it might be a disappointment, so we decided to play Las Sendas. Las Sendas has always proven to be one of the toughest courses I've ever played (144 slope from the tips) and this day was no exception. Only two guys in the group broke 90! I managed to get three birdies but did not have a single par.

Overall a great trip. I would play all of these courses again with the exception of McDowell Mountain. Thanks to all for your input. I would like to go back with a group that would be willing to "up the ante" and play Troon North, WeKoPa and Grayhawk.
 
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I just spent two weeks staying in a house next to the McDowell Mt course. I leave tomorrow early to head home to the Seattle area. We went over and looked at the course and decided not to play it. Sounds like it was a good decision.

Tappin' using my Galaxy Tab
 
Titleistforlife said:
UPDATE: Just back from the trip that started this thread. Below are the courses we played and a few brief notes...

Day One - McDowell Mountain - Ok for a warm up course, but no one in the group was impressed with the layout or the condition. The greens, however, were very nice as were the tee boxes. No need to return to this one.

Day Two - Ocotillo - Fantastic golf course. Not a desert course, but 27 holes of water filled adventure. The whole group was impressed. Great greens here as well. This is one of the best non- desert courses in the area.

Day Three - Superstition Mountain - Very nice desert course. Some of the nicest greens you will EVER play. We played the "Prospecter" course which was home to a LPGA event. The whole group was impressed.

Day Four- We were supposed to play up at Rio Verde on our final day, but decided after the last two days, it might be a disappointment, so we decided to play Los Sendas. Los Sendas has always proven to be one of the toughest courses I've ever played (144 slope from the tips) and this day was no exception. Only two guys in the group broke 90! I managed to get three birdies but did not have a single par.

Overall a great trip. I would play all of these courses again with the exception of McDowell Mountain. Thanks to all for your input. I would like to go back with a group that would be willing to "up the ante" and play Troon North, WeKoPa and Grayhawk.
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las sendas is a very tough course and a better choice over rio verde. on your next trip, under no circumstances should you skip southern dunes and quintero. they're 45mins and an hour away from mesa respectively but if you're coming out here for golf, there's no excuse to miss these gems! both once private but now owned by troon and you can play them this time of year for around $100 or under. both are easily in my top 4 courses in the entire metro area, including most of the private courses!
 
I personally wasn't impressed at all with the ASU Karsten course. It felt like everything was jammed into a tiny space and Pete Dye tried to do too much with a relatively small piece of land. It does have a few good holes however, but most of those are on the back nine (I particularly enjoyed 9, 10, 13,14,15 and 18. For the most part, I really hated the front nines design.

On the other hand, Whirlwind has 2 really good courses that both have different styles. Cattail is a great layout (especially from the tips at 7300+) and has some relatively easy holes on each nine. Also has a few monster par 5s that can kill you in a hurry. If you play them in the wind, expect a very long day...
 
Phoenix Golf Recommendations

Phoenix Golf Recommendations

I have time for a round in Phoenix in the next couple weeks. What are some of the better courses to play? Thanks for any and all suggestions.
 
There are a couple Phoenix/Scottsdale threads in the forum. Tons of courses reviewed.

I have played TPC Scottsdale. It's a fun course, but it's much different than it looks on tv during the PGA tournament because the bleachers aren't there. The 16th is a little underwhelming for that reason. 17 and 18 are still really special though.

I've heard a lot of good things about the Troon North courses, but I have not played there.
 
Thanks guys, I'll take a look at prior threads as well. Great suggestions. Talking Stick, Superstition Mountain and Raven Club also all looking interesting, so if anyone has played those and can provide insight, much appreciated.
 
Philly Golf Guy said:
Thanks guys, I'll take a look at prior threads as well. Great suggestions. Talking Stick, Superstition Mountain and Raven Club also all looking interesting, so if anyone has played those and can provide insight, much appreciated.
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When I lived in Scottsdale a couple years ago, Talking Stick was one of my favorite courses to play (We-ko-pa was my favorite) . It was very reasonably priced and was in great condition. It is a pretty open course that doesn't have houses surrounding it. The Casino next door it pretty good too.
 
My fave is Raven.
Titleistforlife said:
Hey everyone...Heading for our annual Phoenix/Mesa Golf outing with 8 guys in March. We fly in and base out of Mesa and we've already played the following courses:

Gold Canyon Dinosauer
Las Sendas
Red Mountain Ranch
Palm Valley
and a few others...

Looking for some new fabulous places to play. What are your favorite in the Metro area? Looking at The Raven, Superstition Mountain, Longbow, Gold Canyon Sidewinder, Ocotillo, Grayhawk etc..What are the "hidden jewels" out there? Most of the group can't afford $200 a day green fees so we try to keep the daily green fees around $100, but wouldn't object to one day treating ourselves to $200 plus. Let's hear it!
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Norm Olson said:
My fave is Raven.
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Ive played many of these, Long Bow, Las Sendas, and Raven are my favs in that order. Raven is much further west, but a great track with the nicest staff I've seen around PHX. All of these were in fantastic shape when I was there this past March. We booked early and got the first available afternoon time at LongBow and saved about $40 a man.

I havent played Grayhawk yet though, hopefully next year.
 
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