Golf in AZ

[GolfNut57]

Thinking of doing something different on my next vacation. I and the wife usually go to Daytona Beach every year in early June but after doing that for the last several years I have pretty much played every golf course around DB that is there and available to the public. Soooo...........thinking of going west instead of east in 2018. Looking at maybe Phoenix or Tuscon. Also considering Colorado. Any info anyone here can offer as far as things to do......besides the golf and seeing the Grand Canyon that is. Any other useful info would also be appreciated.

[FrJoseph]

Thinking of doing something different on my next vacation. I and the wife usually go to Daytona Beach every year in early June but after doing that for the last several years I have pretty much played every golf course around DB that is there and available to the public. Soooo...........thinking of going west instead of east in 2018. Looking at maybe Phoenix or Tuscon. Also considering Colorado. Any info anyone here can offer as far as things to do......besides the golf and seeing the Grand Canyon that is. Any other useful info would also be appreciated.

Spend a day in Prescott. A real old west town built tinto a mountain. You can go to Tombstone AZ and see where the shootout at OK Corral was. Sedona is really cool. The big observatory in Flagstaff is good if you like that sort of stuff. Sedona is a good base, then you can go south or north from Phoenix to Flagstaff with a couple of hours. My first Parish assignment was in Sedona, so let me
Know if you need an advice.

Fr Joe

[GolfNut57]

Spend a day in Prescott. A real old west town built tinto a mountain. You can go to Tombstone AZ and see where the shootout at OK Corral was. Sedona is really cool. The big observatory in Flagstaff is good if you like that sort of stuff. Sedona is a good base, then you can go south or north from Phoenix to Flagstaff with a couple of hours. My first Parish assignment was in Sedona, so let me
Know if you need an advice.

Fr Joe

Thanks. I was giving STRONG thought to going through Winslow either on the way there or coming back so I can "stand on the same corner as Glenn Frey once did and look for the girl in the flatbed Ford". 

And Tombstone is definitely worth a visit for all the historical stuff from the old western days.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

If you go to Scottsdale, there are countless great courses.  I've played the TPC Stadium Course and also the TPC Desert Course, which are side by side.  The Stadium Course is famous for the PGA tour event and the par 3 16th.  It was long and tough for a hacker like me.  But the Desert Course, which is just as nice, was much more to my liking.

I've also played the Wyldfire courses, which are Palmer and Faldo designs, at the JW Marriott resort.  Very nice too.

And Sedona is remarkable for its beauty; about a 2 hour drive north from Phoenix if I recall.

[GolfNut57]

If you go to Scottsdale, there are countless great courses.  I've played the TPC Stadium Course and also the TPC Desert Course, which are side by side.  The Stadium Course is famous for the PGA tour event and the par 3 16th.  It was long and tough for a hacker like me.  But the Desert Course, which is just as nice, was much more to my liking.

I've also played the Wyldfire courses, which are Palmer and Faldo designs, at the JW Marriott resort.  Very nice too.

And Sedona is remarkable for its beauty; about a 2 hour drive north from Phoenix if I recall.

On the Wyldfire courses do you have to stay at the resort to be able to play them? What kind of greens fees would I be looking at for all of those courses? I am not sure as to the location of Sedona but I know that I-40 takes me to Flagstaff which is where I would have to turn south to go to Phoenix which, according to Mapquest, is about 2 hours away.

Ok I just checked, Sedona is right between Flagstaff and Phoenix.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

On the Wyldfire courses do you have to stay at the resort to be able to play them? What kind of greens fees would I be looking at for all of those courses? I am not sure as to the location of Sedona but I know that I-40 takes me to Flagstaff which is where I would have to turn south to go to Phoenix which, according to Mapquest, is about 2 hours away.

Ok I just checked, Sedona is right between Flagstaff and Phoenix.

I don't think you have to stay at the resort to play the Wyldfire courses; I think if you DO stay there your green fees are dramatically reduced.  I would think fees for a non-staying player would be in the $120-$180 range.  For the TPC courses, I think it's just north of $200 for the Stadium course but only about $100 for the Desert course.

Call and check though.  It was 10+ years ago when I was out there playing; plus my memory's not what it used to be.

[Wooderson]

In 2012 I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Tucson for work and played golf as much as I could.  I was able to play a ton of golf at Fred Einke, Randolph, Dell Urich, El Rio, Blanchard, El Conquistador Canada, Arizona National, and Ventana Canyon Mountain courses.

If I remember right Fred Einke, Randolph, Dell Urich and El Rio were city operated courses.  They were all reasonably priced and fun to play.  Dell Urich was my favorite.  El Rio was in the worse shape.  It's an old course in a rough spot of town.

El Conquistador Canada, Arizona National, and Ventana Canyon Mountain courses were exceptional golf courses but much more expensive than the city courses.  Out of these Arizona National was my favorite.  I wish I had been able to play Omni because of the people that I know that have played it really liked it.

I definitely recommend making the trip in the fall or early spring.  I was there in February and the weather was perfect.  I've spent some time in Tucson in the summer and that is one hot place.

[GolfNut57]

In 2012 I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Tucson for work and played golf as much as I could.  I was able to play a ton of golf at Fred Einke, Randolph, Dell Urich, El Rio, Blanchard, El Conquistador Canada, Arizona National, and Ventana Canyon Mountain courses.

If I remember right Fred Einke, Randolph, Dell Urich and El Rio were city operated courses.  They were all reasonably priced and fun to play.  Dell Urich was my favorite.  El Rio was in the worse shape.  It's an old course in a rough spot of town.

El Conquistador Canada, Arizona National, and Ventana Canyon Mountain courses were exceptional golf courses but much more expensive than the city courses.  Out of these Arizona National was my favorite.  I wish I had been able to play Omni because of the people that I know that have played it really liked it.

I definitely recommend making the trip in the fall or early spring.  I was there in February and the weather was perfect.  I've spent some time in Tucson in the summer and that is one hot place.

Thanks for the info. June is usually when I am eligible for vacation but maybe I can work out an earlier date with my company.

[Arky]

Thanks for the info. June is usually when I am eligible for vacation but maybe I can work out an earlier date with my company.

my golf group went to Scottsdale for 10 yrs.......we have now been going to Las Vegas for the last 10. imo, better courses & obviously more to do. We go the 1st week of march madness for the sports book...........green fees are high as hell though for the better courses

[GolfNut57]

my golf group went to Scottsdale for 10 yrs.......we have now been going to Las Vegas for the last 10. imo, better courses & obviously more to do. We go the 1st week of march madness for the sports book...........green fees are high as hell though for the better courses

Thanks but I have absolutely no interest in Vegas.

[Wooderson]

my golf group went to Scottsdale for 10 yrs.......we have now been going to Las Vegas for the last 10. imo, better courses & obviously more to do. We go the 1st week of march madness for the sports book...........green fees are high as hell though for the better courses

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what courses did you play in Vegas.  I have been there three times, but only played golf on one trip.  I played a couple of rounds at Las Vegas Paiute and played two of the three courses.  Really enjoyed that.  However, I didn't get to do a lot of research about other courses.  What do you recommend?  Thanks.

[Arky]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what courses did you play in Vegas.  I have been there three times, but only played golf on one trip.  I played a couple of rounds at Las Vegas Paiute and played two of the three courses.  Really enjoyed that.  However, I didn't get to do a lot of research about other courses.  What do you recommend?  Thanks.

Back when we played Paiute there was only 2 courses.....they were ok......1 yr we got snowflakes
Some of these are up to an hour from the strip...........because we like the drunk limo ride back

Cascata..........best by far. Pro has told us tiger would come out in february & practice from 150 in because it resembled the terrain of Augusta.......back when he was playing......they give you a locker in the locker room.......great drinks & nachos after round.......damn near to boulder dam. Don't care about any of that darn except the nachos.............btw, $575 fee plus caddy

Bears best is nice & great layout........played behind Emmit Smith one year........pretty sure i would have beat him

TPC Summerlin is very nice.........we have some rich dude that gets us on..........maybe you do too

TPC las vegas........worth the effort

The CC at the Wynne...........very nice but probably not worth $500.....I think you have to stay at the Wynne to play. The country club steakhouse is awesome.

Coyote Springs.......very nice.....cheap fees but an hour ride

Reflection Bay.......awesome views including Natalie Gulbis who lives there or did.......saw her on the range once.......the movie American? Sweethearts was filmed there......has hotel/casino on site......haven't been their in yrs........they shut down for awhile

Las Vegas CC.....my old standby..........nothing special but across the street from what used to be the LV Hilton....Think it's the Westgate now........best/largest sportsbook in town, where the locals play

played about 20 others that are ok.......older we get the less we venture out......some of this info may be dated

as an aside, i don't know a damn thing. 8 handicap but next time you're there go eat at Batistas hole in the wall. Best & cheap pasta in town......couple blocks off strip with all the wine you can drink

[GolfNut57]

Back when we played Paiute there was only 2 courses.....they were ok......1 yr we got snowflakes
Some of these are up to an hour from the strip...........because we like the drunk limo ride back

Cascata..........best by far. Pro has told us tiger would come out in february & practice from 150 in because it resembled the terrain of Augusta.......back when he was playing......they give you a locker in the locker room.......great drinks & nachos after round.......damn near to boulder dam. Don't care about any of that darn except the nachos.............btw, $575 fee plus caddy

Bears best is nice & great layout........played behind Emmit Smith one year........pretty sure i would have beat him

TPC Summerlin is very nice.........we have some rich dude that gets us on..........maybe you do too

TPC las vegas........worth the effort

The CC at the Wynne...........very nice but probably not worth $500.....I think you have to stay at the Wynne to play. The country club steakhouse is awesome.

Coyote Springs.......very nice.....cheap fees but an hour ride

Reflection Bay.......awesome views including Natalie Gulbis who lives there or did.......saw her on the range once.......the movie American? Sweethearts was filmed there......has hotel/casino on site......haven't been their in yrs........they shut down for awhile

Las Vegas CC.....my old standby..........nothing special but across the street from what used to be the LV Hilton....Think it's the Westgate now........best/largest sportsbook in town, where the locals play

played about 20 others that are ok.......older we get the less we venture out......some of this info may be dated

as an aside, i don't know a damn thing. 8 handicap but next time you're there go eat at Batistas hole in the wall. Best & cheap pasta in town......couple blocks off strip with all the wine you can drink

whew..after reading that I feel like I am playing in a RICH mans game. 

[Arky]

whew..after reading that I feel like I am playing in a RICH mans game. 

only took me 20 miutes & i know the format is [CENSORED] up

[Wooderson]

Sounds like some fun golf Arky.  You weren't kidding about the high green fees.  I bet they are unreal courses. 

[GolfNut57]

After careful thought, and seeing that there would be way too much stuff to do and see in  just 3-4 days when traveling to AZ for vacation I have decided that such a trip needs to be put off a couple years until I retire. That way I can take all the time I need to go see all the different things there are in AZ such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Tombstone, etc etc....along with the many different courses in that area.


Now that of course leads me to a whole new set of questions. I have already found out such a trip to the Bahamas requires passports and to ensure planning goes the easiest I am going to use a Travel Agency because there are a hundred details that I have no idea about that those people are paid to know. One such agency that I have already consulted has told me that an all-inclusive trip for two would run $3500. That would pay all expenses on the trip including meals, drinks, and even my golf. (Not for souvenirs though of course) If I want the non-inclusive which just covers the airfare, accommodations and transportation to and from the airport to the resort I would be looking at $2800.

Are those prices reasonable? I figure if I am going to do what could be looked at as a once in a lifetime trip I might as well go with the all-inclusive because.....what's $700 dollars more at that point. And once I would get to the Bahamas, what all is there to do besides golf for me and the beach for the wife? What sights are there worth going to see?

Thanks for any advice.

[HogsGoneWild]

Anybody played SunRidge Canyon in Scottsdale?

[FarmingtonFan]

Last 6 holes are called the Wicked 6. Long and up hill

[Gonzo]

Anybody played SunRidge Canyon in Scottsdale?

Fun course, tough finish as noted above. Eagle Mtn off Shea right before you get to Sunridge is pretty good too. Head out a little further and We Ko Pa has two good ones.


Go Hogs!

[HogsGoneWild]

Fun course, tough finish as noted above. Eagle Mtn off Shea right before you get to Sunridge is pretty good too. Head out a little further and We Ko Pa has two good ones.


Go Hogs!

Was the course in top condition? Would you rather spend the extra $$$ and play Grayhawk or one of the Boulders?