Scottsdale Recommendation needed

A group of us are going to be in scottsdale during the second week of Sept.
We were looking for any recommendation on course to play. We plan on playing 3-4 days.

We plan to splurge on greens fees at least for one day the other days might be budget golf.

Any ideas and tips?

When i traveled back to tucson, we decided to try out a couple of quality courses in scottsdale and we asked our buddies and we decided on two. the
Camelback Golf Club, Padre Course and the Talking Stick Golf Club, North Course
and they were extremely great courses. very challenging and fun.

Camelback and Troon (North). But there are dozens of good ones.

In September, you will encounter some of the best conditions of the year in the Phoenix area.

Sept. is typically the end of the bargain summer rates, but they usually go up in steps so the real high rates won't come until after the October overseed. You should still be able to find some great rates.

The must play course that I would recommend not missing is We-Ko-Pa Saguaro. (Coore & Crenshaw). A core golf course with no housing intrusion, stunning vistas and a routing that makes interesting use of the land. Challenging but very playable.

There is a second course at We-Ko-Pa, the Cholla, nice course, more difficult, but ultimately not as interesting as Saguaro but also a core course no houses, beautiful desert scenery. Would make a great 36 hole day.

Lots of other choices.

Troon N., Grayhawk, The Boulders. Top conditioning , customer service and rates to match ($$$)

Talking Stick, Legend Trail, Sunridge Canyon - very nice courses, not as much $$

Vista Verde - the secret course. Built just as the housing market tanked. No infrastructure yet in place but a top design and no houses to mar the views. Not the place to go if you are into pampered service, but a pure golf experience and a bargain rate.

TPC Champions course, a bargain, and a pretty fun layout. The Stadium course - over priced and overrated.

Any questions, let me know.

Enjoy!

thanks for all the feedback so far
We-Ko-Pa Saguaro.
Talking stick
Will be on my list of for sure.

Has anyone played at The Phoenician 18 hole course?

I too am planning a Scottsdale trip but I'm looking to go early October so I will be watching this thread closely.

Anybody know if there is a "master" overseed schedule for Phoenix/Scottsdale area courses? I found some schedules online but most were for years past.

Gold canyon (dinarsour mountain) was the favourite of our 8 night trip last year,the other courses were Tpc Scottsdale,Las senas,Greyhawk,we ko po,sunridge canyon,rancho manana.All good with the possible exception of rancho manana which was just average.

We-Ko-Pa, Gold Canyon, Eagle Mountain, and Troon are (in that order) my favorites of the PHX area.

I went SEVERAL years ago.....but played Camelback, TPC Scottsdale (not the stadium course), Sanctuary - desert golf, yuck!, and Hilton Tapatio Cliffs.

I liked Camelback and Tapatio Cliffs - one hole at TC had at least a 120ft drop from the tee box.....I SOOOOO wanted to hit a straight drive, to record my longest drive ever.....of course, didn't happen and there was a group behind us!

There are a million courses out there - I guess the folks that live out there would have the best recommendations!

Have fun!

My favorites are

We-ko-pa
Troon North
Boulders
Grayhawk
Dinosuar Mountain

Here are links to my photos of those courses to give you an idea
http://sports.webshots.com/album/563720024mtsCgK

http://sports.webshots.com/album/557661553IzfCwd

http://sports.webshots.com/album/557662043DmPEmD

http://sports.webshots.com/album/557662452fZmNcM

Thanks for the linked photos.

Troon North hands down was the best for me! The Monument course...

We Ko Pa, Wigwam is an old classic, Troon, Grayhawk to name a few

Any thoughts on the Westin Kierland? My wife are staying there but haven't heard much about the course and at $130 I would prefer leaving the grounds to play a better course.

Right now I'm booked at We-Ko-Pa Saguaro and TPC Stadium and would like to play Gold Canyon and Grayhawk. I have 4 days available for golf so if I hear really good things about Kierland I will most likely drop the round at the Stadium course. I don't mind these tough decisions!

Thankyou for the photos sabram! Exactly what I've been looking for!

I am also heading out to Scottsdale in 2 weeks time (cannot wait as the UK summer has been another disappointment!) and am looking to play as much as possible!

I see alot of you recommend the We Ko Pa Saguaro course... can I ask why? From the pictures sabram took, it looks to me like alot of the holes are uphill (not a fan of those!)- would prefer generally flat or downhill courses if I had to choose!

Also not many people have recommended Eagle Mountain GC or the Padre course at Camelback GC... from the websites the courses look really nice so can anyone suggest why they aren't as favoured?

Oh yes and can anyone recommend a good golf store in the area? I usually go to Edwin Watts when I visit the USA but sadly it seems they don't trade in the area!

Thanks everyone, this thread has been very helpful!

We Ko Pa is great because it is on Native American Indian Land (no houses or construction around the course) It is a real treat to just see golf holes and the natural environment that surrrounds them. There are no dramatically uphill holes, and I can't remember one blind tee shot. Definitely play the course.

I love Eagle Mountain and have played it 4 times. It is great. It doesn't get much publicity because it is in Fountain Hills (small suburb north of Scottsdale). We-Ko-Pa gets all the hype in the area.

There are several PGA Superstores in the PHX area. The PGA Superstore will blow your mind the first time you walk into one.
http://www.pgatoursuperstore.com/

Here's two of them in the PHX area

PGA TOUR Superstore #502
- www.pgatoursuperstore.com
8740 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale - (480) 214-4350
Directions and more »


PGA Tour Superstore
- www.pgatoursuperstores.com
2031 N Arizona Ave, Chandler - (480) 214-4370
1 review, directions, and more »

You have to try In Celebration of Golf, it's an excellent golf shop, very upscale:
http://www.celebrategolf.com/