1 Week in Scottsdale

Hi All,

I am traveling to Scottsdale with my wife and two little monkeys 9/3-9/10. Yes, I know it will be hot :)

My wife agreed to let me play 5 rounds during the week and would like some suggestions.

We are at the Four Seasons for two nights and then we move over to the Westin Kierland. The Four Seasons I guess is attached to Troon and the Westin the Kierland Golf Club. If you were in my position, would courses would you play? Any advice would be appreciated as the only courses I have played in the area has been at the Boulders.

Thanks!

Certainly Troon and Kierland are great courses and you could do worse and this time of year you won't need a second mortgage to play there.  I would say Wildfire (two courses there)  are good places.  Also the Camelback Resort (resort course (pueblo?) not Indian Bend couse) is a good public use facility and course.  I can't speak to the conditions of any of these as I don't spend summer in Phoenix/Scottsdale but likely are in good shape as they are all top tier.  Just a last suggestion when you arrive at the Phoenix airport (you don't give your location so I'm assuming you're flying in) pick up one of the free magazines on AZ Golf and such.  For the Mrs there are a lot of free magazines on shopping and other activities in the area.  It will be hot but if you're lucky the humidity will have broken by then.

Kierland and Camelback would not make my top 20 Phoenix/Scottsdale area courses.

We-Ko-Pa would be at the top of my list. Both courses there are excellent.

Here  is a link to my favorite Scottsdale area courses with photos.

http://golfcourses.weebly.com/phoenix-az.html

I've been to the Westin (great resort...definitely have a meal at their "nice" restaurant Deseo if you can) and played two rounds on Kierland.  It is a gorgeous course, well maintained, but it is certainly a "resort course", i.e. generous fairways (with the rough often banked to bounce offline shots back in play), and probably overpriced, so rarely rated highly by regulars/locals.

That being said, I didn't find the layout boring at all though, with a pretty interesting mix of bunkering, elevation changes, and water--and shooting a nice score and not grinding all the time was pretty pleasurable to me (my personal best of 80--should have been my first round in the 70's except choked on 17 & 18!).

Plus, if you're traveling with wife & kids, not having to waste an extra hour of driving time will probably be appreciated, as the clubhouse is a short walk past the pool area....you should consider yourself lucky being granted 5 rounds on a family trip!   Ergo, i'd put Kierland on your list at least once while you're staying at the Westin.  They do have 27 holes so if you played two rounds, you probably wouldn't play the same two 9's each day so you'd still get some variety as well.

I second the We-Ko-Pa suggestion.  Group of us went down there in September last year for the AZ vs Iowa football game and played a few rounds over the weekend.  We played the Cholla course, pretty open with a few elevation changes, water comes into play on a few holes, but very fair for any skill level.  They treat you real well there too, load everything up for you, give you a nice cool wet towel to throw around the neck which is just what the doctor ordered, and they give you a small lithograph of one of the holes as a parting gift.

That was the morning round, then headed over and played the Pinnacle course at Troon North, which this time of year I believe they only charge like $59 compared to the $300 or whatever it is in the cooler season.  Definitely enjoyed Troon a little more just because the conditions seemed a little nicer and was a tougher challenge of golf.  Greens were spectacular and the scenery from atop some of the hills is pretty sweet.  True desert golf there, but beware of the cactus right by the walkways, I got nailed on the ankle on about #15 when walking off the tee.  Scared the hell out of me thinking it was a snake right away.  WELL worth your dollar, we were in heaven playing into the warm evening.  Great food in the bar as well, chicken caesar, BOMB!!

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all of the insight. I think I will venture out for one round outside the Kierland, but am relegated to Kierland for the rest of the trip. They allow you to check the kids into the kids club for free if you play golf or visit the spa. This will allow my wife to chill at the pool while I am on the links. Not a bad deal all things considered.

Thanks!

What about the Phoenician? I've heard from family that it's quite impressive at 27 holes, gets all sorts of rave reviews. I imagine fees are hefty, though.

The Phoenecian is an amzing resort. One of the best places  I've stayed at anywhere. However, the golf course, while okay is not one of the  top courses in the area.

GIve Grayhawk, either Talon or Raptor, a try.

I am just reviving this thread.  I will be in Scottsdale mid February 2019 at a Conference at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.  I will probably be without spouse as she has a heavy work week.  Looking for a things a single guy could do in the afternoon as most of the events end at 12:00PM.  Looking for recommended course I could play where I could keep my Kidney?  Its pretty tough to find rates online.