Is there any affordable golf in Phoenix during the Winter?

[bong_crosby]

My (limited) Phoenix area (Surprise) experience. Played there in March while spring training was going on. Golf was not cheap. The day **after** spring training ended, so did the high rates. Wish we would have planned the trip a week later.

Okay. That's absolutely no help at all but thanks for contributing.

[bong_crosby]

So, I've been in Phoenix for a little more than a month now and thought I'd update my post. To answer my own question, there is definitely affordable golf to be found in the Phoenix area during Winter and it doesn't just have to be the municipal courses. I've spent anywhere from $50 to $20 the average price being around $30. Here is a list of my favorites:

Stonecreek - We got a screamin' deal on this one from golfnow.com ($25 or something like that). This is a very fun course that is great for all abilities. We never did find another cheap price like that, but I think you can play it for around $40.
Foothills - Nice course and great people. Ask about the $.15 hot wings.
Estrella - Kind of out of the way but a very pretty course and challenging but not crazy hard. Good burgers.
Starfire - Great bang for the buck. No driving range and the practice facilities are limited to a putting green but the course is fun. Good course to take a higher handicapper since it's affordable and not very difficult. Also a good course for when you want a day off from the higher priced or more difficult tracks.
Vista Verde - Tough but fair. Not much in the way of amenities but this course is the closest you'll get to a Scottish style course in Arizona. They're offering some screamin' deals for this course right now on golfnow.com - $35 for 18 with cart. Play it before they get their financial problems solved and jack up the prices.
Kokopelli - Wow! For the price we paid, I was expecting a cake walk with boring, straight forward golf. This course is anything but. We played the tees just in front of the Champions (gold??) and I had my hands full. After your first round you'll figure out some things to save a shot or two. For your first time, read the hints and description on the GPS and look at the maps.
Falcon Dunes - It's a military course but if you're active duty, retired, or family of the aforementioned, you can play for $25. And they have the best deal available on range balls - $4.25 for 75 balls.
Oakwood - This is a course in retirement community down in Sun Lakes. It's only $25 with cart but a nice way to spend a day. Tip - if some of the "old, retired guys" ask you if you want in on the game, only say yes if you brought your "A" game. They have some of mine and my brother's money.
Hillcrest - a bargain at $25 on golfnow. Nothing cosmic about this course.

Courses that were fun, but I wouldn't return:

TPC (Stadium and Champions) - The Champions course didn't feel any different than a lot of the other courses we played for half the price.
McCormick Ranch - nice practice facilities, good people, adequate course but not worth the money they're asking.
Papago - This course left a terrible taste in my mouth. First they're charging way too much for what you get. Finally, I've never been so penalized for hitting okay (not great but not bad) shots...ever. I got so tired of hitting the fairway or green and watching my ball roll into what are essentially unplayable lies in the desert areas. I expect to pay the price for hitting it long and wrong but to watch your ball hit in the fairway, run across the rough and into the desert area that is filled with cobble the size of golf balls got very old. May be it's just me...I'm sure if that's the case, someone will respond with a different opinion.
Phoenix munis (Cave Creek and Aguilla) - not that affordable, not very interesting, and long waits between shots.

There were a couple others but they're slipping my mind right now. These are just one guys opinion and to really figure things out, you'll have to do like we did, and go play 'em for yourself.

[Shindig]

The above is a fantastic set of information. I hope to make use of it in the not too distant future! Thanks.

[bluerrpilot]

Bong.....Since you dont mind driving a little here are a couple of other course you might want to check out. If your using golfnow.com all can be had for under $50

Palm Valley
Legend at Arrowhead
Union Hills CC
Maryvale
Coldwater

[laquintaboy82]

hey bong also check out dobson ranch they allow walking and its a fantastic muni its less than 30 and they keep it in fantastic shape as it came in as top 5 in golf digests best municipals to play. its in mesa also i too thought papago was a poop hole as well way over priced and not that nice.they have gave it a little face lift since then but i cant imagine it to be much better its like there fairways are like clay after taking a divot. check it out and let me know what you think bro

[uttexas]

BC, Thanks for the informative update