Where to play around Goodyear, Arizona?

[cm70056]

Hello All!

I will be taking a 10 day vacation starting the 2nd week of April and will be staying in Goodyear, Arizona. I have never been in this area before so I need some advice on where to play. I would like to try 4 or 5 different courses and then pick one public course close to Goodyear that I can play multiple times. I have been looking at a lot of different courses on the internet, but I always feel first hand experience from local golfers is the best.

Here's what I am looking for:

-I would like to play 2 of my days at a "premier" course with beautiful views of the mountains (I would be willing to spend around $150 per round and willing to drive up to 1 hour)

-I would like to know of a few good courses very close to the Goodyear area (I am thinking any nice public courses? $40-60 per round)

-I would like to know of a course in the Goodyear area that has a nice putting/chipping green area. (My home courses do not have a fairway/putting green area to practice chipping. I need to spend some time with my new wedges learning them)

-I typically prefer afternoon or twilight rounds. What time is sunset during that time of year?

-What is the typical pace of play at any course you may mention? Is it easy to get a round in 4 hours or less?

-Do these courses permit single players or are they always going to want to group me up with other couples/singles?

-Is there a good golf shop in Goodyear where I can buy some supplies so I don't have to ship as much?

Thanks for all the help in advance.

[user9800]

You can play just about every course in the Metro Phoenix area if you are willing to drive an hour. Try We-Ko-Pa for a nice course and great views.Use Golf Now to get a better idea of course locations and price ranges. Prices will start dropping in April.

[ay33660]

I go to my place right beside the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield which is near Goodyear a couple of times a year.

The Wigwam has three courses and the gold is pretty good but not always in the best shape.

Their practice area is very good.

http://www.wigwamgolf.com/

My regular course to play is The Golf Club of Estrella.

Very nice course and is always in good shape as it is managed by Troon Golf.

Reasonable price too.

http://www.estrellagolf.com/index.php

The Raven at Verrado is 30 mins west of Goodyear.

Very nice course but a bit more expensive.

http://www.ravenatverrado.com/

For golf store and driving range there is the Valley Golf Center.

http://www.valleygolfcenteraz.com/home/

[cm70056]

I go to my place right beside the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield which is near Goodyear a couple of times a year.

The Wigwam has three courses and the gold is pretty good but not always in the best shape.

Their practice area is very good.

http://www.wigwamgolf.com/

My regular course to play is The Golf Club of Estrella.

Very nice course and is always in good shape as it is managed by Troon Golf.

Reasonable price too.

http://www.estrellagolf.com/index.php

The Raven at Verrado is 30 mins west of Goodyear.

Very nice course but a bit more expensive.

http://www.ravenatverrado.com/

For golf store and driving range there is the Valley Golf Center.

http://www.valleygolfcenteraz.com/home/

Thank you sir! I already had Estrella on my list....excited to play that course! Wigwam was a new one. I think it looks like a nice course and I would like to play it.

Another question I am wondering, is it critical to book tee times with these courses? It seems like they charge more if I try to book a tee time 1 month ahead. What is the possibility of just showing up and "playing in" at Wigwam and Estrella?

[Hey Joe]

I have family coming in this weekend and wanted to take my bro to nice place. After looking around we decided on Eagle Moutain. This time of year it is 185, but found 99 after 2 on the web. Will update thoughts after we play. Joe

[ay33660]

Thank you sir! I already had Estrella on my list....excited to play that course! Wigwam was a new one. I think it looks like a nice course and I would like to play it.

Another question I am wondering, is it critical to book tee times with these courses? It seems like they charge more if I try to book a tee time 1 month ahead. What is the possibility of just showing up and "playing in" at Wigwam and Estrella?

I rarely book ahead at Estrella. I usually call the night before and then when I finish a round I will rebook at the pro shop for the next days. I find that I usually get the same rate as "Golf Now" except I don't have to pay the "Golf Now" booking fee.

This is another one of my regular courses that I play - Trilogy Vistancia.

http://www.trilogygolfclub.com/vistancia/

It is located about 45 min north of Goodyear. Take 303 up to Happy Valley Pkwy and head west on Happy Valley and you will hit the course.

At the Wigwam I only live less than 5 minutes away so I just call in the am for a time.

Estrella is more of a target desert course and Wigwam is a traditional course with grass all the way from tee to green.

Another reasonable priced course to try is ASU Karsten Golf course, try it before it closes in a few years. Neat layout. A good portion of the service staff are ASU students and they are great to deal with.

http://asukarsten.com/

It is near the big outlet mall Arizona Mills so just drop off the family and go golfing and pick them up after the round. Now everyone is happy.

http://www.simon.com/mall/arizona-mills

If you want to drive 1.25 hours to Scottsdale then you should try The Boulders.

http://www.bouldersclub.com/

Again you can drop off the wife and kids at the Fashion Square mall in Scottsdale.

Just be prepared for a large shopping bill as it is not cheap to shop at THAT mall.

http://www.fashionsquare.com/

For a real treat try another course in the North West area up by 303 is Quintero Golf Course.

http://www.quinterogolf.com/

Pretty tough course and a bit pricey but I try to play there at least once or twice during my stays.

Best Italian restaurant in the area - Bella Luna Ristorante.

http://www.bellalunaaz.com/

[Arthur L]

I have a few ideas.  Invest about $50 in the Arizona Avid Golfer book, you'll save HUNDREDS if you golf a bunch of times during your stay.  You can play some of the primo courses for under $50.  You'll need one book per golfer.

Some even allow you to play the course more than once, like the Wigwam, which has three very nice courses.

One of my favorites is the Raven at Verrado.  Estrella Mountain Ranch is also a great choice (and you can play there twice for $59, less than half price).  Trilogy at Vistancia is also a wonderful golf course on the West side.

Also take a good look at the tee time specials at Golfnow.com  They usually have great prices all around the valley.  Prices start coming down in April.

You can check out all the deals with Avid Golfer by looking at an online version of the book (which you can't use at the golf course).  Please note, I have no financial interest in Avid Golfer; I have just used it happily for several years.

http://www.myavidgolfer.com/media/61972/AZPassbook2014_Final.pdf

Enjoy your stay in the Phoenix area - golf heaven!  You may not want to leave.

Arthur L