Vacation to Phoenix/Scottsdale

[amoline]

Hey everyone.

We're talking a family/semi-golf vacation to Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding area on the first week of August. 

We'd love to get any suggestions on things to do or can't miss areas or really just general suggestions for our trip. We're pretty experienced travelers but we enjoy hearing from locals and those familiar with the area. 

We'll be there for about a week, and we have some fun things planned. On the schedule thus far is visiting the PING factory and going on the tour (already scheduled), and experiencing a club fitting while they're not yet charging. We also are planning on playing 18 holes at the Wildfire Golf Club (we're staying at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort so it's the course attached to the resort), and there will also be 18 holes played at TPC Scottsdale Champion course (excited about this!)

So we have a few things planned as is, but it would be great hearing from anyone around this area and seeing if there's anything else.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions! 

Andrew

[iacas]

You might not want to hear me say this (or read me type this? ), but… I'd strongly consider doing something else over playing the TPC Scottsdale course.

It's very blah. Even the famous holes are… blah. Nowhere near worth the cost, and entirely disappointing, IMO.

I think @mvmac feels similarly.

[amoline]

Fair point @iacas! I know what you mean. That said (typed, lol), the champions course at TPC actually has a less expensive green fee than the resort's course. If it changes your opinion at all, we are playing two of us at TPC for $41 per person, which is actually $4 than my home course here in the city, lol. I certainly wouldn't pay the multiple hundreds during peak time. 

[iacas]

16 minutes ago, amoline said:

Fair point @iacas! I know what you mean. That said (typed, lol), the champions course at TPC actually has a less expensive green fee than the resort's course. If it changes your opinion at all, we are playing two of us at TPC for $41 per person, which is actually $4 than my home course here in the city, lol. I certainly wouldn't pay the multiple hundreds during peak time. 

That helps a bit. Kinda. I still don't know if I'd play there.  But yeah, that does help.

[amoline]

Thanks for the suggestion! We'll definitely keep an eye out for other things too. I really appreciate it! Still over a month to look for stuff, so if we see something better we'll jump on it.

[gregsandiego]

1 hour ago, amoline said:

Fair point @iacas! I know what you mean. That said (typed, lol), the champions course at TPC actually has a less expensive green fee than the resort's course. If it changes your opinion at all, we are playing two of us at TPC for $41 per person, which is actually $4 than my home course here in the city, lol. I certainly wouldn't pay the multiple hundreds during peak time. 

It's 104 in Phoenix as I write this (7pm).  Do you have family in Phoenix? 

If not just keep going until you hit San Diego. We have nicer weather and probably more choices for golf. You can probably visit  TaylorMade and Callaway in Carlsbad too.

 

But if family ties are in Phoenix I understand...

[amoline]

I agree, gregsandiego! That would be convenient. alas, we do have a friend in Phoenix we're going down to see for a few days, so that's what the location is for! I didn't know TM or Callaway did visits, however. Good to know if we are out that way in future.

[gregsandiego]

2 hours ago, amoline said:

I agree, gregsandiego! That would be convenient. alas, we do have a friend in Phoenix we're going down to see for a few days, so that's what the location is for! I didn't know TM or Callaway did visits, however. Good to know if we are out that way in future.

Have fun.

[DaveP043]

Have a great time!  I stayed at the same resort a few years ago, its really posh, and the golf is dang good.  There are two courses there, I think its a Palmer and a Faldo.  Obviously the food at the resort will be good, but if you're looking for some spicy New Mexico-style mexican food, look up Los Dos Molinos.  The Ping factory tour is great too, sounds like you'll have a nice visit.

[mvmac]

Agree with @iacas, TPC is very average. I'd recommend Talking Stick in Scottsdale, it's a Coore/Crenshaw design and a lot of fun to play.

https://talkingstickgolfclub.com/

For non-golf stuff I'd recommend hiking up Pinnacle Peak, great views, and spending some time in Old Town Scottsdale. There are plenty of local restaurants and shopping. If your wife is into jewelry there are some places that sell some cool stuff at reasonable prices. My wife got some pieces a few years ago and loves them.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/chief-dodge-indian-jewelry-and-fine-indian-arts-scottsdale

[amoline]

Thanks a bunch, @mvmac! We'll take a look into those things.

20 y/o college student unmarried, but my mom likes jewelry a lot. 

[k-troop]

We did summer Phoenix trips two years in a row when I lived in CA; it's manageable and it's the best golf for the money you'll find anywhere at any time of year.  I'd plan to play golf early and hike late, with some pool and naps in the middle.  It will be very difficult to do anything outside between 1100 and 1700.  I'll fourth the non-recommendation for TPC; better courses include:

Troon North

We ko pa

Talking Stick

[lastings]

On 7/29/2016 at 2:58 AM, k-troop said:

We did summer Phoenix trips two years in a row when I lived in CA; it's manageable and it's the best golf for the money you'll find anywhere at any time of year.  I'd plan to play golf early and hike late, with some pool and naps in the middle.  It will be very difficult to do anything outside between 1100 and 1700.  I'll fourth the non-recommendation for TPC; better courses include:

Troon North

We ko pa

Talking Stick

I guess, since we're all sharing Arizona course recommendations.  

Arizona in the summer is fun, because you can play top-of-the-line courses for next to nothing (compared to what you pay in peak season).  

Talking Stick, We-Ko-Pa, and Troon, already mentioned, so no need for further commentary other than, I agree.  

 

Greyhawk is also exceptional.  both courses are great layouts.   One of which is harder than the other.   Take it easy on yourself and play the easier one.   I think that is the Talon course, but can't remember for sure.  

If you are not there in the down season, and golf is a bit expensive, there is a hidden gem called Gold Canyon - Dinosaur Course,  which is just west of Mesa.  this is an excellent course with a ton of elevation and beautiful views, while being significantly less expensive than the high end courses.  I have, on occasion, convinced myself that i like this course better than We-ko-pa..   which is in the same general region. 

 

 

Edited August 9, 2016 by lastings