Scottsdale Courses

[rstyle]

Have to go to a meeting with a friend in May.
I know it is going to be very expensive but once in a lifetime.
Which 3 courses should I play?
My choices right now are:
1) Boulders
2) Troon North
3)??

[Shindig]

  rstyle said:

Have to go to a meeting with a friend in May.

I haven't played it, but I would put TPC Scottsdale under consideration. I aim to get out to Scottsdale to play it someday.

[tjy355]

In May, you will be out of the high season rates, but faced with warmer weather. Personally, I don't mind it because of the low humidity.

My suggestion is to check out We-Ko-Pa. The Saguaro course is a Coore and Crenshaw design that opened about a year ago. It's on an Indian reservation and is a core layout with no housing intrusion. Amazing vistas. There is a second Scott Miller designed course called the Cholla that I haven't played but also garners high praise. You can't go wrong with either.

The TPC Scottsdale is nothing special and way overpriced if you ask me.

I've not played the Boulders, but the South course always shows up on the lists of AZ top courses. They have done some recent tweaking at Troon North, mixing up the nines on the two courses they have there. Definitely worth checking out despite being surrounded by housing.

A couple of others to check into: SunRidge Canyon and Legend Trail.

Enjoy your visit - drink LOTS of water!

Tom

[vamosbarca]

I second giving We Ko Pa a try. I played the Cholla course and loved every minute.

I would also look into (not in Scottsdale, but good courses):

Gold Canyon - Dinosaur mountain course
Raven at Verrado
Sun Ridge Canyon
Eagle Mountain

[Guest]

We Ko Pa is a great course, I was out there about a month ago with some buddies and had a good time. Great find for transportation-- our group stayed at the Valley Ho and the conceirge recommended Dunn Transportation. They have brand new coaches, flat screen tvs, with a golf club rack on board and the service was awesome. Looking forward to heading back out West in the late Spring!

[GolfnGriff]

Kierland is a nice course. 27 holes. It is a troon course and in very good shape. It is a traditional resort course but I enjoy it...

Walking Stick, also a Troon Course, is a nice layout with a linx 18 and a traditional 18.

Both are in Scottsdale.

[bca42]

  rstyle said:

Have to go to a meeting with a friend in May.

I have played Boulders and it's worth it for sure. I also recommend and agree with those who offered: WeKoPa and Eagle Mountain (which I hear few talk about but it's a great experience). I couple others I played last year and loved: Estrella Mountain Ranch (there's another Estrella nearby so get the right one) and Las Sendas (I ran into Donovan McNabb there, advance apologies for the namedrop ). All four are equal in my eyes. Can you go wrong with Troon or Grayhawk? In a word, no, but everyone goes there. So you either choose the popular tracks or the lesser known ones that maybe the more experienced Phoenix traveler/golfer knows. Either way you won't be disappointed. Have fun! BCA

[rstyle]

Which Greyhawk course?
Talon or Raptor

[doublesuited77]

let me add another BIG recommendation for Kierland, my favorite couse in the area.

[bca42]

  rstyle said:

Which Greyhawk course?

Raptor was always the better track, but I heard they flipped 9s this year and they're mixed now. Not sure I haven't seen it since this was done.

[wingchamps]

Troon North is fabulous...
Ocotillo is a good value...
TPC is fun, but not in the upper echelon of Valley courses...
Sedona is a great side trip that will blow you away...

[tjy355]

  bca42 said:

Raptor was always the better track, but I heard they flipped 9s this year and they're mixed now. Not sure I haven't seen it since this was done.

You may be thinking of Troon North, where they switched up the nines and made some other tweaks. I don't believe they have done this at Grayhawk.

Story about the Troon N. changes: http://www.troonnorthgolf.com/news.p...0543b9f3&from;=

[skibumdc]

We-Ko-Pa. Both courses are fantastic....and in better shape than other places I played.
Don't know if it's due to less water restrictions on Indian Reservations?

I played the Saguaro course in April of '07 and it was immaculate and beautiful.
Played Cholla in August of 07 as well and was stunned by how green and well kept everything was.

While in Scottsdale in August I played Troon, Boulders, Raven S. Mountain, Grayhawk (Raptor & Talon,) and We-Ko-Pa.

Of all those I would say We-Ko-Pa, and so would the other 7 people in our outing.

[rstyle]

Thanks Skibumdc!
Did you like Raptor or Talon best.
Wil play Boulders and We-ko-Pa for sure.

[Divot]

May I recommend two...

Talking stick is a great bargain.
ASU Karsten is a great chellenge (Tempe).

[skibumdc]

  rstyle said:

Thanks Skibumdc!

Trying to remember which I liked best, but if I recall the newer course certainly had some memorable holes.

I specifically remember a par 3 on the back 9 that had a grandstand starting to get set-up for an even they were going to have in October I believe? Nice water on the left and front of the green, bunker back right. For Boulders, the newer course felt much more fresh to me. More yardage markers, better irrigation, and some very pretty holes. Hole #1 is a nice treat that you have the thread your drive in a fade for a clear second shot.

[jimmizu]

I was there last May with 3 buddies. HOT!
But we all agreed, We-Ko-Pa, then Grayhawk.
We played both 18s each day.
Really long days . . .
Did I mention HOT!!!!

[skibumdc]

  jimmizu said:

I was there last May with 3 buddies. HOT!

HOT in May? Please!! I played 36 per day for 3 days straight, and then 18 on the fourth in AUGUST. Guaranteed 100-110+ every day. Worst part was after the sun went down, it was sill 90+. We would drink gallons of water and Gatorade and never have to stop for a bathroom. A nice cold beer after the rounds at dinner would hit you nice and quick.

One benefit was that you don't feel tight and cold when you tee off in the mornings.