BTW, want to be sure people don't confuse Superstition Springs (which was mentioned) with Superstition Mountain. Springs is a middling daily fee course which straddles the US60 out in Mesa, but Superstition Mountain is a very legit pair of courses out at the base of the mountains which has held LPGA and Sr. Tour events and was recently forced to go semi-private. Definitely recommend it for the right price.

played sunridge canyon on saturday and it was in really good shape. I don't think I would pay 90/person to play there but for a comp charity tournament it was pretty fun

played kierland on saturday with a buddy of mine who works in the golf shop. course was in about 9.5 out of 10 shape conditions wise. we were the first group out and didn't see a single other person out there so it was an awesome day. greens are smooth and fast as always.

final score 75 playing like a donkey and having to stay sober because I had to much **** to do the rest of the day

City of Phoenix ruined Papago. I will never ever go back there.

When I moved here 5+ years ago, I instantly fell in love with Papago. I moved from Long Island and Bethpage State Park. Sure, Papago was not The Black Course, and the Men's Club was nowhere near Bethpage's... but it was close enough for me.

When they renovated the course, they completely ruined the atmosphere and ambiance. They ruined the first hole. They put the weirdest bunker ever right in the middle of 16 fairway and ruined that hole too. AND THEY RAISED THE RATES TO RIDICULOUS LEVELS TO PAY FOR IT. They demolished the clubhouse and didn't build a new one. Golfers have no place to sit and hang out afterwards. How stupid is that? It's utterly ******ed.

Inept clowns, anyone who was involved (the AGA and COP). How you F up such a gem I will never understand.

Today, Dobson Ranch is my favorite course in the area. Inexpensive, fun layout and easy to get tee times. Ken McDonald is prob my second fave. Both are muni's (Mesa for Dobson and Tempe for Kenny Mac) and I've never been a high society golfer so I fit right in.

The first hole at Papago is so much better now there's no comparison. Move green 50+ yards back alongside the pond to bring the water much more prominently into play, add bunker left to eliminate that bailout, and clear out all the crap that had grown in along the water that looked like a 70s porn star snatch. I can understand many of the criticisms of Papago - especially the bunkering on the 16th, that is easily the one thing I hate about the redesign - but not liking what they did to the 1st makes no sense to me. It's a much tougher hole, and also a much better one.

A bigger concern about Papago is recent rumors about ASU bulldozing Karsten* and then using Papago as their home course. This doesn't bother me and Papago >>> Karsten as far as pro-level golf goes, but then I heard that ASU is totally abusing a comp round agreement with Papago at the moment, filling up their tee sheet with way more non-paying players than Papago evidently anticipated.

* Normally I'd be sad to hear about the possibility of a course being plowed under but Karsten has never really done much for me. It's super gimmicky.

My top 5 favorite and most economical places to play are the following

1) Dobson Ranch - cheap, good layout, make a lot of birdies, fun for everyone
2) Aguilia - cheap, very nice layout with the added bunkers, always in good shape for a muni, not that crowded as it's a little ways out
3) Legacy - get an afternoon tee time and it's reasonable usually, better to play in the summer because you can get out for $20 bucks and it's ALWAYS, and I MEAN ALWAYS in good shape. I have played here about 25-30 times and would say I have never seen the course in anything less than 7 out of 10 conditions wise
4) Trilogy at Vistancia - same as above, cheap, great conditions

Played ASU Karsten a couple of weeks ago with a former traveling partner on the minis. The only problem we had with it was 9 and 18 for at least two reasons. 1, both holes were just too over the top as far as difficulty goes. If you miss the green from 180+ it's bogey or worse as with most hole locations if you bail away from the water it's not possible to pitch it close. Something that penal is just fine for a short iron shot but not for a 470 yard par 4. 2, those two holes are carbon copies of his (Dye) course at Stonebridge here in the DFW area. Course was in excellent shape.

Also played Wekopa (Cholla) while there, what a great course with the exception of the par 5 8th. Funny story before we teed off, we're on the range warming up and talking about technical aspects of the swing. Buddy was showing me what he does to keep from taking it back with his hands and then showing what happens if he does not which was basically taking it away with no big muscles whatsoever. Starter comes up on the range and from about 20 yards away yells over "Don't take it away with your hands, turn your shoulders and you'll hit it better!". Silence. My buddy and I look at each other and slowly turn to face the starter. My buddy goes, "ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?!?!" Starter doesn't say a word. On the first tee we inform him we are playing the championship tees and after we teed off I think he saw the error of his ways. I started off birdie birdie birdie and missed a 10-footer for birdie on 4. Didn't keep that up but it's so nice to play a course in absolutely pristine condition with fast greens.

We'll probably meet up again in 2011, if so perhaps I'll put out feelers for a little best ball match.

BO

So is the idea that the 8th is just not a fair hole? I have heard that before but am not really sure I get it. The drive can be confusing if you don't know the correct line but I think it's OK. They call it their signature hole but it's also probably the most controversial hole on the course. I like it.

I don't like having to lay up to 150+. 300+ out and bunting 9-iron down the hill and then another 9-iron into the green. If you could lay up to ~100 I wouldn't have a problem with it.

BO

I played Stonecreek for the first time a couple days ago and it was in super good shape. The greens were pretty fast/smooth and the course didnt seem that busy for noon on a weekday.

Hmmm, I don't remember the layup distance being that great, it's been awhile since I played that course. Yes, that is annoying but I'm guessing the terrain didn't allow them to build properly without moving a ton of dirt.

anybody played Vista Verde? thoughts?
if u played in recently were the conditions good?

Can't speak to the conditions of Vista Verde but I've heard nothing but great things for the rate. I could definitely see it being one of many local courses which may shutter in the next year or two. I hope to play it before that happens.

Anyway, came to post that I played both Whirlwind courses last week. Both were in good shape, first time I've played both on the same day and it reinforces my preference for Cattail, it's just loaded with great holes whereas Devil's Claw has a lot of repetition and back and forth (imo). Also, the mower for Devil's Claw must have been drunk or something because on a few of the earlier holes he scuffed up the greens pretty good and left bump marks all over them.

Today, played Aguila for the first time. It lived up to the hype, at least as far as munis go. 7000+ yards plus they are adding a couple of tees to stretch it out a bit. Only one weak par-5, both of the ones on the back are legit, and both #9 and #18 are very solid finishing holes. Evidently their recent remodel to deal with the bunkering removed a ton of sand because there was substantial new sod on every hole and around every green where sand traps had previously been.

told you aguilia is sick for the price...nice conditions and a fun layout to try to shoot a decent number. LOTS of birdies out there if you get it going

First time playing Ocotillo today. Course was in good shape, greens were a nice smooth speed. Lots of water but didn't find it very difficult at all. Almost every hole a birdie hole out there, fun to play.

Living just off Ray Rd. in Chandler for the next few months. Any advice on what are the best least expensive courses nearby? And any ones near that have good practice deals?

I lived off of Alma School rd and Chandler Blvd for my 2 years in phoenix area. My favorite course was Lone Tree, but it had really gone downhill condition-wise the last overseed when I was there. But obv that could've changed by now. Trilogy is really nice too. Whirlwind is by far the best course in south Phoenix, but I imagine their rates are pretty high this time of year.

Just on the other side of the mountain on Baseline you can find The Raven, Legacy, and about 20 minutes down the road Aguilla, which they were just talking about.

Also, down Chandler Blvd you have the Foothills, and Lonetree isn't too far (25 minutes maybe).

If you just moved there, I highly recomend Keegans Grill on Ray road. Try the open faced steak sandwich, I used to live on that thing.

Went to Lonetree the other day. Nice course, but really easy, especially off the tee. I hit it awful off the tee and shot my lowest round in 2 years. All about putting obv!

Went to Alta Mesa today and I think I am going to join there. $250 a month, membership and the practice facility is great, the course looks awesome, and the greens are insane - they are incredible. They actually dont even look/feel like real greens, they look like carpet and are insanely true. If you get a downhill, downgrain putt... Byeeeeeeeee.

Played Aguilia again on Saturday. Tee Time was 1:08 for 35 bucks with cart and we finished 18 right at sunset.

My friend hooked me up with a California dispensary treat which needless to say got my swing in a grove. Shot 37-33 for 2 under 70 which ties my best round in the last year or two.

3 under on the back nine with two donkey three putts felt pretty good.

Aguilia is so fun hitting driver every hole and the greens are in good shape. 100% worth playing if you are looking for a reasonably priced course to tee it up at.

Anyone here played Troon North? What's it like... condition, tight, green speed..

I am assuming it's gonna be good since it's a troon course and its $150 a round

Troon North is fair as far as desert courses go. Not at all unfairly narrow like you hear about some other courses, and usually in stellar condition. Greens should be fast but never private country club level fast.

A few years ago they switched the routing, effectively making both original front nines and both back nines the new courses. imo, you definitely want to play what's now called "Pinnacle" if you can, it's got better overall holes. The other is still good but the weakest of the four nines is what was originally the front nine of the Pinnacle, which is now the back nine of the Monument. Some truly goofy holes on that one.

Playing Quintero today at 1:30. I have only played there once or twice, but it's one of the nicest courses imo in the phoenix area. Just out past Lake Pleasant with some wild par 3's

Quintero is sick. Shame that its going under...

For what it's worth, I played pretty good at Troon North but hated the layout.
I really hate golf courses with no rough. It's like fairway perfect, then 2 feet away, desert X with 0 chance of recovery. Decent shape, lots of ball marks on the greens though.

QUINTERO WAS ABSOLUTELY UNREAL GOOD TODAY! course was flawless, great day, good company, lots of beers...too bad I shot 80 today out there. Had a few too many in the desert!

hmmm, think i might have to move back to phx