Troon North Pinnacle + WeKoPa Saguaro + ???

[LBRMGR]

[quote name='mikedejong' timestamp='1415907484' post='10441873']
I did not like the Phoenician at all. Very short, congested resort course. I have been told on here that Camelback is very good, worth playing.
[/quote]


Awesome, which course? Ambiente?

I think it's just more sensible for my group to play Talking Stick, Camelback or Phoenician which is a 10 minute drive from the W (in addition to rounds at WeKoPa and Troon North)...

While Tegavah may be awesome, I'll need the convenience of a 10 minute drive from the W...

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1415908394' post='10441931']
[quote name='mikedejong' timestamp='1415907484' post='10441873']
I did not like the Phoenician at all. Very short, congested resort course. I have been told on here that Camelback is very good, worth playing.
[/quote]


Awesome, which course? Ambiente?

I think it's just more sensible for my group to play Talking Stick, Camelback or Phoenician which is a 10 minute drive from the W (in addition to rounds at WeKoPa and Troon North)...

While Tegavah may be awesome, I'll need the convenience of a 10 minute drive from the W...
[/quote]
Ambiente is clearly the preferred Camelback course - not really desert golf but a good track. TS North has fans (Teejay says Miles Davis can be heard on some of the fairways) and detractors - flat and boring(Ambiente is flat also). I don't think you will find many fans of Phoenician for the golf, although the resort itself is quite impressive, and there may be views on the course as well (haven't played it). Bottom line, reasons to play all and it is unlikely you will be too disappointed with any.

[wcb231]

Skip the Phoenician. As in, never play it. Ever. Unless you get to play the Canyon course both times, but even then there are more bad than good holes. Just don't.

I would rather take the greens fee and set it directly on fire than play the Phoenician again.

[LBRMGR]

LOL amazing analysis.

Sounds like Camelback Ambiente is preferred to TS North.

For our third round of the trip, proximity to the hotel is preferred so it seems like we will just do Ambiente and drive 10 min instead of 40 to go to a better track.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='wcb231' timestamp='1415918060' post='10442781']
Skip the Phoenician. As in, never play it. Ever. Unless you get to play the Canyon course both times, but even then there are more bad than good holes. Just don't.

I would rather take the greens fee and set it directly on fire than play the Phoenician again.
[/quote]

I played it for $45 bucks in peak season and that was too much.

[az2au]

I'll be the lone naysayer on Ambiente vs TSN. I think TSN is a significantly better golf course. The front nine on Ambiente is very good but several holes on the back feel jammed in and compromised by real estate. Both are good golf courses though.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='az2au' timestamp='1415942283' post='10444859']
I'll be the lone naysayer on Ambiente vs TSN. I think TSN is a significantly better golf course. The front nine on Ambiente is very good but several holes on the back feel jammed in and compromised by real estate. Both are good golf courses though.
[/quote]

It is close but the conditions at TSN have been questionable at best for the last 8 months or so. If conditions are equally good at both tracks it is a coin flip. Now that TSN is no longer under Troon I hope it will return to having greens running more than 8 and less like plinko. I have a feeling Troon knew they were not going to continue management and just let the conditions slide to save $$$ but Ill wait until further review before I spend decent money to play TSN again.

[LBRMGR]

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone

[TheInfidel]

[quote name='Golfjunki71' timestamp='1415244412' post='10403901']
Try Camelback Ambiente. It's one of my favorites
[/quote]

Hi, slightly unrelated but im making the trip from Scotland to Scottsdale in September next year. One option is to stay at the JW Marriott where you get preferential rates on the Camelback courses. Could you let me know what you think and if it's worth staying here to get the rates? Hotel price is good and I'll be playing 3 or 4 rounds in the area.

Thanks in advance.

[wcb231]

Nice hotel. One of my favorite spots to go with the wife for happy hour, their outdoor seating area is really nice. Be prepared to drive ten minutes to get anywhere else, and keep in mind the golf course is on a separate property down the street

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='az2au' timestamp='1415942283' post='10444859']
I'll be the lone naysayer on Ambiente vs TSN. I think TSN is a significantly better golf course. The front nine on Ambiente is very good but several holes on the back feel jammed in and compromised by real estate. Both are good golf courses though.
[/quote]

I don't disagree - I like Ambiente, but certainly not the big fan some others are, and from a golf design standpoint, you have Coore and Crenshaw with TSN - hard to beat.

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='TheInfidel' timestamp='1415972701' post='10445671']
[quote name='Golfjunki71' timestamp='1415244412' post='10403901']
Try Camelback Ambiente. It's one of my favorites
[/quote]

Hi, slightly unrelated but im making the trip from Scotland to Scottsdale in September next year. One option is to stay at the JW Marriott where you get preferential rates on the Camelback courses. Could you let me know what you think and if it's worth staying here to get the rates? Hotel price is good and I'll be playing 3 or 4 rounds in the area.

Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

Love the JW Marriott. Nice mix of adult vs. family ambiance. Nicely upscale without overdoing it. The courses there are fine - the Faldo really good, the Palmer decent - but with so many other options, they just don't compete. Location is great as far as 10 minutes to Troon North, 5 minutes to Grayhawk, 20 minutes to Tegavah, 20 minutes to Talking Stick, 20 to Camelback, 20 to Old Town, you get the picture...

[az2au]

[quote name='DrSchteeve' timestamp='1416011241' post='10448843'][quote name='TheInfidel' timestamp='1415972701' post='10445671']
[quote name='Golfjunki71' timestamp='1415244412' post='10403901']
Try Camelback Ambiente. It's one of my favorites
[/quote]

Hi, slightly unrelated but im making the trip from Scotland to Scottsdale in September next year. One option is to stay at the JW Marriott where you get preferential rates on the Camelback courses. Could you let me know what you think and if it's worth staying here to get the rates? Hotel price is good and I'll be playing 3 or 4 rounds in the area.

Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

Love the JW Marriott. Nice mix of adult vs. family ambiance. Nicely upscale without overdoing it. The courses there are fine - the Faldo really good, the Palmer decent - but with so many other options, they just don't compete. Location is great as far as 10 minutes to Troon, 5 minutes to Grayhawk, 20 minutes to Tegavah, 20 minutes to Talking Stick, 20 to Camelback, 20 to Old Town, you get the picture...[/quote]
I thought drove fast but you must blow me away!

I live at Troon (not Troon North) and I couldn't get to the JW in 10 min if my life depended on it. More like 20 in average traffic. It takes me more than 15 to get to Tegavah and you can fly down the hill most times. Still a great location but slightly longer times than the good doctor lists. Oh and watch out for photo radar on Pima just north of Legacy and Dynamite just past the the Troon North turn heading east and just past 118th heading west.

[fore_life]

Maybe I need to play tsn again, it just kinda Lulled me to sleep, fairways seemed even wider than the duke. I'm not complaining and god knows I need that, but nothing about it stood out to me

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='az2au' timestamp='1416012535' post='10448947']
[quote name='DrSchteeve' timestamp='1416011241' post='10448843'][quote name='TheInfidel' timestamp='1415972701' post='10445671']
[quote name='Golfjunki71' timestamp='1415244412' post='10403901']
Try Camelback Ambiente. It's one of my favorites
[/quote]

Hi, slightly unrelated but im making the trip from Scotland to Scottsdale in September next year. One option is to stay at the JW Marriott where you get preferential rates on the Camelback courses. Could you let me know what you think and if it's worth staying here to get the rates? Hotel price is good and I'll be playing 3 or 4 rounds in the area.

Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

Love the JW Marriott. Nice mix of adult vs. family ambiance. Nicely upscale without overdoing it. The courses there are fine - the Faldo really good, the Palmer decent - but with so many other options, they just don't compete. Location is great as far as 10 minutes to Troon, 5 minutes to Grayhawk, 20 minutes to Tegavah, 20 minutes to Talking Stick, 20 to Camelback, 20 to Old Town, you get the picture...[/quote]
I thought drove fast but you must blow me away!

I live at Troon (not Troon North) and I couldn't get to the JW in 10 min if my life depended on it. More like 20 in average traffic. It takes me more than 15 to get to Tegavah and you can fly down the hill most times. Still a great location but slightly longer times than the good doctor lists. Oh and watch out for photo radar on Pima just north of Legacy and Dynamite just past the the Troon North turn heading east and just past 118th heading west.
[/quote]

Troon North to Tegavah is 9 miles. Drive as fast as you like. And see my edit - I meant Troon North.

[az2au]

That it is but I can tell you as someone that drives it regularly that from the clubhouse to the Shell Station at Alma School and Dynamite you'll be a lot closer to 15 min on average.

And, yes, I have hit triple digits on Rio Verde more than once. So, it definitely can happen but too many times you get stuck behind people doing 48mph without the ability to pass (usually a horse trailer). The stretch that kills you is 174th to 118th. Once you get on top of the hill you are fine.

I will also warn you that about once/month or so they stack up MCSO guys and give out a bunch of tickets. Usually that is on the weekend so if you play it during the week then it is less of a worry.

I am just saying that there's no way anyone can get to Tegavah from Wildfire in 20. If everything in the world goes right and you drive like a mad man you might be able to do it in 25. I have probably been close to that. Google maps says 30 and I'd say that is more likely due to the randomness of traffic from 118th to 174th.

The other one that would be tough is to Grayhawk. If you want to make that 5 a 10 then I can see it but just getting onto the 101 from 56th street could take 5 if the lights aren't your friend.

I agree with the great location part I just know as someone that is at all of the places you listed on a regular basis that the times are little low even though I am not known for my observance of our artificially low speed limits

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='az2au' timestamp='1416036975' post='10450353']
That it is but I can tell you as someone that drives it regularly that from the clubhouse to the Shell Station at Alma School and Dynamite you'll be a lot closer to 15 min on average.

And, yes, I have hit triple digits on Rio Verde more than once. So, it definitely can happen but too many times you get stuck behind people doing 48mph without the ability to pass (usually a horse trailer). The stretch that kills you is 174th to 118th. Once you get on top of the hill you are fine.

I will also warn you that about once/month or so they stack up MCSO guys and give out a bunch of tickets. Usually that is on the weekend so if you play it during the week then it is less of a worry.

I am just saying that there's no way anyone can get to Tegavah from Wildfire in 20. If everything in the world goes right and you drive like a mad man you might be able to do it in 25. I have probably been close to that. Google maps says 30 and I'd say that is more likely due to the randomness of traffic from 118th to 174th.

The other one that would be tough is to Grayhawk. If you want to make that 5 a 10 then I can see it but just getting onto the 101 from 56th street could take 5 if the lights aren't your friend.

I agree with the great location part I just know as someone that is at all of the places you listed on a regular basis that the times are little low even though I am not known for my observance of our artificially low speed limits
[/quote]

So add a few minutes to all of my times, especially if you are going to drive like a sissy and only go 100 in a 45 zone...

[StarFleetGolfer]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1416020195' post='10449565']
Maybe I need to play tsn again, it just kinda Lulled me to sleep, fairways seemed even wider than the duke. I'm not complaining and god knows I need that, but nothing about it stood out to me
[/quote]


I feel the same, don't care if I never play it again. It's just hyped by ESPN radio.

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='Golfjunki71' timestamp='1416191635' post='10458429']
[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1416020195' post='10449565']
Maybe I need to play tsn again, it just kinda Lulled me to sleep, fairways seemed even wider than the duke. I'm not complaining and god knows I need that, but nothing about it stood out to me
[/quote]


I feel the same, don't care if I never play it again. It's just hyped by ESPN radio.
[/quote]

And teejay...

[LBRMGR]

Ambiente is quoting me $220 for a weekend morning in March. Seems expensive!

I'd rather play TSN for half that price in peak season...

Unfortunately it seems that none of the courses close to the W Hotel are good, so for $110 at TSNorth, might be the best option.

Ambiente, TSN, Phoenician...any others worth looking into?

[cbbaron]

[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416244996' post='10461011']
Ambiente is quoting me $220 for a weekend morning in March. Seems expensive!

I'd rather play TSN for half that price in peak season...

Unfortunately it seems that none of the courses close to the W Hotel are good, so for $110 at TSNorth, might be the best option.

Ambiente, TSN, Phoenician...any others worth looking into?
[/quote]How about Eagle Mountain

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416244996' post='10461011']
Ambiente is quoting me $220 for a weekend morning in March. Seems expensive!

I'd rather play TSN for half that price in peak season...

Unfortunately it seems that none of the courses close to the W Hotel are good, so for $110 at TSNorth, might be the best option.

Ambiente, TSN, Phoenician...any others worth looking into?
[/quote]
How many guys are playing that last round? unless you need a big group for TSN or Ambiente I would just wait to book. 95% sure that you can find Ambiente for well less than $220 on golfnow or Teeoff.com if you wait until the week of or the week before you are here. I played it in last April for $60 via golfnow hotdeal. $110 is actually pretty decent for peak season at TSN traditionally they have been in the $140 range but now that Troon is no longer running the show I dont know what the new rates will be.

[LBRMGR]

[quote name='cbbaron' timestamp='1416266969' post='10463045']
[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416244996' post='10461011']
Ambiente is quoting me $220 for a weekend morning in March. Seems expensive!

I'd rather play TSN for half that price in peak season...

Unfortunately it seems that none of the courses close to the W Hotel are good, so for $110 at TSNorth, might be the best option.

Ambiente, TSN, Phoenician...any others worth looking into?
[/quote]How about Eagle Mountain
[/quote]


Any color on Eagle Mtn?

[LBRMGR]

[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' timestamp='1416269730' post='10463245']
[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416244996' post='10461011']
Ambiente is quoting me $220 for a weekend morning in March. Seems expensive!

I'd rather play TSN for half that price in peak season...

Unfortunately it seems that none of the courses close to the W Hotel are good, so for $110 at TSNorth, might be the best option.

Ambiente, TSN, Phoenician...any others worth looking into?
[/quote]
How many guys are playing that last round? unless you need a big group for TSN or Ambiente I would just wait to book. 95% sure that you can find Ambiente for well less than $220 on golfnow or Teeoff.com if you wait until the week of or the week before you are here. I played it in last April for $60 via golfnow hotdeal. $110 is actually pretty decent for peak season at TSN traditionally they have been in the $140 range but now that Troon is no longer running the show I dont know what the new rates will be.
[/quote]

Great idea. It's just 1 foursome, but we would ideally play at 7:30am (ie a popular time slot), in order to get back to the W hotel's pool party...we're there for a bachelor party after all!

[cbbaron]

[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416339540' post='10467883']
[quote name='cbbaron' timestamp='1416266969' post='10463045']
[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416244996' post='10461011']
Ambiente is quoting me $220 for a weekend morning in March. Seems expensive!

I'd rather play TSN for half that price in peak season...

Unfortunately it seems that none of the courses close to the W Hotel are good, so for $110 at TSNorth, might be the best option.

Ambiente, TSN, Phoenician...any others worth looking into?
[/quote]How about Eagle Mountain
[/quote]


Any color on Eagle Mtn?
[/quote]Any Color?

[poppyhillsguy]

[quote name='cbbaron' timestamp='1416347417' post='10468595']
[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416339540' post='10467883']
[quote name='cbbaron' timestamp='1416266969' post='10463045']
[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416244996' post='10461011']
Ambiente is quoting me $220 for a weekend morning in March. Seems expensive!

I'd rather play TSN for half that price in peak season...

Unfortunately it seems that none of the courses close to the W Hotel are good, so for $110 at TSNorth, might be the best option.

Ambiente, TSN, Phoenician...any others worth looking into?
[/quote]How about Eagle Mountain
[/quote]


Any color on Eagle Mtn?
[/quote]Any Color?
[/quote]

Green, Brown, normal colors you might see on a desert course.

[teejaywhy]

There is the color of the houses that surround the course. Actually, the housing is not too intrusive at Eagle Mtn. It is definitely a routing defined by the real estate, traveling up and down the arroyos that couldn't be used for lots. Has a "concave" sort of look, lots of bowl shaped fairways and green surrounds. Just a little too much elevation change to have a great golf course. Even though I don't like it much, many do. Visitors give it good reviews because it does have some good views and dramatic natural desert surroundings. It's not awful by any means, but I would rank it fourth of the five public courses in the Fountain Hills area. Have no idea about current conditioning.

[cbbaron]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1416401950' post='10471309']
There is the color of the houses that surround the course. Actually, the housing is not too intrusive at Eagle Mtn. It is definitely a routing defined by the real estate, traveling up and down the arroyos that couldn't be used for lots. Has a "concave" sort of look, lots of bowl shaped fairways and green surrounds. Just a little too much elevation change to have a great golf course. Even though I don't like it much, many do. Visitors give it good reviews because it does have some good views and dramatic natural desert surroundings. It's not awful by any means, but I would rank it fourth of the five public courses in the Fountain Hills area. Have no idea about current conditioning.
[/quote]Or as my wife says a more scenic Kierland

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='cbbaron' timestamp='1416404661' post='10471463']
[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1416401950' post='10471309']
There is the color of the houses that surround the course. Actually, the housing is not too intrusive at Eagle Mtn. It is definitely a routing defined by the real estate, traveling up and down the arroyos that couldn't be used for lots. Has a "concave" sort of look, lots of bowl shaped fairways and green surrounds. Just a little too much elevation change to have a great golf course. Even though I don't like it much, many do. Visitors give it good reviews because it does have some good views and dramatic natural desert surroundings. It's not awful by any means, but I would rank it fourth of the five public courses in the Fountain Hills area. Have no idea about current conditioning.
[/quote]Or as my wife says a more scenic Kierland
[/quote]

Your wife has a keen sense of observation.

I used to think Scott Miller was the King of Containment Mounding, until I played Blackstone CC.

[LBRMGR]

[quote name='cbbaron' timestamp='1416347417' post='10468595']
[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416339540' post='10467883']
[quote name='cbbaron' timestamp='1416266969' post='10463045']
[quote name='jor17' timestamp='1416244996' post='10461011']
Ambiente is quoting me $220 for a weekend morning in March. Seems expensive!

I'd rather play TSN for half that price in peak season...

Unfortunately it seems that none of the courses close to the W Hotel are good, so for $110 at TSNorth, might be the best option.

Ambiente, TSN, Phoenician...any others worth looking into?
[/quote]How about Eagle Mountain
[/quote]


Any color on Eagle Mtn?
[/quote]Any Color?
[/quote]


Sorry, by "color" I meant "insight", "opinions", etc

Forgot my audience for a second...it's a commonly used expression in my line of work, sorry.