Best Courses North of Phoenix

[Juckem]

Our golf foursome travels to Phoenix every year. We move around with our house rentals and target courses in that neighborhood. Since we've never played the courses in Wickenburg I was considering renting a house as close as we could find to Wickenburg. So far there's nothing near there for housing but I see a couple nice options in Anthem that would seem to work well enough.

 

I was thinking we'd play Wickenburg Ranch and Los Cab for sure. I'm considering booking Oak Creek up in Sedona also. Any other suggestions or feedback from anyone who has played Oak Creek?

[nitram]

Both Anthem tracks are worthy of the trip but I prefer Persimmon. Also consider The Boulders, although you may have to have your pro call and get you on. Quintero is worth the drive west. Have fun and stay hydrated.

[DrSchteeve]

Oak Creek is an excellent track, and Sedona well worth the visit. Los Cabelleros and Wickenburg Ranch and Social highly recommended. You don't need any help to play Boulders, but there are far better options anyway - Troon North (Pinnacle) and Wekopa (Saguaro) in particular. Most visitors enjoy the scenery of Quintero though the track is debated vociferously here.

[az2au]

Both Anthem tracks are worthy of the trip but I prefer Persimmon. Also consider The Boulders, although you may have to have your pro call and get you on. Quintero is worth the drive west. Have fun and stay hydrated.

Agree but if they are in equal shape I prefer Ironwood.* I can easily see how someone prefers Persimmon though. Both are actually pretty underrated for neighborhood courses.

 

*-The last time I played Ironwood was 2006 and the houses weren't up yet on most of the back nine so they have ruined a few of the holes.

 

As far as courses to the immediate North go here's how I'd rate them:

1. Seven Canyons (private but pretty easy to get on)

2. Talking Rock (private)

3. Oak Creek Canyon

4. Los Caballeros

5. Wickenburg Ranch

6. Capital Canyon Club

7. Quintero

8. Sedona Golf Resort

 

If you want to move up to Flagstaff then I can rate those as well but they are a lot harder to get on. I think Pine Canyon is better than Forest Highlands (Canyon) but that's a minority opinion for sure. Both of those courses are great. Forest Highlands (Meadow) and Flagstaff Ranch are good too.

[dtm6582]

Some great golf courses up north of Phoenix, most of them are private. The best have already been mentioned.

 

I'll throw in my former local knowledge though and give you a couple additional decent options:

 

The two Antelope Hills courses in Prescott and Elephant Rocks in Williams.

[ryu123]

my personal favourite is the private Desert Forest club. It was renovated in 2013, after I played it. The recent photos of the course look awesome.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

How's flagstaff ranch?

[az2au]

How's flagstaff ranch?

Good, solid layout with some cool holes back by the caldera or whatever it is called. Would rank it third in Flagstaff behind Pine Canyon and Forest Highlands (Canyon)

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

How's flagstaff ranch?

Good, solid layout with some cool holes back by the caldera or whatever it is called. Would rank it third in Flagstaff behind Pine Canyon and Forest Highlands (Canyon)

 

Ok thanks so so Flagstaff ranch > FH meadow?

 

Is elephant rocks worth playing to make a 36 hole day?

[az2au]

How's flagstaff ranch?

Good, solid layout with some cool holes back by the caldera or whatever it is called. Would rank it third in Flagstaff behind Pine Canyon and Forest Highlands (Canyon)

 

Ok thanks so so Flagstaff ranch > FH meadow?

 

Is elephant rocks worth playing to make a 36 hole day?

Yes and yes. ER is shortish but fun and worth playing if you're in the area.

[teejaywhy]

Our golf foursome travels to Phoenix every year. We move around with our house rentals and target courses in that neighborhood. Since we've never played the courses in Wickenburg I was considering renting a house as close as we could find to Wickenburg. So far there's nothing near there for housing but I see a couple nice options in Anthem that would seem to work well enough.

 

I was thinking we'd play Wickenburg Ranch and Los Cab for sure. I'm considering booking Oak Creek up in Sedona also. Any other suggestions or feedback from anyone who has played Oak Creek?

 

OP didn't mention the time of year he is visiting... I'm imagining a winter escape from Wisconsin, which might make golf in Flagstaff problematic.

 

Also, props to Schteeve for the use of vociferously. :drinks:

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

I picked up an az golfer newspaper today. Capital canyon in Prescott has a member for the day special for $75 FYI. They don’t overseed & I love Weiskopf designs. I was thinking of making a trip up to Sedona soon to play oakcreek. Don’t really feel like making 2 separate trips. Oakcreek has been on my list to play for a long time. It would be a long 36 hole day. The 2 courses are about 75 min drive in b/w. If I wait too long oakcreek rates could increase & maybe CC deal will go away. Suggestions welcome thx!

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

What’s a better course & why?

Capital canyon club in Prescott or oakcreek cc in Sedona

 

Is Capital Canyon walkable? Online it looks similar but not as good as the rim.

[puttnforthe8]

What's a better course & why?

Capital canyon club in Prescott or oakcreek cc in Sedona

 

Is Capital Canyon walkable? Online it looks similar but not as good as the rim.

 

CC is better imo. Just a bit more peaceful. But there are a couple of so so holes. I think it could be walked, but tough. Never seen anyone walk.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

What's a better course & why?

Capital canyon club in Prescott or oakcreek cc in Sedona

 

Is Capital Canyon walkable? Online it looks similar but not as good as the rim.

 

CC is better imo. Just a bit more peaceful. But there are a couple of so so holes. I think it could be walked, but tough. Never seen anyone walk.

 

Thank you

[az2au]

I agree with puttinforthe8. Also, CC is not really walkable because of the back side. I mean, you could do it but it would be quite the hike. Fun course.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

I agree with puttinforthe8. Also, CC is not really walkable because of the back side. I mean, you could do it but it would be quite the hike. Fun course.

 

Poor man’s rim club?

[az2au]

I agree with puttinforthe8. Also, CC is not really walkable because of the back side. I mean, you could do it but it would be quite the hike. Fun course.

 

Poor man’s rim club?

Close enough. It is a really fun course.

[ratspros]

Be careful north of Phoenix. There's some weird electro magnetic poles that may give you the shanks up there.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Both Anthem tracks are worthy of the trip but I prefer Persimmon. Also consider The Boulders, although you may have to have your pro call and get you on. Quintero is worth the drive west. Have fun and stay hydrated.

Agree but if they are in equal shape I prefer Ironwood.* I can easily see how someone prefers Persimmon though. Both are actually pretty underrated for neighborhood courses.

 

*-The last time I played Ironwood was 2006 and the houses weren't up yet on most of the back nine so they have ruined a few of the holes.

 

As far as courses to the immediate North go here's how I'd rate them:

1. Seven Canyons (private but pretty easy to get on)

2. Talking Rock (private)

3. Oak Creek Canyon

4. Los Caballeros

5. Wickenburg Ranch

6. Capital Canyon Club

7. Quintero

8. Sedona Golf Resort

 

If you want to move up to Flagstaff then I can rate those as well but they are a lot harder to get on. I think Pine Canyon is better than Forest Highlands (Canyon) but that's a minority opinion for sure. Both of those courses are great. Forest Highlands (Meadow) and Flagstaff Ranch are good too.

 

Is the only way to get on 7 canyons to stay at the enchantment resort? Would love to play there but no way is it worth $495 for the room + probably $225 Greens fees. Is there an off-season discount? I’d do $250 for a room & 18 but not sure if that’s possible. The weather looks to be in the mid 60s this weekend in Sedona. Still haven’t got up to oakcreek cc so it got me thinking about seven canyons again.

 

Would love to combo a day trip round of golf with one or 2 of the following:

Northern az suns game in pv

A meal at mariposa or indian gardens cafe (been to each once and loved it)

 

Also I have great vision but would prefer to not drive back to the valley on the curvy I-17 in the dark if possible

 

So many solid Valley courses that I haven’t played in Sedona yet.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Had a fun at oakcreek cc in Sedona yesterday

 

Layout-good but nothing special. Back 9 was better. Lacked variety especially in the par 3s. I hit 5i, 7i, 7i, 8i

 

Greens-good but a little slow

 

Overall conditions-B- but it’s dec in Sedona. Gets cold at night. Some parts of the ground in the shade were frozen.

 

Nice to play on bluegrass fairways & bent grass greens!

 

Staff was ok

 

Pace-a bit slow, waited on some groups. Very busy 11am shotgun

 

Course is extremely walkable!

 

Scenery > design

 

Well placed bunkering & trees make for several risk/reward decisions especially off the tee!

 

I’ve now played 72 courses in az. I would put oakcreek in the top 25. Will play it again.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Played capital canyon today. Beautiful but challenging course. Feel free to dm for more details