Arizona in September

[Scottyb943]

It's that time in life when your buddy's start singing their golf freedom away with marriage which means on last awesome bachelor party to celebrate the good ol days. I am looking at taking a group of 8 guys down to Arizona in the September time frame. Knowing its on the edge of summer but still pretty hot, I am looking for any tips on where not to miss playing. We are defiantley hitting the stadium course at TPC Scottsdale, is the champions course worth booking for 36? I have also been looking at Troon seeing as it is close to where we are staying. Any don't miss out on this tips would help make this send off once in a lifetime!

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

My top 10:

1) Quintero

2) We Ko Pa-Saguaro

3) Troon North-Pinnacle

4) Camelback-Ambiente

5) Troon North-Monument

6) Grayhawk-Raptor

7) Verrado

8) Grayhawk-Talon

9) Ak-Chin Southern Dunes

10) Wickenburg Ranch

 

*I haven't played TPC Scottsdale stadium

*watch overseeding schedules (October). Courses scalp before

[jcleve]

Gold canyon dinosaur course is fun to play

[golfandfishing]

Is that a typo when you say "defiantly" playing TPC? That would be the only way to get me out there, against my will. Sooooo many better courses in the area, many within 10 minutes or so of TPC.

[FyteOn]

October is the edge of summer. September is freaking hot.

[ro3erto]

There's a great list pinned in the Southwest sub, should give you a great idea with somewhat detailed options. I tend to agree with all of it except I love Kierland. TPC Champions is cheap in September, Stadium will still generally be over $100, I would say if it's a nostalgia thing go for Stadium (I enjoyed the course only time I played} otherwise leave them both off the list. I'll agree on Quintero just for the visual appeal, but its a good drive from where your staying. Also note September is still hot as hell, so careful with what your drinking the night before and on the course.

[az2au]

As much as I proclaimed my love for Scottsdale May-June (and I do think it is the greatest place I have ever been this time of year), mid-July to mid-September is easily the worst time of the year weather wise. It is relatively humid (for the area), still quite warm and doesn't get nearly as cool in the mornings and evenings.

 

I'd strongly suggest reading the SW forum to get a sense of what all of the locals think. If we save a person from Gold Canyon then all of the "work" is worth it :)

[LouieLouie]

Agree, September is basically the hottest month of the year here in Phoenix. Might want to rethink that one.

 

If you do decide to come in September plan for tee times in the early mornings, i.e. 6am - 8am at the latest. That gets you done by noon or 1pm which is when the heat really starts kicking in. It will still be about 90F at 6am and by 3pm about 115F.

 

Play courses with plenty of shade, it makes a difference. Drink water on every hole. Also recommend courses on the outskirts of town. They usually run about 5 degrees cooler, i.e. Phoenix is the bottom of the valley.

 

There are also places like Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, Pinetop, that are within a 2 hour drive and will have some good golf and significantly cooler weather.

[dtm6582]

Others have mentioned the weather, but 'September-ish' is also when the overseed starts with some courses beginning around the middle of the month. Later in the month and you'll have to plan around some closures. Plus, if memory serves, course conditions start getting pretty bad a few weeks before overseed. Others may have better info on this.

 

If you're dead set on AZ I would look north. Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff should all be nice. You won't get the same caliber of golf but you'll probably have a better time. For a golf focused trip up there I would probably use Prescott as my base camp. Play a couple tracks there and Sedona, maybe even Elephant Rocks in Williams. It's only about an hour and a half from Phx so you can drive for a desert course experience if that's a must.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I don't know where the OP is from but bachelor party Sept golf and AZ leads me to believe someone is going to end up a puking all over the course, ending up in urgent care for heat stroke or all of the above.

 

I live here and I won't even have a single beer the night before a round during the summer. I remember a few years back walking TPC Champions on a warm 85 degree March day we had to call to have a northerner walking with us removed from the course in fears for his health. Was playing with my buddy who was a FD medic at one point. He took his vitals and told the guy he needed to head in asap. I'd hate to see what 108° 30% humidity would due to a bunch of hung over guys at the tail end of the trip.

 

As far as courses go see my sticky thread in the SW course forum. Late Aug Early September can be a great time conditions wise. Playing on full bermuda with all the rye killed off. Just gotta find places that are 2+ weeks away from starting overseed.

 

 

I can't stress this enough you literally can not drink enough water during rounds in summer to rehydrate. Need to start the day before.

 

 

[dtm6582]

I don't know where the OP is from but bachelor party Sept golf and AZ leads me to believe someone is going to end up a puking all over the course, ending up in urgent care for heat stroke or all of the above.

 

I live here and I won't even have a single beer the night before a round during the summer. I remember a few years back walking TPC Champions on a warm 85 degree March day we had to call to have a northerner walking with us removed from the course in fears for his health. Was playing with my buddy who was a FD medic at one point. He took his vitals and told the guy he needed to head in asap. I'd hate to see what 108° 30% humidity would due to a bunch of hung over guys at the tail end of the trip.

 

As far as courses go see my sticky thread in the SW course forum. Late Aug Early September can be a great time conditions wise. Playing on full bermuda with all the rye killed off. Just gotta find places that are 2+ weeks away from starting overseed.

 

 

I can't stress this enough you literally can not drink enough water during rounds in summer to rehydrate. Need to start the day before.

 

Not sure if it is accurate but his current location is showing Monterey, California with an average daytime high of 69.6 degrees in September, the hottest month of the year there. I can't imagine doing a heavy drinking/golfing trip here that time of year. The temperature is unpleasant enough without a hangover. Dehydrated from a long night you're just asking for a bad time.

 

And I too have seen folks overcome by the heat. One was a local at Vista Verde (large fellow) who after about 14 holes was exhibiting signs of heat stroke. He decided to call it a day, both on his own judgement and the urging of the rest of us. The other one that comes to mind is a bit more extreme. I'm not sure I can completely blame it on the heat (it was hot) and drinking (he was drinking a lot of beer) but he ended up dying on the ground in front of the cart barn. If memory serves he was in his late 40's.

 

Not trying to scare you off OP, but if I were in your location, and that location is accurate, I would think about Bandon instead.

[az2au]

All of the warnings are true but I walk and carry all year round, even during the afternoons during this time and do just fine. It isn't even uncommon for me to play 36 that way. I'm not some crazy health freak either. It also isn't like I am there every day adapting to it. Just drink enough water, take some salt pills and you'll be fine.

 

That said, hungover is definitely not the way to go :)

[cbbaron]

As a frequent traveler to the area and from the northeast I tell my buddies that in June and July Ive drank a bottle of water on every tee box and not have to pee the entire round they look at me in disbelief

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Sorry if I came off as a Debbie downer OP. Sept is fine for golf or partying the combo of both is not ideal.

[DrSchteeve]

There are always individuals who can take the heat - I don't mind 115 a bit with: very light or white clothing and hat, tons of hydration, chase every bit of shade. But not everyone is like that, so the chances of your 8some all enjoying themselves in 115 probably aren't that great, especially if heavy drinking is also involved.

 

But if you come, go to Sedona and play Oak Creek, and I think there may be one or two more courses in Sedona worth playing.

[Scottyb943]

Thanks for all the advice you all have given. To answer a few questions:

 

TPC Scottsdale is a definite. A group of guys including myself have gone to waste Managment the last few years and it's been on the bucket list for quite some time. I will take the advice and just arrange to play the Stadium and skip champions.

 

As far as heat goes, I am living in Monterey but grew up playing out in the valley of Northern California, not near as hot as the desert but I know what we are getting into. (Hopefully my buddies will listen to me about the warnings).

 

From what it sounds like overseeing may be one of the bigger issues I haven't thought about yet. Would it be to early to call courses down there and ask them about this? Many course don't have rates posted past August and maybe this is why?

[puttnforthe8]

Thanks for all the advice you all have given. To answer a few questions:

 

TPC Scottsdale is a definite. A group of guys including myself have gone to waste Managment the last few years and it's been on the bucket list for quite some time. I will take the advice and just arrange to play the Stadium and skip champions.

 

 

Not sure who gave you this advice...in actuality, The Champions course is a better overall course than Stadium. So to drop it off of a list because of some bad advice is not prudent. If you are dropping it off because of a better choice then that is ok.

[dtm6582]

From what it sounds like overseeing may be one of the bigger issues I haven't thought about yet. Would it be to early to call courses down there and ask them about this? Many course don't have rates posted past August and maybe this is why?

 

Most courses will post their overseed schedule on their website. I think it's usually planned out well in advance (my club has the year planned out) so you can probably call and find out. I'm no expert here but I think they try to kill off the grass starting a couple weeks before the actual closing so you probably want to avoid that time frame.

 

A thought OP since you're working with a few unknowns. Cooler areas up north are only a bit more than an hour away if you stay in the northern parts of the Valley. If you are concerned about needing to retreat to cooler temps, I would try to stay in that area. Another thought, keep in mind that you are mostly getting the opinion of locals here. I'll walk all day up to 105 or so. Drink lots of water, etc. But, it took me several years to get used to the Phoenix weather. Before that I lived in Flagstaff and visiting Phoenix with temps around 105 was miserable. Not a chance you would have gotten me on a golf course.

[Kris Strauss]

September is a great time in that you get to take advantage of summer pricing (or shoulder season pricing). As noted, be sure check overseeding conditions/schedules...if you can play at least two weeks prior to closure (or further in advance) you avoid playing on hard/firm/scalped conditions.

If you play the week prior to the course closure it will be like when the Open was at Hoylake (not kidding)...scalped, firm and hard.

 

Here is a link to a schedule of Troon overseeding. http://www.troongolf.com/937a1ca05c_sites/www.troongolf.com/files/OVERSEED_SCHEDULE_FOR_AZ_COURSES_-_2016.pdf

 

Others in your area (that are Top 100 / Best in State) are:

 

Troon North - Monument or Pinnacle take turns at #1 in state. I like Pinnacle myself (and their overseeding dates line up well for a Sept trip)

Boulders

Kierland

 

If looking to slip in a "value play" try Lookout Mountain GC - In Phx. Great local. Should be in that $39-60 range that time of year.

 

A little drive (but worth it) would be:

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes (Ranked as high as #5 in the state)

The Golf Club at Estrella (Nicklaus design)

Whirlwind Cattail (who's overseeding lines up well for Sept)

 

All can be booked at www.TroonGolfAZ.com

 

Have a blast!

[gcp07]

Great minds think alike. My bachelor party is Sept1 and Coming home on the 4th. We got a sick Air BnB in Old Town. Just to give you a breakdown of what we are doing:

 

Thurs: Fly in, Settle in, hit up PXG, Top Golf At night, Casino (easy night)

Fri- We-Ko-Pa...light rage at night,strip club

Sat: Troon North Pinnacle....may not make it on the plane kind of night

Sun:Peace Out

 

I live in South Florida, Its 92 at 9am with 100% humidity. No stranger to the heat. At first, we booked TPC Scottsdale Statdium Course, but there wont be bleachers or anything on 17 so it will just look like another Par 3. I have another thread on this forum asking alot of the same things you did, everyone shot down TPC Scottsdale. My Cousin played it, said it was underwhelming. I would suggest playing it if you HAVE to play it and want to say "hey I played that" when the waste management open is on. Otherwise, far better courses in AZ