Scottsdale Golf Trip Feedback

[hokiebird2008]

Just returned from a 4 day golf trip to Scottsdale over the WM Phoenix Open weekend. My thoughts on the courses below:

 

Whirlwind - Devils Claw: This was the first course we played and a very good warm-up round for the weekend ahead. The course was in good shape and the greens were quick and smooth, although not as quick as the other courses we played. The course layout was enjoyable and very playable. The most notable feature of this course was the recurring theme of 2-tiered greens and tough pin placements. There was hardly a straight putt to found, as most pins were on the edge of the shelf. Major disappointment was the beverage cart; we were 4 very thirsty guys and the cart girl didn't show up but 1 time per side. Plus the first time be bought beer, she basically told us 9 beers was too much and told us to start with 6. This wouldn't have been a problem if the frequency was better. Lunch at the grill was excellent, with the wings and tuna melt being very popular with the group.

 

Kierland - Mesquite and Acacia: Kierland golf is exactly what you would expect from a "resort" golf experience. The service and facilities are good, but things around the clubhouse are a bit chaotic with the number of people there to play golf, practice, and/or eat. Our first 9 on Mesquite was totally underwhelming. The course is flat, with most holes being straight away and unimpressive. The quality of the tees and fairways were adequate, with the greens being the slowest of the entire weekend. Overall, the course left no impression and I would not play it again. Acacia was total opposite. As soon as we stood on the first tee it was obvious that there was significant differences in the maintenance and attention given to Acacia. Every thing was greener, grass was more plush and the greens were awesome. The course itself was a great layout with interesting holes and some great (but minor) elevation changes. There were a good mixture of straight away holes where you could let it loose and holes that were a forced layup or shaped shot off the tee. Greens were quick, smooth, and full of character with pin placements that were both easy and impossible. The last 3 closing holes are a great way to finish up a round. Lunch was also very good here and beverage cart was much more efficient, but again noticeably different between Mesquite and Acacia (saw her every 3 holes on Acacia was was great).

 

Troon North - Pinnacle: I would call Pinnacle our first real desert golf experience of the trip. Tee to green, everything was an island surrounded by desert trouble and bunkers. The layout here allowed for mostly full drivers off the tee with elevation changes, challenging bunker placement, and forced shot shaping into well protected greens. Lots of risk/reward starting with the #1 tee where you can go through the fairway with a long drive, other holes where the fairway pinches in at the landing zone, and holes with multiple routes offering a safe choice and a more challenging alternative. The views of the surround area here are great and very picturesque. The conditions here were top notch with arguably the quickest greens of the entire trip. Bev cart was good but limited in food options. Since you do not return to the clubhouse at the turn, you are limited to turkey sandwiches which are far from gourmet. This course ended up being my 2nd favorite on conditions (behind only Wekopa Saguaro), views (behind only Wekopa Saguaro), and hole design/layout (tied with Wekopa Cholla).

 

Wekopa - Cholla and Saguaro: We played 36 at Wekopa with Cholla first then Saguaro. These 2 courses are very different from one another but equally as fun. Cholla conditions were again great, the only detriment was the greens. The pro shop had informed us that the greens were recently redone and still hard, well that was an understatement. Nothing would stick to a green, which while annoying presented a unique challenge and different style of play than anticipated. The greens at Cholla were smooth albeit a bit slow. The course was extremely interesting with holes that forced you to plan your shots off the tee. A number of holes had something in the middle of the fairway which presented a choice of how to approach the hole (go around it or over it?). Good elevation changes through the course presented different looks off tees and into greens, its the course here that is the main attraction here. Saguaro felt much more open but incorporated the natural elements of the desert area really well. While shot making was more straightforward, there were definitely elements thrown at you to present, sometimes unseen challenges, such as the bunker in the middle of a drivable par 4. The course conditions here were top notch as with Cholla, with tee boxes being flat and plush, fairways immaculate, and greens smooth and quick. The views of the surrounding area are unparalleled at Saguaro with views from nearly every hole.

 

Overall, I would play Troon and Wekopa every time I'm in Scottsdale, and would love to experience the Monument course. While Acacia was fun and nice, I'm not sure the total disappointment of the other 9 holes is enough to make me want to go back. Whirlwind was tolerable but at a lower price as a first round to work off the plane stiffness.

[Mkodzis]

Thanks for the reviews.. I am planning a trip out to Scottsdale soon. I am visiting my brother in law who just moved there and am looking for some decent budget golf. Also looking to go when rates start to go down. Any insight on prices?

[Sun Devil]

OP;

 

Glad you had a nice time in Scottsdale. Agreed with everything you said. Next time for something different .... try Grayhawk or the Boulders resort. I like the Boulders even though most here don't.