Apache Stronghold 9/29

[fore_life]

I'm headed out there for a day of 36+, seeing if anyone wants to make the journey out there too?

[teejaywhy]

Thats a Friday you ******!

 

Edit for WRX censor... " sounds like doosh"

 

[fore_life]

Quit your job, play golf.

[lvlites]

Getting ready to take the drive in a couple weeks. Eagerly awaiting your comments

[fore_life]

I will report back for sure, some recent comments on golf advisor seem positive, but I always take them with a grain of salt.

 

They've been doing work, hopefully good work lol. Range is still closed until October but the shortgame area is open, I plan on playing 36 and using the wedge area, maybe drive up to showlow after and play 36 at silver creek on sat

[FairwayFred]

I love apache hope they are taking care of it these days been a few years since I've been out.

[lvlites]

And the report from Apache Stronghold is...........please?

[fore_life]

Greens were rolling great, usual areas of concern but nothing that impedes play, seemed less wet than recent trips, so that was nice. Bunkers were better than valley courses. Tee boxes were mowed. I've got pictures on twitter and Instagram, I'll link some up here later

 

Played 36 for $38, range is closed but the 125 yard wedge hole is open for warming up a bit

 

One thing I'd suggest is bringing a beater golf bag that you don't

Mind getting super dusty, and anything you don't want dusty, put I. A ziplock. I wore a balaclava so I wasn't huffing cart path dirt all day

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

$38 for 36 holes is great. Did you book both rounds in advance by calling the pro shop?

[fore_life]

No I booked my first round as the hot deal, replay with the shop, so it was $18 and then 20.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

How challenging is AS? Im a 12 index currently and play from 6000-6500 yds. Is the course walkable? Thanks

[One_Putt_Blunder]

How challenging is AS? Im a 12 index currently and play from 6000-6500 yds. Is the course walkable? Thanks

 

If you play the 6100 yard tees really wont be much of an issue plenty of width out there, few holes will be less than driver. I think it is similar to Saguaro lots of terrain change but tee boxes not as close to greens as Saguaro so while technically walkable I dont think it is really a walkers course.

[fore_life]

They don't allow walking there anymore, it would be a pretty brutal hike. That being said, TJY walked it.

[az2au]

They don't allow walking there anymore, it would be a pretty brutal hike. That being said, TJY walked it.

I've walked it as well. It isn't meant to be walked unfortunately.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

How challenging is AS? Im a 12 index currently and play from 6000-6500 yds. Is the course walkable? Thanks

 

If you play the 6100 yard tees really wont be much of an issue plenty of width out there, few holes will be less than driver. I think it is similar to Saguaro lots of terrain change but tee boxes not as close to greens as Saguaro so while technically walkable I dont think it is really a walkers course.

 

Ok thanks

[teejaywhy]

They don't allow walking there anymore, it would be a pretty brutal hike. That being said, TJY walked it.

I've walked it as well. It isn't meant to be walked unfortunately.

 

They used to have walking paths from tees to fairway and from greens to next tee, but over the years they have grown over and now you have to follow the cart paths which makes for a longer walk.

[jewofgolf]

I asked on a FB post about walking. They will allow it. IMO it's not too hard to walk. There are a few shortcuts if you know where they are. There are a few tough walks though like 4 to 5, 8 to 9, 9 to 10 just long but easy, and then the walk to 18 tee. You have to walk it IMO to REALLY appreciate it, because you can take in the beautiful views that much more.

[dtm6582]

Greens were rolling great, usual areas of concern but nothing that impedes play, seemed less wet than recent trips, so that was nice.

 

Just played it for the first time yesterday. There were definitely some issues on a few greens that impeded play, one I had to move my ball about 15 feet to the left just to putt through grass the entire way. Partly my fault I guess, I should have hit it closer. :)

 

It was pretty wet too, not super wet I guess, but we had quite a few plugged balls. I'm glad I knew from this forum what conditions to expect. If it was a random booking I probably wouldn't have been very happy, especially after the journey to get out there..

 

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed it out there and would absolutely go back. The layout is great, the views are excellent. No houses on the course is always a win in my book. Some incredible green complexes. Plus, the place was almost empty. We finished around 2:00PM on Saturday and there might have been a dozen cars in the lot. Pace was pretty much go as fast as you want. We played through a large group on about the 6th hole and didn't wait again the rest of the round. Wrxer's should love that place, 7500 yards from the tips. Finally a challenge ;)

 

Move that golf course to the Phoenix metro area, improve the conditioning and it's $200/round all winter long.

[fore_life]

I play it from the tips, it really doesn't play that long since there are elevated tee boxes and corners you can cut.

 

 

 

Is it a place you'd go play again?

[dtm6582]

Is it a place you'd go play again?

 

Sure, I would play it again. It's a fun layout. Although, to make it worth the drive it would have to be either a good deal, the right time of year, or in this case a unique circumstance that made it a viable destination. Two weeks ago I made roughly the same drive and played Wickenburg Ranch for not that much more $. If it was a tossup between the two it would be WR 9.5 times out of 10.

[lvlites]

Booked a tee time Monday on Golfnow for this weekend and grabbed one for 30 bucks. One more person wanted to join but when I went to the website today the price was 60 dollars. A check of the Stronghold website quotes the same 60 dollar price. I called the course and was told they would honor my 30 buck tee time, but needless to say I'll be travelling solo. Also, to replay would be another 30. From the previous report on conditions they just don't make any sense

[DrSchteeve]

Booked a tee time Monday on Golfnow for this weekend and grabbed one for 30 bucks. One more person wanted to join but when I went to the website today the price was 60 dollars. A check of the Stronghold website quotes the same 60 dollar price. I called the course and was told they would honor my 30 buck tee time, but needless to say I'll be travelling solo. Also, to replay would be another 30. From the previous report on conditions they just don't make any sense

 

In my couple of experiences there, I had the distinct impression that the people running the course, while nice enough, have absolutely no clue. It's like they are keeping the course open for whatever reason, but certainly aren't doing anything to enhance the experience or have it make sense from a golf or business point of view.