Golf trip with buddies near Phoenix Arizona

[jdog134]

Hi guys,

We are planning our annual golf trip this year to Arizona , we been to Orlando a few time but never in the southwest ,

we are looking to book a house near Surprise Arizona and I was hoping to found out which of those golf courses near our place is worth playing ?

I've gone through the 63 page on Travelling to Phoenix.....Some course info for you... but nobody mentioned those golf courses

any help would be gladly appreciated

Those are the course near by

Cimarron Golf Course

Granite Falls Golf Club

Great Eagle Golf Club

Briarwood Country club

Hilcrest Golf Club

Deer Valley golf Course

Corte Bella Golf Club

[puttnforthe8]

> @jdog134 said:

> Hi guys,

> We are planning our annual golf trip this year to Arizona , we been to Orlando a few time but never in the southwest ,

> we are looking to book a house near Surprise Arizona and I was hoping to found out which of those golf courses near our place is worth playing ?

> I've gone through the 63 page on Travelling to Phoenix.....Some course info for you... but nobody mentioned those golf courses

> any help would be gladly appreciated

> Those are the course near by

> Cimarron Golf Course **generally decent shape; ok course; has some good holes**

> Granite Falls Golf Club **ick**

> Great Eagle Golf Club **bad**

> Briarwood Country club **never heard anything positive**

> Hillcrest Golf Club **ehh....conditions hit and miss, more often miss; nothing memorable; but some good holes**

> Deer Valley golf Course **never played, but never heard anything about it period **

> Corte Bella Golf Club **community housing course, easy, nothing great; condition varies; boring**

 

Because these are average to below average at best. Guess it depends what you are looking for...great golf representative of AZ or cheap golf / ho-hum-blah-just-to-be-playing golf??

I would never come to AZ (nor would I travel out that way) to play those courses with so many better options in the vicinity.

See above

[cbbaron]

> @puttnforthe8 said:

> > @jdog134 said:

> > Hi guys,

> > We are planning our annual golf trip this year to Arizona , we been to Orlando a few time but never in the southwest ,

> > we are looking to book a house near Surprise Arizona and I was hoping to found out which of those golf courses near our place is worth playing ?

> > I've gone through the 63 page on Travelling to Phoenix.....Some course info for you... but nobody mentioned those golf courses

> > any help would be gladly appreciated

> > Those are the course near by

> > Cimarron Golf Course **generally decent shape; ok course; has some good holes**

> > Granite Falls Golf Club **ick**

> > Great Eagle Golf Club **bad**

> > Briarwood Country club **never heard anything positive**

> > Hillcrest Golf Club **ehh....conditions hit and miss, more often miss; nothing memorable; but some good holes**

> > Deer Valley golf Course **never played, but never heard anything about it period **

> > Corte Bella Golf Club **community housing course, easy, nothing great; condition varies; boring**

>

> Because these are average to below average at best. Guess it depends what you are looking for...great golf representative of AZ or cheap golf / ho-hum-blah-just-to-be-playing golf??

> I would never come to AZ (nor would I travel out that way) to play those courses with so many better options in the vicinity.

> See above

In my 50 trips or so to valley never have played or thought of playing any of them

 

[azgolfer44]

I guess the question is - why are you staying in Surprise? It is pretty quiet out there and very far from the city and airport. You really can’t enjoy Phoenix or Scottsdale staying out there.

You will also want to consider time of the year. Arizona has a pretty significant overseed period which impacts course conditions.

[jdog134]

Thank for all the ends up ... I’m looking for place around half a hour away that is a great value for the price ... we can’t afford 180$ round every day

Thanks guys

[puttnforthe8]

> @jdog134 said:

> Thank for all the ends up ... I’m looking for place around half a hour away that is a great value for the price ... we can’t afford 180$ round every day

> Thanks guys

 

When are you coming? $180/round is high season.

You are better off in the SE valley or even in the SW valley. Surprise is not 'value' is is 'Motel 6 vacation'.

 

 

[jdog134]

We found a house for 8 or 9 peoples...20 mins away from the Arizona Cards stadium and from what I can tell we are not too far from Quintero and Wickenburg ranch ... golf course

 

Is overseeding bad around early November from your experience?

 

> @azgolfer44 said:

> I guess the question is - why are you staying in Surprise? It is pretty quiet out there and very far from the city and airport. You really can’t enjoy Phoenix or Scottsdale staying out there.

> You will also want to consider time of the year. Arizona has a pretty significant overseed period which impacts course conditions.

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

> @jdog134 said:

> We found a house for 8 or 9 peoples...20 mins away from the Arizona Cards stadium and from what I can tell we are not too far from Quintero and Wickenburg ranch ... golf course

>

> Is overseeding bad around early November from your experience?

>

> > @azgolfer44 said:

> > I guess the question is - why are you staying in Surprise? It is pretty quiet out there and very far from the city and airport. You really can’t enjoy Phoenix or Scottsdale staying out there.

> > You will also want to consider time of the year. Arizona has a pretty significant overseed period which impacts course conditions.

>

>

November is pushing it: ~60% are out a month, the other 40% out only a couple of weeks or less. So you will then have less choice. Example: Quintero was Oct 19th reopened; so out only 2 weeks. cart path only, I'm sure. Looking at last year a lot of those courses in Sun City overseed the 1st 2 weeks of NOV.

 

BTW: Nothing is close to WR or Quintero....WR will still be an hour, even from Anthem and Quintero 35 min

 

Anyways...so many better options than there....

[jdog134]

> > @jdog134 said:

I Love the feedback you are providing me

We will be there from October 27 to November 3 because of the NFL game on October 31 ...

from your opinion what courses around that price range 80-120$ is worth booking we are looking to book 4 round thanks

> November is pushing it: ~60% are out a month, the other 40% out only a couple of weeks or less. So you will then have less choice. Example: Quintero was Oct 19th reopened; so out only 2 weeks. cart path only, I'm sure. Looking at last year a lot of those courses in Sun City overseed the 1st 2 weeks of NOV.....makes sense, they stay open as long as possible until all the snowbirds leave.

>

> BTW: Nothing is close to WR or Quintero....WR will still be an hour, even from Anthem and Quintero 35 min

>

> Anyways...so many better opt

> November is pushing it: ~60% are out a month, the other 40% out only a couple of weeks or less. So you will then have less choice. Example: Quintero was Oct 19th reopened; so out only 2 weeks. cart path only, I'm sure. Looking at last year a lot of those courses in Sun City overseed the 1st 2 weeks of NOV.....makes sense, they stay open as long as possible until all the snowbirds leave.

>

> BTW: Nothing is close to WR or Quintero....WR will still be an hour, even from Anthem and Quintero 35 min

>

> Anyways...so many better options than there....

 

 

[DrSchteeve]

> @jdog134 said:

> Hi guys,

> We are planning our annual golf trip this year to Arizona , we been to Orlando a few time but never in the southwest ,

> we are looking to book a house near Surprise Arizona and I was hoping to found out which of those golf courses near our place is worth playing ?

> I've gone through the 63 page on Travelling to Phoenix.....Some course info for you... but nobody mentioned those golf courses

> any help would be gladly appreciated

> Those are the course near by

> Cimarron Golf Course

> Granite Falls Golf Club

> Great Eagle Golf Club

> Briarwood Country club

> Hilcrest Golf Club

> Deer Valley golf Course

> Corte Bella Golf Club

The reason they aren't mentioned is that they aren't in the top 200 courses to play here. Play the muni's here - Papago, Aguila, Encanto, Cave Creek, GCU - they won't be pricey and they are almost certainly better than any of the courses you reference.

[az2au]

> @jdog134 said:

> > > @jdog134 said:

> I Love the feedback you are providing me

> We will be there from October 27 to November 3 because of the NFL game on October 31 ...

> from your opinion what courses around that price range 80-120$ is worth booking we are looking to book 4 round thanks

> > November is pushing it: ~60% are out a month, the other 40% out only a couple of weeks or less. So you will then have less choice. Example: Quintero was Oct 19th reopened; so out only 2 weeks. cart path only, I'm sure. Looking at last year a lot of those courses in Sun City overseed the 1st 2 weeks of NOV.....makes sense, they stay open as long as possible until all the snowbirds leave.

> >

> > BTW: Nothing is close to WR or Quintero....WR will still be an hour, even from Anthem and Quintero 35 min

> >

> > Anyways...so many better opt

> > November is pushing it: ~60% are out a month, the other 40% out only a couple of weeks or less. So you will then have less choice. Example: Quintero was Oct 19th reopened; so out only 2 weeks. cart path only, I'm sure. Looking at last year a lot of those courses in Sun City overseed the 1st 2 weeks of NOV.....makes sense, they stay open as long as possible until all the snowbirds leave.

> >

> > BTW: Nothing is close to WR or Quintero....WR will still be an hour, even from Anthem and Quintero 35 min

> >

> > Anyways...so many better options than there....

>

>

Probably Estrella and Verrado (both courses). Overseeding will likely impact any decent course you play sadly.

 

Staying near the stadium is not what I'd consider a benefit.

[Kuhndogg8]

Any recommendation at this point comes with a caveat of overseed conditions. But I think even with staying in Surprise, you can upgrade that list without adding exorbitant costs. Both Verrado courses, Golf Club of Estrella, Wigwam could be put in there within 30-45 minutes of Surprise - all should be under $100 that time of year and during the week probably closer to $50. Choose one day and splurge and go up to Wick Ranch.

[puttnforthe8]

If you are staying there for sure, here is the list with some already mentioned and a couple of others.

Verrado - both courses

Estrella

Trilogy at Vistancia

Wigwam - Gold or Red

Aguila is possible - this is about golf, not views, etc.

Grand Canyon is possible - decent golf, no views(in the city) but better than any Surprise course.

While many of us don't care for it, you could go to Lookout Mountain (visitors don't seem to mind).

Dove Valley is a playable course, but average at best - still better than the Surprise ones.

Then add you Quintero and WR

Longshot, but the worst that can happen is they say NO: Call Anthem and see if you can get on.

[cbbaron]

Would add Legend Trail about 15 minutes east of Dove Valley sometimes has some good last minute specials

[AzSuperHack76]

SInce you're out in Surprise the 303 provides great access to the west, SW and NW valley.

 

Best courses to play in the West Valley are, Verrado, either course in my opinon. Estrella Mt Ranch, Vistancia, Copper Canyon about 15 minutes west of Surprise, they just added a new 9 out there, same designer that created Southern Dunes. Quinterro is approx 25-30 minutes out of Surprise, Wickenburg Ranch is approx 40-45 minutes from Surprise, well worth the drive.

 

Next best options would be Falcon Dunes, not to be confused with Falcon Golf Club. It's the AFB Course at Luke, if you or someone else is retired millitary or a first responder you can book tee times out there.

 

The Wigwam Courses in Litchfield Park would be a good option Gold, Red then Blue.

 

I would recommend the Sun CIty Grand Courses in Surprise since your in the area, Cimmaron then Granite Falls North. Yes I agree with puttinforthe8 that GCU and Aguilla are better but they keep the Sun CIty Grand Courses in excellent shape. If you have some high handicaps in your group then I would reccomned Granite Falls South or Desert Springs, 2 of the most wide open courses you could imagine. I'd put Corte Bella in Sun CIty west in the same catagory as Cimmaron or Granite Falls North, decent neighborhood course, but not too cramped by housing, there is room for errant shots.

 

The comment from Puttnforthe8 about Surprise being a Motel 6 is a bit harsh in my opinion. Surprise is an affordable and safe suburb of Phoenix. Typical surburbia. Obviously no real entertainment options in the way of night life if that's your thing, but there is a solid brewery, State 48 which I would recommend. Lots of dining options in the area. If your looking for group activities Uptown Alley in Surprise is a blast, huge bowling alley/multiple bars along with spaces for your own private parties withadult only lanes in a seperate area. Topgolf is right next to the stadium. Westgate is anouther option for activies and nightlife. Arrowhead area isnt that far away with a bunch of bars and dining as well.

 

Hope this helps. If you need any more info feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

Biggest issue you are going to face will be overseeding and it makes it hard to golf anywhere in general during that time. There will be an overseed list that pops up in this forum before that happens. If not keep an eye out on greenskeeper.org. Good luck!

 

EDIT-If you guys are into baseball the Fall League should be in full swing or wrapping up. Fun way to catch some up and coming major leaguers playing baseball for their futures.

[DrSchteeve]

> @AzSuperHack76 said:

> SInce you're out in Surprise the 303 provides great access to the west, SW and NW valley.

>

> Best courses to play in the West Valley are, Verrado, either course in my opinon. Estrella Mt Ranch, Vistancia, Copper Canyon about 15 minutes west of Surprise, they just added a new 9 out there, same designer that created Southern Dunes. Quinterro is approx 25-30 minutes out of Surprise, Wickenburg Ranch is approx 40-45 minutes from Surprise, well worth the drive.

>

> Next best options would be Falcon Dunes, not to be confused with Falcon Golf Club. It's the AFB Course at Luke, if you or someone else is retired millitary or a first responder you can book tee times out there.

>

> The Wigwam Courses in Litchfield Park would be a good option Gold, Red then Blue.

>

> I would recommend the Sun CIty Grand Courses in Surprise since your in the area, Cimmaron then Granite Falls North. Yes I agree with puttinforthe8 that GCU and Aguilla are better but they keep the Sun CIty Grand Courses in excellent shape. If you have some high handicaps in your group then I would reccomned Granite Falls South or Desert Springs, 2 of the most wide open courses you could imagine. I'd put Corte Bella in Sun CIty west in the same catagory as Cimmaron or Granite Falls North, decent neighborhood course, but not too cramped by housing, there is room for errant shots.

>

> The comment from Puttnforthe8 about Surprise being a Motel 6 is a bit harsh in my opinion. Surprise is an affordable and safe suburb of Phoenix. Typical surburbia. Obviously no real entertainment options in the way of night life if that's your thing, but there is a solid brewery, State 48 which I would recommend. Lots of dining options in the area. If your looking for group activities Uptown Alley in Surprise is a blast, huge bowling alley along with spaces for your own private parties withadult only lanes in a seperate area. Topgolf is right next to the stadium. Westgate is anouther option for activies and nightlife. Arrowhead area isnt that far away with a bunch of bars and dining as well.

>

> Hope this helps. If you need any more info feel free to shoot me a PM.

>

> Biggest issue you are going to face will be overseeding and it makes it hard to golf anywhere in general during that time. There will be an overseed list that pops up in this forum before that happens. If not keep an eye out on greenskeeper.org. Good luck!

>

> EDIT-If you guys are into baseball the Fall League should be in full swing or wrapping up. Fun way to catch some up and coming major leaguers playing baseball for their futures.

 

That is a kind and informative response to the OP's question. Where's the mocking scornful sarcasm? This is outrageous!

[AzSuperHack76]

> @DrSchteeve said:

 

>

> That is a kind and informative response to the OP's question. Where's the mocking scornful sarcasm? This is outrageous!

 

Haha, Thanks!

 

[jdog134]

> @AzSuperHack76 said:

> SInce you're out in Surprise the 303 provides great access to the west, SW and NW valley.

>

> Best courses to play in the West Valley are, Verrado, either course in my opinon. Estrella Mt Ranch, Vistancia, Copper Canyon about 15 minutes west of Surprise, they just added a new 9 out there, same designer that created Southern Dunes. Quinterro is approx 25-30 minutes out of Surprise, Wickenburg Ranch is approx 40-45 minutes from Surprise, well worth the drive.

>

> Next best options would be Falcon Dunes, not to be confused with Falcon Golf Club. It's the AFB Course at Luke, if you or someone else is retired millitary or a first responder you can book tee times out there.

>

> The Wigwam Courses in Litchfield Park would be a good option Gold, Red then Blue.

>

> I would recommend the Sun CIty Grand Courses in Surprise since your in the area, Cimmaron then Granite Falls North. Yes I agree with puttinforthe8 that GCU and Aguilla are better but they keep the Sun CIty Grand Courses in excellent shape. If you have some high handicaps in your group then I would reccomned Granite Falls South or Desert Springs, 2 of the most wide open courses you could imagine. I'd put Corte Bella in Sun CIty west in the same catagory as Cimmaron or Granite Falls North, decent neighborhood course, but not too cramped by housing, there is room for errant shots.

>

> The comment from Puttnforthe8 about Surprise being a Motel 6 is a bit harsh in my opinion. Surprise is an affordable and safe suburb of Phoenix. Typical surburbia. Obviously no real entertainment options in the way of night life if that's your thing, but there is a solid brewery, State 48 which I would recommend. Lots of dining options in the area. If your looking for group activities Uptown Alley in Surprise is a blast, huge bowling alley/multiple bars along with spaces for your own private parties withadult only lanes in a seperate area. Topgolf is right next to the stadium. Westgate is anouther option for activies and nightlife. Arrowhead area isnt that far away with a bunch of bars and dining as well.

>

> Hope this helps. If you need any more info feel free to shoot me a PM.

>

> Biggest issue you are going to face will be overseeding and it makes it hard to golf anywhere in general during that time. There will be an overseed list that pops up in this forum before that happens. If not keep an eye out on greenskeeper.org. Good luck!

>

> EDIT-If you guys are into baseball the Fall League should be in full swing or wrapping up. Fun way to catch some up and coming major leaguers playing baseball for their futures.

 

Wow that is great info let hope the overseeding don't narrow down all the golf course we like to play ... do you know how much time in advance they sent the list of overseed course ?

 

[jdog134]

From what it look like it ... even if we don't stay in Surprise and stay in Scottsdale we will be stuck with the seeding problem non the less

 

[mikedejong]

November is the absolute worst month to play. Having said that I am often there at that time of year and you can make it work. Just have to call around and be prepared for not great conditions. Lots of cart path only, wet and shaggy courses, etc. But its still golf and we still play every day. But it is not a good time of year to go there.

[cbbaron]

> @mikedejong said:

> November is the absolute worst month to play. Having said that I am often there at that time of year and you can make it work. Just have to call around and be prepared for not great conditions. Lots of cart path only, wet and shaggy courses, etc. But its still golf and we still play every day. But it is not a good time of year to go there.

 

Too bad with conditions one of the best months weather wise is November

[ferrispgm]

Definitely try both at verrado and estrella......good courses and reasonably priced compared to everything else that time of year. They won't be the cheapest but the cost to quality ratio is typically solid...check rates between the club site and teeoff. Wigwam isn't bad either but not one of my favorites. I would suggest you splurge a bit though in both driving and money to go play WR if possible and it's not fresh off overseed....but even then it's still great.

[jdog134]

Find some info on Troon Golf for overseeding 2019 :

Golf Club of Estrella = closed for overseed from October 7 to October 24

Quinterro Golf Club – closed for overseed from September 24 to October 18

look like we will be a little tight for Estrella since out trip is from oct 27-to Nov 3

but should be good for Quinterro since it reopen around the 18 of Oct

[teejaywhy]

Best to count from the start of the overseed, not the re-open date because some stay closed longer that others. As you can see, Estrella opens with just over two weeks of grow-in, Quintero, >three.

 

Assuming a "typical" grow-in:

2-4 weeks: Don't bother

4-6 weeks: Marginal to OK playing conditions, still wet and slow and typically cart-path-only

6-8 weeks: Getting better, still wet and a bit slow but playable..

8+ weeks: Good conditions, green speeds about normal, still a bit wet.

 

For your visit Oct 27 to Nov 4, best to focus on courses with the longest grow-in, those that started in late Sept.

Azgolf.org usually publishes the overseed schedule in July/Aug.

 

[R4haehl]

Glad I stumbled upon this thread as I will be in Scottsdale the week after OP. I normally go to AZ between Feb-May and havent been in the fall, and totally spaced on overseeding at that time of year!