Ranking Arizona Private Clubs

[vallygolf]

Just curious how you would rank Arizonas top tier private clubs.

 

I'm partial to the northern group of Pine Canyon, Forest Highlands (both courses are great) and the Rim, but here in the valley I have only played Estancia and Whisper Rock (lower) as top tier private. What has your experience been? Do you actively seek to play these courses?

[az2au]

I’ve played all of them except the other course at Scottsdale National. Used to be a big thing for me to do. Now I don’t care so much.

 

Caveat: I’m a member at Desert Forest, Phoenix and Troon Country Club so I try to stay mostly at one of those as I’m paying the dues one way or the other.

 

For my money (literally in this case) I think DF is the best “golf” club in the state. Course in the top 10 but everything else is pure golf. Silverleaf is the best high end place, Estancia second, Whisper Rock third (although I like Upper better than Lower). Desert Mountain is consistently nice too and Outlaw is probably my favorite course in the Valley.

 

Pine Canyon is my favorite course in the state from a pure fun to play standpoint but you can't really walk it so that hurts it a bit.

 

 

[golfandfishing]

Are you asking about the best private club to be a member or the best course at a private club? I feel like you can arrive at two different answers depending on if you mean the best course to play or the best club to join and be a member.

[vallygolf]

I dont really care about the "club". Im interested in course only. If anyone wants to comment on amenities Im sure it would be informative.

[az2au]

> @golfandfishing said:

> Are you asking about the best private club to be a member or the best course at a private club? I feel like you can arrive at two different answers depending on if you mean the best course to play or the best club to join and be a member.

 

This is a great question, 25 year ago me would have been doing everything in my power to join Whisper Rock because of the name value in the golf world. That me had a lot to learn, less about golf but more about me. Now it would take an exceptional set of circumstances for me to even be interested in joining there because the club is not setup to leverage what I enjoy most about playing golf (playing with my family). Absolutely nothing wrong with their model and, especially as a destination club, I think it makes a ton of sense. I think at various points in your life different clubs make more sense but, for me, DF has been the one place that has always made sense in all areas for golf and a family that plays together but also a great place for bringing out of town friends as destination type place. The other two clubs are for different reasons (business and I live within 5 min of the other so it is more a gym/dining thing) but also fun courses to play at.

 

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

How’s desert highlands?

[az2au]

> @BUCKEYERBALL88 said:

> How’s desert highlands?

Wonderful use of land. Absolutely beautiful course and a solid design. No realistic way to walk it however. Last couple of holes feel jammed in but, unlike somewhere like Quintero or Dinosaur Mountain where I feel like the land could not have been used less successfully, Desert Highlands is the opposite. It would be hard for me to see how Jack could have come up with a better routing than he did with the land available. I realize that I'm seeing it after the houses and roads are there so it is a bit harder to imagine but it still feels like an excellent routing down to 17/18 or maybe just 18 isn't the best. That's so commonly the case though as you have to bring people back and the last hole is often just the land left. Sometimes that's awesome but many times it is, blah.

 

 

[az2au]

> @vallygolf said:

> I dont really care about the "club". Im interested in course only. If anyone wants to comment on amenities Im sure it would be informative.

 

 

What kind of amenities? One of the things that keeps us coming back to PCC regularly is free child care. That's huge.

[vallygolf]

> @az2au said:

> > @vallygolf said:

> > I dont really care about the "club". Im interested in course only. If anyone wants to comment on amenities Im sure it would be informative.

>

>

> What kind of amenities? One of the things that keeps us coming back to PCC regularly is free child care. That's huge.

 

Great point about the free child care. That would be a hard perk to pass on if you chose to join another club close to your home, especially if the care is competent and the kiddos are on board with it. Interesting thoughts on Desert Highlands. At times it is amazing how much character can be added to a flat piece of desert (southern dunes and Grayhawk Raptor) come to mind as flat property that were well utilized. Conversely it is disappointing to step on some land that has so much potential an yet the course is poorly routed. The Rim is a course that uses good land well.

[AzSuperHack76]

I'd have to agree, best Private I have had a chance to play in the Phoenix area is Desert Forest thanks to @az2au, just a great layout, excellent conditions and a really fun/strong/great course.

 

Best Private I have had a chance to play outside of the valley in Az is hands down Forest Highlands Canyon(played last week), although I have only played a few out side of the Phoeninx area. I played Arcadia Bluffs and Forest Dunes last summer while in Michigan. I'd put it on par with those courses, Weiskopf designed FD as well, to me Forest Highlands Canyon was Forest Dunes on steroids. Membership and staff was very welcoming as well. What a blast.

 

Torreon is super fun as well and always a good experience when playing there.

 

Edit: Very Small sample size for private courses compared to some but my experiences none the less.

[vallygolf]

> @AzSuperHack76 said:

> I'd have to agree, best Private I have had a chance to play in the Phoenix area is Desert Forest thanks to @az2au, just a great layout, excellent conditions and a really fun/strong/great course.

>

> Best Private I have had a chance to play outside of the valley in Az is hands down Forest Highlands Canyon(played last week), although I have only played a few out side of the Phoeninx area. I played Arcadia Bluffs and Forest Dunes last summer while in Michigan. I'd put it on par with those courses, Weiskopf designed FD as well, to me Forest Highlands Canyon was Forest Dunes on steroids. Membership and staff was very welcoming as well. What a blast.

>

> Torreon is super fun as well and always a good experience when playing there.

>

> Edit: Very Small sample size for private courses compared to some but my experiences none the less.

 

I played the Rim Club over the weekend (Another Weiskopf/Morrish) and while I loved Forest Dunes and would play there any day of the week, I enjoyed the elevation changes of the Rim Club more, and think overall it is a stronger layout. FD was one of the best conditioned courses I have ever played, but the Rim this weekend was so spectacular. The greens were so pure, I think my putter shed a tear.

[596]

No one mentions Seven Canyons up in Sedona. It's a gorgeous golf community. Designed by Tom Weiskopf. Every hole is a post card view.

[az2au]

> @596 said:

> No one mentions Seven Canyons up in Sedona. It's a gorgeous golf community. Designed by Tom Weiskopf. Every hole is a post card view.

Seven Canyons is beautiful. Great people, great clubhouse, great views. Worst Weiskopf designed course I've played however. There are 5 or 6 holes that that are just awkward. Tom likely did the best he could with the land, he's brilliant at that IMO but some of those hole corridors suck. Tom is a long time member at DF (only honorary these days, maybe 1-2 rounds/year) and I've had the good fortunate to have lunch with him and discuss his various design philosophies but never had a chance to discuss Seven Canyons with him. I know he loved the property however and I think his course design thoughts are fascinating.

 

[vallygolf]

> @az2au said:

> > @596 said:

> > No one mentions Seven Canyons up in Sedona. It's a gorgeous golf community. Designed by Tom Weiskopf. Every hole is a post card view.

> Seven Canyons is beautiful. Great people, great clubhouse, great views. Worst Weiskopf designed course I've played however. There are 5 or 6 holes that that are just awkward. Tom likely did the best he could with the land, he's brilliant at that IMO but some of those hole corridors suck. Tom is a long time member at DF (only honorary these days, maybe 1-2 rounds/year) and I've had the good fortunate to have lunch with him and discuss his various design philosophies but never had a chance to discuss Seven Canyons with him. I know he loved the property however and I think his course design thoughts are fascinating.

>

 

Tom is one of the greats to be sure. His name doesnt get the same reaction as a Doak or Coore and Crenshaw, but we have some absolute gems here in Arizona from Weiskopf.

[DrSchteeve]

Could not agree more with az2au about 7 Canyons. Just played it, not sure what I was expecting but an uninspiring design was what I found. It seemed to vary between straight holes that were relatively boring to some really forced holes that were just that. Add several greens that were elevated but with traps directly in front and it became just plain silly. There's an example of a design feature that might be interesting once but doesn't warrant repeating. Let's see, we'll take a course already difficult and add blind shots to greens with severe undulations: great idea! Challenging golf courses are fine - Pinnacle is an example - but at some point the golf becomes a slog especially if the challenge is artificially created.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Is the rim open now and in ok shape?

[vallygolf]

It is open, as long as weather permits this time of year. I have not played there since fall, but have played many "winter" rounds in the mountains. Greens are most likely firm and fast (still dormant). Fairways are just starting to show signs of green. May be on the soft side. All in all a pleasant time to play.

[Phreddy]

This has been an interesting read, although it has focused mainly on the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and north. Anyone have thoughts on the choices around Tucson?

 

Phred

[puttnforthe8]

In Tucson, the Gallery is outstanding imo.

[fore_life]

I never hear Superstition Mountain get any mention at all, I’m assuming due to the location?

[Chanceman]

From what is said on this part of the forum, it only needs some decent investment $$$ for Apache Stronghold to take it into the top echelon of AZ courses.

Such a pity to hear that a potentially great course is falling away.

Does anyone have a feel for how high it could go?

[az2au]

Not really. They’re both above average courses but not near the top tier. Great facilities and everything is very nice there.

[az2au]

Stone Canyon as well.

[Argonne69]

At one point it was in the top 100 in the U.S. Not sure if it merited that high a ranking, but with proper conditioning it could outrank We Ko Pa Cholla.

[stevensd]

I'm looking at North Scottsdale for a 2nd home in a golf course community.  Any thoughts on Troon Country Club versus Desert Highlands?

[8milespast]

Sorry if this has already been covered, but are the Rim and Chaparral Pines going public now that they’ve been acquired by Arcis?

[puttnforthe8]

1 hour ago, 8milespast said:

Sorry if this has already been covered, but are the Rim and Chaparral Pines going public now that they’ve been acquired by Arcis?

No - Or at least there is no indication suggesting otherwise.

[Chimz]

Thought I’d hijack the threat for my own personal gain so apologies in advance. I’ve been mulling over joining a private club after doing the rounds on public tracks for the past 7 years living in the valley. Getting to the stage now where I’m just fed up with full tee sheets, outrageous green fees for mediocre courses and ridiculously slow rounds which IMO is mostly down to poor golfers who have no business being on a ‘full’ length course. 

ideally looking for a club that is mostly focused around golf ( don’t need pool , gym etc) and a club that isn’t just retirees ( I’m 44) . I live up in the Cave Creek area, actually about a mile from Whisper Rock (don’t think I’m getting a call from them anytime soon😊) so looking at options within a 20 minute drive. 
 
I see Troon CC and Desert Forest mentioned here and I know DF certainly ticks the box in terms of the golf but unsure of Troon CC and whether either has a waiting list to join. 
thought I’d throw these questions out here before I start cold calling a few clubs. 

Appreciate any feedback 
 

[vallygolf]

Definitely look high end if you can afford it.  Most of the middle to low end private are no better off than what you describe as the problem you are trying to avoid.  I have a few friends at Seville in Gilbert and they say the tee sheet is packed until 2-3pm every day with advanced tee times.  Even getting on the minute the times become available you are at best getting 10-11am tee times with slow rounds.  The main gripe is the same folks seem to always get the first 5-6 tee times (all this for 30K initiation and 1.2k/month dues).  I dont know how long this boom will last, but I would look for a club with no tee times, walk up only, and as few members as possible.  These clubs are approaching or exceeding 100k initiation and have decent waiting lists.  If I lived closer I would work to join DF.  I dont have any idea how tough that is right now, but judging by the current golf landscape it will take some work and money.  Personally I would take DF any day over Troon.

[soregongolfer]

I live in a po-dunk town and I just joined our country club.  It's only $5K+ a year, but that is plenty for me.  I'm 50 years old and after a month of being a member, I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner.  The people there love golf and feel ownership in the course.  They fix their pitch marks and fill in their divots.  Afterwards at the 19th hole, people talk about golf and everybody has been so friendly.  Find something you can afford and jump.