Ranking Arizona Private Clubs

[ryder2015]

I looked around the same area. I did not reach out to DF as I am looking for a fitness center as well. I can tell you that I reached out to Troon and they said the waitlist is so deep they are not even doing facility tours at this time.

[puttnforthe8]

18 hours ago, soregongolfer said:

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.  

Unfortunately that does not exist here in AZ.  You pay through the nose for something like that; anything affordable is not much better than the average courses here.

[whatsupwithgolf]

23 hours ago, Chimz said:

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 
 

If I were you I'd be trying to get into Desert Forest. The Boulders is another club that I would be looking at? Great area for golf, unfortunately I would guess every club in that area is on a year plus waiting list. That is the primo part of town

[Qwiklap]

Hey guys -- figured I would throw my thoughts in as well.  I moved here in July of last year and live in Windgate Ranch (right across Thompson Peak from Silverleaf).  I sure wish I had moved here like 3 years ago -- I could have afforded to join Silverleaf back then.  Now it seems out of reach (the initiation and dues are pretty crazy), man it looks so nice! 

 

I got on the wait list at DC Ranch (the next nearest club).  At the time the initiation for full equity was high but reasonable (with the opportunity to cash out when you leave).  But there was a 2 year wait list.  Since I went on the list in early fall -- the last several memberships have gone for over $300K, which I find crazy.
 

I hear about about new clubs and courses getting developed in South Florida currently -- but it seems like nothing like that is being done here.  So no relieve on the demand/supply pressure in sight sadly.  I have thought about putting my name on Pinnacle Peak's waitlist -- but haven't done it. 

 

I would love any thoughts on other good North Scottsdale private clubs that are great for families with kids under 12. 

 

 

[Mob]

17 minutes ago, Qwiklap said:

Hey guys -- figured I would throw my thoughts in as well.  I moved here in July of last year and live in Windgate Ranch (right across Thompson Peak from Silverleaf).  I sure wish I had moved here like 3 years ago -- I could have afforded to join Silverleaf back then.  Now it seems out of reach (the initiation and dues are pretty crazy), man it looks so nice! 

 

I got on the wait list at DC Ranch (the next nearest club).  At the time the initiation for full equity was high but reasonable (with the opportunity to cash out when you leave).  But there was a 2 year wait list.  Since I went on the list in early fall -- the last several memberships have gone for over $300K, which I find crazy.
 

I hear about about new clubs and courses getting developed in South Florida currently -- but it seems like nothing like that is being done here.  So no relieve on the demand/supply pressure in sight sadly.  I have thought about putting my name on Pinnacle Peak's waitlist -- but haven't done it. 

 

I would love any thoughts on other good North Scottsdale private clubs that are great for families with kids under 12. 

 

 

$300k?

[azgolfer44]

16 minutes ago, Mob said:

$300k?

The last dc ranch membership went for $375k. It’s all market based pricing. I hear it’s hard to get tee times either and very limited guests. 

[Pepperturbo]

We have been considering a retirement home in the Scottsdale vicinity.  Lower-mid level clubs offering minimal services and lower monthly cost appear to have had an influx of new members due to effects of covid on golf.  NOT a good option IMO.  If you can afford a more upscale club, there's a better chance of tee sheets not being clogged.  Of course, costs are always a driving concern.  The higher the club cost, the higher the average age and higher monthly costs.  Good luck.

[Phreddy]

A few years back we were looking for a snowbird/retirement home and after visiting several places in a variety of price ranges I was set to join Desert Forest.  DF is, to my mind an outstanding course.  My wife and I had a deal.  I would pick the club and she would pick the house in proximity to the club.  Somewhere between visiting and writing the check we visited friends in Tucson.  No where near the range of choices one would find in Phoenix/Scottsdale/Cave Creek area etal, but a fraction of the crowding and probably 30% cheaper.  Prices have escalated dramatically in Tucson over the last 6 years as well, but I think the spread still remains largely true.  For us family and friends in the metro Phoenix area a simply a day trip away.

 

Phred

[whatsupwithgolf]

2 hours ago, Phreddy said:

A few years back we were looking for a snowbird/retirement home and after visiting several places in a variety of price ranges I was set to join Desert Forest.  DF is, to my mind an outstanding course.  My wife and I had a deal.  I would pick the club and she would pick the house in proximity to the club.  Somewhere between visiting and writing the check we visited friends in Tucson.  No where near the range of choices one would find in Phoenix/Scottsdale/Cave Creek area etal, but a fraction of the crowding and probably 30% cheaper.  Prices have escalated dramatically in Tucson over the last 6 years as well, but I think the spread still remains largely true.  For us family and friends in the metro Phoenix area a simply a day trip away.

 

Phred

Phred what club did you end up joining in Tucson? My dad has friends at the Gallery and they love it, they echoed the thought of way less people down there, I'm going to come visit this fall and see if I can try out Tucson CC, I've heard really good things and looks awesome for families

[Phreddy]

The Gallery is great and membership includes Dove Mountain.  Be careful about your timing for a fall visit.  Many courses close for a few weeks during over seed.

[Dpadman]

On 3/1/2022 at 2:36 PM, soregongolfer said:

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.  

Where at?

[soregongolfer]

4 hours ago, Dpadman said:

Where at?

Oregon.  A little town called Roseburg.  

[Phreddy]

Lake Mead, the reservoir that feeds the Colorado River, had its levels fall below a predetermined threshold and triggered an 18% decline in Arizona's water allocation.  Agricultural use was the first to get hit.  But, if Lake Mead falls to 1050 acre feet of water (1057 now) it will result in a Tier 2 cut of Arizona's water allocation -a reduction to 21% from the 18% current.  A Tier 3 reduction would cut another 7% on top of that.  Stats courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.

 

Given the sea of roof tops I am seeing built in Arizona, and the water issue, I find it hard to believe the golf boom will result in much of a build out of additional golf courses in Arizona.  If I am correct, which is rare, golf will remain popular but there will be a governor on "supply" keeping club membership and public play pricing high.

 

Phred

[djmohab2]

On 3/2/2022 at 8:08 PM, Phreddy said:

The Gallery is great and membership includes Dove Mountain.  Be careful about your timing for a fall visit.  Many courses close for a few weeks during over seed.

We live on the east side and ended up joining Skyline. Dove would have been dope to have all the access to  TGC and the Gallery, but it would be so hard to utilize any of the facilities during the week because of the commute. We also looked at TCC, but it rubbed me the wrong way when they told me I couldn't bring my own push cart but I could rent one of theirs. I hate riding, I'm past the point of carrying, and you're about to get 11k + 1k/month out of me. The course was nice and the group that I was put with for my playing tour was awesome though. Plus with them now hosting the UA golf teams, there's gonna be a lot of renovations done to the practice facility.