Emerald Canyon - Parker?

[puttnforthe8]

Anyone ever played Emerald Canyon? According to this deal it says this: The Official Best of Arizona recently named Emerald Canyon Golf Course as the “Best Public Golf Course in Arizona” for 2020-21.

 

https://golfmoose.com/product/emerald-canyon-golf-course/

 

Worth the drive?

[Bonneville85308]

I'm curious about Emerald Canyon too, it's been on my to-do list for a few years if I ever have a reason to be near Parker, which hasn't happened yet. Looks interesting from Google Earth, quite a bit of elevation change on some holes.

[etonduf]

I think it's worth the trip. Spend a night at the local casino to make it an overnight trip and play it a couple of times.

 

I won't argue that Parker itself is interesting unless you're interested in watersports on the river, but the course is beautiful. From a pure golf standpoint it may be gimmicky or goofy (hitting around or even between rock walls, ridiculous elevation changes, etc), but to me that's not the point. The view are spectacular and every time I've played it, it's been in very good shape. The course website has a decent gallery of photos, and a course layout guide (though it's drawn, not photographed). https://www.emeraldcanyongolf.com/

 

Edit to add: After seeing some talk of Quintero in the main thread, maybe that's a good comparison here. Worth playing for the views and setting, maybe not a perfect course design.

Edited December 11, 2021 by etonduf

[596]

I used to do the Blue Water Triathlon in Parker.  We always stayed right at the casino where the race was held.  Before and after the race we'd play at Emerald Canyon.  It was a fun course to play.  Huge elevation changes on some holes.  Shots between and around canyon walls.  I'd play it again if I'm ever out that way.

 

There's a par 3 where you can't see the green until you walk to the very front of the tee box and look straight down.  Couple holes where you literally hit between the canyon walls.  Watch the wind... When your ball clears the canyon walls it'll all of a sudden go dead right or left because it'll hit the wind that you can't see or feel .

[Strategery]

Played there many times. It was in good shape and affordable, but I would never travel there just to play it. It's short and quirky, with a few totally gimmick holes.

 

Refuge in Lake Havasu used to be excellent. It was an Arnold Palmer Signature course, started private then flip-flopped back and forth allowing public play. Then the owners destroyed a few holes to embed a trailer park. That move lost them their Signature status and the community residents went ballistic because it tanked the property values. Sadly it looks like the course is now closed. 😞