Talking Stick vs We-Ko-Pa

[Andy Stevens]

There is a group of 5-6 couples traveling to Scottsdale in September for a long weekend 40th birthday celebration.  The husbands will play golf 3 times while the wives might play once (some not at all).  We are looking for a resort that offers (in this order):

1. Golf

2. Gambling

3. Pool

4. Food 

 

I have narrowed it down to Talking Stick and We-Ko-Pa but cannot decide between the two...any one been to both and prefer one over the other?  

[MUNIGRIT]

Talking Stick will be your best bet. Wekopa courses are better but Casino, pool and closer to great food at the Stick.

[Andy Stevens]

Thank you!!!!

[Bonneville85308]

I'd vote for We-Ko-Pa myself. The golf is top notch at We-Ko-Pa, though Talking Stick is no slouch. The We-Ko-Pa casino has expanded and now has the same games as Talking Stick; craps, roulette, blackjack, etc. It has a pool, which I've never been in, but it looks nice. It has a high end restaurant (Ember) and a Spa. The only downside from some perspectives might be that We-Ko-Pa casino/resort seems to draw an older, more relaxed crowd than Talking Stick.

[Notashank]

Talking stick. Right next door to casino and old town Scottsdale. Both courses are great. 

[BirdieRoll]

I’d be sure to ask about overseeding schedules before booking.

[JustinG76]

Overseeding won’t start till mid October….Talking Stick closer to everything in Scottsdale and PHX Airport, but as others have said, the golf is better at We-Ko-Pa. I commute to Scottsdale for work and I’m out there 1-2 weeks a month and I usually stay at a hotel right across the 101 from Talking Stick. Super convenient location. 

[gosaints]

I wouldnt stay at We-Ko-Pa in this situation, but not doing a round at Saguaro on the trip is a mistake.  Its worth the drive.

[BirdieRoll]

Talking Stick started overseeding one of their courses on September 26 last year so conditions could be less than ideal and it seems more courses are overseeding a little earlier than normal these days.

 

Again, worth discussing their schedule prior to booking but you should be OK if your trip is the first half of September.

[puttnforthe8]

On 3/2/2022 at 3:55 PM, Andy Stevens said:

There is a group of 5-6 couples traveling to Scottsdale in September for a long weekend 40th birthday celebration.  The husbands will play golf 3 times while the wives might play once (some not at all).  We are looking for a resort that offers (in this order):

1. Golf

2. Gambling

3. Pool

4. Food 

 

I have narrowed it down to Talking Stick and We-Ko-Pa but cannot decide between the two...any one been to both and prefer one over the other?  

So - do you have to stay in Scottsdale Area?   Because Whirlwind is head and shoulders better overall for all the things you mentioned.  Wildhorse has 2 good courses, great facilities, the casino with a Shulas Steakhouse; the restaurant at the course is excellent; the restaurant at the resort is the best in the southwest by a lot and their other one is not bad.  It has the best spa in the valley.  Outlet shops right nearby. And a shuttle that runs btw. everything.  Yoou would be a 20-25 min drive from Scottsdale.  Overall it will be quieter and the outdoor area is fantastic at night.  

 

Additionally, you would be a 15 min drive from Southern Dunes (top 5 course in the valley).    

Edited March 4, 2022 by puttnforthe8

[jjtour]

 

On 3/3/2022 at 2:55 PM, puttnforthe8 said:

So - do you have to stay in Scottsdale Area?   Because Whirlwind is head and shoulders better overall for all the things you mentioned.  Wildhorse has 2 good courses, great facilities, the casino with a Shulas Steakhouse; the restaurant at the course is excellent; the restaurant at the resort is the best in the southwest by a lot and their other one is not bad.  It has the best spa in the valley.  Outlet shops right nearby. And a shuttle that runs btw. everything.  Yoou would be a 20-25 min drive from Scottsdale.  Overall it will be quieter and the outdoor area is fantastic at night.  

 

Additionally, you would be a 15 min drive from Southern Dunes (top 5 course in the valley).    

 

Alot of good points here. I am not a local to phoenix but have stayed and played at whirlwind and just on my last trip at talking stick. Whirlwind rooms are very good, pool is better and more accessable, casino is good at both, both have big poker rooms if thats your thing. Shulas at Whirlwind is soooo good though, I would eat there every day if money is no object, the asian restaurant was also good as I remember. Golf courses at whirlwind are solid, about the same as talking stick but I wouldnt put it head and shoulders above. Southern Dunes 15 mins from Whirlwind is the best value in the valley though. If it was me, I would stay whirlwind, and just go for a day to play We-Ko-Pa Saguaro, def worth the drive but its kinda out there from scottsdale and dunno if much else to do around there. 

[JNewsted]

Good comments here.  I'm headed to the area in a few and considering (going to play 36 at each facility) - WeKoPa, Talking Stick, or Troon North.  Leaning towards WeKoPa, staying in Scottsdale.  Can't really go wrong, right?

[vandyfan]

We are playing Talking Stick - Piipaash and then both We-ko-Pa courses in two weeks on a golf trip. Happy to give a review as a non-local. That said, I don't gamble and I am not a foodie (I want to allocate as much money as possible to golf versus overspending at a steakhouse). 

[vallygolf]

I think you have some solid advice here.  I think it boils down to how much you need to be near other activities and the pulse of a city.  If that is in any way essential then Talking Stick is a no brainer.  You have golf as the top priority which WeKoPa is the best without question.  If you are set on not leaving the resort and want the best possible overall experience, then Wildhorse is the way to go.  As others have suggested a nice compromise would be to stay at talking stick for the close amenities and then travel to wekopa and southern dunes.

[puttnforthe8]

3 hours ago, JNewsted said:

Good comments here.  I'm headed to the area in a few and considering (going to play 36 at each facility) - WeKoPa, Talking Stick, or Troon North.  Leaning towards WeKoPa, staying in Scottsdale.  Can't really go wrong, right?

Wekopa is not in Scottsdale...if that is what you are saying here?  It's a long drive away.

[JNewsted]

1 hour ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Wekopa is not in Scottsdale...if that is what you are saying here?  It's a long drive away.

 

Staying in Scottsdale, but ok travelling to any of those sites.  Looks like it's ~20 miles, so no big deal as far as this trip is concerned.