Early birds, give me the tips on early morning practice in the winter (Phoenix)!

[Baraethon]

Hey y'all, first year here and trying to figure out what I can do in the winter! I've been on a good routine of going to the course (Encanto is closest) from ~6-7 AM and getting some driving range and short game practice in. How long will I be able to continue that, considering daylight and temperatures? The sun's already not up till well after 6 so it may even not be possible now, I'm not sure since they're closed for overseed anyways.

 

If it's not feasible to have an open course at 6AM, is there a range or other practice area that's open that early how year long? Is it even warm enough to be out hitting before the sun comes up, or do you run into frost issues?

[puttnforthe8]

2 hours ago, Baraethon said:

Hey y'all, first year here and trying to figure out what I can do in the winter! I've been on a good routine of going to the course (Encanto is closest) from ~6-7 AM and getting some driving range and short game practice in. How long will I be able to continue that, considering daylight and temperatures? The sun's already not up till well after 6 so it may even not be possible now, I'm not sure since they're closed for overseed anyways.

 

If it's not feasible to have an open course at 6AM, is there a range or other practice area that's open that early how year long? Is it even warm enough to be out hitting before the sun comes up, or do you run into frost issues?

 

Eventually we will get the frost delays (maybe mid-Dec you might start seeing them) which includes the ranges (at least most places I know of; maybe the places on mats).  It can be pretty chilly - I personally, don't like the AZ chilly mornings - too much of a bite and hand stinger.

 

I don't think any of the "practice centers/ranges" open that early.

 

For me, it is usually late evening range time for me.

 

 

 

[fore_life]

Greenfield lakes in Gilbert is open 6am-10pm. And if you need lessons, I know a guy 😉

[puttnforthe8]

4 hours ago, fore_life said:

Greenfield lakes in Gilbert is open 6am-10pm. And if you need lessons, I know a guy 😉

Wow...that's impressive.  both...6am and "the guy".

[Baraethon]

6 hours ago, fore_life said:

Greenfield lakes in Gilbert is open 6am-10pm. And if you need lessons, I know a guy 😉

 

Open a location north of downtown and you'll have a deal!`

[vallygolf]

23 hours ago, fore_life said:

Greenfield lakes in Gilbert is open 6am-10pm. And if you need lessons, I know a guy 😉

Love me some Greenfield Lakes.  Pre-Boom I used to play there a few times a week on my lunch hour.  Correct, I could play in just under an hour.  Too crowded now, and I havent been out in a few years.  Are they hitting off mats that early?

 

*Edit.  I think I once played #8 in under 50 seconds.  If that is the 120ish par 3.

Edited October 25, 2023 by vallygolf

[fore_life]

Yeah it’s off mats, not sure if you’ve been out since they redid the tee line and added top tracer, it’s shaded and misted as well. Back of the range has a putting green and grass that I use for lessons now that it’s cooling off.

 They have been steadily making improvements, overseed on the greens came out great, super thick coverage and about ready to cut to the (new) normal playing speed which is much faster than in the past.

[vallygolf]

Wow.  Ill have to check it out.  All of that is new since my last visit.  Its 5 mins from my office.

[fore_life]

Hope to see you out there!!

 

[Primo1868]

On 11/2/2023 at 9:59 AM, fore_life said:

Hope to see you out there!!

 

Reviving an old one here - just found this searching the forum and Greenfield lakes is ~10 min from our new house. Still a good place to practice? Can you hit driver on the range?

[fore_life]

Yeah you can bomb drivers all day, back of the range is 360-375 so no issues there.

 

still a good place, we’ve gotten new range balls mixed in. It’s not perfect but we are making steady improvements, greens are healthy as hell and speeds keep getting better. The mats that are worn are about to be redone, but the mats are better than most places since we use a sand/crushed granite/dirt base for them so they don’t hurt the hands and joints like other places.

Myself and Ian, ex sunshine and euro tour professional are the instructors, I also added a Monday night men’s clinic from 730-830pm for $25 you get unlimited balls and supervised practice/individual instruction in a small group setting.