Help me pick one course in the Phoenix area as a milestone event...

[NoCaution]

Since I started playing almost exactly 10 years ago, I've tracked basically everything. This includes all the rounds I've played, all the clubs I've tried, and all the money I've spent (that last one was a bad idea - lol). To date, I've played 97 unique, full-length courses. I bought my first set of irons in December 2014, and assuming I can play just two other new courses between now and the end of November, I should be in Phoenix to play course number 100 for the holidays! Since it's kind of a milestone event, I'd like to make it something better than some random muni. I've narrowed it down to one of the following:

 

• TPC Scottsdale (Stadium, obviously)
• We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro)
• Troon North (not sure which)

 

For context, here are my top 20 courses:

 

1. Reflection Bay (NV)
2. Pasatiempo (CA)
3. Pacific Dunes (OR)
4. Sanctuary (CO)
5. Black Desert (UT)
6. Wente Vineyards (CA)
7. TPC Harding Park (CA)
8. Bear Dance (CO)
9. Chambers Bay (WA)
10. Yocha Dehe (CA)
11. Pelican Hill - Ocean North (CA)
12. Wolf Creek (NV)
13. Circling Raven (ID)
14. The Reserve Vineyards- South (OR)
15. Southern Dunes (AZ)
16. CommonGround (CO)
17. Coeur D’Alene Resort (ID)
18. Coral Canyon (UT)
19. Ridge at Castle Pines (CO)
20. Sand Hollow (UT)

 

As you can see, I've got one or two "special" courses under my belt already. I clearly rank a few in higher or lower places than most people would, but this is just my personal preference. I've also got a few outside my top 20 that I'm sure others would put way higher. I tend to like courses that are unique and scenic over tracks that golf purists tend to praise. For example, TPC Colorado is way down in the 60s on my list. If I was just playing a random new course, I feel like I'd choose We-Ko-Pa first, but since it's gonna be course number 100, I'm leaning toward TPC Scottsdale, for obvious reasons. I'd love whatever I play to end up in the top ten and once I've played my hundredth course, I will post a final ranked list for everyone to ridicule!

 

What say ye?

 

 

[teejaywhy]

When exactly will you be here?   Most places are overseeding so, depending on when, you will want to look for places with the longer grow-in.  If by holidays, you mean Christmas, you should be fine.

 

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro course would be my recommendation (depending on when your visit is).

 

 

 

[toypor]

7 minutes ago, teejaywhy said:

When exactly will you be here?   Most places are overseeding so, depending on when, you will want to look for places with the longer grow-in.  If by holidays, you mean Christmas, you should be fine.

 

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro course would be my recommendation (depending on when your visit is).

 

 

 

 

Agreed on all counts.  In addition, you mentioned you prefer unique and scenic courses.  WKP Saguaro fits the bill.  

[NoCaution]

8 hours ago, teejaywhy said:

When exactly will you be here?   Most places are overseeding so, depending on when, you will want to look for places with the longer grow-in.  If by holidays, you mean Christmas, you should be fine.

 

Yes, the week of Christmas. 

[vallygolf]

TPC scottsdale IMO is more unique than WEKOPA, but not from a golfing standpoint.  At Christmas the stands will already be going up and the course will be in great shape.  It is an experience you cant get anywhere.  I have friends come in to town often and they remember most and exchange photos and talk about playing #16 with the stands up, even though it is insanely expensive.  On the other hand, as one who has played TPC and WEKOPA many times.  I would personally choose to play WP 10 out of 10 times.  I like good golf courses.  TPC Scottsdale is average.

[SilverBullets]

TPC Stadium is only really memorable when the stadium is up.  Around the holidays it will mostly be up.

 

Beyond that I'd say We-ko-pa Saguaro and Troon North Pinnacle are a bit like splitting hairs.  I would also add in Grayhawk Raptor on the same tier as Saguaro and Pinnacle. 

 

In all honesty, if you want a memorable/special round for a first time... Go play Quintero.  As bad as I think the layout is, it's a beautiful golf course and most people who only play it once or twice walk away feeling like it's super special. 

[Hageman11]

On 10/12/2024 at 10:44 PM, NoCaution said:

I tend to like courses that are unique and scenic over tracks that golf purists tend to praise.

 

 

 

I'd never not recommend We-Ko-Pa Saguaro, but based off your statement above I would say Quintero or TN Monument.  Pinnacle is a better course, but more scenic or unique holes on monument.

[NoCaution]

Honestly, Quintero wasn't really on my radar, but after looking at it, I'm adding it to the list. 

[AZ_JHWK]

More votes for WeKoPa, Quintero and Troon North. The views are memorable, especially WKP and Quintero.

 

I've never played Stadium as it is so overpriced. The advantage there would be that it will be on TV every year and it is easy to relive your trip as a result. 

[SilverBullets]

14 hours ago, NoCaution said:

Honestly, Quintero wasn't really on my radar, but after looking at it, I'm adding it to the list. 

if you're going for scenic and unique, it's Quintero all day long.  WeKoPa Saguaro is a better layout and it is a pretty golf course but Quintero takes the views to the next level.  I just don't like the layout lol However it took me a number of rounds there to realize I didn't like the layout.  As a golf trip course and a play once or twice course, it's almost always the favorite.  But as a resident who would have to play it a bunch of times... hard pass LOL

[GolfGuy321]

On 10/15/2024 at 5:34 PM, NoCaution said:

Honestly, Quintero wasn't really on my radar, but after looking at it, I'm adding it to the list. 

Quintero is very nice but its kind of a JV version of Wolf Creek so you might not be wowed.

 

Another note that may or may not be applicable to you.  WKP is on the reservation, which means some rules/laws dont apply as it is a sovereign nation and AZ law dont always apply.

Edited October 22, 2024 by GolfGuy321

[teejaywhy]

9 hours ago, GolfGuy321 said:

Quintero is very nice but its kind of a JV version of Wolf Creek so you might not be wowed.

 

LOL.  Sounds like Cleveland's Tourism board motto:  "We're not Detroit!"

 

 

[azgolfer44]

13 hours ago, GolfGuy321 said:

Quintero is very nice but its kind of a JV version of Wolf Creek so you might not be wowed.

 

Another note that may or may not be applicable to you.  WKP is on the reservation, which means some rules/laws dont apply as it is a sovereign nation and AZ law dont always apply.

What laws are you talking about?  I’ve never heard someone bring this up when discussing playing golf at we ko pa. 

[hackeraz]

On 10/16/2024 at 8:29 AM, SilverBullets said:

if you're going for scenic and unique, it's Quintero all day long.  WeKoPa Saguaro is a better layout and it is a pretty golf course but Quintero takes the views to the next level.  I just don't like the layout lol However it took me a number of rounds there to realize I didn't like the layout.  As a golf trip course and a play once or twice course, it's almost always the favorite.  But as a resident who would have to play it a bunch of times... hard pass LOL

I'd agree with this but would also add that TPC Stadium, for some people, could be really unique that time of year as well and I wouldn't fault someone for choosing it. Glad to see Circling Raven made the OP's list, absolutely love that track! 

[GolfGuy321]

11 hours ago, teejaywhy said:

 

LOL.  Sounds like Cleveland's Tourism board motto:  "We're not Detroit!"

 

 

I played them both this summer. I enjoyed both, similar styles with lots of elevation and views.  That said WC is better QT for all of that.

[GolfGuy321]

7 hours ago, azgolfer44 said:

What laws are you talking about?  I’ve never heard someone bring this up when discussing playing golf at we ko pa. 

More or less all of them.  The res is a sovereign nation, its not the USA.  Tribal police, tribal courts etc.

 

The most applicable one for AZ people  is no carrying on the res.  What is no big deal throughout the state with no license is a serious crime on the res.

 

Golfers throwing punches at each other is not common but it is on the rise, big trouble on the res.  

 

When on any res you want to think and be smart or you will have a very bad time.

 

This is not just WKP, but also talking stick, southern dunes and any course on res land.

 

 

[SilverBullets]

11 hours ago, GolfGuy321 said:

More or less all of them.  The res is a sovereign nation, its not the USA.  Tribal police, tribal courts etc.

 

The most applicable one for AZ people  is no carrying on the res.  What is no big deal throughout the state with no license is a serious crime on the res.

 

Golfers throwing punches at each other is not common but it is on the rise, big trouble on the res.  

 

When on any res you want to think and be smart or you will have a very bad time.

 

This is not just WKP, but also talking stick, southern dunes and any course on res land.

 

 

I mean idk about you but getting arrested doesn't really register on my list of possibilities when I wake up to play golf.... 

[AZ_JHWK]

21 hours ago, GolfGuy321 said:

More or less all of them.  The res is a sovereign nation, its not the USA.  Tribal police, tribal courts etc.

 

The most applicable one for AZ people  is no carrying on the res.  What is no big deal throughout the state with no license is a serious crime on the res.

 

Golfers throwing punches at each other is not common but it is on the rise, big trouble on the res.  

 

When on any res you want to think and be smart or you will have a very bad time.

 

This is not just WKP, but also talking stick, southern dunes and any course on res land.

 

 

So, you're saying if we behave like responsible adults on the golf course, we have nothing to worry about. That covers about 99.99% of us. 

[GolfGuy321]

1 hour ago, AZ_JHWK said:

So, you're saying if we behave like responsible adults on the golf course, we have nothing to worry about. That covers about 99.99% of us. 

That was one part of it.

[parkleo]

It's on the res though so water restrictions do not affect them nearly as much. I would not worry about Sovereign nation let alone for an out of town person besides don't speed on the reservation.

 

However, driving up the 101 you are on reservation land for about 10 miles. 

 

[puttnforthe8]

On 10/22/2024 at 8:02 PM, GolfGuy321 said:

More or less all of them.  The res is a sovereign nation, its not the USA.  Tribal police, tribal courts etc.

 

The most applicable one for AZ people  is no carrying on the res.  What is no big deal throughout the state with no license is a serious crime on the res.

 

Golfers throwing punches at each other is not common but it is on the rise, big trouble on the res.  

 

When on any res you want to think and be smart or you will have a very bad time.

 

This is not just WKP, but also talking stick, southern dunes and any course on res land.

 

 

This is simply hilarious, not to mention unequivocally false information or just silly information!

 

  

[GolfGuy321]

On 11/5/2024 at 8:55 AM, puttnforthe8 said:

This is simply hilarious, not to mention unequivocally false information or just silly information!

 

  

Go commit a crime on the res and let me know how false I am.

[toypor]

8 hours ago, GolfGuy321 said:

Go commit a crime on the res and let me know how false I am.

Yeah I’ll get right on that…. WTH 🤦 

[vallygolf]

On 10/22/2024 at 8:02 PM, GolfGuy321 said:

More or less all of them.  The res is a sovereign nation, its not the USA.  Tribal police, tribal courts etc.

 

The most applicable one for AZ people  is no carrying on the res.  What is no big deal throughout the state with no license is a serious crime on the res.

 

Golfers throwing punches at each other is not common but it is on the rise, big trouble on the res.  

 

When on any res you want to think and be smart or you will have a very bad time.

 

This is not just WKP, but also talking stick, southern dunes and any course on res land.

 

 

Ive been playing golf and recreating on reservation land most of my life.  I had never once given a thought to this until you pointed it out in a post.  Probably one of the most irrelevant considerations I have seen on WRX.  I have had interactions with tribal police for speeding and ignorantly being in a place that was prohibited.  I was always treated with great respect and it was reciprocated.  Ultimately my ignorance was understood and off I went without any "crazy" repercussions.

[puttnforthe8]

26 minutes ago, vallygolf said:

Ive been playing golf and recreating on reservation land most of my life.  I had never once given a thought to this until you pointed it out in a post.  Probably one of the most irrelevant considerations I have seen on WRX.  I have had interactions with tribal police for speeding and ignorantly being in a place that was prohibited.  I was always treated with great respect and it was reciprocated.  Ultimately my ignorance was understood and off I went without any "crazy" repercussions.

Same!  And have seen altercations treated fairly and with greater leniency.  Heck, just saw an incident and the tribal police just drove the guy home.

[qtlaw]

Just got back in October.  Quintero is fantastic.  As enjoyable as our trip to Pinehurst in '22.  That beautiful.