Tucson - Sewailo, Preserve, or AZ National?

[LBattaglia93]

Hello friends, I'm headed to Tucson with a few buddies for an annual winter getaway and we're looking for some opinions on what course(s) to insert into our normal rota. We've been to Tucson for several years running and our home base is Starr Pass (buddy's house is there). We've played most of the good stuff in Tucson, including several laps at Sewailo. But for one reason or another Sewailo seems to be falling out of favor with our group. I've seen positive reviews of the Preserve and AZ National recently. How do these courses stack up with Sewailo? Any thoughts on conditions, routing, pace of play would be appreciated. Cheers!

[puttnforthe8]

AZ National is too gimmicky to be enjoyable. It’s in good shape, but hard to get over the gimmicks and trouble.

 

Preserve is a good choice…houses near the holes but great views and very fun.

 

would look at Highlands if you haven’t played. 

[AZBRONCFAN]

I am doing a guys golf trip and need a suggestion on a course to play on the north end of Tucson for the drive down. Everyone lands around 10 in Phoenix and would love to knock out most of the drive before playing. Playing both Tucson National Courses and Sewailo Thursday-Sat. Just need that wed afternoon round. Any thoughts on Quarry Pines or other suggestions? We are staying by Omni Tucson National 

[LBattaglia93]

 

6 minutes ago, AZBRONCFAN said:

I am doing a guys golf trip and need a suggestion on a course to play on the north end of Tucson for the drive down. Everyone lands around 10 in Phoenix and would love to knock out most of the drive before playing. Playing both Tucson National Courses and Sewailo Thursday-Sat. Just need that wed afternoon round. Any thoughts on Quarry Pines or other suggestions? We are staying by Omni Tucson National 

 

If your group is flying into PHX I would recommend checking out Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. Its about 35 mins south of PHX and its a very unique course compared to most of the offerings in Phoenix or Tucson. Its a dead flat piece of land, but it has ample width and some interesting playable waste areas. Conditioning is usually impeccable and the pricing is significantly lower than what you'd see for similar top courses around Phoenix. You'd still have 1h30m drive to Omni Tucson from there, but I think Southern Dunes is too good a track to pass up. 

 

During my trip we played Starr Pass 3x (buddies house is on the course) and our last lap was AZ National. Starr Pass conditoning was OK, greens were a bit bumpy and slow. AZ National was in fantastic condition but somewhat gimmicky with forced carries and very narrow landing areas. 

 

We didn't play Sewailo this year but we've always been happy with the conditions and green speeds over there. We've done Omni Tucson once, but honestly its a pretty forgettable parkland style course with minimal desert vibes. Enjoy your trip! 

[AZBRONCFAN]

Thanks. Yeah we want to drive the drive before golf. The local guys play southern dunes a fair amount so want something in Tucson. 

[Arizonalefty59]

Dove Mountain is the farthest north for Tucson. About 20 minutes to get to after exiting I-10. Quarry Pines is the easiest to get to off of I-10 but I don't know if I could ever suggest that course to anyone. Next easiest to get to would be Silverbell, and I would take that all day over Quarry Pines. Good warm up course as well and the green conditions are solid right now. 

 

Closest to Omni would probably be Crooked Tree but I'd still take Silverbell over going there. 

Edited February 12 by Arizonalefty59

[puttnforthe8]

10 hours ago, AZBRONCFAN said:

I am doing a guys golf trip and need a suggestion on a course to play on the north end of Tucson for the drive down. Everyone lands around 10 in Phoenix and would love to knock out most of the drive before playing. Playing both Tucson National Courses and Sewailo Thursday-Sat. Just need that wed afternoon round. Any thoughts on Quarry Pines or other suggestions? We are staying by Omni Tucson National 

As per above; I would add that you could do Highlands or a little longer drive would be the Preserve at Saddlebrooke.

 

[AZBRONCFAN]

20 hours ago, Arizonalefty59 said:

Dove Mountain is the farthest north for Tucson. About 20 minutes to get to after exiting I-10. Quarry Pines is the easiest to get to off of I-10 but I don't know if I could ever suggest that course to anyone. Next easiest to get to would be Silverbell, and I would take that all day over Quarry Pines. Good warm up course as well and the green conditions are solid right now. 

 

Closest to Omni would probably be Crooked Tree but I'd still take Silverbell over going there. 

Thanks for the advice. I'll look to Silverbell.  Only half of the guys are regular golfers and last 3 or four play 3 or 4 times a year. 

[Arizonalefty59]

5 hours ago, AZBRONCFAN said:

Thanks for the advice. I'll look to Silverbell.  Only half of the guys are regular golfers and last 3 or four play 3 or 4 times a year. 

Even more reason to go to Silverbell. Great warmup round and regardless of where you hit it, you can find it. Not a flashy/scenic course whatsoever, but good conditions. 

Edited February 13 by Arizonalefty59

[AZBRONCFAN]

Ok I booked Sewailo for one day. Omni really messed up my plans. They wanted 250 bucks to play. I planned on doing 2 rounds there and it seems like this year they really jacked up the rates. They were always in the 150 or less.  Which courses are the best at Star Pass? Thanks

[LBattaglia93]

1 hour ago, AZBRONCFAN said:

Ok I booked Sewailo for one day. Omni really messed up my plans. They wanted 250 bucks to play. I planned on doing 2 rounds there and it seems like this year they really jacked up the rates. They were always in the 150 or less.  Which courses are the best at Star Pass? Thanks

 

You'll probably get different opinions from everyone you ask, but my buddies and I prefer the Coyote 9, then Palmer, then Rattler. 

 

If you're scrambling for a good course at a decent price I'd also check out Arizona National. It plays similar to Starr Pass with lots of desert areas and forced carries. Conditions (most specifically green speeds/smoothness) were much better at Arizona National than Starr Pass.

[AZBRONCFAN]

17 hours ago, LBattaglia93 said:

 

You'll probably get different opinions from everyone you ask, but my buddies and I prefer the Coyote 9, then Palmer, then Rattler. 

 

If you're scrambling for a good course at a decent price I'd also check out Arizona National. It plays similar to Starr Pass with lots of desert areas and forced carries. Conditions (most specifically green speeds/smoothness) were much better at Arizona National than Starr Pass.

Thanks! 

[AZBRONCFAN]

Sorry for all the questions but is there a big difference in the 2 courses at Saddlebrooke?

[puttnforthe8]

10 minutes ago, AZBRONCFAN said:

Sorry for all the questions but is there a big difference in the 2 courses at Saddlebrooke?

There are 3 courses in the ‘area’.  Preserve is  the better course imo.  The country club is next and then SB Ranch(flat and ok).