Recommendation for a couple...

Ross_Albatross · January 7

Girlfriend and I are planning on coming to the area and are looking for recommendations:

Coming in on the last week of March; looking to play all 6 days
We'll have a rental and probably be staying around the Lookout Mountain area – although it’s not booked yet and we’re able to stay elsewhere if it’s worth it (decent hotel, better spot to drive to courses)
I'm a 2ish cap and she's a 15ish... think 90 scoring average from 5,000-5,200 yds
Looking to book 6 rounds and trying to fit a 120$ / round average budget - but don’t mind extra bucks if it’s worth it
Also don’t mind a 45ish minutes’ drive to get there and back
We're walkers and able to carry if need be (since we won’t have our push carts but having our clubs) – but wondering if the Phoenix / Scottsdale / Tucson scene is like Myrtle, Florida and DR (i.e. prices are cart included, and courses are designed that way) – love riding, but can walk if it’s easier to book decent courses on that tight budget
Don’t mind playing twilight if there are great deals to be had there

I’ve been lurking at the different threads here and got a lot of relevant information (even overwhelming) – especially on the top end courses, like We-Ko-Pa and such – but trying to find gems in the 120$ish / round average at that time of the year or even cheaper; Aguila? San Ignacio? Preserve? To be able to spend a few more bucks on other rounds at Southern Dunes or others

How would you go to try and fit that budget, if that’s even possible (twilight at better courses, cheaper ones on the weekend, etc.)?

jatrain · January 8

You’re really going to struggle finding courses that are worth traveling to play in the $120 range at that time of year in the Phoenix area. I’d suggest you look at Tucson, since it seems like you’re coming primarily for golf you’ll get the same experience but much more bang for your buck there. Or I’d suggest four rounds instead of six to up your pre round budget and then hit a spring training game and/or go to Sedona on the off days.

To address some other questions:

- for the most part, munis (Aguila, Papago, GCU) are walkable, resort courses aren’t. Some exceptions: TPC Coursed, Wekopa Saguaro, Talking Stick, Camelback. Not sure if they give a discount for walking (and those all will be out of your budget anyway).

- It gets dark faster and earlier than you think plus courses are busy. Twilight rounds that are appreciably discounted will have a high risk of you not finishing

Edited January 8 by jatrain

Ross_Albatross · January 8

1 hour ago, jatrain said:

You’re really going to struggle finding courses that are worth traveling to play in the $120 range at that time of year in the Phoenix area. I’d suggest you look at Tucson, since it seems like you’re coming primarily for golf you’ll get the same experience but much more bang for your buck there. Or I’d suggest four rounds instead of six to up your pre round budget and then hit a spring training game and/or go to Sedona on the off days.

To address some other questions:

- for the most part, munis (Aguila, Papago, GCU) are walkable, resort courses aren’t. Some exceptions: TPC Coursed, Wekopa Saguaro, Talking Stick, Camelback. Not sure if they give a discount for walking (and those all will be out of your budget anyway).

- It gets dark faster and earlier than you think plus courses are busy. Twilight rounds that are appreciably discounted will have a high risk of you not finishing

Thanks for the detailed reply; exactly what I was looking for since I’ve been searching quite a bit on the courses site for tee times in advance and found out it it was an extremely tight budget - might want to up it a tad (or a lot), just didn’t want go the 300$/round route like we did at Mayakoba and DR, especially for 6 days straight.

Thought sunset would be a lot later (thanks for pointing that out) and was under the impression that the twilight special was more in line with supply/demand - great heads-up.

Tucson might be the route to go, looks like there’s more than a few decent courses… even though we had in mind to see the ‘big city’ vibe later on in the day, in Phoenix

puttnforthe8 · January 8

As per above there is almost zero chance of meeting what you are seeking.

You might be able to get the old folks Sun City courses close to what you want price wise. Our worst courses are $100+

Tucson might have a few courses at your price point.

You may need to reconcile price v wants. You need to be about the $200 average if you want to play in Phx area.

Ross_Albatross · January 8

4 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

As per above there is almost zero chance of meeting what you are seeking.

You might be able to get the old folks Sun City courses close to what you want price wise. Our worst courses are $100+

Tucson might have a few courses at your price point.

You may need to reconcile price v wants. You need to be about the $200 average if you want to play in Phx area.

Thanks for the reply, I was way off - as I thought it would be similar to Orlando and Myrtle. So either we commit to upping the ante (or go for 4 rounds instead) - otherwise, looking at Tucson; worth it to travel and book courses : The preserve, Omni (Catalina), Arizona National, Starr Pass, San Ignacio, Ventana and the likes - or does that defeat the purpose of travelling to Arizona for the golf scene?

Edited January 8 by PracticeSwinger

puttnforthe8 · January 8

8 hours ago, PracticeSwinger said:

Thanks for the reply, I was way off - as I thought it would be similar to Orlando and Myrtle. So either we commit to upping the ante (or go for 4 rounds instead) - otherwise, looking at Tucson; worth it to travel and book courses : The preserve, Omni (Catalina), Arizona National, Starr Pass, San Ignacio, Ventana and the likes - or does that defeat the purpose of travelling to Arizona for the golf scene?

Not really. You need to include Sewailo, Highlands, Dove Mountain, and maybe The Views in your options.

for a Tucson trip you can just change your mindset for a trip and you can go the the Desert wildlife center, maybe go to Bisbee and Tombstone, wine tasting in Wilcox or Sonoita, nightlife in downtown Tucson (lots of good breweries and spots).