Tuscon National or Dove Mountain

zehfuss · February 3

I am looking to retire to the Tuscon area (since Scottsdale clubs are out of my league financially). Looking for a club where I can quickly find a regular game or two a few times a week. I have not been to Tuscon in more than 20 years so I am not very familiar with the course options. Right now I am looking at Tuscon National (I know it's an Omni Resort) and Dove Mountain. Any local input on these or other "less expensive" options would be appreciated.

puttnforthe8 · February 3

3 hours ago, zehfuss said:

I am looking to retire to the Tuscon area (since Scottsdale clubs are out of my league financially). Looking for a club where I can quickly find a regular game or two a few times a week. I have not been to Tuscon in more than 20 years so I am not very familiar with the course options. Right now I am looking at Tuscon National (I know it's an Omni Resort) and Dove Mountain. Any local input on these or other "less expensive" options would be appreciated.

On part 1) neither is going to provide a “regular” game. That seldom exists on the public side. Usually more common on the private side. If there is a men’s league, you may get a weekend game. There are a few other options (e.g. Spark) which have random league games. You really would need to do private. So,

2) since you are planning to retire, you could look at something like Highlands at Dove Mountain membership. They have a pretty active golf membership. I expect you would get all you need there. But it is a membership.

The Preserve at Saddlebrooke has a pretty active group of players. You might want to inquire what they offer. But that is a little bit a drive out of Tucson.

Other than that you would need to make golfing buddies.

Some side notes: I would look at Sewailo, it would be a new course to new since you have not been in years. See if they have a game or regulars. It is on the southwest part of town (Casino), but it is one of the best courses (if not best) in Tucson and will be the best value too for what you get facility-wise.

The city courses might offer you what you want, you may be able to get some games by playing a 2-4 of the munis.

good luck. Hopefully you get some more input from the guys in Tucson.

Phreddy · February 4

Make sure you know what you are getting with a membership at Dove. A ton of homes are going in adjacent to Dove with Dove memberships as part of the package. Some, but not all, Gallery members are members at Dove, and finally guests at the Ritz Carlton have playing privileges at Dove. It is a long way of saying I don't know how quickly the tee sheet fills and I don't know if there are regular groups playing there.

Arizonalefty59 · February 4

It really depends what type of golf you enjoy playing. Anything in the Dove Mountain area is true desert golf and much harder golf than Tucson National. Personally I would take either course at Tucson National over Dove mountain 9 times out of 10, but take my opinion with a grain of salt as I've never been a fan of true desert golf. Both courses at Tucson National are in my top 5 favorite tracks down here, as they are both fun and scoreable.

What you're looking for (consistent games) is better suited for Tucson National. That club has a much more "country club" feel to it rather than Dove Mountain.

Dove Mountain has changed substantially with all of the new housing developments up there. What once used to be an escape from civilization is now over run with homes. I'm up there quite often as my folks live in the community and they just keep building and building.

That being said, it all comes down to personal preference. IMO, Tucson has some of the best/most affordable city courses in the state so switching up to play one of the city tracks once in a while won't break the bank while paying for a membership elsewhere.

DDZ · February 6

I have been a member at The Gallery and Dove Mt for 3 years. I was very part time for 2 of those while building our home here. We winter here now from northern climate.
My experience has been very good in getting clicked into member golf and regular games. The groups I have encountered are very open and accommodating to new players. There are groups at both Dove and The Gallery that play almost daily. The guys at either pro shop can get you connected. It’s also easy to spot the groups at The Gallery because of tee time lottery system for more than 7 days out. You can see on fortees a large group of players up for the same tee time. You could then send an email through the system asking about the group.
I alternated between a Tuesday group at Dove and Gallery, Friday group at Gallery and Saturday morning group at Gallery. The tee times are full in mornings but it’s pretty open in the afternoons after 1:00-1:30 at both clubs.

While I don’t know your budget I personally view the 63 holes with 2 clubhouses and amenities as a great value here. The equivalent in Scottsdale would be 250K more in initiation fees and $500-$1,000 more a month in dues.
We are very pleased with our decision to land here rather than Scottsdale or La Quinta.