2025 Tucson Area Course Conditions

[teejaywhy]

What's the 49'er like?  I'm seeing fees in the $50-70 range.  Of course, this might be a sign...  

 

I understand it is a traditional layout, WF Bell from the 60's.  I tend to like that kind of stuff.  Points off for the real-estate-routing but not terribly picky about conditioning (unless it's Ahwatukee level...).

 

What say, worth a visit?

 

[Olson12]

2 hours ago, teejaywhy said:

not terribly picky about conditioning (unless it's Ahwatukee level...).

Speak for yourself!

[teejaywhy]

25 minutes ago, Olson12 said:

Speak for yourself!

Sorry Nancy.

 

[Arizonalefty59]

I've never actually been out to 49'er but I will one day!

 

Played Dell Urich yesterday, great conditions yet again. Greens are quick-ish yet receptive.

[puttnforthe8]

If anyone wants to play The Views, let me know.  Cost would be less than resident rate—about $45.

 

 

 

[teejaywhy]

7 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

If anyone wants to play The Views, let me know.  Cost would be less than resident rate—about $45.

 

Wasn't sure I've even heard about this course, but I think this is the course formerly known as Sun City Vistoso (not to be confused with the now closed Golf Club at Vistoso).  I did play it once back in the late 80's when it first opened.  Don't remember much.

 

 

15 hours ago, Arizonalefty59 said:

I've never actually been out to 49'er but I will one day!

 

Was looking at photos of the course and definitely looks like they could use a tree maintenance program out there!   

 

Seriously considering more frequent visits to the Tucson area given the crazy pricing and high demand up here in the PHX valley!

 

[Bonneville85308]

I've played 49'er a few times but most recent was 2022 so I don't know current conditions, though I would describe them on my visits as comparable with the Tucson muni courses. Shouldn't be Ahwatukee level unless they had some overseeding disaster this winter. It does run through an older housing development, but there are mature tree lines between the fairways and the houses, some holes are tight off the tee. The course is nothing special, not awful either, might make sense to play if you are a completist like me or just want a reasonably priced round. Otherwise it's not really a destination.

[puttnforthe8]

On 2/19/2025 at 6:56 AM, teejaywhy said:

 

Wasn't sure I've even heard about this course, but I think this is the course formerly known as Sun City Vistoso (not to be confused with the now closed Golf Club at Vistoso).  I did play it once back in the late 80's when it first opened.  Don't remember much.

 

 

 

Was looking at photos of the course and definitely looks like they could use a tree maintenance program out there!   

 

Seriously considering more frequent visits to the Tucson area given the crazy pricing and high demand up here in the PHX valley!

 

So you’re in for The Views!

[Ross_Albatross]

Coming to Tucson, last week of March with my girlfriend, playing all of 6 days and staying in the lower area. I’ve booked tee times at; Sewailo, Omni Catalina, Starr Pass, Arizona National and Tubac. Left messages at Vendana (no call, text back yet), looking at (but can’t book yet) Highlands Dove, The views, San Ignacio, El Conquistador, Quarry Pines…

 

Anything you would change on the lineup yet (Tubac? Arizona National?), what the usual public rate at Ventana that time of year? Said differently, what’s your ideal lineup?

 

Logistic wise, preferred tee times on weekdays, heavy traffic getting to courses?

[Arizonalefty59]

17 hours ago, DwayneGretzky said:

Coming to Tucson, last week of March with my girlfriend, playing all of 6 days and staying in the lower area. I’ve booked tee times at; Sewailo, Omni Catalina, Starr Pass, Arizona National and Tubac. Left messages at Vendana (no call, text back yet), looking at (but can’t book yet) Highlands Dove, The views, San Ignacio, El Conquistador, Quarry Pines…

 

Anything you would change on the lineup yet (Tubac? Arizona National?), what the usual public rate at Ventana that time of year? Said differently, what’s your ideal lineup?

 

Logistic wise, preferred tee times on weekdays, heavy traffic getting to courses?

You won't have any issues playing during the weekend, or even the weekends. The golf scene down here in Tucson is nothing like golf in the valley. 

 

You have a great lineup with Sewailo, Omni and Starr Pass. Not a fan of Starr Pass but it's truly a must if you're looking for desert golf, incredible views. I would look at switching Arizona National for a round at SaddleBrooke. 

 

Depends where you're staying at, but there's always some traffic in the afternoons and rush hour in the morning. 

[Ross_Albatross]

11 hours ago, Arizonalefty59 said:

You won't have any issues playing during the weekend, or even the weekends. The golf scene down here in Tucson is nothing like golf in the valley. 

 

You have a great lineup with Sewailo, Omni and Starr Pass. Not a fan of Starr Pass but it's truly a must if you're looking for desert golf, incredible views. I would look at switching Arizona National for a round at SaddleBrooke. 

 

Depends where you're staying at, but there's always some traffic in the afternoons and rush hour in the morning. 

Thanks, we're members at a two courses club, one of them being a typical Parkland the other is a links course, so yeah, we're looking for desert golf - any opinion on Tubac, San Igancio?... or better to stay in the area : Highlands Dove, The views, SaddleBrooke as mentioned?

[Arizonalefty59]

Highly recommend staying in the Dove Mountain area. I can't speak to Tubac or San Ignacio, I've not played either of them. 

[Bonneville85308]

Delayed report on two rounds at new-to-me Tucson area courses from last weekend. 

 

Mountainview: 

This is a Gary Panks design in the Saddlebrooke community. Fairways were excellent plush condition, though a few small wet/muddy spots in low sections. I wouldn't call the fairways "firm" but drives were rolling out alright. Bunker sand seemed fairly new and was easy to hit out of. Bermuda rough was coming alive. Greens rolled at what I call "public course average" speed and were quite receptive to approach shots, velcro-like on some short pitches, but not many ballmarks or blemishes. Tees were all nice and level. Great shape all around. Rate was around $100 with cart and tax and they are Troon-managed so you can get reward points.  Lady in the shop was extremely friendly and helpful. Tee sheet was pretty wide open that Saturday afternoon, didn't really see anyone else besides a couple other singles and a twosome, so I could set my own pace. I tend to like every Gary Panks course I play, and this is no exception. While it's probably the most "blah" of the Saddlebrooke-area courses (now that I've played all of the public-access ones) it's still a solid place to play.

 

 

The Views at Oro Valley: Greg Nash-designed housing development course, though not all holes have houses along both or either side, they are set back and screened with trees pretty well. Certainly lives up to its name. 

 

Played this early AM Easter morning. Course played dry and just the right level of firmness, really enjoyed that. Great rollout on drives, and easy to run the ball up or bounce onto the green on approach shots. Fairways had a few heat-stressed spots but were otherwise excellent and cut low, some of the bermuda rough areas coming out of dormancy were pretty worn down from cart traffic. Greens were a bit faster than Mountainview and in great condition; despite being drier/firmer they were still decently receptive to approach shots. Greenside bunkers were firm but no trouble to get out of. I had to nitpick, a couple tee boxes were a little uneven. 

 

Rate was around $100 with cart and tax again. Went off solo, course wasn't too busy and I finished in about 2:40 not rushing and eventually playing through a threesome at their insistence. 

 

I found it to be a really enjoyable, scenic layout and I'll definitely be back. Good variety in the layout and it kept my interest as I went along. Possibly my new favorite course in the Tucson area, bumping out the Preserve and maybe a tie with Dove Mountain.

 

[Oh Hi Carl]

On 3/2/2025 at 8:13 AM, DwayneGretzky said:

Coming to Tucson, last week of March with my girlfriend, playing all of 6 days and staying in the lower area. I’ve booked tee times at; Sewailo, Omni Catalina, Starr Pass, Arizona National and Tubac. Left messages at Vendana (no call, text back yet), looking at (but can’t book yet) Highlands Dove, The views, San Ignacio, El Conquistador, Quarry Pines…

 

Anything you would change on the lineup yet (Tubac? Arizona National?), what the usual public rate at Ventana that time of year? Said differently, what’s your ideal lineup?

 

Logistic wise, preferred tee times on weekdays, heavy traffic getting to courses?

Your GF seems like a keeper if you're playing golf every day of the vacation!

Edited April 30 by Oh Hi Carl

[Bonneville85308]

Tucson National-Sonoran Course this morning for the first time. I played Catalina about a year and a half ago and liked it. I can now say I like Catalina better than Sonoran. Sonoran had some good holes but overall just didn't do it for me. Felt like I was hitting the same clubs into most of the par 4 greens over and over.  3 of the par 3's played the same yardage from the whites. The all-uphill short par 5 15th was fun, fortunately it was downwind. 

 

Course played very firm/fast/dry. Fairways were really thin/tight, many little bare spots, and I'm guessing they are trying to get the winter rye to burn off. Bermuda rough mostly still at hardpan height except around the greens. Greens were in excellent condition, little firmer than average, speed was slightly faster than public course average. Bunker sand was excellent. Tees were mostly flat.

 

Played with another single in about 3 hours, played through a foursome and never caught anyone else. I think they usually hold back the first hour or so of tee times for members on the course that is the "public" course rotation for the day, so when I saw a pre-8am time posted, I jumped on it. $100 with free range balls was probably $20-$25 overpriced compared to other area courses now.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12 by Bonneville85308

[Arizonalefty59]

Played Tucson National (Catalina and Sonoran) over the past two weeks. Greens are soft, receptive and fast still. Course is in great shape. Ive been playing around 2:30PM and it's $50 with no one in sight. Well worth it IMO. Just about the only two tracks (depending which side is open to the public) that I'll be playing this summer.