Verrado vs Whirlwind vs Ak Chin

Sportsguy4949 · May 10

Planning a golf trip for later this year. We had a day to play 36 at the two Verrado courses scheduled but reading some recent reviews it seems like the greens are in really bad shape there. Wondering what people’s thoughts are on playing Verrado vs doing 36 at Whirwind or potentially 18 at AK Chin/ 18 at a whirlwind course. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Argonne69 · May 10

I'd play a round at Southern Dunes simply because it's one of the best in the area. The two courses at Whirlwind are very similar, so no real reason to play both while skipping SD.

'Just watch your speed coming into Maricopa. It's a speed trap.

puttnforthe8 · May 10

Later this year means ?????

Those are two totally different experiences.

despite the greens or conditions that may exist(played victory and it was fine; I think founders is the one with more issues) 36 at Verrado would be a good day. Plus conditions change based on the visit dates.

As the gent above states, if you are one that is really going to be upset by less than perfect conditions then yes WW Devils Claw and Southern Dunes are a better option. Plus a far better region to stay or be in.

Sportsguy4949 · May 10

32 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Later this year means ?????

Those are two totally different experiences.

despite the greens or conditions that may exist(played victory and it was fine; I think founders is the one with more issues) 36 at Verrado would be a good day. Plus conditions change based on the visit dates.

As the gent above states, if you are one that is really going to be upset by less than perfect conditions then yes WW Devils Claw and Southern Dunes are a better option. Plus a far better region to stay or be in.

August. Staying 5 min from old town Scottsdale. GrayHawk was also thrown out today by my group as a replacement but it would be 36 on just Raptor. Green fees are almost double Verrado though. Thank you for your input. I will take it back to my group and go from there.

puttnforthe8 · May 11

2 hours ago, Sportsguy4949 said:

August. Staying 5 min from old town Scottsdale. GrayHawk was also thrown out today by my group as a replacement but it would be 36 on just Raptor. Green fees are almost double Verrado though. Thank you for your input. I will take it back to my group and go from there.

Hmmm….if August, I would really consider Wekopa and play both there. The extra money is worth it…and since high season is 5x higher you are sorta getting value!!

SilverBullets · May 12

On 5/10/2025 at 4:54 PM, Sportsguy4949 said:

August. Staying 5 min from old town Scottsdale. GrayHawk was also thrown out today by my group as a replacement but it would be 36 on just Raptor. Green fees are almost double Verrado though. Thank you for your input. I will take it back to my group and go from there.

I mean, I'd rather play 36 at Raptor than either Verrado course lol (And I'd rather play Raptor twice than Raptor/Talon). It's a great test of golf

As for you your initial idea, I'd Southern Dunes and both Whirlwind courses are better than both Verrado courses in my opinion. Founders is a decent layout and has good views but its never in good condition. They need to blow up the greens. Victory is a unique course, and it has fun holes, but it's not why you come to Az to golf.

Both Whirlwind courses are quality golf courses, in really good condition and are desert golf.

puttnforthe8 · May 12

Or even 1 round at Raptor and then go across the street and play TPC Champions. Thats a decent compromise too.

ferrispgm · May 15

I haven't played Verrado in a couple of years but I personally love both courses there. Founders is very scenic and a fun but challenging layout with more of a resort course feel. Victory is a bit of a better pure golf course but it does have some blind shots where you need to know where to go. Normally in summer the conditions are pretty solid and the green issue could be a weather transition thing as we have had a lot of cooler days/nights mixed with warmer days so far this year. Given your options presented, I'd prefer to do the 36 there.

AK Chin is a fantastic course and a personal favorite of a lot of people and for good reason...but I don't really like either course that much at Whirlwind. IMO, I'd rather play two 8/10 courses than a 9 or 10/10 and a 5 or 6/10. Grayhawk is great but very overpriced. Another option would be We-Ko-Pa and you definitely can't go wrong there.

Sportsguy4949 · May 16

On 5/12/2025 at 12:41 PM, puttnforthe8 said:

Or even 1 round at Raptor and then go across the street and play TPC Champions. Thats a decent compromise too.

We ended up deciding to do one round at Grayhawk and one at Wildfire-Faldo. We have TPC Champions the next day and then end the trip at WeKoPa. Solid lineup and that Grayhawk/Wildfire saves us some driving. Thank you for your advice.