Wickenberg Ranch is worth the drive, I’d also highly recommend the Saguaro course at We-Ko-Pa
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There is a Wickenburg and Wickenburg Ranch. I played Wickenburg this spring and it was quirky but sort of fun. Not sure if it was worth the drive though. Ranch is the one that people rave about. It turned private though IIRC.
Both closed for overseed around our dates…
Courses that are open from overseeding the week of the NIT that may be worth looking at. This time of year you have to consider price vs quality of course. Metro Phoenix has a lot of pretty desert golf but maybe not the best course designs. I’m no GCA junkie though so if it’s not a horrible design, in good shape, and/or pretty I provably enjoy it. So take my list with a grain of salt and, as always, do your own research.
Aguila
Opens 10/13
- City of Phoenix muni located in the southwest valley about 30 minutes southwest of Dobson Ranch. The home of the Dry Heat major, Tumbleweed Two Ball. Always in solid condition. A desert course but not target golf. A good mix of gettable, risk-reward, and challenging holes.
Encanto
Opens 10/13
- The OG City of Phoenix muni located in Downtown Phoenix about 25 minutes west of Dobson Ranch. Pretty flat, classic course enough nuance to keep it fun. It’s a course you can put together a score at. Being downtown, it’s conveniently near lots of good food, drink, and other entertainment options if you want to parlay golf with an evening out.
Gold Canyon Sidewinder
Opens 10/3
- One of two courses at Gold Canyon (Dinosaur Mountain gets more of the love but is closed during the NIT). Located in Gold Canyon, AZ 30 minutes east of Dobson Ranch. Way out in the Superstitions. This is the most real desert course on the list so far. Goes through some housing developments but the one time I played here they didn’t feel like they were crowded the course too much. A very nice facility though. At the very least it’s a beautiful area being in the Superstition Mountains.
Grayhawk Talon
Opens 10/6
- Located in North Scottsdale 25 minutes north of Dobson Ranch. Boujee North Scottsdale golf at its essence. The NCAAs were at Raptor, but that’s closed during the NIT. Talon is decent enough. Firmly on the nice facility and should be in great shape category. Facilities are good. Restaurant is good. The 17th is an island short par three. That’s the main thing I remember from my round there.
Las Sendas
Opens 10/18
- Located in Mesa 25 minutes northeast of Dobson Ranch. RTJ Jr soooo take that how you wish. It’s pure desert golf. Can be penal and tight in spots. If you want to experience desert golf though then this is a place to do it.
Mountain Shadows
Opens 10/4
- Located in Paradise Valley 25 minutes northwest of Dobson Ranch. 18-hole par three resort course. I’ve never been but heard good things. Right near the base of Camelback Mountain so you get some foothills views and it’s nearby plenty of nightlife options being in the PV/Camelback area.
Red Mountain Ranch
Opens 10/7
- Located in Mesa 22 minutes northwest of Dobson Ranch. I’ve never played it but it’s a Pete Dye so if that’s your kink then go wild.
Quintero
Opens 10/18
- Located in Peoria one hour northwest of Dobson Ranch. I’ve never played but it seems sort of like Las Sendas where it’s quintessential desert golf but penal if you’re off. You’re not finding your ball in the desert. It’s a hike from Dobson but putting on the list because it’s always one that’s recommended to visitors.
Talking Stick Piipaash
Opens 10/10
- Located in Scottsdale 17 minutes north of Dobson Ranch. One of my go to courses. One of two at Talking Stick (O’Odham is closed during the NIT). Coore Crenshaw design. A fun mix of holes. Desert golf but very playable. The restaurant and clubhouse were also just redone and are a good post-round hang. The resort also has a casino and has a Top Golf next door if that’s your jam. Near enough to Old Town Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, and Tempe as well to go out after the round.
TPC Scottsdale Stadium
Opens 10/20
- Located in, well uh, Scottsdale, 25 minutes north of Dobson Ranch. They play a little hit and giggle there in February. I hear the finishing stretch can get rowdy. In all seriousness, it’s a fine course. Expensive and worth the money? To each their own. If you’re only in town once and willing to pay the fee then I think a famous Tour course is a fun experience. I’m not positive when the construction for the infrastructure starts going up but I think there’s a chance you’d see the early stages of the stadium build that time of year.
TPC Scottsdale Champions
Opens 10/2
- Located across the street from Stadium 25 minutes north of Dobson Ranch. It’s a fun course. A local favorite. Way less expensive than Stadium and an arguably as good or better design. There are some really fun holes. It very much does not feel like a little brother to Stadium while you’re there. It’s worth a play and a good experience.
We-Ko-Pa Cholla
Opens 10/24
- Located in Fort McDowell 30 minutes northeast of Dobson Ranch. One of two courses at We-Ko-Pa. Saguaro and Cholla are two of the best publics in AZ (Saguaro is closed during the NIT). A bit more target golf than Saguaro but still thoughtful design. It opens the 24th though according to the AGA booklet so beware if booking.
I hope this rundown helps. I’m not the best at course reviews. I will be transparent that a lot of the courses I was hoping to recommend are closed for overseeing during the NIT. As a local, the courses I play the most on that list are Aguila (I play a looooot of golf here), Encanto (it’s an affordable and perfectly fine muni), Talking Stick Piipaash, and TPC Scottsdale Champions.
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Undoubtedly bang for your buck is Aguila.
I know RMR has been going through ownership and conditions challenges. It’s a Dye in name only really. There are some bulkheads and interesting bunkers, but perfectly fine.
I used to play Encanto twice a week in college instead of going to class.
If you’re crunched for time, Encanto 9 is also great. Mountain Shadows is another executive course with some wild greens that will be open, probably overpriced tho.
Don’t sleep on Talking Stick either! Piipaash (aka the South) will be open. Shoutout to Pia and Lynn
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Is this telling me that Boulders is closed?
Would highly recommend no one travels to play Arizona and tacks encanto on to their itinerary. You’ll never find a flatter, less interesting course in your life. But if you want to shoot your pb and have zero worries off the tee go for it. I just feel like In good conscience I have to warn you it is completely devoid of character and personality. I played that course every single day of highschool golf. Maybe I’m just bitter but you can do so much better. Aguila is a gem. Go there
Looks like Boulders South opens on 10/13. North is closed.
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You’ve made your feelings on Encanto and some other courses very clear, which is fine. I’m just trying to give people options. Is Aguila a better course? Yes, obviously. Is Encanto more conveniently located for a lot of travelers? Likely by miles. If you’re staying in Downtown and want to find nearby golf then Encanto is fine. When the primary event that people are traveling in town for is in the east valley, I’m not sure how many want to go all the way to Laveen to play Aguila. I’m not suggesting anyone travel to Phoenix to specifically play Encanto.
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It’s a bit of a haul, but no worse than Quintero or Wickenburg…
Is Southern Dunes open during that time?
LOVE that course.
It’s not
I just think people deserve to know what encanto is before being encouraged to plan a round on a vacation where that may be the only other round they get in.
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The only course I am playing is Dobson Fing Ranch. One shot, one opportunity, saving all the good ones for it.
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Your knees gonna be weak? Arms heavy?
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Vomit on his L.A.B. already
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Blame Yeti
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Not nervous, but on the surface you look extra sweaty
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I was in town for work and got done early one day so went over and played here late afternoon when it was like 110 out. Figured that short course + riding wouldn’t be bad. Ended up skipping the last two holes because I wasn’t sure if I was going to die or not.
Enjoyed it - but I also paid summer rates.
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I’d be down to play either Aguila or sidewinder Thursday morning. I’ll have a rental car that should be able fit myself and 3 others if anyone needs a ride
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These were the two I was thinking about. Would be happy to get a group together for either one.
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