Yes we are looking June 2022. I know it’s still far away but it’s between Phoenix and the N.C. Sandhills (Tobacco Road)
Just back of the napkin math and going at my best guess of rack rates (some of which aren’t even available since most courses these days are all about “dynamic pricing”) that list of courses would run around $540/p in green fees. Now, you could certainly bring that number down really easily by looking for some deals (and if some of those rounds are afternoons or replays).
So, not sure how many nights it is at the Hyatt as to whether that’s a good deal or not.
I would say most courses punch in June. Basically once the bermuda has been established. Some earlier in the month, some later. Usually very playable within a few days of when they do it (in the summer it’s just tines and the topdressing with sand) but still not the experience you’re looking for at high end courses on vacation, obvs.
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We are looking to stay 3-4 nights
Where’s the trip this year?
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Ocean city Maryland. We booked somewhere closer due to COVID and bringing the wives since no one went on vacation last summer.
Thank you to everyone that had read my posts and given any advice I really appreciate it!
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Update on the match play series: @matthew823 best me handily 4&3 at Dobson Ranch yesterday. Neither of has had our A games but was a much enjoyable round. Good luck to Matt in the final!
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I took on @sub150 last week and it took 20 holes but I emerged victorious. Was a lovely afternoon and especially the extra holes at dusk.
An all North Central final with @matthew823 having won in pool play
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Anyone want to play next Saturday (5/1)? I will be visiting from Seattle, will be playing as a single, and curious if anyone wanted to play?
Not sure if this is the correct spot for this. Open to playing anywhere, but looking for AM tee time.
Let me know!
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Are we trying to have each month just be a certain region? Or for some flexibility, play any region each month, but still have to play once in each region?
Here are some course options I threw together:
Northwest
Sterling Grove
Trilogy Vistancia
Copper Canyon
Wickenburg Ranch
Southwest
Verrado - either course
Wigwam - any course
Estrella
Northeast (either course)
Troon North
Boulders
TPC
Camelback
Talking Stick
Southeast
Idk
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Throwing a few out there:
Longbow
We-Ko-Pa
Southern Dunes
Whirlwind
My thought process was to designate a region / course for each month. Gives us a chance to try to facilitate foursomes or a few groups going out together if we can line up schedules
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I understand the absurdity of trying to make a list like this but I must say i was a bit surprised to see the new GOLF top 100 courses you can play. Specifically Talking Stick (O’odham) coming in at 82. Don’t get me wrong, super fun track but I wouldn’t have pegged it for being a top 100 public course.
Also shout-out to We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) for coming in at 52.
What would you guys consider the best public play courses in state?
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GCA folks love this course, I used to feel the same way as you (kind of meh) but getting more and more interested in architecture has really opened my eyes to how good that course is
For me
WKP Saguaro
Southern Dunes
TS Oodham
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I would also add Winkenburg Ranch to that list.
Might be a bit more scenic but I am always blown away every time I play there.
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Full admission that my knowledge of course architecture is comprised of what i have learned from NLU.
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I’m conflicted about Wick Ranch.
It is a good course, do not get me wrong, I like it, so everything I say here is splitting hair about a course I like.
It’s pretty, but less so every time I visit as they build new homes. And as for the golf, while it’s a fun course to play, it’s not really a strategic course to play. The best golf courses ask you to make decisions about the proper way to play a hole. Obviously this is a lot harder to do in the desert than other areas, but it can be done, as some courses have shown. I really agree with @pushdraw that three standout courses from a purely design perspective are WKP Saguaro, O’odham, and Southern Dunes. You could play any one of those courses over and over again and not get tired of the experience because every day the course is going to play a bit different.
That’s not really the case with WickRanch. That’s a course that’s pretty close to desert target golf. Other than maybe 6, where you can decide if you want to try to drive the green, and maybe 1-2 of the par 5s which could be reachable, all of the holes play the same way every day. Put a different way, the holes dictate how you play them rather than you the golfer having a significant choice in how you play them.
That’s fine. The vast majority of golf courses are like that, especially in the desert. It just keeps it out of the top tier, for me. YMMV and that’s all good too.
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where’s this new list? is it available online?
Agree on all counts.
It’s a very slow course to play. I’ve been in the second group out there and still had the round be over 4 hours. It’s the scale of the course and the severity of the greens, I think. And if the first groups take that long …
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Played Los Caballeros a few times and every time I leave having really enjoyed my round. I think it would be a great home course.
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