Scottsdale golf courses - top 3 courses?

[ahelix]

Hi, playing 2-3 rounds of golf in Scottsdale in a couple weeks. What would be your top 3 ranked?

 

Caveat: I recently went and played Dinosaur mountain at Gold Canyon, Ocotillo, Devil's Claw at Whirlwind, and Phoenician and want to check out new spots. Love all four of them. (Have played Gray hawk before, too.)

 

I have a tee time at TPC stadium but it's about $600 (would be about a week before waste management--cart path only). Looking at Saguaro at We Ko Pa, Raven, Legacy, Kierland. Maybe Troon North. Boulders is a little far (staying near Old Town Scottsdale). Leaning towards canceling that TPC stadium tee time but torn.

Edited January 7 by ahelix
added where i'm staying

[Dancin]

lol. they already told you in the other thread that TPC Stadium is not worth $600.

[ahelix]

Just now, Dancin said:

lol. they already told you in the other thread that TPC Stadium is not worth $600.

 

ok fine you've convinced me--rank your other top 3 then! lol 

[puttnforthe8]

42 minutes ago, ahelix said:

Hi, playing 2-3 rounds of golf in Scottsdale in a couple weeks. What would be your top 3 ranked?

 

Caveat: I recently went and played Dinosaur mountain at Gold Canyon, Ocotillo, Devil's Claw at Whirlwind, and Phoenician and want to check out new spots. Love all four of them. (Have played Gray hawk before, too.)

 

I have a tee time at TPC stadium but it's about $600 (would be about a week before waste management--cart path only). Looking at Saguaro at We Ko Pa, Raven, Legacy, Kierland. Maybe Troon North. Boulders is a little far (staying near Old Town Scottsdale). Leaning towards canceling that TPC stadium tee time but torn.

You mention too far for Boulders, but say you will go to Wekopa(much farther), Raven/Legacy(much farther)

 

Options: Troon, WeKoPa, Legend Trail, Boulders, Camelback Ambiente

 

next tier:  Wildfire, McDowell, Sunridge, Eagle Mtn

[ahelix]

11 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

You mention too far for Boulders, but say you will go to Wekopa(much farther), Raven/Legacy(much farther)

 

Options: Troon, WeKoPa, Legend Trail, Boulders, Camelback Ambiente

 

next tier:  Wildfire, McDowell, Sunridge, Eagle Mtn

 

i'm basing distance from old town--you're right, they're all about 30 min from where i'm staying. raven/legacy nice just because they're by the airport--good option to play right before leaving.

 

thanks!

[sheppick.dan]

2 hours ago, Dancin said:

lol. they already told you in the other thread that TPC Stadium is not worth $600.

Different person, different thread…

[ahelix]

11 minutes ago, sheppick.dan said:

Different person, different thread…

Thanks, I read that post too!

[CTgamer]

Within reasonable driving distance from Old Town (ie not including Boulders, Troon North) and only public courses…

-Grayhawk Raptor

-WeKoPa Saguaro 

-Eagle Mountain

 

if including the aforementioned and other further out courses…

-Southern Dunes

-Quintero

 

Tbh Phoenician is garbage, Legacy is decent - I’d play Longbow before either of them. McDowell is hit or miss and not well designed. Wildfire and Legend Trail are worth it only at discounted rates. Kierland is hugely overpriced and Legacy/Raven aren’t in much better condition than muni’s most of the time. Wigwam used to be great value but prices are up (as is everywhere in the valley). They put some money into Papago over the past few years. 
 

Lastly ffs I wouldn’t eat dinner with the Queen for $600 so Stadium is entirely out of the question, but the Champions course is good if you get a good walking rate

[sheppick.dan]

12 minutes ago, ahelix said:

Thanks, I read that post too!

Absolutely. I hope you enjoy the golf!

[Husker4theSpurs]

If I were to go anywhere in Phoenix area public it'd be:

Quintero (a drive)
We-Ko-Pa (both)
Troon North (both)
Southern Dunes (a drive)
Grayhawk Raptor

Not in that order necessarily.

[Chanceman]

2 hours ago, Husker4theSpurs said:

If I were to go anywhere in Phoenix area public it'd be:

Quintero (a drive)
We-Ko-Pa (both)
Troon North (both)
Southern Dunes (a drive)
Grayhawk Raptor

Not in that order necessarily.

Agree with that but I might add in one of the Boulders - the one with the really huge boulder.

[vallygolf]

6 hours ago, Husker4theSpurs said:

If I were to go anywhere in Phoenix area public it'd be:

Quintero (a drive)
We-Ko-Pa (both)
Troon North (both)
Southern Dunes (a drive)
Grayhawk Raptor

Not in that order necessarily.

+1 on this, but WeKoPa Cholla only as part of a 36 hole day.  Saguaro is worth the drive, Cholla probably not on its own.  Quintero is like TPC Scottsdale.  Not that great architecturally, but a unique golf experience for out of towners.  If you liked Dinosaur Mtn, you will like Quintero.  Both get diminished love the more they are played.

[Husker4theSpurs]

6 hours ago, vallygolf said:

+1 on this, but WeKoPa Cholla only as part of a 36 hole day.  Saguaro is worth the drive, Cholla probably not on its own.  Quintero is like TPC Scottsdale.  Not that great architecturally, but a unique golf experience for out of towners.  If you liked Dinosaur Mtn, you will like Quintero.  Both get diminished love the more they are played.

 

100% right on ... Quintero gives you everything you may be coming to see. Good golf and scenery, but not architecturally significant. A better Dinosaur mountain.

[sabram]

My first two suggestions are easy:

 

1. We Ko Pa Saguaro should not be missed.

 

2. Ak Chin Southern Dunes is my second fave, but as others have said it's a drive south (but worth it).

 

After those two, there are a bunch that I would recommend equally as a potential third choice: We Ko Pa Cholla, Boulders South, either Troon North Course, either Grayhawk course or Ambiente.

 

Click on a photo below to link to a photo tour of the course:

 

We Ko Pa Saguaro

 

 

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes

 

We Ko Pa Cholla

 

 

Troon North Monument

 

Troon North Pinnacle 

 

 

Grayhawk Raptor

 

Grayhawk Talon

 

 

Boulders South Course

 

Camelback Ambiente

 

 

[Hageman11]

On 1/7/2025 at 12:54 AM, Husker4theSpurs said:

If I were to go anywhere in Phoenix area public it'd be:

Quintero (a drive)
We-Ko-Pa (both)
Troon North (both)
Southern Dunes (a drive)
Grayhawk Raptor

Not in that order necessarily.

Agree with this but would include Lookout Mtn and Eagle Mtn as cheaper alternatives.  Camelback Ambiente is mentioned some throughout but have found it to be very hit or miss on conditions.

[mci711]

13 hours ago, sabram said:

My first two suggestions are easy:

 

1. We Ko Pa Saguaro should not be missed.

 

2. Ak Chin Southern Dunes is my second fave, but as others have said it's a drive south (but worth it).

 

After those two, there are a bunch that I would recommend equally as a potential third choice: We Ko Pa Cholla, Boulders South, either Troon North Course, either Grayhawk course or Ambiente.

 

This is my answer to a tee (pun intended). These are the top two for me and it isn't even close. 3rd course is a toss up  between a bunch of others. 

[Golf Pig]

59 minutes ago, Hageman11 said:

Camelback Ambiente is mentioned some throughout but have found it to be very hit or miss on conditions.

 

True. I played it a month ago and it's in fantastic shape.

[teejaywhy]

On 1/8/2025 at 7:58 AM, Hageman11 said:

Lookout Mtn

Eww

 

[Tim_Gavrich]

Both courses at Talking Stick are really good; I prefer O'odham but Piipaash is fun as well. 

[ahelix]

** POST-TRIP UPDATE **

Quintero: def won't go back. Recently played Dinosaur mountain at gold canyon, and i'd rather go back there than quintero. I talked to a few people who had played there 2-3 years ago and said it was awesome, but it seems like they've stopped maintaining it in the great condition it used to be in.

Pros:

- some nice dramatic par 3s

- good, FAAAST greens

Cons:

- FAAAAAAR from town, they didn't warn me about not being able to get a rideshare back so i almost got stranded

- way overpriced

- fairways not in best condition, pretty yellow in a lot of areas (i know dormant grass, but for the price, it should be painted green well)

- most bunkers very rocky (apparently, they'll be redoing them soon)

- service OK, rude guy in pro shop

 

Troon north: Monument - will go back every time I visit.

Pros:

- SERVICE FANTASTIC, love the forecaddies included for Thu-Sat morning tee times

- fantastic course conditions

- great greens

- good pace of play even while packed (prob bc forecaddies)

- closer to town

Cons:

- lined with homes, which was fine by me

 

We ko pa: Saguaro - will try to go back every time I visit.

Pros:

- again, FANTASTIC SERVICE

- BEAUTIFUL TRUE DESERT GOLF 

- great facilities, even showers in the bathroom area

- amazing GPS on carts (music, sports, etc. too lol)

- thinner cactus areas on both sides of most fairways so you could find your ball if you just missed the rough
- good elevation changes

- interesting, varied holes/course design was fun, short par 4s, long par 4s, split fairway, forced carries, varied bunkers strategically placed

- even looks walkable (i rode, but next time i might walk)

Cons:

- none i can think of, just had a longer frost delay than courses more in town which i was fine with

 

For reference: i recently played dinosaur mountain at gold canyon, ocotillo, devil's claw at whirlwind, and phoenician there.

[mci711]

1 hour ago, ahelix said:

** POST-TRIP UPDATE **

Quintero: def won't go back. Recently played Dinosaur mountain at gold canyon, and i'd rather go back there than quintero. I talked to a few people who had played there 2-3 years ago and said it was awesome, but it seems like they've stopped maintaining it in the great condition it used to be in.

Pros:

- some nice dramatic par 3s

- good, FAAAST greens

Cons:

- FAAAAAAR from town, they didn't warn me about not being able to get a rideshare back so i almost got stranded

- way overpriced

- fairways not in best condition, pretty yellow in a lot of areas (i know dormant grass, but for the price, it should be painted green well)

- most bunkers very rocky (apparently, they'll be redoing them soon)

- service OK, rude guy in pro shop

 

Troon north: Monument - will go back every time I visit.

Pros:

- SERVICE FANTASTIC, love the forecaddies included for Thu-Sat morning tee times

- fantastic course conditions

- great greens

- good pace of play even while packed (prob bc forecaddies)

- closer to town

Cons:

- lined with homes, which was fine by me

 

We ko pa: Saguaro - will try to go back every time I visit.

Pros:

- again, FANTASTIC SERVICE

- BEAUTIFUL TRUE DESERT GOLF 

- great facilities, even showers in the bathroom area

- amazing GPS on carts (music, sports, etc. too lol)

- thinner cactus areas on both sides of most fairways so you could find your ball if you just missed the rough
- good elevation changes

- interesting, varied holes/course design was fun, short par 4s, long par 4s, split fairway, forced carries, varied bunkers strategically placed

- even looks walkable (i rode, but next time i might walk)

Cons:

- none i can think of, just had a longer frost delay than courses more in town which i was fine with

 

For reference: i recently played dinosaur mountain at gold canyon, ocotillo, devil's claw at whirlwind, and phoenician there.

 

I agree about Quintero, and probably won't ever go back.. Not sure if we agree on the reasons why. Why does the color of grass matter? Painted green dormant grass plays the exact same as yellowish/brown. 

[ahelix]

42 minutes ago, mci711 said:

 

I agree about Quintero, and probably won't ever go back.. Not sure if we agree on the reasons why. Why does the color of grass matter? Painted green dormant grass plays the exact same as yellowish/brown. 

 

there were a few other reasons listed if you want to reread post above. there's something to be said about the aesthetics otherwise nobody would paint the grass. at that price point, it's just something you would expect... but obviously not the SOLE reason i wasn't impressed by my experience playing there.

[mci711]

37 minutes ago, ahelix said:

 

there were a few other reasons listed if you want to reread post above. there's something to be said about the aesthetics otherwise nobody would paint the grass. at that price point, it's just something you would expect... but obviously not the SOLE reason i wasn't impressed by my experience playing there.

 

I was just pointing out the one main thing I disagreed with. I hate when courses paint the grass, just personal preference. It is an american thing. I could have mentioned looking at a map before going to a new golf course via rideshare I guess 😂..

 

Don't go to Scotland, you'll hate the lack of green. 

Edited January 27 by mci711

[ahelix]

29 minutes ago, mci711 said:

 

I was just pointing out the one main thing I disagreed with. I hate when courses paint the grass, just personal preference. It is an american thing. I could have mentioned looking at a map before going to a new golf course via rideshare I guess 😂..

 

Don't go to Scotland, you'll hate the lack of green. 

 

got it, thanks for the advice! super helpful.

[sabram]

@ahelix  These are the points on your thread that are important to me. The other stuff is much less important to me.

 

Quintero: won't go back.

- way overpriced

 

Troon north: Monument - 

- great greens

- good pace of play

 

We ko pa: Saguaro - will try to go back every time I visit.

Pros:

- interesting, varied holes/course design was fun, short par 4s, long par 4s, split fairway,  varied bunkers strategically placed - Isn't this the goal of every course?

- good elevation changes

- walkable 

Cons:

- none i can think of

 

 

PS - What do you mean by "True Desert Golf" in respect to We Ko Pa? Aren't Troon, Quintero and Dinosaur also Desert Golf? They just aren't as well designed as Saguaro

[ahelix]

2 hours ago, sabram said:

 

PS - What do you mean by "True Desert Golf" in respect to We Ko Pa? Aren't Troon, Quintero and Dinosaur also Desert Golf? They just aren't as well designed as Saguaro

I think Troon having homes lining nearly every hole on both sides makes you feel less immersed in the nature and landscape of the desert than a course that doesn’t have homes all over the place. The rest have a real desert feel so I take back that comment about Quintero. 
 

A lot of that was just stream of consciousness thoughts after having returned. I’ll be way more careful

about my reviews in the future! Lol

 

well placed bunkers are the goal of every course but it doesn’t mean it’s successfully done. I remember hitting what I thought were a couple awesome drives off the tee only to find that I rolled into a fairway bunker bc I misjudged the exact location/line. Or there was a small green side bunker that I didn’t respect bc it was small… and boom I found it bc it enticed me to be more aggressive..

 

anyway, i should prob say less bc it’s gonna get picked apart and judged more than I anticipated! lol. All in all, I had a blast and thank all the people who posted their course suggestions!!

[ahelix]

Oh I forgot about a bonus: wildlife. Quintero had donkeys, pigs of some kind, etc lol. 
 

saguaro had a couple coyotes, too. 
 

fun to see!

[SilverBullets]

10 hours ago, ahelix said:

Oh I forgot about a bonus: wildlife. Quintero had donkeys, pigs of some kind, etc lol. 
 

saguaro had a couple coyotes, too. 
 

fun to see!

 

Javelina are what you saw at Quintero

[SilverBullets]

18 hours ago, mci711 said:

 

I was just pointing out the one main thing I disagreed with. I hate when courses paint the grass, just personal preference. It is an american thing. I could have mentioned looking at a map before going to a new golf course via rideshare I guess 😂..

 

Don't go to Scotland, you'll hate the lack of green. 

Quintero absolutely should not have yellow grass in the fairway this time of year. They overseed out here in the winters. Quintero's fairways should be 100% Rye grass which thrives this time of year and is a dark green. Unless Quintero decided not to overseed this year (which would be pretty unheard of for a higher end public), that absolutely is a maintenance issue. 

 

Overseed was hard this year in the valley. It hit over 100* midway through October. It also hasn't rained since September or so. Both of those factors make it a tougher overseed season than normal. 

 

Quintero is a pretty bad layout in general. It's pretty but in my opinion that's about all that it has going for it. They designed it in way which forces golfers into playing every hole and every shot the same way. It doesn't give you options. Every hole is just fly something high into the middle of the green... Most of which are somewhat elevated. Otherwise you're just in a steep faced bunker. They have 3 par 3's which wind up being the same hole (severe drop to the green)... and if I recall, you hit basically the same number on 3 of the 4 par 3's as well. 

 

The service there is trash. Every time you're there you will run into someone who is rude. In the pro shop, the starter, even the people working the grill.  Someone will be rude to you without fail. 

 

I probably played Quintero 12-15 times since living in Phoenix... here hasn't been a single time where I walked away thinking 'I have to go back'.  Every single time something about the trip out there rubbed me the wrong way.  

Edited January 28 by SilverBullets

[ahelix]

35 minutes ago, SilverBullets said:

Quintero absolutely should not have yellow grass in the fairway this time of year. They overseed out here in the winters. Quintero's fairways should be 100% Rye grass which thrives this time of year and is a dark green. Unless Quintero decided not to overseed this year (which would be pretty unheard of for a higher end public), that absolutely is a maintenance issue. 

 

Overseed was hard this year in the valley. It hit over 100* midway through October. It also hasn't rained since September or so. Both of those factors make it a tougher overseed season than normal. 

 

Quintero is a pretty bad layout in general. It's pretty but in my opinion that's about all that it has going for it. They designed it in way which forces golfers into playing every hole and every shot the same way. It doesn't give you options. Every hole is just fly something high into the middle of the green... Most of which are somewhat elevated. Otherwise you're just in a steep faced bunker. They have 3 par 3's which wind up being the same hole (severe drop to the green)... and if I recall, you hit basically the same number on 3 of the 4 par 3's as well. 

 

The service there is trash. Every time you're there you will run into someone who is rude. In the pro shop, the starter, even the people working the grill.  Someone will be rude to you without fail. 

 

I probably played Quintero 12-15 times since living in Phoenix... here hasn't been a single time where I walked away thinking 'I have to go back'.  Every single time something about the trip out there rubbed me the wrong way.  

 

Could not agree more! Thank you!