Played here on a sizzling hot deal from GolfNow for $28 at 1:18 on the Ranch course.

This is a private club that allows public play with golfnow for some reason on certain days. This is a 36 hole ... Continue »

Played here on a sizzling hot deal from GolfNow for $28 at 1:18 on the Ranch course.

This is a private club that allows public play with golfnow for some reason on certain days. This is a 36 hole facility out in the sticks past all of the premier courses in NE Scottsdale. Driving past all of the heavy hitters: Troon North, Grayhawk, Estancia and Scottsdale National (Home of PXG), gets you pumped for a special day of golf.

I normally play twilight golf to avoid the heat, crowds, and morning rack rates. We had a miracle 85 degree day so I decided to play some afternoon golf after watching Tiger.

I read online they provide free range balls and arrived 2 hours early to get some serious practice time in on the range with the mild temperature. I was in rare form on the range and was feeling it so I decided not to press my luck and just go out early. The starter was very friendly and said If I go now I can get ahead of the next tee times and went out an hour early.

I started the round playing solo but as soon as I bumped into the next player he was very friendly and asked me to join. His name was Rick and he was a very friendly and gracious member. The POP was a tad slow for mid day at 4:45. What turned out to be the club champion caught up to us and played with us. Another beyond welcoming friendly member. He even moved my cart for me when I would pitch and treated me like family.

Apparently there is a drought in Phoenix/Scottsdale (I thought there was always a drought in the desert) So they said this was the worse condition they have every seen the course in the 10+ years they have been members. They had immense pride in their course without a hint of pretentiousness or snootiness even though I was a guest on their county club on a golfnow deal (HUGE PLUS)

The fairways were a little dried out and firm so the rolls were nice. The only drawback of the course were the brown and dried out spots to be accustomed with this time of year. I didn't see any fairway divots The greens were firm but only mildly dried out. They held shots. They rolled true and were only fast not devilishly fast. The members take care of this course and I only saw 1 ball mark on the greens all day. They mentioned the bunkers had been recently renovated and were TPC level pristine with fluffy granite sand. Big plus. It was almost a shame I was only in 3 all day.

The layout was fun. It was definitely a desert track but only minor forced carries. No blind shots. Wider fairways but not too wide. Lots of strategic layups but the course itself was not overly tough. None of the holes run side by side. Minimal bunker complexes surrounding the greens. Fun undulations without being over the top. The par 5's don't have bunkers guarding the front so if you are in position you can run woods on if you go for them in two. One fun drivable par four. Two holes run by a small lake. Number 17 is an awesome risk reward split fairway par 5. I played the tips 7,00 yards and none of the par 3's required a wood. I believe it was the perfect level of challenge without being difficult.

It was one of those enjoyable days of golf I will never forget. I highly recommend Tonto Verde - Ranch as a fun, diverse, playable layout of the course and outstanding customer service of the staff and welcoming members. I'm eager to return to play Peak their tighter target golf track.