Played here Saturday 11/24.

First off, their website advertised $36 fee is misleading. Yes, it's $36, plus an additional $16 for the cart (!) and an additional $22 for my 12 year old son, despite ... Continue »

Played here Saturday 11/24.

First off, their website advertised $36 fee is misleading. Yes, it's $36, plus an additional $16 for the cart (!) and an additional $22 for my 12 year old son, despite the fact that it's advertised that under 16 years old plays for free with a paying adult ("not on weekends," grumped the clubhouse guy).

Course itself is relatively flat, with few elevation changes, particularly on the front nine. There is no rough to speak of; if you hit it off the fairways you're in some type of chopped up grass/weed/dirt combo. Not a lot of grass on the fairways themselves, so it appears this is one course in AZ that does not overseed for the fall. Greens were spare and held almost nothing--bump & run is the best way to play them to keep the ball on what passes for a putting surface. Few bunkers around the course; they appeared to have very fine sand in them, though neither I nor my son ended up in any, so I cannot vouch for their quality.

Some interesting course features on the back nine include #13, a narrow passage along the northern edge on the course with no room for error on the right; followed by the par 3 14, a short hole through the only substantial elevation change on the course (hitting down through a cluster of trees off an artificial turf tee area), then to #15, a blind tee where a 12' warehouse step ladder is provided so you can view your landing area.

Finally, at an elevation of 4800 feet, expect your ball to carry. My tee shots were all 20-40 yards longer than normal, and I backed off 1-2 clubs on my approaches. It was a unique experience for me to nearly reach all the 500+ yard holes in two shots, which is not something I am usually capable of doing. I'm a 16 HCP and I shot a 79, so those extra yards really helped out.

Overall, despite the course conditions, it was a fun day. The cost was unexpectedly higher than expected, and I recommend walking here as most of the locals seem to prefer this. They don't allow outside coolers or even outside drinks, but no cart girl was available, so stock up at the vending machine by the pro shop or sneak 'em in your bag, because there is no water stations (and few ball washers) anywhere on the course and the one restroom on the course was also closed.
CP

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