This is a parkland-style course. It has only modest elevation changes, with trees, a stream, and some water features providing some intrigue and risk. Conditions were very good. Pace of pay was right at 4 hours.

Played July 5. The courses and restaurant are both 5-stars. The layout is spectacular, the greens may have been the best we’ve played all year, and the customer service was excellent. About 1-hour from the airport; definitely worth the drive. The course was relatively empty. We saw 2 other groups.

Greens have recovered nicely from aeration and are running fast and smooth. The rest of the course is in excellent shape. Two thumbs up.

We recently played the Classic Club and Tradition Club--2 excellent Arnold Palmer desert courses in the Palm Springs area. When we heard that Arnold Palmer designed a course in Scottsdale (Wildfire), we wanted to give it try. But we accidentally showed up at ANOTHER Arnold Palmer course called at STARfire (which happened to be just down the road from the Wildfire-Palmer course).

Assuming that Starfire would be another course in the mold of the Classic Club, Tradition Club, and Aviara (all Palmer courses), we decided to stick around. Bad assumption.

Starfire has a lot of good things--three friendly greeters grabbed clubs from our car, and loaded up our cart; the pro shop and restaurant folks couldn't have been nicer; the green fees were only $28(!); the course was empty; and the greens and bunkers were in very good to decent shape. Maybe enough good things to overlook the fairways (which were in very rough shape).

But the course layout is nothing like Classic Club or Aviara. While there are a few interesting par 3s, the course is fairly straightforward, winds among houses, and borders several busy streets. It seems like it offers a good value for the price; but it's a far cry from what we assumed was the typical Arnold Palmer layout/experience.

Holes 6-7 are currently closed. I think 9 is next in the list. Remodeling/construction work is scheduled to continue—2 holes at a time until October. Aside from the holes under construction, the course is in fairly good shape. Once all the grass moves to Bermuda, the course will play firmer and faster. Should make for a more interesting and challenging track.

Course is in better condition than several private clubs in OC. And the views may be unmatched. Pace of play was excellent (3 hours), greens were smooth and quick, and most of the bunkers were excellent. The sand wasn’t consistent—some holes had a different type of sand—but all of the bunkers had sufficient sand. Hard to find any real flaws.

This course is relatively new to the St George golf scene. Underrated might not be the right word—as most reviewers give it very good marks. But it still flies under-the-radar. In fact, last Thursday (the last Thursday in May), there were only 8 golfers on the tee sheet. As a result, it feels like your own private course.

Except for 1 hole (11) there are no houses on the course and the layout has a good mix of long and short holes. Tee boxes were not always level, but the rest of the course is in great shape. The greens will be aerated next week.

Some prefer Copper Rock to Sand Hollow. Although I’d still rank Sand Hollow higher, the fact that there is some debate is a nice commentary re the quality if Copper Rock’s layout. And if you value quick play (we finished in roughly 2.5 hours) or enjoy playing without anyone else on the course, Copper Rock is a good bet.

Played on 5-21. Pace of play was good (3.5 hours), but the greens were noticeable slower. The rest of the course is a good shape. They've increased the rate to $325 for the "prime" weekend tee times, and the tee sheet is still full.

Greens were recently punched and sanded. The rest of the course (except the bunkers) are a little ragged. If you are paying the resident rate ($45), then the course conditions (especially once the greens recover from the aeration and sand) are better than most $45 courses in San Diego County. But the current course conditions do not align with the out-of-town rate ($200?).

Maderas is in prime condition. The greens are fantastic—receptive to well struck shots, but fast, tight, and smooth. The rest of the course is also playing fast and firm, which increases both the fun-factor and the danger. Aside from a few tee boxes that could use some leveling, and the inevitable divots here and there, Maderas is in excellent shape. Love this course!

Course conditions have really improved the past few weeks—from good to (mostly) excellent. The more I play this course, the more I like it.

Greens were punched and sanded about 2 weeks ago. They will be a great shape in about 4-5 more days. The rest of the course is in excellent shape. Highly recommended.