9edb12c9-eece-51a7-b170-b06141390ecc

tommyphils

Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Lives
Tucson, AZ
Handicap
10-14
Age
45-54
Gender
Male
Skill
Advanced
Plays
Once a week

Review Statistics

Average Rating

4.0
4.0
Total 56 Reviews
1 Featured Reviews

Rating Breakdown

56 Reviews
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
24
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
1
Recommended Courses
50
Not Recommended Courses
6
Helpful Votes Count
16
Not Helpful Votes Count
2
First Review
08/05/2014
Last Review
07/23/2022

Reviews Map

Reviews

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Sewailo Golf Club

Played On 07/17/2022
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Sewailo is a Treasure

I live on the other side of town, and don't play Sewailo as often as I would like. So, it's a real treat when I do. The design of this course is unique for Southern Arizona. Water comes into play on a majority of the holes, and that is something you just don't often encounter in this region. The course is hosting a major amateur tournament in the next couple of days. So, it was in excellent shape. Due to the monsoons and summer heat, most courses cannot make that claim this time of year. Conditions were not perfect, but about as good as it gets anywhere in the middle of July. The maintenance staff does a pretty good job all the time, though. I've never encountered this course in bad condition. One thing that players need to be aware of, especially this time of year, is that water is only available at the two comfort stations and near the starters position at the practice area. Bring your own water container and refill it every chance you get. It's hot out there. A cart girl does make the rounds, but I don't know if that is the case on weekdays. Stay hydrated.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

del Lago Golf Club

Played On 05/30/2022
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Still One of My Favorites

It was another enjoyable round at del Lago on Memorial Day. I've been playing the course a little more often because they've been offering more decent deals online. I've always liked del Lago because it's not merely a grip it and rip it course. You do use driver, but not all the time. There are multiple options on every hole. Lots of fun. I wasn't on my game today and paid the price for it. Del Lago isn't overly punitive, but you will be punished when you deserve it. I deserved it. Doesn't change my opinion. The greens were a little slow today. It looks like the superintendent is letting them stay a little shaggy to offset the heat. Be aware of that. Some putts came up short early in the round.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Commented on 06/06/2022

Thanks so much for your wonderful review, tommyphils. We are thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your time with us. Please visit again soon. Thanks for choosing del Lago Golf Club!

del Lago Golf Club

Played On 04/17/2022
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

It's Been Too Long

It had been some time since I'd played del Lago, and I've missed it. I've always considered it one of the most intriguing designs in Southern Arizona. It has a great assortment of holes. Lot of risk/reward, and target golf. #1 has an intimidating look, but most others look benign... until they bite you. Even though more homes line the course each day, they aren't right on top of the playing area like other golf course communities. I've always liked that about del Lago. The greens were in excellent condition. With the undulations, they are challenging. The fairways were also in great shape. Hopefully, it lasts through the summer. They do have a tendency to burn up in the heat. The course appears to be much more manicured than it was the last time I played. I did not find any unexpected lies whether I hit a good shot or unleashed a bad one. Course was very fair. The only real negative was the condition of the bunkers. The starter warned us about them prior to play. They are ground under repair-optional. I played out of a couple of them and not every lie is unplayable, but they are an issue. The personnel were very nice. The pro shop, starter, cart girl were all very pleasant. That's greatly appreciated.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Commented on 04/22/2022

Your feedback is important to us, tommyphils. Thank you for sharing your 5-star experience. We look forward to seeing you again at the course soon! Thanks for choosing del Lago Golf Club.

San Pedro Golf Course

Played On 01/17/2022
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Headed in a Better Direction

It's been about a month since I last played San Pedro, and I'm pleased to report that there is noticeable improvement in the condition of the course. Mind you, there's still a long way to go, but there's obviously been plenty of attention given to some of the weaknesses. There are greens that are still infected, perhaps irreparably, but others are much better. A number of the "unforced errors" related to mud and saturation that led to recent frustrations didn't exist today. There are still soggy areas, but it's related more to course design, and frankly, have existed since San Pedro first opened. I must credit the official responsible for course setup (i.e. pin placements, tee boxes) for maximizing playability by steering play towards the better conditioned areas of the course. This was my greatest criticism in recent months.Tee shots were much more comfortable and many of the greens rolled well. For the first time in a while, our group discussions focused more on the positive aspects of the course than its flaws. There remains a lot to be done, and I'm sure the path forward will continue to be long and difficult, but I'm happy that the course is moving in the right direction. Keep it up, fellas! As for myself, and I bet many others in this part of the state, we're rooting for you.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Commented on 01/20/2022

Thank you for your feedback, tommyphils. We are working diligently to improve course conditions and hope you'll continue to play San Pedro Golf Course.

Fred Enke Golf Course

Played On 12/05/2021
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Enke is in Tip Top Shape

It was very heartening to see Fred Enke in such good condition. As the only true desert track among the five city courses, it has always been my favorite. It has character. Today, the greens were as nice as I've seen them in a very long time, and fast, too. Sunday pin placements provided for a much higher degree of difficulty. It was fun. I was also very impressed by the condition of the bunkers. The grounds crew has certainly devoted plenty of time to them. They are often pits of hard pan with dried rivulets of erosion throughout. Not today, though. I would have preferred not to have found them, but since I did, it was a pleasure to play out of good, consistent ones with evenly distributed sand for a change. I was fortunate to have found the fairway often this round, and did not draw a bad lie on any of them. The same can be said about the fairways that I missed. The rodents aren't out this time of year, but I commented to my playing partner that the residual damage that has pervaded the course for years was nowhere to be seen this time. I congratulate management and staff for the fine job they've done preparing the course for this peak season, and correcting and/or improving on its traditional flaws.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

San Pedro Golf Course

Played On 11/21/2021
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

No Improvement; Getting Worse

I see no improvement since I played here a week ago. In fact, the greens, which were average then, continue to deteriorate. The course was still cart path only due to blanket saturation with no clear strategy. Random mud patches, puddles, bare spots, and foraging-animal damage permeates the playing area. It infringed upon playability more this week than last. For instance, on #2 and #8, the apron was a quagmire, and even marked as ground under repair on 8. Adding insult to injury, both featured front pins placed directly behind the mess making the already poor course conditions even more punitive. These and other examples were, at times, quite frustrating. Not only is damage not being corrected in a timely manner, but sensible ways to maximize playability within existing distressed conditions seem to be overlooked. Based on the course's response, measures are in place to improve things, but I just don't see that effort. I'm not saying that I won't play here again. I do enjoy the peaceful surroundings, but as I said in last week's review, I am concerned about the survival of this former jewel. It's getting harder to remain optimistic.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 11/30/2021

Hello, thank you for taking the time to review our course. We appreciate your dedication to playing our course but are very sorry to hear your recent experience with us may have been poor due to the course conditions.

We greatly value your feedback as we work towards any necessary improvements and hope you will notice some of these improvements during your next round with us. Thank you for choosing our course, and we hope to see you again soon.

San Pedro Golf Course

Played On 11/14/2021
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

I Hope San Pedro Makes It

Regardless of conditions, I have always enjoyed playing San Pedro. Its design and setting outside the hustle and bustle of Tucson have made it a personal favorite for many years, but I'm concerned over its future. The peak golf season is here, and unfortunately, San Pedro is not in good condition. Although there has been no rain for a month, it was cart path only today, The fairways have been saturated, and I assume it's intentional. The course was playable and my group enjoyed the round since the weather was perfect and the pace of play was very good for a weekend. However, many discriminating golfers do not appreciate courses with patchy, muddy fairways, or bunkers that are non-existent. Even the greens, which are the premier feature at San Pedro, were far below their usually pristine condition today. An occasional round by my friends and me is not going to provide enough revenue to keep San Pedro afloat unless there's a greater commitment to maintenance. I realize that these issues may be related more to budget than apathy, but someone is going to have to step up and go above and beyond to save the course. San Pedro has rebounded from difficult times more than once over the years. So, I remain optimistic. It would be a shame to see a jewel like this go by the wayside, though.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 11/18/2021

Hi, tommyphils. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We understand your frustration with the current course conditions. Please bear with us as we work diligently to make improvements. We hope you'll give us another try in the future.

I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

It's Been A While, But Happy to Return

For the dog days of August, today's weather was ideal for a round of golf. Apparently, many others felt that way since both courses had a lot of play. Weekends can often be maddeningly slow, but pace of play was very good. A lot of the credit goes to the players, but there was also a marshal's presence. He was quite pleasant, as were all course employees from the pro shop to the cart girl. We played the Canada course, and despite the beating that Mother Nature has laid on Southern Arizona this summer, the course was in fine shape. The greens rolled true, and at a legitimate speed. The fairways and areas through the green were not perfect, but decent. No areas intended to be playable were unplayable. Even the bunkers were in good shape, for the most part, which is unusual considering the volume of water that has been deposited on the region this monsoon. Speaking on behalf of my playing partners, we truly enjoyed our day of golf at El Conquistador. I hope to return soon.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/26/2021

Thank you for playing and sharing your review with us. Have a great day!

Quarry Pines Golf Club

Played On 07/18/2021
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Used cart

It''s Monsoons

Especially with regard to the back nine, this is one of the most unusual, yet intriguing designs of any course in Southern Arizona. It's definitely a target golf course, and a difficult one, too. If you can't consistently get the ball airborne or hit it straight, you'll have problems. Substantial forced carries, claustrophobically-narrow fairways, and unforgiving native areas are just some of the reasons why. Get out and play it anyway, though. It's a good one. If you're budget oriented, the rates are most affordable now. If you demand ideal conditions, however, this is not the time. Monsoons are here and it's taken its toll on the course, especially in the low-lying areas within the quarry and around the ponds. This is not unique to this course. A lot have taken a beating the last couple of weeks. Just keep in mind that Quarry Pines puts its best face on other times of year.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/09/2021

Thank you for playing and sharing your review with us. We appreciate it!

Canoa Ranch Golf Club

Played On 11/08/2020
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Wild Winds Make Difficult Course Even Tougher

I hadn't played Canoa Ranch for a while, and was really looking forward to my return. The course is a challenging track, but can be had if you keep the ball in play. On most holes, that's easier said than done. What's more, 20-25 MPH sustained winds with 40 MPH gusts made things very tough, but not impossible. It is often windy at this course anyway, but today was extreme. So, make sure you play from the correct tees. Distance is not really an issue on the par 4s and 5s. Actually, it goes the other direction. Driver is not needed or recommended on some. However, the selected tee box is very noticeable on the par 3s. The back two tees are near or over 200 yards on a majority of them. Add a stiff wind, and it's a tall order. The greens rolled very well, but they don't break as much as you read. That's not uncommon in Arizona, though.It appears that a lot of the underbrush that I recall from previous rounds has been cleared, which is certainly player-friendly, especially on a windy day. It was a tough round, but still a lot of fun. The staff was a mixed bag, however. Canoa Ranch has gone through cycles of friendly and unfriendly staffs over the years. Today, we experienced a little of both. The starter and cart attendants were great. The pro shop attendant and beverage cart lady could have been nicer, but were not rude. The marshal, however, was surly and downright unpleasant. We encountered him on #4 after we had found trouble and fallen behind. He treated us with contempt as he accused us of holding the groups up behind us even though we were not being pushed then or the rest of the day. It only took us a couple of holes to catch up and comfortably settle into our interval, but we never saw him again. So he never noticed. I understand that course marshals are entrusted with maintaining pace of play, and can be very beneficial and effective, but I don't appreciate the ones who get off on the power. My foursome consisted of low and mid-handicappers who know what they're doing. If the marshal would have been around for more than one shot, he would have seen that. If we were a problem, he should have monitored us. Instead, our first and only interaction was a negative one, and tarnished an otherwise enjoyable round. I do hope to be back, but I feel I needed to make mention of this because I know Canoa Ranch has struggled with low revenue in the past. With COVID essentially wiping out the dining portion of the operation, for the most part, unnecessarily alienating local golfers is not a good thing.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Arizona National Golf Club

Played On 06/26/2016
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Aerification Alert

Arizona National is a real jewel. It is arguably one of the finest courses in this part of Tucson, and certainly one of the most scenic in all of Southern Arizona. The design is clever, and has something for everyone. If you are on your game, you can post a pretty low score. If you are not, the desert will eat your lunch. Although the course is playable right now, with prices that are hard to resist, it was recently aerated, and the greens are extremely slow. There are also quite a few rough spots in and around some fairways. Be mindful of these issues if you intend to play here within the next few weeks. It is summertime, and with monsoons upon us, premium golf courses are not necessarily in premium condition. Give it a little time to heal, and hope that a torrential downpour or two in the coming days doesn't destroy a lot of the hard work that has been done there. If you keep that in perspective, you can still enjoy a round at Arizona National. If you expect Augusta National instead, take up bowling.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/29/2016

Recent rains have done wonders and the greens have healed from the recent aerification. Conditions are very very good! Thanks for the nice review! See you again soon!
Dennis Palmer GM

Canoa Ranch Golf Club

Played On 06/10/2016
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Canoa Ranch is on the Right Track

It has been quite a ride for Canoa Ranch, but it appears that things are heading in the right direction. I always admired the design of this golf course, but never had the pleasure of breaking through on it. I was fortunate to be on my game on this particular day, which pleases me to no end because Canoa Ranch is a tough track. Enough in terms of vanity, however, and on to the course itself. The aggressive marketing approach since Scottsdale Golf Group took over Canoa Ranch has made me curious recently. This course is in Green Valley, which is about a half hour south of downtown Tucson, and closer to an hour from my part of town. Despite the intriguing design of Canoa Ranch, there are many other great options closer to home. Plus, Canoa Ranch has been notorious under past regimes for having one of the least hospitable staffs in Southern Arizona, which at times has kept me away. I am pretty easy to please, for the most part, but when you flat-out feel unwelcome, I will stay away no matter how great the course is. I am pleased to say that from the moment I stepped on the property today, I felt appreciated. The friendliness of the bag attendant, golf shop personnel, and even the administrative staff, who were out of their offices sharing cheerful banter with customers, was a pleasant, and unprecedented experience at Canoa Ranch. I thank them for that. As for the golf course itself, these fairways are much healthier than the dried out dying ones I played the last time. The patchy hardpan in the middle of some of the fairways, particularly on #11 and #12, is gone. It is a lot easier to hit good approach shots when you are hitting off grass from the middle of the fairway. The bunkers still need a little work, some of the areas along the periphery can use some attention, and there appears to be some minor drainage problems in spots, but I am confident that these issues are being addressed (the GM's newsletters say so). The greens are a bit slow, and somewhat shaggy, but very playable. In fact, you can be more aggressive with your approaches and chips under these conditions because unless you blade something, it likely will not run off the back. Putts need to be firm, which has its good and bad points. You can lose your line with a bigger backswing, but at the same time you will take a lot of the break out of your putts, too. Adjust and focus. This is infinitely better than cutting and rolling them only to be scorched to death in the 110-degree, low-humidity Arizona sun. I took away a lot of positives from this round that extend way beyond my own play. My playing partners and I agree that Canoa Ranch is well worth the drive south. I will not hesitate to take the opportunity to return this summer... probably multiple times. By the way, the efforts to market and upgrade the dining experience at Canoa Ranch appears to be paying off. When we finished late in the afternoon, the dining room was filling up fast with locals (primarily seniors). The dinner menu looked pretty good, but a little pricey. We were more interested in the happy hour specials, but there is no denying the popularity of this as a Green Valley fine dining option.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Golf Club at Vistoso

Played On 06/05/2016
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Vistoso Resurrection

It had been a while since I last played Vistoso. So, when my club scheduled an outing there, I was eager to see how much conditions have improved since OB Sports has taken over management. The buzz around town was that Vistoso has made huge strides at returning to its former glory. Judging by the drastic improvements at other Tucson-area facilities under OB, I was excited to see for myself. I am pleased to say that Vistoso has returned to its position as one of the finest and most challenging examples of Sonoran Desert golf. The work is certainly ongoing, but based on my memories of my last round at dying Vistoso, which wasn't that long ago, it pleases me to no end to give five star marks across the board today. The greens were fast and true. The fairways were in great shape and healthy, for the most part. Unfortunately, in a climate where temperatures often exceed 110, perfection is a challenge. The bunkers are rather firm, which is a point of criticism for some, but a way of life for golfers in this region, particularly in the summer. Adjust, or stay out of them is all the advice I can give. Another major positive I noticed is that OB has removed a lot of the overgrowth around the course just as they have done at Arizona National and Fred Enke. One of the things that adds to the difficulty of many desert golf courses is the intimidating look through the obstructions of wild desert foliage. Some of it is unnecessary, and I am glad OB has identified that as a focus of course improvement. Not only does this help players better identify targets, but it reduces search times when the desert inevitably claims wayward shots. Make no mistake, the high rating and slope of Vistoso is well deserved. Although there are yardages on some sprinkler heads, a yardage book would be a wise investment since there are a lot of obstacles throughout the course, and distances can be deceptive to the naked eye depending on the time of day and intensity of the sunshine. Driver is not necessary on some holes, and aggressive play can be perilous at times. Good, steady play will be rewarded. As difficult as Vistoso is, it is a very fair course. Best of luck to you. Another positive with OB Sports is the addition of employee uniforms throughout their facilities, which I think adds to the professionalism of the operation.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Keene Country Club

Played On 06/01/2016
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

A Granite State Dandy

I was fortunate enough to obtain playing privileges as a perk of my sister's 50th anniversary celebration being catered at the country club. When I use the term "privileged", I really mean it. What a beautiful golf course. All the finely manicured details you would expect from a private country club apply here in a distinctly New England setting. The greens were smooth as silk, with few unrepaired pitch marks. The fairways had nary a blemish and were cut to just the right length. There was quite a bit of elevation change particularly on the back nine. I was impressed with how even the tall trees lining the fairways lacked the ugly rogue branches that give already difficult chutes that claustrophobic feel. Keene C.C. also contains some of those features that you would probably only see in New England. The chainsaw bear that greets golfers as they come off the 9th green used to be a tree on the course before it was hit by lightning. The stone bridge over the creek separating the 7th fairway from the 11th looks almost Roman. The most impressive little extra, however, is the 18th Century cemetery behind the 8th green, which truly enhances the colonial experience. Just when I thought my day couldn't have gotten any better, the view of Mount Monadnock through the trees from the elevated 17th green was one of the best I have seen in the area. I am not sure what the public play policy is, but it might be worth checking this jewel out. Additionally, the staff treated me with courtesy and respect as if I were a member myself. I appreciated that. The members should be very proud of their club.

Conditions Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Coyote Creek Golf Club

Played On 05/22/2016
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Not For Beginners

They say you should never judge a book by its cover. Well, you should never judge a golf course by its first hole, either. All confidence gathered from the benign, nearly driveable opening par 4 ends when you first set eyes on the second green. From that point on, you better call on all your skill and smarts to survive. Local knowledge would be very beneficial, but you better be able to execute too. By the time you emerge from the darkness you may bypass the 7th tee box and go directly to the parking lot. Don't give up, though. You get a bit of a break on the driveable par 4 7th and 8th holes. If you think the rough stuff is over at the turn, think again. It's back to scary visuals starting on #10. With few exceptions, every shot has a high degree of difficulty. I would not recommend this course for beginning players because there are a few forced carries that are intimidating even to experienced players. Plus, a shot which is the least bit off line is in danger. Even seemingly safe shots can still be in jeopardy with a bad kick, which I consider unfair course characteristics.That is where local knowledge may or may not help. I think a decent score can be had at Coyote Creek, but you better be absolutely dialed into all aspects of your game to do so. The physical challenges are significant, but the mental challenges will drain you. I was worn out when I walked off #18. Conditions were generally pretty good, especially on the greens, but some details could be improved upon. The bunkers are inconsistent, and some of the fairways appear to be very susceptible to damage in poor weather (#9 particularly). Despite this, I would love to give Coyote Creek another try someday.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Metamora Fields Golf Club

Played On 05/21/2016
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

If You Enjoy Links-style...

This was the second leg of a Navy reunion golf weekend. I played Metamora Fields a couple years ago during a previous visit, and fell in love with the course then. This was the round I was most looking forward to this weekend, and was hopeful that my shipmates would enjoy themselves as much as I did. Metamora Fields is a true links-style golf course with its bunkering, rolling fairways, large undulating greens, and exposure to the elements. On this particular day, Central Illinois was enjoying Chamber of Commerce weather conditions, and winds were rather calm, too. We could not have asked for anything better. The boys in my group enjoyed a great deal of success on their scorecards. In fact, one of my buddies broke 90 for the first time in his life, which was a real highlight. Judging by the discussion afterwards, Metamora Fields received a resounding and unanimous thumbs-up from all the boys. I still cannot believe that a facility with such first class amenities can charge such a reasonable rate. Definitely my favorite Illinois course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Crane Creek Golf Club

Played On 05/20/2016
3.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

In the Sticks

This was the first chapter of a Navy golf reunion weekend in the Peoria area. Although this is one of our local shipmate's favorites, the layout, especially all the blind shots, are not my forte. I think if I played Crane Creek again, I might be more comfortable, but many of the holes made me feel very claustrophobic. Even with local knowledge, I think some trouble is unavoidable due to the hilly terrain, and very thick rough. The greens were outstanding and very well maintained, but I can tell times are tight. The cart paths, rogue foliage, length of the rough, and some other smaller points could use more attention. I must give a lot of credit to the course, though. For a course in such a remote location, it is remarkable that it is in as good of condition as it is. However, I don't know how it can be sustained. There was not much play on this particular day, which was good for us since my pals and me were socializing plenty, but not good for the operation. I wish Crane Creek luck, but if I were a local, I don't know if I would venture all the way to Kilbourne that often. I would play the course again, but I don't know if I could recommend it to a friend without risking being beaten up afterwards.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Sanctuary Golf Club

Played On 05/19/2016
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Joliet Jewel

The Sanctuary is an excellent golf course, but is very difficult to categorize. Although I believe it is labeled as links-style, there are examples to the contrary. There are a handful of holes that are tight and tree-lined, and others that are straight-forward with no bunkers. The par-5 4th hole, for example, is a dogleg left that has a somewhat vague look from the teebox since you cannot see the green through the forest on the left. Aim your drive just inside the bunkers on the right. Stay away from the left side. Even though it looks favorable, you may have to lay up way back, which could jeopardize a GIR. Going for the green in two is unlikely even with the longest of drives. There are a couple of other holes on the back that venture into the forest, but most of the course is somewhat wide open, and right in front of you. There is plenty of bunkering as you would expect from a links-style course, and the greens are undulated and fast, but not rock hard, though. However, some are small for links-style, and mostly sloped toward the front, which removes the Scottish bump-and-run style of approach as an option to some extent. Excellent condition of the greens, though. They were a lot of fun to putt. Although the rough is thick in spots, it is not unruly. The prairie grass beyond that is another story, but if you go there, you get what you deserve. Water does come into play on a number of holes, but you ought to be able to avoid it unless you mishit a shot. I don't recall any substantial forced carries. You may not need driver all the time, either. All in all, you can score really well if you keep the ball in play and make good decisions, but that is fundamental, isn't it? Enjoy!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Red Hawk Golf Club

Played On 04/29/2016
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

New Las Cruces Favorite

I have been looking forward to playing this course ever since I happened upon a pamphlet in a hotel lobby during a weekend golf trip to New Mexico a while back. As with any course that I have never played, I had high hopes, but one can never be 100% sure since most course websites doll themselves up to give a good impression. I am pleased to say that Red Hawk exceeded my expectations. The course is located in the foothills north of town a bit off the beaten path. However, I have a hunch that eventually homes will be built in the vicinity of the course. It is links-style, chock full of rolling fairways, an abundance of bunkers, and large, undulating greens. It is also at the mercy of the wind, and on this particular day, the winds were severe, almost to the point of making the course unplayable at times. The layout is such that regardless of the wind direction, you will be hitting into the teeth of it at some point. Therefore, it is imperative that you choose the correct tee box not only based on your ability, but how gusty the winds are. Some of the par 4s can be extremely long into the wind. The holes I found to be most challenging, however, were the par 3s. Not only are a couple of them pretty long, but three of the four have greens surrounded by water, which provide a very intimidating look. There is no shame in using the bailouts, especially if the wind is as severe as it was on this particular day. Also, stay out of the green side bunkers on the water holes because as is the case with most courses in this region, bunkers are a bit hard (e.g. skulling). Sand gets picked up and carried away by the wind and then the traps get baked by the intense sunlight. Although Lee Trevino made a nice living playing out of bunkers after growing up in this neck of the woods, the best advice is to stay away from them even if you think you are proficient. That is easier said than done, though. I found the sand on half of the holes, unfortunately. Most of the fairways are wide enough to accept even slightly offline tee shots, but of course, that hinges on the wind direction and severity. If you do happen to unleash a wild shot, don't automatically give up on your ball. In some cases, you might have a play out of the desert, but don't spend too long looking-- five minutes max, and take your drop. The greens are pretty fast, but reasonably receptive for a links-style course. If you are cognizant of where the mountains are and the wind direction, you ought to be able to minimize three-putts. Don't overread them. There is often less break than it looks. When in doubt, play it straighter on lag putts. Although I would have preferred a little less wind, I liked Red Hawk very much. I understand that it has hosted U.S. Open local qualifiers in the past, including two weeks after I played. I can understand why. There are some excellent golf choices in this area, but Red Hawk has moved right to the top of my list of the best in Las Cruces. If you are planning a little weekend golf getaway from Tucson, Phoenix, Albuquerque or elsewhere, Red Hawk would be well worth your time. Based on the high quality of this course, you won't believe what they charge, especially in the afternoon. I very much look forward to my next visit.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Commented on 01/21/2018

I am a local resident. I have played this golf course several times. I find the course challenging and enjoyable. The course is maintained very well. The greens can be fast. Well worth it.

del Lago Golf Club

Played On 10/20/2015
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

A Lot To Like at Del Lago

It was nice to be back playing at Del Lago on Tuesday. I have enjoyed this course since it first opened. It had all the makings of a premium golf course in an upper-middle-class setting. However, a number of years ago, poor management ran off a lot of the local play. I am pleased that things are much better now because this course is really worth it. I play here every couple months or so. Currently, Del Lago is at the tail end of its overseeding period. The fairways were a little shaggy, and the aesthetic detailing around the course is not quite done, but the effects on play were minimal. As with most desert courses, accuracy is more important than length. In fact, regardless of what tee box you choose, you will use a club other than driver off the tee more than once. There are lots of undulations and elevation changes along with the abundance of hazards germane to desert golf courses. A surprising twist is the amount of water hazards throughout the course, though. The one on #18 makes this unlike any closing hole I have ever played. Whether it is intentional or not, I do not know, but it always seems like the design of the fairways guides you to flat or relatively flat lies, provided you keep it at or near the fairway, of course. Make no mistake, there are challenges aplenty, though. None more so than the very first shot of the day. The opening tee shot is one of the most intimidating in Southern Arizona. The forced carry is not really as great as it appears, but the fairway looks a mile away when you're standing in the teebox. There are a number of other forced carries on the course. So, if you have difficulty getting the ball into the air consistently, you may be in for trouble. The greens are spacious with lots of character. However, like most greens in Southern Arizona, the tendency is to read too much break into putts. They were not as fast today as they often are, but were still pretty quick. After the round, we decided to eat in the restaurant, and I'm glad we did. I didn't remember it being as nice as it is. The food and drinks were very good, and it looked like there are many who agree. It was a pretty big crowd for a Tuesday night. After this day, I will have to make Del Lago more a part of my regular rotation.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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