tommyphils

Although OB Sports has done an admirable job upgrading the conditions of all five Tucson municipal courses since it took over management, El Rio remains my least favorite of the five. The course is located in Barrio Hollywood, one of the oldest and most ethnically diverse sections of Tucson. It has a loyal following among the natives in the neighborhood, but if you looked up muni course in the dictionary, El Rio would be there. The course has no remarkable or memorable features. However, it is probably most notable for having some of the most difficult par 3s in the area. Holes #4, #8, and #15 are all near or greater than 200 yards even from the white tees. Since it is an older, traditional layout, the greens are rather small as is the norm on courses of that type. These par 3s are not only difficult to hit, they are difficult to hold. #8 is particularly tough since it is the longest of the three and usually into the teeth of the westerly wind. Many closest to the pins go unclaimed even in low handicap leagues on these holes. As for the conditions, even at its best, you will find less than ideal lies in many places. On this particular Sunday, the course was in about as good of shape as it is all year since it recently came out of overseeding. The fairways were really nice, and the greens rolled decent. However, if you venture outside the cut of the fairway, anything is possible. The rough can be patchy, extra thick, non-existent, gnarly, or wet. Plus, the many mature trees on the course have lots of rogue branches. Be prepared to punch out a lot (even from the first cut sometimes). The course does get quite a bit of play, especially on the weekends, but if you are from out of town and looking for a memorable golf experience, this is absolutely not the place. There is plenty of culture and history nearby, but there are also better courses nearby, too. I will say that El Rio is the best walk of the city's quintet. Since my club plays here often, I reluctantly play El Rio more than I would prefer. Despite my misgivings about the course, the staff is almost always very friendly. This is also the headquarters of the First Tee program. So, El Rio is a value to the community, but with all the other golf options in this area, it does not have my endorsement.

This was the final round of a three-day reunion of Navy shipmates, and I must say it was a great way to finish. We were the first golfers off in the morning, and the air was a bit heavy. Additionally, the greens were rather slow not just because of the dew, but because the mowers did not show up. This just required some adjustment. Since the greens were slow, the course did not play like a true links-style course, but that did not hinder our enjoyment. Most of the greens are spacious with enough well-defined bailout to navigate without much problem. However, stay away from the bunkers. Some of my buddies had some real difficulties both short sided and with plenty of green to play with. They were a bit hard, but not quite hardpan. I had no difficulty with them because I am from Arizona and that is how many of the them are at home. However, if you are used to soft sand, beware... the bounce is greater than you are likely accustomed. Judging by the scores and frustration level of the boys, I think the front nine was more difficult than the back nine. As is customary, though, much of the trouble is of one's own making. I think a little local knowledge is helpful. For visitors, I recommend aiming for the safe side of the fairway. They are pretty generous for the most part, especially on the back nine. With few exceptions, what you see is what you get. However, watch out for fairway bunkers. Since it is links-style, you do get more roll out, and tee shots will reach bunkers if you are on line with them. I did notice a number of steep drop offs behind greens. So if possible, do not fly the green with approach shots because you will be very disappointed. If you find "the desert", it is a penalty 99% of the time. Take your drop and move on. It may not be worth looking because the gorse and shrubs will tear you up. In general, I liked the Lakes Course (we played it yesterday) better than the Ranch Course. The Ranch Course was not as manicured as the Lakes Course, but perhaps this was due to the maintenance staff being absent this particular day. If I had a choice, I would play Lakes. However, Ranch is fine, and acceptable to all skill levels. The pro shop and cart staff were terrific with a great deal of enthusiasm for their jobs. That goes a long way in my book. If you are in the area for a few days, you can't go wrong playing either, or both as we did, Lakes or Ranch courses. The fees were reasonable too.

The Lakes Course at Genoa Lakes was the second leg of a Navy reunion golf weekend in Tahoe. I believe I speak for all the guys when I say we were very satisfied with this course. Although there are plenty of hazards throughout the course, most of it is right in front of you, and it is just a matter of avoiding it. Whether it be accuracy, bailout, or club selection, this can be done, and therefore, provide good scoring opportunities. Probably the most difficult holes on the course were the par 3s. Three of the four have forced carries. #8 has OB behind the green that is not visible from the teebox-- one club too much and you are in for a frustrating surprise-- lots of room elsewhere, though. #14 is flat-out long (215-230 from green to gold tees). Don't psych yourself out, though. Just hit close to the number you have selected, and you will be fine. The greens are pretty spacious, but with quite a bit of undulation. I had a little trouble reading them, but the mountains definitely affect the break. Be mindful of this. I should have done better. There are some holes where a good shot is required, but for the most part, you can get away with less than your best, especially off the tee, and still post a very respectable score. When in doubt, play it safe, but if you like what you see, feel free to go for it. For the most part, there is a lot more bailout than you think on most holes. I navigated the course fine, but I did notice that some of my buddies, especially the big hitters, found trouble that initially looked out of range. Maybe it is the higher elevation here, but be mindful of how far your ball flies. You may get more distance than your normal club selection warrants. If you like wildlife, there are plenty of deer milling around the course, especially on the back nine around the creek, and they aren't too skittish, so have your camera ready. As for the facilities, they are first-rate. The palatial clubhouse, practice area, restaurant/bar are on par with those of private clubs. I am not sure if it is just a weekend thing, but the pasta buffet looked very tempting. If we did not have other plans, I would have voted for the buffet for dinner. They also had live music in the dining room, and it was not overbearing as some can be. All in all, it was a very pleasant day. One drawback, but not Genoa Lakes fault, was the thick haze from the California wildfires that blocked what I suspect is very spectacular scenery. It was nice anyway, but what are you gonna do?

This was my first visit to Tahoe, as part of a Navy reunion. It was a great start to the weekend. The generous width of the fairways on the front nine gives you the chance to ease into your comfort zone before things tighten up after the turn. I liked the many options presented, especially the numerous risk/reward opportunities on the par 4s. If you have the ability to shape tee shots, especially left to right, you can drive the green or come close to it on some of the short ones. I did not think the risks were so punitive as to deter one from going for it all the time. Playing it safe is never a bad strategy, though, but aggressive play is a viable alternative on this course, and a fun one, I might add. There is trouble in some areas, well within range of a wayward drive, or a chunky approach shot, but honestly, only very poor shots cause much suffering. It is very possible to navigate this course without a lot of stress, and post a very good score. I was curious about the effects of the drought and California water regulations going into the round. I was pleasantly surprised at how well things are holding up. There were no ill-effects. The fairways were lush, and the greens were healthy, smooth, and fast. Pace of play was pretty good, too, considering the volume of players on the course. There was a distinct marshal presence on the course, which obviously kept things moving. Despite the less than personable attitude of the bar staff inside the grill, I thoroughly enjoyed our day, and would love to return here next time I am in the area.

Considering its remote location, I am astonished by the quality of this golf course. My brother's son-in-law, who lives in the area, recommended Sandy Pines proclaiming it was one of his favorites. I can see why. It is a high quality track with an intriguing design. A very good score can be had as long as you keep it in play, and you don't necessarily need driver off the tee all the time, either. There are not an extreme number of forced carries, but plenty of trouble in play with slightly offline shots. Water hazards, deep bunkers, heavily wooded areas, conspicuously placed shrubbery are plentiful, and must be avoided. Things don't get easy once you reach the green, though. They are very quick, and most of them have a great deal of undulations. The good news is that they are pretty easy to read and roll true, but you must have the correct speed to make a lot of putts. Plus, there are very few gimmes. Don't take those shorties for granted. In general, I feel the holes on the front required more thought and imagination than the ones on the back. However, this does not mean you can let your guard down on the back nine. This is a very good, thinking man's track. I understand why Sandy Pines is so well thought of by the locals.

Red Oak is about an hour southeast of Omaha. I have played nearly every quality course in the area, but not here. I booked our round at a substantial discount, but had no idea what to expect. I was neither disappointed nor thrilled with Red Oak. It was pretty standardfare for a small town track with a limited budget. I have a hunch that it was originally a nine-hole facility because the back nine is certainly more imaginative than the ho-hum front nine. Plus, it appears there are some very nice, recently built residences lining the holes on that side. The greens, especially the ones on the back nine, were very nice. They rolled true, and had surprising character, which made them challenging. Getting to the green was the hard part, though. Yardage markers are limited, which makes club selection tough. There is a too much crabgrass in the fairways, which prevents clean lies sometimes. There had been a little rain in the area recently, but the course should not have been so wet. This made it play much longer since there was essentially no roll out. The biggest surprise was the thickness of the rough. It was deep, wet, and inconsistent. We found it often, unfortunately, and spent an inordinate amount of time searching for balls in it since any venture in sank out sight immediately. Getting out required a great deal of effort. Any day on the golf course is a good one, but a return trip to Red Oak is unlikely, however, unless there are substantial upgrades in maintenance and condition. If you want seclusion, and are not particular about high quality, Red Oak is okay. You can find very reasonable prices seven days a week without much difficulty.

My first experience at Hawktree was somewhat bittersweet. Based on its reputation, my expectations were understandably very high. Beginning with the positives, and they are numerous, the course itself is flawless, with perhaps the exception of the tee box markers, which are somewhat vague (black rocks look similar to gray ones making us have to reverse a few times). The fairways are quite generous, for the most part, especially off the tee. Even the blind shots are quite manageable once you pick the right line and execute it. The GPS was very helpful, and unless you are a regular, mandatory since there are plenty of hazards to contend with throughout the course. Most tee shots are grip and rip, but good, and often great, iron play is needed to get close to the hole. That is the variable that will affect scoring the most at Hawktree, I think. The greens are terrific. They are very true, but undulated enough to provide plenty of surprises. I expected them to be quicker, but this may have been due to our late afternoon tee time. As for the bunkers, the visual takes you aback, but honestly, they play similar to normal ones. As sick as it sounds, I am glad I found one at Hawktree because I did not find one at all at Old Works, the Nicklaus course in Montana that also features black slag bunkers. I am thrilled that I finally got to hit out of one. With respect to the course itself, it is a real jewel. Now, as for my criticisms of Hawktree, they are few, but relevant. I already mentioned the markings on the tee boxes. After ten years of operation, more permanent, and more clearly colored placards should be installed by now. I realize this is North Dakota, and west of Fargo, you can probably count the number of premium courses in this state on one hand. Supply certainly doesn't meet demand. However, since the green fees are uniform throughout the day, and from what I observed, play is steady, I do not approve of sending out fivesomes. There were plenty of them in front of us. So, this is obviously normal procedure. Goat ranches send out fivesomes, not arguably the finest course in the state. If there were a twilight rate, this policy could be argued effectively since sundowners justifiably take their chances with the cheaper rate. Hawktree certainly has the right to exploit its monopoly by structuring its fees whatever way it chooses, and it can be said that its rates are still a bargain based on the lack of competition and the high quality of the course itself. However, the slow play at any price sours the total experience, and in this case, costs Hawktree a star.

I am a tourist. Based on price, location, and quality, Hart Ranch is probably the top golf option in the Rapid City area for visitors. That said, it is not the perfect course, either. There are a few things that could be done to elevate Hart Ranch from 4-star to 5-star territory. First, I really like the hole-by-hole flyovers on the website, but on the course, some areas could be marked more demonstratively. One example is the creek that breaks the fairway 70-80 yards in front of the green on #9. Also, bunkers, tee boxes, rogue branches, and some peripheral areas could be more manicured, which would take Hart Ranch to the next level and more commensurate to its resort course billing. Much of the front nine, and part of the back nine are rather generous off the tee, making it hard to lose a ball unless you are way off line, or find a water hazard. The greens are receptive and true, but very fast. Putts can get away from you if you are not careful. So, pick a line and go for it because, with very few exceptions, it will get to the hole. My one major criticism of the course is the design of holes 14-17. Chiseled into the ridge of the adjacent hills, these holes are non-sequitur to the rest of the course. I appreciate diversity, but the universally uneven lies, blind landing areas, severely sloped and unusually shaped greens on these four holes differ so much from the characteristics of the remaining holes, that it is somewhat unfair, in my opinion. By no means does this adversely affect my recommendation of Hart Ranch, nor my desire to play here again someday. This criticism is merely based on personal preference. With multiple rounds, adjustments would be made, but for the one-time, out-of-town visitor, this situation might be an issue. Of course, some golfers might like this stretch of anomalous holes. You can't know unless you play. Best of luck!

Great opener on cross country trip with my brother. While researching area courses, all indications suggested Pine Creek to be a jewel, but you just never know until you get there. This was definitely the correct choice. Despite the course being a bit wet in some spots due to a recent storm that rolled through, most of the trouble is of one's own making. However, the back nine appears to take the lion's share of the drainage, and seemed to play slightly different than the front with more water, marshes, and obstructed views. Since we were at elevation, the ball was definitely flying farther than usual. Be cognizant of that because due to the numerous doglegs on the course, a seemingly great drive will carry or roll through the fairway. Trust me, you do not want to hit out of the rough, especially early in the morning. This is most certainly a course where some local knowledge helps, but for tourists such as myself, simplicity is the smart approach. Greed is very bad. Accuracy is one of the words that came up quite a bit while researching this course, and that is very applicable, especially on the back nine. Do the math, and drop it near the barber pole because there is unseen trouble in many locations. With very few exceptions, the greens tilt to the front. They hold approaches well, but are quite fast. Downhill putts can easily get away from you if you are not careful. So, choose your irons well because with the elevation, your normal club selection may put you at the back of the green, which will be a problem. All in all, this is a top-notch track that is very fair. It is also in a great location near I-25 and the Air Force Academy. One disappointment was that due to the wildfires in the western U.S., our view of Pikes Peak was not as spectacular as it may have been on a clear day. Still, an excellent course, and very much worth the price.

For years, to many of us Southern Arizonans, Turquoise Valley has felt like our terrific little secret. Located maybe a driver and three-wood from the border, this jewel provides soothing relief from the hustle and bustle of the cities. The greens have always been among the best, most receptive ones in this part of the state, but the entire course was in particularly good condition today. Whether it is the recent change in ownership, or the dress up for the auction prior to that, the course is in as good of shape as any course I have played in Southern Arizona this summer. Although we didn't do it today, multiple rounds are the norm this time of year. Weekends usually have a little more play, but you can still get in plenty of golf in the afternoon. A lunch break between rounds is often the ticket. The food is pretty good. Plus, it is much cooler here than in Tucson and Phoenix-- about 15 degrees less than Tucson today. With all the old west and attractive tourist locations nearby, this is the place to satisfy the golf jones if you are spending a few days in the area. It is also worth the drive if you are looking to get away for the day. A very stress-free round today. I wish I could play here more often than I do because it has always been one of my favorites.

Back in the dim, dark past when Phil Mickelson was winning the Tucson Open as an amateur at Starr Pass, this was by far my least favorite course in Southern Arizona (maybe anywhere). When Arnie created the new nine, and the resort hotel was built, a transformation took place. Now, this 27-hole facility is, in my opinion, the best in the area regardless of what combination is played because the setup is geared toward the resort golfer instead of replicating PGA Tour conditions. The course is tough enough by design. Today, we played the classic 18, which was a real treat not just because of the nostalgia, but also because it seems like we don't get to play the Coyote Nine as often as the others. Our tee time was a little after noon, and I was astonished that we were essentially the only guys on the course. If it was not well over 100 degrees, you would think you were playing in February, not the third week of June. The fairways and greens are in nearly ideal condition, albeit soft since they are watered plenty. Mid-irons and often long irons hold, and even spin back on occasion. If there is a course in Arizona that is in better condition right this minute, the difference is like splitting hairs. This is one of the finest examples of a true Sonoran Desert course. So, if you spray the ball or have difficulty getting the ball in the air consistently, this can be an impossibly difficult golf course, and a very long day for you... and those playing behind you when there is a lot of play on the course. This is probably not the place to bring someone learning to play for the first time despite the aesthetics. Starr Pass is a very difficult course for anyone, though. It is a pleasure and reward hitting off a clean, healthy lie through the green just about every shot (those that aren't in the desert, of course, which are tough to avoid for an entire round). I can't get over the lack of play today, but I guess folks can't take the heat. Understandable. Better for my friends and me, though. Always a fun round.

Haven has always been a course that has favored my game. With the exception of the opening hole, everything is right there in front of you. The course does have some challenges-- large, mature trees, bunkers, a couple ponds, and some OB. However, there are no forced carries anywhere. So, you can navigate around any obstacles without much stress. If you are looking for a real confidence building round, this could be the place. The only knock on the course today is the greens. I realize many courses in the area are trying desperately to protect their putting surfaces from getting scorched in the Arizona sun, but today's were a touch too shaggy. Most of the year, Haven's greens are on the quick side, which made adjustments tough today. I was part of a very large, multi-club outing, and was not the only one talking afterwards about all the putts left short. Still, there were quite a few excellent scores posted, including the very respectable one I turned in. Because of the large number of players, it was a rather long round, but that is normal on a Sunday morning anyway most of the year. A slight breeze cooled things a bit, relieving us of the extreme temperatures of the previous days, and making the long day tolerable. Plus, the service provided by the concessions staff, which I consider one of the friendliest in Southern Arizona, in most cases, leaves players satisfied as they depart. It doesn't get much better than spending Father's Day on the golf course with your best pals.

This may be the most conflicted review in history, but here goes. I have lived adjacent to Forty Niners for nearly 40 years. It was private when I was a kid, and after it opened to the public, it was a go-to course for me. At one time, I played three or four afternoons a week after work. However, under the previous regime, things deteriorated to the point where I refused to play there anymore. This was the first time I have played here in at least three years. The new owner has sunk a lot of resources and effort into improving Forty Niners, and I was impressed with the renovated clubhouse, restaurant, fitness center, cart shack, patio, parking lot, carts, etc. On the course, however, the fairways are still distressed-- especially #5, #14 & #17. I understand the summer heat has arrived, and the maintenance crew is working to remedy this, but the process of undoing what was done to the course previously might take a long time. Most of the greens are okay-- some are so-so. Although they were recently punched, they rolled fairly true, but were a little slow. A great deal of work appears to be in progress clearing dead foliage and trees from the periphery, along with some new irrigation and drainage, which I applaud. Over the years, due to the course's proximity to a substantial local waterway, any large rainstorm has wreaked havoc on many portions of the course, and in some cases, flooded the surrounding homes. My biggest criticism of Forty Niners, however, and which has not changed since the sale, is the location and quantity of white stakes. There are few hazards because essentially the entire course outside of the fairway is OB. It wasn't always like this, but the white stakes progressively moved inward from the homes to the point where the course is nearly unplayable to those who cannot hit EVERY shot perfectly. I would never play an outing here. The exasperation of hitting a decent, but slightly offline shot that comes to rest just outside the stakes is almost too much to handle. There have always been quite a few "militant" residents at Forty Niners-- those who insist on living on a golf course, but hate golfers. However, it wasn't entirely the homeowners fault in this case. Apparently, a dispute with the previous regime about who was responsible for maintaining spaces at or near property lines, forced homeowners hands. Now that the old is out, the new regime needs to do whatever it takes to make this course fair again. Agree to cut the grass, and move the stakes back to the walls, or adjust the design so rolling balls are repelled from the private property and remain inbounds. Red stake areas where homes are unaffected by wayward shots such as the left side on #6 & #7, and the right side on #13-15. This is the issue that kept me away from this course in the past above all others. It may take more time, but I believe the club is moving in the right direction, and therefore, I will give Forty Niners another chance. I hope to give it a more wholehearted recommendation at a later date.

Urich was in really good shape again, yesterday. This has become the norm, and us locals appreciate it. The course is not overwhelming, and if you are on, a very low score can be had. It was exactly that for me-- and just what the doctor ordered, a real confidence builder. I like the risk/reward opportunities that are in abundance at Urich, but if you don't pull off the risky shots, you can find trouble (trees, uneven lies, water). The only drawback with yesterday's round was the slow play, but what would you expect from a mid-morning tee time on a Sunday? I would suggest that a marshal make an occasional appearance to shepherd some fellow golfers along, and maybe explain the concept of ready golf, though. Plus, a tutorial on the purpose of the rakes around the bunkers would be appreciated. These are minor points, however. My friends and I agree that the features of Urich are far superior to the North course, and we also agree that management is doing a terrific job maintaining things at all the city courses. With summer approaching and the competition for golf dollars heating up, keep throwing out those reasonably priced tee times, and we will keep coming.

I was the guest of a member, who told me that I would enjoy his track. He was right. Although there are some flaws (some tee boxes, cart paths), I am told steps are being taken to improve things. As for the course itself, I was satisfied with conditions. Some of the dormant grass is still coming in in spots. The design is a challenge especially if you have never played the course. I was fortunate to have a member guiding me through the idiosyncrasies. If you don't know the correct target, you will find uneven lies and impeded views. The smallish greens with many feeding front to back make flat lies imperative. Fliers are no good. Driver is not needed all the time. Club selection is important. The community is beautiful, and the setting very serene. A glorious, sunny, comfortable day in Sandhill Country.

Although I enjoy a round of golf under almost any circumstances, I expected more from this Palmer signature course. I have fully taken into consideration the fact that Mother Nature roughed up the course a bit the night before. However, more detailed work would be helpful in tee boxes, edges, and bunkers. The design is excellent, and very challenging. Lots of thought is required on most of the holes, and the par 3s, especially #9, are tough. The greens were pretty slow due to the amount of rain received, but they rolled true. A couple of them on the back took a beating from the weather, though. It would be better to play this course under ideal conditions (this round was cart path only), but the price is a little high in my opinion. The brand name (Hilton Head) could account for that, but place this course elsewhere, and it is overpriced.

With family here, I had played nearly every course in the Tampa area over the years except Lake Jovita. I dislike many of the "golf community" courses in Florida because the homes often squeeze the already tight fairways, and I cannot understand folks who insist on living on golf courses who hate golfers. Not at Lake Jovita, though. I was thrilled to encounter reasonably generous fairways with enough common area to get away with an occasional miss. Make no mistake, however, the course is not easy. Marshes, ponds, willows and other trees, strategically placed bunkers, and juicy rough provide plenty of challenges even for the experienced golfer (just look at the rating/slope). The greens were just the right speed with an abundance of character. I don't know whether the South course is similar, but if I have a choice, I will play here any chance I get on future visits to Tampa.

This was the second leg of a three-day golf weekend among old Navy buddies, and I would say this was the best of the three (Echo Falls & Druid's Glen were the others). All the amenities and service of a private club made our day a special one. There is not ample room here to catalog everything. The palatial clubhouse and views of the entire Puget Sound are breathtaking. The menu and the patio dining were of the highest order (not as pricey as you would expect either). As for the golf, there are very few, if any, flat holes on the course, but the course is not unfair at all. Good shots are rewarded accordingly. Bad ones...! All in all, a first class experience at a first class operation. I understand the other 18 (China Creek) is the better course of the two here. If that's true, China Creek must be something because Coal Creek is a dandy.

Just what you would expect from a golf course in this part of the country-- heavy forests, thick, healthy rough, and plenty of water hazards. This was the first leg of a three-day golf weekend with old Navy buddies (all with varying skills). Echo Falls was by no means easy, but not overwhelming either. Make no mistake, there are still plenty of opportunities for disaster (#17 & #18, the island green in particular). However, many of the par 4s and 5s are short, and you can get on a nice scoring run if you stick to fairways and greens. Obviously, driver is not necessary on all holes, but there are some opportunities to take a chance and go for it. Many difficult pin placements this day, though. Very few gimmes. Lots of fun until #17, but that is totally on me.

One would never expect to find such a beautiful facility essentially in the middle of nowhere, but it's here. As with most links-style courses, poor shots can be very punitive, but those shots have to be VERY bad. A good score can be had. Just keep it in play. The fairways are pretty generous. The greens are large, but above average undulations. The guys I was matched with, were on an annual trip from Spokane. The stay and play deal they had was amazingly affordable. I was envious. I could have played multiple rounds at this jewel without much arm twisting if I didn't have to be somewhere else.