Posted on July 30, 2018July 19, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Troon North Golf Club MONUMENT Scottsdale Arizona

Troon North Golf Club (Monument)

Scottsdale, AZ

Reviewed by: sdscratchorbust, Scottsdale
Played here last night at 4:00.

To give the course a fair shake it appears the course has seen some effects from the recent monsoons.

The Review

The greens are surprisingly soft this time of year. Most likely from all the recent rain. They were rolling a medium to medium fast. However the greens have seen a lot of play. They have been pelted. The front nine greens are the worst. They are beat up with ball marks. At first I thought it was because people weren’t repairing their ball marks but then as the round progressed I noticed almost every pitch was leaving a divot and they were very difficult to repair due to the soft moist greens. Only this half is open and coupled with the monsoon softness the greens are heavily devoted.

The bunkers are superb here, consistent high quality. Not fluffy but very evenly maintained. The tee boxes are moderately worn too. They were lumpy and have the divots of a lot of plays. Some uneven tees but nothing dramatic. Fairways were lush because of the rain but there were lots of damaged areas. Fairways are a little beat up. Lots of residiual brown areas from when it was dried out before the rain. Also it appears they dug holes and added additional drains in low area of some fairways to help it drain so there is some damage from those.

Fortunately most of the damaged, heavily played holes were in the front half of the opening nine. Once you made the turn, and especially once you climbed to the mountain holes it gets pure. The Bermuda has grown in nicely in the shaded holes and fairways were lush on those holes.

Additional Comments

I can see why people either love or hate this course. Although I disagree with those who hate it. This course is desert golf that embraces the extreme. The monument rock in the middle of the fairway is sweet. The lava rocks sprinkled in the approaches is an awesome visual effect. The opening 9 is nothing too special past the first 3 holes but once it makes the turn uphill on the back nine this course is absolutely spectacular. The 12th, 14th and 15th holes are world class amazing holes. The 15th is absolutely stupid beautiful and amazing with it’s views.

I do agree 18th could use a little more substance as it’s quite easy. I personally love the minimalist finish. It’s the perfect complement to the first. The first hole is on the ridiculous side and makes you nervous about what you are about to embark on, then the 18th is an easy landing back to reality after the breathtaking finish to this course.

Final Thoughts

It’s the adult big brother to the Boulders in my opinion. The greens aren’t overly difficult. The course isn’t too tight and the approaches aren’t overly demanding. You have to play this course in control and strategic and can’t go driver every hole. The course isn’t too long and the short par 4’s balance out the two long 470+ plus ones which are quite demanding.

This is far and away the best course I’ve played out here and it is a must play to any golfer. I think it’s a spectacular display of golf course design and ingenuity.

This is a course I will pay to play during winter to see it in mint condition as it would be worth the winter rates.

Posted on July 21, 2018July 18, 2018 by Vic Flores

GK Plays Roundup Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club

Bullhead City, AZ

Reviewed by: apisarski, Costa Mesa

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 14

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 15

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Decided last minute to drive out for the GK Event on 7/15 after some convincing by JohnnyGK and mpisarski01. I was at first skeptical about playing anywhere in Laughlin, let alone in July with the heat, but I’m extremely happy I did. Laughlin Ranch is a hidden gem and rivals many of the Palm Springs course at a much better price. I will be playing here anytime I’m close.

Mpisarski01, Kevbig, and teed of first just after 7. It was muggy but manageable with some lingering cloud cover with the storms from then night before. Considering how much it rained conditions were amazing and improved as the course dried out. Tee boxes were lush green and for the most part very flat. Fairways were almost perfect carpet like grass. I dont think I had a bad lie all day.

Rough was short and not very penal. The only time we had any trouble was if you were off in the dirt which was very soft and soaked from the rains. The only real negative to speak of all day was the bunkers. Some had a decent amount of small rocks but really weren’t all to bad. Hard to tell what they are normally like because they were still very wet.

The grounds crew were not able to cut the greens before we played due to the overnight monsoons but the still looked great and roll true. They were pretty slow and soft but not to the fault of the crew at Laughlin Ranch. All in all a beautiful and challenging track that I cant wait to play again. This place is a steal for the price and conditions, two thumbs up!

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Group 1

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Group 2

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Group 3

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona LINKSOUL Twinsies

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Posted on July 19, 2018July 18, 2018 by Vic Flores

GK PLAYS Roundup: Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club

Bullhead City, AZ

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 1

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 4

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Was a super fun GK Plays outing despite only 14 players and I thank everyone that came!

I had not played Laughlin Ranch since January and then it was a very nice conditioned rye turf course. This time around it would be a bermunda turf course. Not all golf courses transition well from rye to bermunda and vice-versa….I can safely to say Laughlin Ranch Golf Club transitions phenomenally. The course was lush bermunda everywhere. I only wish the night before the course did not get slammed by monsoons since this caused the maintenance to not be able to cut the greens that morning before our round. Hence we had slow surfaces to play however they rolled true and held shots great. Another thing worth noting is the golf course is currently doing a bunker renovation filling in some traps, reshaping and turning sand. Last time out that was not taking place yet. It’s an eye sore at times but nothing that significantly impacts play.

As far as an outing host, fantastic. The staff is great to work with and even handled a late night pairing change effortlessly. All the golf carts were staged correctly and afterwards we had ample room in their SLATE restaurant (delicious appropriately priced food). I liked how the driving range and practice putting green are perfectly position to both the 1st and 10th tees. The entire property is themed “Gold Miner” with authentic old mining equipment used as decorations throughout. Really brings a fun ambiance to the place.

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 17

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Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Practice Facility

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GK will for sure be having another outing here. Maybe even as soon as early next year.

Posted some photos…check them out. Also compare them to the January photos I posted to get an idea of how different the golf course looks from Winter to Summer yet still awesome.

Highly Recommended.

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona GK Coupon

Posted on July 17, 2018July 17, 2018 by Vic Flores

GK PLAYS Roundup: Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club

Bullhead City, AZ

Reviewed by: apisarski, Costa Mesa
Decided last minute to drive out for the GK Event on 7/15 after some convincing by JohnnyGK and mpisarski01. I was at first skeptical about playing anywhere in Laughlin, let alone in July with the heat, but I’m extremely happy I did. Laughlin Ranch is a hidden gem and rivals many of the Palm Springs course at a much better price. I will be playing here anytime I’m close.

The Golf Course Review

Golf Playing Conditions 7.73 GREAT. Check out the GK Coupon for this Course.

Posted on July 13, 2018July 13, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Gold Canyon Golf Resort (DINOSAUR) Gold Canyon Arizona

Gold Canyon Golf Resort (Dinosaur)

Gold Canyon, AZ

ALERT: Aeration
Will be aerating the greens on the Dinosaur Course 7/23 – 7/26, reopening 7/27.
* Although Greenskeeper.org researches all alerts before posting, we ask that you please contact the golf course for confirmation.

Reviewed by: sixpez, Rancho Mirage, CA

Played here yesterday morning. Took the chance (despite UNCLEDDBOY’s best efforts to talk me out of it : ) and got lucky with a break in the active monsoon weather this week. Had a 6:40 tee time and was paired with a twosome. We were second off. Lead group played very quickly and we never pushed them thanks to the nicely spaced 10-minute tee times here. Good overall pace of about 3:15. Price was $55 (plus AZ tax, so $58 and change).

The course was in solid summer condition, looking pretty lush and green throughout (sure all that rain has helped). The tee boxes were good. Just a few of the blues on the back nine could use some leveling out. The fairways were generally good with a few thin spots here and there and a couple that had some aerated sections. The rough was good, cut low and easy to play from. Bunkers not pebbly and well-maintained, but a very coarse desert sand that doesn’t provide much cushion. The greens were just okay. Not very fast and a bit bumpy in places. The practice green was really ugly, but the ones on the course were better. They were pretty receptive as summer desert greens go and I think they will benefit from the upcoming aeration on 7/23.

Gold Canyon Golf Resort Dinosaur Course Gold Canyon Arizona. Hole 18

The facilities here aren’t too impressive at first glance. The driving range is stocked with rock hard yellow balls. The parking is kind of weirdly laid out and things don’t look like a “resort” course facility like what you expect from the top courses in this area. However, once you are on the course, all is good. This is a really fun layout with lots of elevation changes and a great overall look. There’s a flatter stretch in the middle that isn’t super exciting, but everything in the hills is a blast. Depending on the tees you play, it’s not a terribly long course. The fairways are forgiving and the greens are reasonably big without a ton of protection. A lot of mounding around them that is often helpful. The starter warned us that the greens were the main defense here, but I found them fairly easy to read and our group was dropping putts left and right. Definitely seems like a place you can post a great score as long as you stay out of the desert. I can definitely see why this is one of the best-rated public courses in the valley. Recommended.

Posted on July 7, 2018June 30, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Papago Golf Course Phoenix Arizona

Papago Golf Course

Phoenix, AZ

Reviewed by: demarv04, Phoenix

I played Papago for my second round of the day on June 29. Rate was $36. They are doing a lot of construction to get the course ready to be the new home of ASU. The practice area is currently closed and the clubhouse is a temporary trailer. I think when they complete the renovations Papago will be a great place to play. The clubhouse looks amazing.

The Review

I thought Papago was the best conditioned course I’ve played this summer from tee to green. Tee boxes were nice as were the greens and fairways. The normal summer bare spots but nothing to really affect play. Greens were receptive and consistent.

The course is on the long side and definitely challenging. Lots of elevated greens and sand traps. Par fives are a nice challenge as are the variety of par 4s. I can’t imagine playing this course from the tips. One par 3 was 250+ yards!!

Final Thoughts

They provide numerous water stations as well as an ice machine you see twice. A small amenity but nice to have especially this time of year.
Papago is a place to play now based on the conditions I had today.

Posted on June 30, 2018June 13, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Las Sendas Golf Club Mesa Arizona

Las Sendas Golf Club

Mesa, AZ

Reviewed by: sdscratchorbust, Scottsdale
Played here Saturday Morning POP 5 hours. Played a hot deal for $35

The Review

Definitely a poster child course for what you imagine as a Phoenix / Scottsdale desert golf course in the hills. The course is a little dried out as to be expected this time of year. Brown spots in fairways, some dried out area of elevated greens with no cover. The par three tee boxes have a lot of divots. The course is set for aeration next week so these are all standard leading up to a little course TLC.

Aside from the minor blemishes this is a fabulous course. It circles around a couple peaks of a mountain. The par threes here are heavenly. They are all of the shorter variety but are mostly elevated greens into a green cut into the mountain. Some very fun dogleg water holes such as 1 and 18.

The first starts off with the choice of hitting a long iron / hybrid left avoiding the water leaving a 200 yard shot or flying the water to leave a wedge in. The 18th par 5th is very similar. You can lay up left or fly a pond right to leave an iron second shot in.

Many other fun risk reward holes with the choice to layup safely or cut a blind corner over the desert and cacti to leave a wedge in. The course requires strategy and accuracy of the tee if you want to go driver but has generous safe landing areas for a wood/hybrid. The greens are elevated but not overly so. I would say the most challenging aspects is the fairway lies. While this course isn’t overly moundy like a Pete Dye course I noticed I had very few flat lies in the fairway requiring skilled approach shots to shoot well here.

My Thoughts

This is a beautiful demanding course but not brutally hard. Very fun to play I highly recommend it if someone wants to get out of Scottsdale and enjoy a beautiful course. Staff couldn’t be friendlier and they have a great grill and specialize in making from scratch milkshakes which I haven’t seen before.

Posted on June 2, 2018May 29, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review Talking Stick Golf Club (O’odham) Scottsdale Arizona

Talking Stick Golf Club (O’odham)

Scottsdale, AZ

Reviewed by: jciapa02, Mesa, AZ

Played the newly renamed course O’odham (formerly North) for $31 at 2:18 pm on a packed Sunday 05/27.

Setting the Stage

First things first is we called and booked to play the Piipaash (formerly South) because that course is easier and the one my dad wanted to play. Pulling up before the tee time and speaking with the starter, Scott, mentioned to us that Piipaash will be playing slow all day because of the amount of people and O’odham is open, as we looked over at the first tee of Piipaash and there were 2 foursomes waiting. So we took Scott up on the offer and changed courses. I didn’t mind and I think it showed awareness that the starter gave us the choice.

The Review

What Scott mentioned was Piipaash was just host of the Scottsdale Open about a week ago and the course was in “peak” condition. It’s sister course O’odham was this links course was definitely that too. Every tee and fairway was firm and made every shot sit up. The greens were amazingly pure and running around an 11+, really fast compared to most courses pre-summer heat. The bunkers were free of debris and texture good enough to play the shot you wanted regardless of bunker location (there is a lot of them, not Ak-Chin Southern Dunes a lot but there are some tucked away and placed in the fairways).

My Thoughts

The strategy and design of this course is difficult enough to make you grind all day. Not a course per say where you’ll have a lot of triple or bigger for bogeys but it seems like you can never get your footing to score. The first hole is easy and straightforward, however right after you have the hardest hole par 5 second according to women’s handicap and the following par 4 is the hardest hole according to men’s handicap. The first par 3 is a mid-iron bunker guarded green at the 6th. Every shot needs to be calculated (can be thanks to on cart touchscreen GPS) and every 4 foot putt lined up. The holes seems to play off each other well and by the end of the day you realize it’s been an incredibly wearing 18 holes, without any water. Crazy how a course can be difficult without water.

The pace of play (below 4 hours and 10 minutes) and customer service provided makes this course pleasant, while the challenge of the design and landscape makes this a must play in the summer when most won’t drop $150 come Winter/Spring peak.

Editor’s Note: We need photos of this golf course! Help out your fellow GKers and upload some photos HERE!