Posted on April 3, 2020April 2, 2020 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Encanto Golf Course Phoenix Arizona

Encanto Golf Course (18)

Golf Course Review Encanto Golf Course Phoenix Arizona

Reviewed by: demarv04, Phoenix

I got out to Encanto in the afternoon with a 2:30 tee time. Rate was $45 with cart. The course wasn’t full but a number of players were out. They have taken protective measures in the clubhouse and on the course. A plexiglass window separates you from the pro shop attendant. No sand bottles on the carts, no rakes in the bunkers and the holes all had foam inside to keep you from reaching all the way into the cup.

I was paired up with two walkers and pace was good all round. Didn’t have to wait besides the group in front of us waiting for players to clear the green before teeing off on a few holes.

Conditions were fair throughout. The fairways had good grass coverage with few bare spots. Anything off the fairway was a crap shoot. No rough to speak of but lots of weeds, dirt and bare spots. The greens were all consistent and putted well during the round. Bunkers were good with plenty of sand.

As I’ve reviewed before, the course isn’t overly challenging with plenty of chances to score but some holes will sneak up on you. Right now, Encanto is a good place for a fun and stress free round.

Posted on March 28, 2020March 24, 2020 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Wildfire Golf Club PALMER Phoenix Arizona

Wildfire Golf Club (Palmer)

Golf Course Review Wildfire Golf Club PALMER Phoenix Arizona

Reviewed by: sdscratchorbust, Scottsdale

Since the ladies didn’t tear it up I’d figure I’d splurge for the $100 twilight and play Wildfire Palmer last Saturday at 2:30. I needed to clear my head and was able to walk solo and enjoy a beautiful day in Phoenix.

Following the cancellation of Founders the course has been let go a tad from tour level. The greens, tee boxes, and bunkers are still mint carpet. When they properly fill and level all bunkers for pro events it really shows. I felt like hitting in the front right greenside bunker a lot that day. The bunkers’ depth and consistency were amazing. Helps explain how the pros can be so precise out the bunkers. The fairways were starting to dry but still 9/10. No longer pro carpet. The rough wasn’t being maintained and wasn’t a consistent dormant Bermuda (Obviously nitpicking)

This is a really fun course. At the end of the day it’s still a resort course. While no pushover there isn’t much danger to get into here. I always love playing here. I feel it’s a tad over priced. But It’s convenient and always top notch service and never overcrowded.

Posted on February 13, 2020February 19, 2020 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Foothills Golf Club Phoenix Arizona

Foothills Golf Club

Golf Course Review Foothills Golf Club Phoenix Arizona

Reviewed by: jamesg18015, Phoenix, AZ

I played Foothills on New Year’s Day 2020, around 10:50am on a teeoff.com deal time for around $45 after promo code and tax. Paired with three other randoms on the same deal. POP was about 3.5 hours, the course was not busy at all, didn’t really catch anyone until the last few holes. Carts were fairly new, course does appear walkable but with maybe 2 longer green-tee hikes, and I did see a twosome walking.

This course and its “sister course” nearby, Ahwatukee CC, have a bit of a local reputation for being scruffy and water-starved under their current owner, who also owned the two other courses in Ahwatukee that closed down in the past few years (Club West and Ahwatukee Lakes).

The Review

The tees, fairways, and greens were actually in pretty good condition. One member of the group said he plays the course often, and it is in the best shape he’s seen it in after some serious conditioning problems in the past few years. The cart attendant had also mentioned they basically lost the greens last summer. They seem to have made a nice comeback. That being said, everything more than 15 yards off the fairways just looks awful and scruffy, even the retaining walls bordering the homes on the course all have peeling/missing paint, are falling apart, lots of weeds, etc. The dormant rough also does not extend very far out from the fairway on most holes and turns into sandy/weedy areas. These off-fairway conditions don’t bother me much, but I know they do turn off some people, especially if paying winter rack rate of $70+.

The greens were deceptively fast, and rolled smoother than their appearance would have suggested. One thing I did like about the conditioning is that they left the dormant rough cut fairly high around the greens, so one could easily get under the ball and hit high lofted pitches; most local courses shave these down (or they get matted down from traffic) and are like hitting off a sidewalk.

I’d play it again when in the area but probably would not make a special trip from my home 40 minutes away.

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 April 16, 2018April 12, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review Lookout Mountain Golf Club Phoenix Arizona

Lookout Mountain Golf Club

Phoenix, AZ

Reviewed by: ghattock, kansas city
Played in late March while there on vacation.

Thought the staff was very friendly. Our three-some was paired with a single.

Teed off on time and pace of play was good. Course was in great shape I thought. Played 5 rounds out there this trip and it was probably my 2nd favorite course out of the 5. Played 6500 yards from blues. Hit driver 7 times. 3 woods and hybrids were sufficient off some to keep it in play. I have played almost 20 courses in the area and this I consider was in top half of those I have played.

It’s an enjoyable course with lot of elevation change. If you’re looking for a true ‘desert’ course this is probably not it, but does have a few nice views of the mountains.