Some buddies of mine and I are planning a trip to Scottsdale next spring - I haven't been able to convince them to see Apache Stronghold (conditioning and driving distance weigh heavily in their minds), but I have won what I think is an important victory in centering our trip around Talking Stick in lieu of something more expensive and less, well, good. Anyway, everyone will be heading home on Sunday afternoon, and we're looking for a getaway round on Sunday morning which isn't too expensive and is convenient both for Scottsdale and the airport, and I'm thinking the TPC Desert Course might fit the bill, although I know virtually nothing about it. Any thoughts about what we might find there? I'm not after an amazing architectural experience, but if the course is decent, well maintained and good value for money, that's all we're really looking for. Thanks...

Cheers,
Darren

Darren,
   I think that the Desert course might fit what you are looking for for the last round. I played it a few years ago when out in Mesa/Scottsdale, and remember it is a fun little course (the longest tee markers are supposed to be about 6400, but the day we played they weren't out, so it was maybe 5800). It is well maintained and I think you can walk it for a pretty reasonable rate by AZ standards. It's nothing overly special by any means, but it is fairly well maintained and lets you try to score well. The length is probably the biggest drawback if you like more than a drive/wedge type of course however I seem to remember there was some interesting holes, its not just blast away then pitch and putt. You could probably find a better course, but it is a pretty good deal (or was a few years ago at least!).

Papago would be a good choice if you can get a tee time and if the conditions have improved from a few years ago.

wasn't the ASU course a Doak 0?

wasn't the ASU course a Doak 0?

It certainly was, Paul - and that was our sense as well. Probably a perfect course for a good college golf team to practice on, but very little merit for casual play.

Cheers,
Darren

TPC Desert would best fit your bill per your requirements.  Can be busy then.  Not much that time of year of value in that area from the airport through Scottsdale.  As an architect living in the area I struggle to find anything inspiring to play that time of year beyond the select few.  The city of Phx has a gem with Papago, but unfortunately it is tired from all the heavy use though the years and lack of re-investment.  Looking forward to the new C&C course at WeKoPa??  It will be big$$ as well.

I would agree with the majority of the comments posted.  The Desert Course is: a good value, good location, you can walk, generally good condition, short par 70, streches to 6,400 yards, nothing special from a design perspective.  Their rounds have been down the last couple years, therefore they are overseeding the fairways this winter for the first time since at least 1992.  I play there in the winter, please email me if you have more specific questions or need other logistics.