TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course - Course review

    Source; www.tpc.com/scottsdale

 

Look who’s back, BurghGolfer is Back…..Nah Nah, Nah.  Ok, I am no Eminem but I felt it is appropriate since I have not posted a Blog on this site in a LONG time.  It is not that I have lacked things to say, I have just been busy. 

So, I wanted to start back by writing a few course reviews from our recent Annual Spring Golf Trip.  We went to Scottsdale again this year and played four great courses.  As we have done in the past we played TPC Scottsdale on the final day.  Once again, we had awesome spring weather, 70’s at tee off and low 80’s throughout the round. 

I have to say I love playing this golf course.  First, it is cool to play a great golf course that the pros play each year.  Second, the TPC is a very “playable” golf course for the average player.  What do I mean by that?  The course is right in front of you.  There are few blind tee shots, hidden fairway bunkers, etc.  Second, the forecaddies are great.  I love playing golf with a caddie, but if you cannot have a full caddie the Forecaddie is the next best thing. 

We have all seen the bleachers on TV of the 40,000 fans on the par 3 sixteenth.  So, the staff has told us on two different occasions that it takes three months to put the bleachers up on that hole and two months to take them down.  Can you imagine all that effort for the 5 days the players are there?

Another thing I like about the course is that it is a second shot golf course.  As I mentioned the course is right in front of you off the tee.  However,   you really need to know where to hit your second and approach shots into the green.  For example, on 18, I bombed a drive off the tee and only had 117 into the green.  I was in between clubs and the caddy reminded me to stay right of the pin to avoid the slope.  I did listen to him however; I hit my 52 degree wedge harder than normal and pull my second shot.  This led to a difficult first putt which I left 10 short of the hole.  Which I went on to miss and three putted.

In my normal course reviews I talk about the golf course, driving range, facilities, pro shop and service.  However, for this review all I can say is that it is world class.  It has everything you could want, need or desire in a public golf course.  The staff is exceptional, the pro shop is fully stocked and if you need to work on your game there is no better range.

Sadly, they are about to redesign the TPC course starting in April 2014.  Not that I am opposed to changes to the course but it will never be the same again.  So, they will be closed for 8 months while the renovation takes place.  I am sure the redesigned TPC will be just as fun and challenging as the original.

Troon North Course Review

www.tripadvisor.com



           This is the second in a series of three course reviews from our recent Arizona golf trip.  On day two we played the world-renowned Troon North Golf Club.  Troon North features two world class golf courses; the Monument and Pinnacle.  We played the Monument Course on this outing.  The Monument Course plays to a yardage of 7,070, has a course rating of 72.9 and a slope of 147 from the Black Tees.  We chose to play the Gold Tees.  The Gold stats are: yardage - 6,716; course rating - 71.6; and slope of 137.  It was still quite a challenge from these tee boxes.

Troon North, like most great desert courses, is first class all the way.  This facility has every amenity a golfer could want.  They have a wonderful driving range and putting green that players can use to knock the rust off.  They also have a fully stocked golf shop with anything you might need in case you under packed.  If your foursome is looking for a facility that offers a great place to practice, as well as a great golf experience, you cannot go wrong with Troon North.

One of the features that impressed me the most about Troon North was that it is a true championship golf course.  This course will challenge you in every aspect of the game.  Although the greens were a little on the slow side the day we played, you can tell they can make them quite challenging for a tournament setting.  The only element of the course that I did not prefer was the surrounding residential subdivisions which took away from the natural views.  However,  I realize that in modern golf course planning, expensive homes dotting the fairways is a given.  Even with that I still loved the layout.

One element that you need to be wary of on this course is that there are a lot of forced carries off of the tee boxes.  So, if you struggle off the tee or are a short hitter be sure and take plenty of golf balls.  There are rattlesnake warning signs positioned around the course, so you might not want to go searching for your lost ball in every instance.

The Monument course has a great variety of holes.  There are challenging par 3s, reachable par 5s and long par 4s.  My favorite par five on the course was the eleventh which played to 504 yards.  This may sound like a short par five but it is straight uphill the entire way and has a pretty daunting tee shot.  The tee shot is framed by large boulders and has a fairly lengthy carry to get to the fairway.  I also really enjoyed the par three 13^th which played to 206 yards. This hole is bordered by a lake on the right and plays at least one club downhill.  It offers a large green and a generous approach area where you can run the ball in from the front.  The miss is short or left where you also have a number of chipping options.

All in all there are many great holes on this course and it is a must play if you get to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. 

Send us a comment if you have ever played Troon North; we would love to hear your feedback.

WE-KO-PA Course Review

source: www.findthebest.com



           I recently had the opportunity to play WE-KO-PA Golf Course in Arizona.  WE-KO-PA is located about twenty five minutes northeast of Scottsdale.  WE-KO-PA offers two courses to play; the Saguaro and Cholla.  Both courses are named after a variety of Cactus that is native to the area and that can be found throughout the course.  Just a little trivia I learned during my round.

We played the Cholla course and teed off in the early afternoon.  The course is situated beautifully amongst the natural desert landscape and offers tremendous desert and mountain views.  Several tee boxes set atop mounds and knolls with breathtaking views of the natural landscape.  In my experience, most desert courses are relatively flat and are surrounded by residential subdivisions.  Although you do see homes from the course, the fairways are not lined with them.  As far as natural beauty goes, this course is hard to beat.

Upon our arrival we were greeted at the bag drop by very courteous staff members willing to help us out.  They loaded our bags and directed us to the pro shop.  Like most courses in this area during the season, the pro shop is fully stocked and has a great variety of apparel options.  After check in we headed to the driving range to warm up.  The range was natural grass and offered plenty of flag distances to hit to.  The balls are included in the greens fee so you do not have to purchase them in the pro shop.

The Cholla Course offers five sets of tee boxes making it playable for all level of players.  We started off playing the combination tees which were a mixture of white and purple tees.  However, after the second hole we decided to play the purple tees the remainder of the round.  The purple tees are just in front of the championship tees and behind the men’s tees (white).  I found this course very playable and not to brutal off the tee.  There is plenty of trouble off the tee on certain holes but it is not overly demanding.  In fact, one of the things I liked most about this course is that it was very playable.  We found that we could relax, enjoy the views and just play.  I was able to hit a combination of three woods and drivers on the par four holes which are always fun.  All in all, it was a great day, the golf course lived up to its reputation and I will certainly go back.  The next time we play, I will try the Saguaro course to mix it up.

If you get to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and loved to play desert golf this is a must try. Before I close, I have to give props to the staff at WE-KO-PA.  Throughout the day every staff member we came into contact with was professional, courteous and helpful.   

We also played Troon North and the TPC Stadium Course on this trip which will be upcoming course reviews. 

If you have played WE-KO-PA leave us your comments.

Blue Tip Golf Course, Grand Cayman -Review

Before I get to the course review I have to sing the praise of the property.  We recently had the opportunity to stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman for vacation.  Before we arrived for our stay we had heard wonderful things about the resort, beach, property and service.  I am happy to report that not only was the property absolutely beautiful but the service was unmatched. 

On the property there is a nine hole Greg Norman designed Golf Course called Blue Tip.  I walked over to the course the day before I was to play to check out the pro shop and get acquainted with the layout.  As I always do on vacation I like to visit the pro shop to see what they have available and what the inventory is like.  For a resort course pro shop I was impressed with the inventory selection as well as the quality of the merchandise.  You can buy pretty much anything you need for a round of golf, with a variety of styles, colors and brands.  If you forget to pack your golf clothes do not worry they can fully outfit you for the round.

One disappointing aspect of the course was that they do not have a driving range.  That is not really a surprise since the island is not very big and space is at a premium.  However, you can warm up by hitting balls into a net next to the pro shop before you drive out to the first tee.  Near the first tee they do have a nice putting and chipping area where you can get a feel for the speed of the greens as well as, the grain.  Like most island courses I have played the grass on the greens is Bermuda which can stand up to the intense heat.  I recommend hitting a few chips and putts to become familiar with the direction of the grain before heading to the course.  Understanding the grain direction will make putting the greens much easier.  Since I did not bring my clubs I rented a set of Taylor Made woods and irons.  They have clubs for men/ women, right/ left handed and even stiff/ regular shafts.

The first thing I noticed was that Blue Tip was not your regular, lay down resort course.  This Norman design will get your attention from the first tee and challenge you throughout the nine.  The first three holes are quite challenging with plenty of water lining the fairways and greens.  There are no real bailout areas on any of these holes.  If you miss the fairway one direction you end up in the water.  If you miss on the otherside you will be in the shrubs or OB.  Most resort courses provide the player with inwardly sloping fairways to keep the ball in play.  Not here, if you miss the fairway on the wrong side the rough actually slopes away from the fairway and into trouble.  There are a number of very good holes on this course and the ninth hole is an island green that plays dead into the prevailing wind.  See photo above.

Although Blue Tip is only nine holes is has the feel of an eighteen hole layout.  With a variety of tee boxes you can play one set on the front nine and a different set on the back.  Also, please bring plenty of golf balls as you will need them.  With water on eight of the nine holes it does not take long to lose them.

If you have the chance to play Blue Tip I highly recommend it as you will not be disappointed and will definitely be challenged. 

Doral Golf Resort & Spa- Golf Course Review

I had the opportunity to visit the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami last week. I was there for our annual guy’s golf trip which we take each spring to kick off the golf season. After a long winter with limited play it is a nice break from the heavy clothes and cold weather.

The Doral Golf Resort and Spa is a full service resort facility. It has newly renovated guest rooms, great restaurants, spa facilities and of course, great golf. The facility is known for the “TPC Blue Monster” as it hosts the WGC Cadillac Championship. The WGC event was held the prior week so the course was still in championship form, the grandstands were still in place and it felt like a tour event. So, it was cool to play the course under those conditions.

TPC Blue Monster –We played the TPC Blue Monster out of the gate on day one. We would have preferred to get a round in before tackling the Blue but tee times did not allow it. As you would expect from a PGA site, it was a great golf course. We played the blue tees which stretched the course to 6701 yards. A forecaddie is required to play the Blue Monster so do not be surprised when they show up on the first tee. With the constant winds that blew the Blue was a tough test after a few months away from the game. There is a great variety of holes on the course and the par threes are quite difficult. Most holes have sand and water or both, so take plenty of balls before tackling the Blue. The golf course has very thick, coarse Bermuda rough throughout. So, you get some very difficult lies off the fairways and around the greens. Finally, it is quite a sight to stand on the 18th tee and look down the fairway. With water all along the left side of the hole it is quite a challenge. I managed to make par on 18 so that was a quite a thrill.

McLean Signature Course- We played the McLean Course on day two. The course stretches 6602 yards from the blue tees and is quite tight in spots. The McLean Course is completely different that the Blue Monster or Great White. It is a more traditional golf course that sets in and around homes. It has the feel of a Golf Course Community but is still a great golf course. The course is known for its “Bermuda Triangle” holes 13 through 15. It was my least favorite of all three courses but I would still recommend playing it.

The Great White- We played The Great White Course on the final day and for many of us it was our favorite. It is a Greg Norman design and is a unique course in two ways. First, there is no rough on the golf course. Second, The Great White Course is the only golf course of its kind in the Southeastern United States that utilizes coquina – crushed shells. So, if you miss the fairway you find yourself in these shells quite a bit. The shells make up large waste areas all over the course and they offer compact, tight lies. The course has a desert feel and a large number of King Palm Trees lining many of the fairways. I have never played golf in the Middle East but it has that look and feel. We found the golf course quite difficult and it was pretty wind the day we played. Our forecaddie told us that the course is not usually that windy. So, needless to say it was a difficult day but a lot of fun.

source; doralresort.com



Grand Cypress Orlando, FL Course Review

Grand Cypress is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. The course has four nines; North, South, East and New Courses. A few days ago, I played the North-South courses; it was an enjoyable round.


The first thing you notice when driving into the facility is the water. There is water all over the golf course so bring a lot of balls. I took a sleeve of Pro V’s and managed to get through the round without buying more. At $18 per sleeve, I was not too excited about dropping $6 per ball.

There is a very nice practice facility to hit a few balls and warm up before your round. They also have a food and beverage cart floating around with plenty of snacks, drinks and very good sandwiches.

The blue tees on the North and South courses are very playable. There is a set of championship tees behind the blues and will stretch the course to near 7,000 yards. Most holes offer generous landing areas on the opposite side of trouble. In typical Nicklaus fashion there are plenty of left to right holes with forced carries.

A few of the holes have very sharp doglegs to the right with a significant carry across water. Jack’s course design gives you the chance to shave as much as you want off of the hole, but you’ll need to carry the ball anywhere from 240 to 270 yards. If you successfully carry the water, you will have a very short approach shot. If you play safe and away from the water, there will be a very long approach shot into the green. As with most Florida courses there are many bunkers and Bermuda grass greens. The greens are a modest speed, which you would expect from a resort course. Because the greens have a significant amount of grain, you have to pay attention to the direction of the grain or will have a long day on the greens.

The clubhouse has a fully stocked pro shop and golf attire is required. I did not have my clubs and rented Nike woods and irons. Even though the shafts were stiff, the driver shaft was not stiff enough. It took about six holes to get used to the flex; so if you are a low handicap player or a player with a lot of speed you will need to slow it down. Otherwise, be prepared for big hooks like I did on the first few holes. In addition, the golf carts have a very sophisticated GPS system with flyover views of each hole before you get to the tee. This really helps to speed up play and there is no need to walk around trying to determine a yardage.

For after the round the clubhouse has a very nice lounge where you can get some great food and drinks.

Overall, it was a very good experience and I would definitely go back to Grand Cypress again. If you are in Orlando and are looking for a very nice resort course, I do recommend Grand Cypress. I know you will enjoy the round and the facility.

Source; fcwtgolf.com Grand Cypress Golf

Tierra Del Sol Golf Resort Aruba - Course Review

I had the opportunity to play the Tierra Del Sol Golf Club this past week while in Aruba. Tierra Del Sol was designed by American Golf Course Architect Robert Trent Jones II. It is the only 18-hole Championship Golf Course in Aruba. The resort is on the north side of the island and lies along the coastline. It offers some spectacular views of the Caribbean and several high vantage points to take advantage of the sights. I would recommend bringing the camera along if you play the course as you will have the opportunity for some nice photos. Or, in my case I brought my wife who is my official vacation photographer. The course is a short five to ten minute ride from the main high rise hotels area of Aruba. So, if you are staying in the northern part of the island near Palm Beach it is a quick trip.

The resort offers not only golf but also accommodations on the property should you wish to rent a home or villa during your stay. Tierra Del Sol has a full clubhouse and well stocked pro shop. They have everything you might need including; shorts, shirts, balls, rental clubs, etc. In my case, I forgot my socks so had to pick up a pair. I was even able to rent some stiff shafted Nike woods and irons for my round which was pretty impressive. Most courses only offer regular shafts in rental clubs. There is not much in the way of locker facilities so show up to the course prepared to play in golf attire.

The course does not offer much in the way of practice facilities either. The website indicates a full length driving range but I was reaching the end of it with a 3 wood and it is downhill so it cannot be more that 250 yards in length. The driving range is little more than a pasture with some sparse, rough grass on a sand base. If you show up preparing to beat a bunch of balls to loosen the muscles you will be sadly disappointed. They also have a very limited putting and chipping area. However, it is sufficient to warm up and take a few swings.

The course itself offers four sets of tees and measures 6,811 yards from the Championship. That may not sound terribly long but it is - for one good reason. Wind, wind and more wind. If you ever read anything about the island of Aruba you will quickly learn it is a windy place. In addition, the island itself is a desert landscape. So, that results in a golf course on the coast, with cactus and very few trees completely exposed to the wind. The wind blows at 15-20 mph constantly and can gust up to 30 mph at times. So, that is an element you need to be prepared to face. Most holes offer very generous landing zones off the tee to help compensate for the wind.

The wind even effects putting. Since the greens are Bermuda you have to factor in grain as well as the wind on every putt.

Overall the course is very playable and is challenging enough to play more than once. So, if you are staying on the resort property or in a nearby hotel you will enjoy playing this course and taking in some amazing vistas.

Enjoy

http://www.tierradelsol.com/



TPC Piper Glen

I had the opportunity to play the TPC Piper Glen Golf Club this spring. The TPC Piper Glen is located in Charlotte North Carolina and is a terrific golf course in a magnificent setting. The TPC is a championship golf course designed by Arnold Palmer that is very playable for all skill levels. The course can stretch from 4,771 yards at the Forward Tees to 6,901 yards from the Championship Tees. So, there are a number of options for players of all skill levels to choose from.

The course has a nice variety of geographical features and elevation changes. Many of the holes are tree-lined with plenty of lakes and water features. The water features provide beauty and challenge as they are strategically placed. Most of the holes are fairly generous off the tee. However, many of the green complexes are well-protected with sand and water. This makes positioning off of the tee important and knowing your yardages into the green imperative.

In addition to a fantastic design, the setting is beautiful. Even though the course is surrounded by custom and executive homes, it still feels very peaceful and tranquil. It is listed as one mile from the city center in an urban environment, although you would never know it during a round.

The driving range is first rate, as you would expect at a Tournament Players Club facility. In addition to the teeing ground, they offer a separate short game area and bunker complex. This is where I need to spend more time, especially practicing in the bunkers. Whether you are looking to just warm up or seriously practice, this facility will fit the bill.

In addition to the golf course, the clubhouse and pro shop are very professional and well stocked. If you are looking for a gift to take home as a souvenir or golf attire you will not be disappointed. The locker room is complete with lockers (get a locker key from the pro shop) and full amenities.

There is a lot of history at this club so take a few minutes to look at the photos and take a look around.

If you ever get the opportunity to play TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte, don’t pass up the chance. You will surely be challenged, and don’t get distracted by the gorgeous scenery.

Hole 14

source; tpcpiperglen.com

Olde Stonewall Golf Club

I recently had the opportunity to play Olde Stonewall Golf Club in Ellwood City, PA. Olde Stonewall is located about forty miles northwest of downtown Pittsburgh. I have always wanted to play this golf course because I've heard so many good things about it. It has also received industry recognition by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest as one of the best public courses. Needless to say, the golf course and facility did not disappoint.

The course is very challenging ,offering five sets of tees ranging from 5,241 to 7,103 yards. It is set up for every level of player from the beginner to a championship golfer. It suits the eye off the tee and offers some very challenging approach shots into well protected greens. The player will have to contend with sand, water, trees and streams. If you are a beginner player this is a course where you will want to bring a few extra balls because there are many chances to lose them.

The golf course itself sits on a very large piece of property and covers a lot of ground. It is not a golf course one could walk because there are great elevation changes, as well as long distance between greens and tees on a number of holes. This adds to the charm of the property because you have access to some great views and vistas. While the front nine is mainly at lower elevations, the back nine is entirely different. That back nine winds up and down the hillsides and back into the valleys. Many of the tee boxes sit on top of ridges and into the hillsides, providing great opportunities to snap photos. A number of our playing partners commented on how beautiful the course must be in the fall as the leaves change color. I would agree it would be a fantastic course to play in early to mid September. In this part of the country, late September to early October is typically the peak season for fall foliage.

The course was in beautiful condition, with nicely manicured fairways and greens. In addition, the greens rolled very true and the putts held their lines. To me, that is always a good sign of a great golf course.

They also have an adequate locker room facility should you wish to take a shower, clean up after the round or store your attire in case you want to change before dinner.

Finally, we had an opportunity have dinner in their restaurant Shakespeare’s. The food was fantastic and the service was very first rate. They had an extensive menu of food and drink that you do not typically find at a Golf Club. So, when you leave the property, you will not have only had a fantastic round of golf on a beautiful course, you will also enjoyed a great meal in a fine dining facility.

So, if you ever have the opportunity to play Olde Stonewall, take advantage of it. You will be hard pressed to find many courses more beautiful to play in Western Pennsylvania.