2nd stop on my golfing trip thursday march 31st 737am $105 conditions were very nice /played the blue/white rotation with water on 14 of the 18 holes...fairways were a nice thick1/2 inch grass good c... Continue »

2nd stop on my golfing trip thursday march 31st 737am $105 conditions were very nice /played the blue/white rotation with water on 14 of the 18 holes...fairways were a nice thick1/2 inch grass good coverage 9,sand was a beautiful white sand( like goldylocks would say not to soft and not to hard)9, greens rolled true but were faster compared to ak-chin and more than half of the greens had 2 or 3 tiers 9..you would think with all the water that that is the main defense of this course but I firmly believe it is the greens 9/not a typical phoenix desert course more like the Raven but with lots of water..beautiful course lots of fun and looking forward to a return visit highly recomend!

Played Ocotillo (Gold 9 to Blue 9) for $50 on Friday June 5th around 8:06am on a beautiful mid-90's June summer day in AZ. Driving up to the course the parking spaces are ample for this 27 hole comple... Continue »

Played Ocotillo (Gold 9 to Blue 9) for $50 on Friday June 5th around 8:06am on a beautiful mid-90's June summer day in AZ. Driving up to the course the parking spaces are ample for this 27 hole complex that hosts many other events than just golf. This Mickelson golf property (one of the few in AZ not private) has present staff at bag drop, two rangers and a good not great clubhouse. The driving range (not included in the tee time any longer) is a good size, I didn't use it but it looked in decent shape. There's two practice putting greens scattered in front of the bar/grille area and they're similar to the course's greens for a good intro pre-round.

Onto the course conditions; absent of rain the course was rather soaked throughout. I overheard there was a city championship coming here and they were definitely trying to green the course up. The tee boxes were lush and overgrown in some areas, no major divot damage except par 3's, with ample space to find grass however. The fairways were generally in good/decent shape however throughout some of the areas you could find yourself begging for more grass as there were some dried out burn spots. The rough was present even though around this course there's more water hazards than penal rough. The bunkers were of good consistency, not muddy but not tour fluff/soft bunker sand. The greens held their own, a few pitch marks and fringe problems on a few greens. They were slow/soft but a breeze to putt on nonetheless.

This course is one of the most inconsistent courses I know of, one month it can be picturesque and the next visit will be like today where it's definitely playable but it's not exquisite. I know I'm nitpicking (like with the fringe and fairway burn spots in non-landing areas) but a complex of this caliber and management, I expect more. It's a fun day for sure and I have a sense of sentimental feelings towards this place but for the prices charged there's still better shape and quality courses in Arizona.

Played on a beautiful September 6th Friday for a 10:48am tee time. Booked off the course's website for $37 which does not anymore include range balls. The bag drop assistant was present and pulled the... Continue »

Played on a beautiful September 6th Friday for a 10:48am tee time. Booked off the course's website for $37 which does not anymore include range balls. The bag drop assistant was present and pulled the cart around near the pro shop after we paid. The starter told us we were playing Gold to Blue combination and we were off on our way. The course was empty except for about 5 groups or so, but the cart girl was servicing us until after 1:00 pm which was near the end of our round. We finished in 3 hours and 40 minutes. Good pace for midday.

The course conditions were far exceeding what we experienced when I played a few months ago. The tee boxes were all pristine setting up a great visual into green and lush fairways and rough surroundings. The fairways were all very clean, sitting any ball that found the fairway up in a great lie. The rough was long all day; they even seemed a bit layered in the way the US Open has graduating rough the more you miss the fairway. I noticed that about 10 yards from the fairway the rough was reaching up to the top of my shoes, I loved the look and play. The fairway bunkers and green side bunkers were all superb with no over-watering present and they didn't seem hard at all (I wasn't in one all day thankfully but my dad was, he never complained of unplayable conditions). The greens, wow. I remember playing this course a year or two ago and they were horrendous; one day they'd be burnt out and covered in bare spots and the next they'd be shaggy and running at around a 5 on the stimp. Not today, they were clean, fast and receptive to every shot imaginable. Any putt stayed on the line it started on and was a joy to putt on all day.

This course is amazing when it's in the shape it was in today (Friday). Every hole looked how the course's website presents itself. We were both amazed at the shape it was in as we've been playing this course for over a decade now and it WAS on the decline these past few years, but today. Man. I'd pay over $50 in September if it stayed in this shape. Bravo to the efforts and money put into this place and hopefully in the fall/winter they don't lose it because I'm looking forward to returning quickly.

I played 36 at Ocotillo, Friday, 7/12. We teed off as a twosome around 845 for the first 18 and were done by around 4. Starting rate was $40 with the replay at $20. The course had very little play ... Continue »

I played 36 at Ocotillo, Friday, 7/12. We teed off as a twosome around 845 for the first 18 and were done by around 4. Starting rate was $40 with the replay at $20. The course had very little play going on with temperatures in the 110 range throughout the day. I was surprised to see the beverage cart out all day long even with the limited amount of play going on. Customer service was good from what we encountered.
It's a small thing but a course at this price point and with the reputation Ocotillo has should not charge for range balls. They used to a few years ago but have changed that policy in recent years. The range itself was in good shape with plenty of grass to use.
The course was in normal summer condition for July in Arizona. Fairways were bare throughout. Bunkers were all in good condition with plenty of sand and provided plenty of challenge during the round. A few tees were not level or placed in a weird spot. The greens were definitely the highlight of the course. They were very receptive and well struck shots stuck with minimal roll out.
We played the Blue/White combo as Gold was closed for aeration. I'm not a big fan of the white course as it only has one layup par 5 and numerous layup par 4s. Water comes in to play on numerous holes.
The condition of the course makes it a good play right now.

As a follow up to my previous review for Ocotillo we returned to play, the exact same threesome, to play this course on September 2nd, 2018 around 11 o'clock for $30. We didn't return in the time allo... Continue »

As a follow up to my previous review for Ocotillo we returned to play, the exact same threesome, to play this course on September 2nd, 2018 around 11 o'clock for $30. We didn't return in the time allowed for the previously mentioned "improved promise voucher" but the price was right and we decided to revisit.

This review is strictly going to harp on conditions as I've review APLENTY for strategy and service review. Now...the conditions in comparison to early July to middle of August were vastly VASTLY improved. Are they perfect? No. But the bare spots in the fairway almost requiring pick-clean-place in nearest grass is no more. The rough was still "short" but penal if in the thick-er than fairway stuff. The bunkers were also improved, machine raked fairway bunkers and green side bunkers soft for the occasional (rare) up and downs. The greens were the among the largest of pieces of this place improved. The bare spots disappeared, seemed extremely softer and more watered. The greens actually rolled true as opposed to a guessing game; on these crazy curvatures greens that is needed.

The course definitely improved quite a bit, but it's a bit away from flawless as Ocotillo pictures themselves as being. They've laid new sod, placed a lot of time and effort in the small things and continue to water even in the middle of the day. So I'm hopeful it'll only continue to be better.

Played July 1, for a riding rate of $37 around 11:15am. Course was lightly packed with golfers on the Sunday before 4th of July however the clubhouse, cart girl and cart guys were quick on the ball wi... Continue »

Played July 1, for a riding rate of $37 around 11:15am. Course was lightly packed with golfers on the Sunday before 4th of July however the clubhouse, cart girl and cart guys were quick on the ball with service when needed. This course recently was purchased by the Phil Mickelson group taking over the Troon managed Troon 'South' and the service was slightly lacking compared to Troon. What was noticeable, SMALL but noticed, were the corners being cut for profit. Here's what my group noticed: range balls aren't free with round anymore, they're $5-$10 depending on size (that's a HUGE deal for me) , no name printed on pencils or tees, yardage sheet not provided with every cart and lack of family based deals on course. Again, these are Troon specials I know, however, this course cuts corners for profit now.

The course conditions were...to be fair, well below average on the fairways (half expected due to weather and they did mention this when we called into book tee time) however the tee boxes, greens and rough/bunkers were average if not above average slightly. While money has been pumped into some aspects of the course, they haven't paid off yet (the figure is somewhere in the millions to my sources) and still are recovering. I would be strictly appalled if they hadn't been so forthcoming because I wouldn't pay $37 but more around $25.

The strategy is still this course's bright and shinning star. Take driver on a few holes but most shots off tee are placement for your approach into the most likely island green (24 of 27 holes on complex have water, somewhere) and well bunkered native area elsewhere. The greens are complex and often multi-tiered while challenging, require a good wedge shot most times with two putts being vital for a good score. Fun course and a breath of fresh air when all that is here in the valley is desert golf or imitation of links.

Great play and design, needs a while to see if the new management can revive this green oasis to what it was in the not so distant past. Do appreciate, the course's transparency in offering a $20 off a tee time including one guest by September due to the current conditions. Shows they are confident it will recover!

I met up with my old Vegas work buddy for some golf. He was in town from the Sacramento area to play in a club volleyball tournament. We had played a lot of golf together while working in Sin City, an... Continue »

I met up with my old Vegas work buddy for some golf. He was in town from the Sacramento area to play in a club volleyball tournament. We had played a lot of golf together while working in Sin City, and since then we’ve tried to get together once a year for a golf getaway. We previously hit Mesquite/St. George, SoCal, Bend (OR), Paso Robles, and the Central Valley.

Ocotillo was our final Round 4 at 8:15am on Thursday, 3/1/18. We played the White/Gold rotation, from the White tees. We got a good $55 members rate for our morning start. This course was very different from the others (Las Sendas, Papago, and Raven) in that it is grass and water, period. Water on 14 of the 18 holes – some that must be carried or played along, some that you tee over, some that is farther from the line of play. And lots of grass – fairways are pretty generous and most holes allow for optional lines of play. It’s like Florida in the Arizona desert.

Conditions were good. Fairways and greens were lush – we had good lies, few ballmarks due to green firmness, greens rolling smoothly at medium+ speeds. Tees were large, flat, and in good shape. Rough was 2-3” and required your attention. Sand was a mixed bag, with some being fine, and others having only a thin playing layer over a hard-packed base.

From the White tees driver may be taken out of your hands due to proximity or runoffs to water – take a good look at the yardage card provided. No GPS, but some sprinklers are marked. Many greens are significantly angled to the fairway, so even on some of the shorter holes being on the correct side of the fairway makes approach shots much less stressful. And watch out for those green tiers, especially if you are putting back to front!

Phil Mickelson’s management group recently bought Ocotillo, and members here get access to some of the very pricey private clubs in the Phoenix/Tucson area that Phil’s group also own. Service at the bag drop and in the command center/shop was courteous and efficient. Saw the cart girl numerous times and food and service in the grill afterward were very good.

Good for a relaxed play as long as you can control your ball. Recommended.

Many thanks to several GKers in the Phoenix area who provided suggestions on where to play, given our restrictive geographic and cost criteria. We tried to get a mix of course types so we weren’t playing the same type of course over and over again. Thanks to chilipalmer99, dcoachl, bmcnicoll, sbarajasjr, and UNCLEDDBOY23 for suggesting great venues.

Played Ocotillo (Gold course to White Course) at 2:13 pm on August 3, 2017 for a total with tax from their website for $31. Range balls are included, cart has a nice sized cooler on side full of ice. ... Continue »

Played Ocotillo (Gold course to White Course) at 2:13 pm on August 3, 2017 for a total with tax from their website for $31. Range balls are included, cart has a nice sized cooler on side full of ice. The employees were welcoming and ease of communication.

This course has recently been bought by Phil Mickelson's group; one nine (I believe the White course) have been re surfaced and worked on (notice I didn't say any remodeling) and reopened for play. The grass on tee boxes, to fairways and rough were growing back well. No bumpiness or bare spots to be seen really on the White. The greens throughout were very nice however played extremely slow, something other reviewers have thoroughly mentioned and it continues to be a weak spot. They are currently renovating Blue course and it seems Gold may be last.

As the way the course played on this overcast monsoon afternoon in Chandler, the fairways provided great roll. The tee boxes were lush and easy to grasp a tee and perfectly level (a flaw they used to be cursed with). The bunkers were fluffy and seemed well maintained without over watering. The greens were long and slow, but the fringe and surrounding areas were actually tight firm grass as opposed to what they were less than a year ago and that was burnt out rough sod with roots showing of the rolls of turf they were trying to regrow. The gold course did show signs of bare spots and spare rough along side the fairways but the greens and tee boxes were consistent with the other 9 holes on White.

Overall, the course was in great shape for being maintenance and improved, conditions should be on the up and up...hopefully the prices don't skyrocket with them.

*NOTICE: THE RANGE WILL BE CLOSED STARTING AUGUST 7TH, 2017 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE* this was on a sign visible when approaching the range on my day of visit.

We played 36 at Ocotillo on 7/29 teeing off around 850. The course was busy in the morning and wide open in the afternoon. Fee was $39 with a $10 replay round. I thought it was a great deal at a hi... Continue »

We played 36 at Ocotillo on 7/29 teeing off around 850. The course was busy in the morning and wide open in the afternoon. Fee was $39 with a $10 replay round. I thought it was a great deal at a high quality course. We played the Gold/White combo.
Range balls are included in the fee and the range was nice with good quality balls and plenty of space.
They were running about ten minutes behind in the morning and the round seemed to take a long time but we were done in about 4 hours and 15 minutes so not horrible. The second round went fast with not many people on the course.
The course was in really good shape save for some bare spots but it's to be expected in Arizona in the summer. Tee boxes were well conditioned and easy to get a tee into. Some divot damage and bare spots but overall good. The fairways were good. Greens were on the slow side for both nines. You really had to hit your putt to give it a chance to get in the hole. The only negative on the course was the sand. Some traps had nice fluffy sand to hit out of and some were hard pan gravel.
The combination of nines was fun with some fun holes and good variety. The course was a good value and was easy to get to from anywhere in the valley. I definitely recommend playing this course at this time.