Played as a twosome on August 26th around 11:20am through the course's website for $15. Showed up to the parking lot expecting a cheap round of golf with below average conditions and service well belo... Continue »

Played as a twosome on August 26th around 11:20am through the course's website for $15. Showed up to the parking lot expecting a cheap round of golf with below average conditions and service well below average as well. This course is located in the middle of the Apache Wells residential (hence the name) and is tucked between many houses and through a few access roads to nearby leasing offices. Once you arrive you park in an old, in need of maintenance concrete parking lot. However, that's the end of it. The clubhouse also donned the bar/grille area looks brand new, next to the limited space driving range and a full array of different practice greens/putting greens for your pleasure. The service was ample and we were on our way. The tee boxes, fairways and rough all sat up. The grass clinched your tee on the box, the fairway perched your ball up for any approach shot lucky to hit FIR and the rough did not hide any ball from view however could make you double take if it requires a club up or down depending on its interaction with your ball. The greens looked punched a few weeks ago seemingly with residue of sand in minimal places however the greens were receptive of any play and putted around a 8.5. You needed to strike it well to get it to its destination. The bunkers were soft however a FEW were notably over watered and then baked causing the flaking dirt appearance that dissipated after a suitable raking. The strategy is simple, much akin to the course I previously reviewed in Viewpoint...come here and shoot a score. Off the tee there are ZERO forced carries basically (I counted a minimal one if you were to hit a BUBBA slice over some property fencing) and little hazards in play. The bunkers are front facing into most greens however absent in the rear. The fairways are primarily straight forward with landing areas clearly defined. While the greens are the course's only realistic defense. Any eagle putt I had (three total on the day) I couldn't convert due to the complexities on the greens and minuscule turning. This course is what any sub-5 star course should shoot for. I'd say, if 85% of the Arizona cookie cutter courses attempted to recreate this course's conditions in the summer time, they'd be able to charge higher than they currently do...and people would pay. I don't know how this course avoided burn spots in the fairway, crisp baked greens and unplayable fringe cut, but they did. Don't tell me it's only present in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area big hitting courses to have lush fairways and 3" rough, because Apache Wells can. This isn't a drag on Apache Wells, this is a notice to all golfers. Look for courses that offer amazing conditions rather than popularizing "architecture" because I promise those course's conditions will make the day of play MUCH more enjoyable. I will be back. Often.