Review Date
September 30, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: daemonizer, Shoots in the 80s

Summary:
I visited StoneRidge in late September 2009. I was so impressed by this facility- it is one of the best public golf values in the state. The rate of $39 included the greens fees, a cart, and a good lunch.
Practice Area: The practice area was good. The putting green was large and in excellent shape, and there was a short game area for chipping and sand practice. There was a large grass range with lots of targets; unfortunately the "teeing ground" badly needed leveling (very bumpy and sloped).
Course condition: the fairways and greens were in excellent shape, impressive given the amount of play this course gets. Their maintenance staff really knows its stuff.
Course design and cosmetics: the designer did a very good job with a fantastic piece of property. The land wends up and and down a number of hills. Almost every shot requires some adjustment for elevation change. It really is an interesting course from start to finish. I particularly liked the par 3s (all long and difficult) and the final 630 yard par 5.
The course itself was a real test from the tips. There are a number semi-blind tee shots into tight fairways. The par 3's are brutal, especially with wind- one was playing 260 yards w/ carry all the way. I would characterize this track as a "driving" course rather than a "second shot" course. The fairways are narrow, angled, and difficult to hit. If you are hitting the ball well off the tee you can score very well... if not you will get PUNISHED (any ball off the grass is pretty much gone, the desert scrub is so thick).
The 85 degree weather was quite pleasant compared to the 105 temps I left behind in Phoenix. The 30-40 MPH wind gusts were not quite as pleasing. According to a friend I played with, strong wind is very common here. Check the wind forecasts before you go... but Stoneridge is DEFINITELY worth the trip up from Phoenix.

Customer Service:
Very pleasant staff here. They were all friendly and helpful. No drink cart, surprising given the busy course. No idiots expecting a $5 tip for 30 seconds cleaning your clubs... a nice change there!

Similar Courses Played:
This is my first round in Northern Arizona. I've played most of the top courses in the Phoenix area, public and private. This is one of the best public courses in the state for the better golfer. It is perhaps the best public course value in the state, though Del Lago in Tucson will put up a close fight in this regard.