Review Date
October 9, 2009

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: gator0021, Shoots in the 70s

Summary:
I played the North course (South is currently being overseeded). It is a very plain course. The fact that I played Boulders-South 4 days prior (which is outstandingly scenic), probably didn't help with my impression of this links-style layout. The fairways and greens were in good shape. The grounds, practice facility, and grille are nice.

Customer Service:
Not impressed. I was given a coupon from the concierge at the Scottsdale-Hilton and the manager at Talking Stick didn't honor it stating that I was playing with an "afternoon rate." He informed me that the normal day rate is 110.00, even though the tee-times available linked to their webpage (talkingstick.com) clearly show an 80.00 rate for non-afternoon tee times. Bottom line, I was told to read the bottom of the coupon where it says "restrictions may apply"...nice, won't be back, not impressed overall. Very average course that doesn't even approach the level of other high-end courses I've been fortunate to play (Boulders, TPC-Sawgrass, Pinehurst, Homestead, Doral, Innisbrook, Saddlebrook, etc).

Review Date
December 30, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: JGriffinGCA, Shoots in the 80s

Summary:
NORTH COURSE
An outstanding low-profile design that blends naturally and effortlessly into its environs, the North course is an absolute joy to play. Wide fairways, intelligent bunkering, and subtle greens combine to create strategic decisions on every hole. Rough is virtually nonexistent as an expansive fairway cut surrounds each green to give players the freedom to choose from multiple recovery options. The bunkers are simply works of art – from ragged-edged greenside pits to fairway scrapes that fade seamlessly into the desert scrub. Conditions were perfect, from velvety smooth greens to the gorgeous overseeded fairways. It is an easy walk with minimal distance between holes. Morning pace was refreshingly brisk, completing play in 3:45.

SOUTH COURSE
A more traditional layout than the North course, the South course may look more comforting to northern visitors, with grassy areas and mature deciduous trees framing most holes instead of desert scrub. The greens are generally built up higher, therefore the greenside bunkers tend to be deeper with higher sand faces. The bunkers have a more manicured style than on the North course, and a short cut of rough surrounds most greens. Water hazards are employed on three holes, whereas the North is completely dry. The strategic challenges are less subtle than on the North, which may make it easier for the one-time visitor to appreciate. Afternoon pace was reasonable, around 4:15. Both courses provide a memorable round; choosing a favorite 18 probably comes down to personal preference for aesthetics and style.

Customer Service:
Troon Golf service is unsurpassed: as walkers, they shuttled us to #2 tee to shotgun start after a frost delay, were waiting at #18 to shuttle us over to #1 to complete the round, then waited behind #1 green to return us to the clubhouse. They were very flexible with my desire to play 36 holes, even informing me during my morning round of a slight adjustment for my afternoon tee time to ensure the best chance of completing 36 holes.

Review Date
August 12, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Review Date
January 3, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Review Date
May 29, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5