Tom4002346

Played the Canyon course with three strangers on a Sunday morning. The course is in a spectacular setting and it was in wonderful condition, as good as any I have played in Tucson, and it wasn’t crowded. We saw no one in front of us and finished in just over four hours. It would have been faster with faster company. As many have pointed out, the greens are huge, smoking fast, and they don’t hold. Unlike some other high end courses in Tucson, the Canyon is really not a target golf course and there are few forced carries. If you choose your tees to match your game you’ll have a good round, except perhaps for the putting.

This was my first time playing Dove Mountain and I enjoyed it immensely. There is an outstanding practice facility, with real target greens, and greens for chipping putting, pitching and bunkers. I chose to play off the yellow tees, although I think I would have scored as well from the coppers. The course is beautifully laid out, taking advantage of the wonderful views and the terrain. Every hole seemed unique, some with carries over desert, some doglegged and pretty much all with large undulating greens, many elevated. Unlike others who have reviewed this course I found the greens to be in great condition and not impossible to read. The fairways and greens are heavily guarded by bunkers and my ball found many of them. It was great to find that the bunkers were dry, indicating good drainage, and that they had a layer of soft sand. Not so common among Tucson courses. The course was nearly empty on a Saturday afternoon (the steep regular green fees, or a final four match?) and two of us played in under four hours. Water was supplied, food trucks circulated and the toilets are well placed.

I hadn't played Silverbell for a while and I was pleasantly surprised. We got off on time and played our round in four hours, with no long waits at any tee. The fairways and greens were in good, if not outstanding condition, no worse than many of the surrounding courses, and better than many. I played off the whites, which suited my handicap, although I found a few holes quite long. I didn't use it, but the food cart came around about four times over the eighteen holes. Although I rode, I've walked other times and can attest that the course is very walkable. Like other Tucson public courses, Silverbell has helpers who rush to load and unload your cart. They seem unnecessary and inappropriate to me.

The course is carved out of the desert hills and it is target golf at its most challenging. Fairways were in perfect condition, but greens were rougher than on the on Tucson courses I've played recently. Choose your tee box to match your skill level and the course will be a great experience. Fool yourself by choosing a tee box above your skill level and you will likely have much less fun.