El Rio Golf Course

(223)

Holes: 18
Par: 70
Length: 6436 yards
Slope: 124
Rating: 69.4
Layout

Book a Tee Timeat this Course

Location

1400 W Speedway Blvd, Tucson, Arizona 85745, Pima County
Tucson
Arizona
85745
USA
(520) 791-4229
(520) 791-4229
tucsoncitygolf.com/el-rio

Write Review

More Info

Year built: 1934

Architect(s): William P. Bell

Type: Public/Municipal

Style: Desert

Golf Season: Year round

Rentals/Services

Carts: Yes

Pull-carts: Yes

Clubs: Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving range: Yes

Pitching/chipping area: Yes

Putting green: Yes

Practice bunker: Yes

Teaching pro: Yes

Golf school / academy: Yes

Policies

Walking allowed: Yes

Metal spikes allowed: No

Credit cards accepted: VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed

Tees | Layout | Full Scorecard

Tee	Par	Length	Rating	Slope
Blue	70	6436 yards	69.4	124
White	70	6011 yards	67.4	119
Combo	70	5718 yards	66.1	112
Combo (W)	70	5718 yards	72.4	122
Red (W)	70	5373 yards	70.2	115
Silver	70	4686 yards	74.6	127

Previously known as Trini Alvarez El Rio Municipal Golf Course

Rating Snapshot

Rating Index

Off-Course Amenities:

Value:

Pace of Play:

Staff Friendliness:

Course Layout:

Course Conditions:

Rating Breakdown 223 Reviews

84.8%

recommend this course

184 out of 222 reviews

What Golfers Are Saying

Reviews

Filter Reviews

FEATURED REVIEW

"Fun course"

jimmg30

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a week

Played on 04/18/2018

"Fun course"

First time playing Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 04/20/2018

First time playing this course. Took my almost 70 year old dad. He had a great time but said it’s about 4 holes too long for him, lol. He also has COPD so take that into consideration. It took us about 4-41/2 hours to complete the course, but we took a lot of breaks. Friendly staff all the way around. We booked on GolfNow and got a pretty fair price. I would recommend to anyone.

Pace of Play: Excellent

Course Layout: Average

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Excellent

Value for the Money: Average

Off-Course Amenities: Good

FEATURED REVIEW

"El Rio is garbage"

u393351295

Skill: Beginner

Plays: Once a month

Played on 04/13/2018

"El Rio is garbage"

First time playing Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 04/14/2018

Don't play here unless you like your water hazards to be raw sewage.

Cart needed to be bump started around hole 15.

The beverage cart doesn't take plastic (but the young lady seemed nice enough).

Driving range is light years from the clubhouse & you have to get your bucket from the clubhouse then schlep them all the way back to the range to use them.

Pace of Play: Fair

Course Layout: Fair

Course Conditions: Fair

Staff Friendliness: Average

Value for the Money: Average

Off-Course Amenities: Poor

u000002120847

Commented on 04/16/2018

How are the fairways and greens?

FEATURED REVIEW

"Course was a good value"

u870522806

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Few times a week

Played on 03/02/2018

"Course was a good value"

First time playing Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 03/04/2018

Really enjoyed this course. Was only challenging when you find the trees. Do not play hero golf or you will pay !

Pace of Play: Excellent

Course Layout: Average

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Average

Value for the Money: Good

Off-Course Amenities: Good

FEATURED REVIEW

"February play"

kurt9516576

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a week

Played on 02/22/2018

"February play"

First time playing Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 02/26/2018

Fairways were weak, but greens and around the greens were good for the time of year.

Pace of Play: Average

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Fair

Staff Friendliness: Good

Value for the Money: Average

Off-Course Amenities: Average

FEATURED REVIEW

"Older city course."

nobderf

Age: 65+

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Few times a week

Handicap: 15-19

Played on 02/18/2018

"Older city course."

Previously played Used cart Windy weather Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 02/20/2018

I played after Tucson had several days of rain, so the course was not in the best of condition. This course needs improvement and could be a better venue if money was put in to improve it. Not the longest course, but can play tough with small greens surrounded by many traps. Worth playing if the price is right.

Pace of Play: Good

Course Layout: Average

Course Conditions: Fair

Staff Friendliness: Good

Value for the Money: Average

Off-Course Amenities: Poor

Course Difficulty: Moderate

FEATURED REVIEW

"O.B. Sports seems to 'get it'."

oldenglishD

Age: 55-64

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a week

Handicap: 15-19

Played on 10/01/2017

"O.B. Sports seems to 'get it'."

Previously played

Reviewed on 10/02/2017

Second day ,after opening for overseeding, course was in great shape. ( Still somewhat shaggy, especially the tee boxes, but expected. )

Old style course ( par 70 ), pretty flat, with lots of mature trees. ( they really don't come into play...or shouldn't.)

We were first off ( 6:16 ), and managed a 3 hour round. Pretty good for a foursome.

I play this course , maybe, once a year...but it's still fun, especially now that O.B.Sports keeps it in stellar shape.

Pace of Play: Excellent

Course Layout: Average

Course Conditions: Good

Staff Friendliness: Excellent

Value for the Money: Good

Off-Course Amenities: Average

FEATURED REVIEW

"A golf day with my daughter."

jorgeblessing60

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a month

Played on 08/14/2016

"A golf day with my daughter."

Previously played Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 08/15/2016

My daughter and I always look for an opportunity to spend a father-daughter good quality time together.The activity may vary from walking the dogs to traveling together.

This weekend we decided to go for a round of golf together. She is fifteen, then I assumed that she would not be very excited about it, but we decided to go anyways, and I could see how she was getting interested in the game and actually started enjoying it.

The weather was perfect, hot, but a soft breeze was making it kind of tolerable.

We got to El Rio golf course 30 minutes before our tee time. The staff was so kind take us through the check in process in no time. We played 18 holes at our on pace, nobody to push us around or to wait for a long period of time. The greens were in a very decent shape and the girl withe refreshments was always very opportune.

Thanks to the staff for keeping the facilities in very good shape.

Pace of Play: Excellent

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Good

Staff Friendliness: Excellent

Value for the Money: Excellent

Off-Course Amenities: Good

FEATURED REVIEW

"This course is friendly"

u945596634

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a month

Played on 07/27/2016

"This course is friendly"

Previously played Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 07/29/2016

Historical course that is always fun to play. There was over seeding that came into play both on the green and fringe .

Pace of Play: Excellent

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Excellent

Value for the Money: Good

Off-Course Amenities: Good

FEATURED REVIEW

"Fun"

Galen1941035

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a week

Played on 07/24/2016

"Fun"

First time playing Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 07/25/2016

Fun little corse. Fun working around the trees. Enjoyed myself the whole time. Sand traps needed a little work.

Pace of Play: Excellent

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Average

Value for the Money: Good

Off-Course Amenities: Good

FEATURED REVIEW

"Good course for a beginner..."

Callit

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Few times a week

Played on 07/17/2016

"Good course for a beginner..."

Previously played Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 07/19/2016

Course was okay, the value was right on... Bunkers were poor... Greens were okay, very slow but rolled true. Snack bar was closed after 1:p.m.

Pace of Play: Good

Course Layout: Good

Staff Friendliness: Good

Value for the Money: Average

Off-Course Amenities: Average

FEATURED REVIEW

"el rio has promise"

nujimmie69

Skill: Advanced

Plays: Few times a week

Handicap: 5-9

Played on 06/08/2016

"el rio has promise"

First time playing Used cart Played 18 holes Good weather Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 06/10/2016

overall good experience but tee box are having problems as there is basically no grass on them and sand traps were like clay bricks ! putt out of them only option.

Pace of Play: Good

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Excellent

Value for the Money: Good

Off-Course Amenities: Average

Course Difficulty: Fairly Easy

FEATURED REVIEW

"El Rio"

isistigra

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a week

Handicap: 20-24

Played on 05/21/2016

"El Rio"

Previously played Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 05/23/2016

Great round, will be playing here all summer.

Pace of Play: Excellent

Course Layout: Excellent

Course Conditions: Excellent

Staff Friendliness: Excellent

Value for the Money: Excellent

Off-Course Amenities: Excellent

FEATURED REVIEW

"Course in good shape, personnel not friendly"

2006GolfCart

Gender: Female

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Few times a week

Played on 04/22/2016

"Course in good shape, personnel not friendly"

First time playing Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 04/23/2016

Good valve, course in good shape but personnel not friendly.

Pace of Play: Good

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Fair

Value for the Money: Good

Off-Course Amenities: Fair

FEATURED REVIEW

"Nice enough....."

enchilara

Top 100 Contributor

Age: 55-64

Gender: Male

Skill: Advanced

Plays: Few times a week

Handicap: 5-9

Played on 04/16/2016

"Nice enough....."

First time playing Used cart Played 18 holes Excellent weather Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 04/18/2016

Nice layout; the varying lengths of holes, the many bunkers protecting the SMALL greens, doglegs and the close proximity of greens to tee boxes keep the game interesting! Dodged a couple of in-bounds!

May take a time or two to play and get the nuances.

The course needs to replant some roughage; too many thin lies close to the greens. And a driving range that is available! I support ALL efforts to encourage youth in golf!

But overall, I liked the course and will be back again soon!

Pace of Play: Good

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Excellent

Value for the Money: Excellent

Off-Course Amenities: Good

Course Difficulty: Somewhat Challenging

FEATURED REVIEW

"Nice, at low price."

azclarkdc

Age: 65+

Gender: Male

Skill: Advanced

Plays: Once a week

Handicap: 5-9

Played on 04/14/2016

"Nice, at low price."

First time playing Used cart Played 18 holes Good weather Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 04/15/2016

We played here only because of a great deal. It was better than I expected. Pretty decent layout, condition and staff. Some areas are hazardous because of errant shots from adjacent holes or golfers hitting before they should. 18 is a good challenge.....over the dogleg right fence.

Pace of Play: Fair

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Average

Value for the Money: Excellent

Off-Course Amenities: Average

Course Difficulty: Moderate

FEATURED REVIEW

"good friday"

stanley73

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a week

Handicap: 15-19

Played on 02/26/2016

"good friday"

Previously played Used cart Played 18 holes Excellent weather Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 02/28/2016

course has excellent but small greens all greens are protected by bunkers in the front making wedge and iron play important. The fairways were not over seeded and have not begun to grow. Fairway shots and lies were difficult.

FEATURED REVIEW

"what do you want from a city course"

Rus7590626

Age: 45-54

Gender: Male

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Few times a week

Played on 02/21/2016

"what do you want from a city course"

Previously played

Reviewed on 02/23/2016

The early afternoon pace of play is horrendous but you expect a slower pace that time of day. The thing that drove me crazy were the golfers who were just driving around aimlessly jumping from one empty tee box to an other. Absolutely no regard for the other golfers and no ranger to keep those people in line. Then they would get behind you and act aggravated because you weren't playing fast enough for them. Plus there either needs to be more available water on the course to drink, besides the dirty looking bubblers, or a more visible cart person with beverages. I actually like the layout for a city course and the staff was very friendly. The greens were in decent shape also.

Pace of Play: Average

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Good

Value for the Money: Average

Off-Course Amenities: Average

FEATURED REVIEW

"Sooooo Slow"

belsey85

Age: 65+

Gender: Male

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Once a week

Handicap: 10-14

Played on 01/28/2016

"Sooooo Slow"

Previously played Used cart Played 18 holes Excellent weather

Reviewed on 01/29/2016

Everything was fine with this course but the pace of play was terrible.<br/> If you like 5 hour rounds you will like the course. Fairways were hard and dry. Greens were very good with moderate speed.

Pace of Play: Poor

Course Layout: Average

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Good

Value for the Money: Average

Course Difficulty: Moderate

FEATURED REVIEW

"Pretty run down muni course. Better get a good money value to play, or you will not enjoy it too much"

SpokaneLee

Age: 65+

Gender: Male

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Few times a week

Handicap: 10-14

Played on 01/18/2016

"Pretty run down muni course. Better get a good money value to play, or you will not enjoy it too much"

Previously played Used cart Played 18 holes Good weather

Reviewed on 01/19/2016

Good layout for a muni course, but basic out and back and side by side fairways., so watch out for errant shots.

About half the greens are pretty rough, and you can't count on the ball holding its line.

I have no idea what they are achieving with the roped off areas near the greens --- I guess the soil/grass was pretty wet there, but they would be better off to have a clearly defined white line or markers to keep you from driving up near the greens.

The course really needs some protective chain link fences near about 3 tee boxes that are near the previous green.

Greens are very well trapped, but the sand/dirt mixture is not too good - a lot of hardpan in the low spots, one inch down. Grrrr.

I liked the basic layout and can see why in the old days the Tucson Open was played here. Dumpy old clubhouse, but functional. There seems to be a trap on the left and right (frontside) of every green. Small greens usually slope back to front. You can cut some of the dog legs for easy wedge shots.. Fairways hard and roll for extra yardage. Two long par threes.

When I went to the range to hit balls, there were no ball baskets - had to go out to the range and find one. I used that time to pick up all the empty baskets....all ten of them.

Pace of Play: Excellent

Course Layout: Good

Course Conditions: Fair

Staff Friendliness: Good

Value for the Money: Average

Off-Course Amenities: Average

Course Difficulty: Moderate

FEATURED REVIEW

"Better last year"

u708997788

Skill: Intermediate

Plays: Few times a week

Handicap: 15-19

Played on 01/15/2016

"Better last year"

Previously played Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 01/17/2016

Played 1st time this year. Better shape last year year but staff friendly as I remembered. Have to be on your toes as balls can come from any where on this course.

Pace of Play: Average

Course Conditions: Average

Staff Friendliness: Good

Value for the Money: Good

Quality of food & beverage: Good

Off-Course Amenities: Average

Marketing Tools for Golf Course Operators

Add a Golf Advisor Rating Badge to Your Website. Get Widget
Get a feed with the latest reviews for this course Feed

El Rio Golf Course

Rentals/Services

Practice/Instruction

Policies

Tees | Layout | Full Scorecard

Rating Snapshot

What Golfers Are Saying

Reviews

"Fun course"

"Fun course"

"El Rio is garbage"

"El Rio is garbage"

"Course was a good value"

"Course was a good value"

"February play"

"February play"

"Older city course."

"Older city course."

"O.B. Sports seems to 'get it'."

"O.B. Sports seems to 'get it'."

"A golf day with my daughter."

"A golf day with my daughter."

"This course is friendly"

"This course is friendly"

"Fun"

"Fun"

"Good course for a beginner..."

"Good course for a beginner..."

"el rio has promise"

"el rio has promise"

"El Rio"

"El Rio"

"Course in good shape, personnel not friendly"

"Course in good shape, personnel not friendly"

"Nice enough....."

"Nice enough....."

"Nice, at low price."

"Nice, at low price."

"good friday"

"good friday"

"what do you want from a city course"

"what do you want from a city course"

"Sooooo Slow"

"Sooooo Slow"

"Pretty run down muni course. Better get a good money value to play, or you will not enjoy it too much"

"Pretty run down muni course. Better get a good money value to play, or you will not enjoy it too much"

"Better last year"

"Better last year"

Marketing Tools for Golf Course Operators

Related Destinations

Tucson

Related Articles

Nearby Courses

Starr Pass Golf Club - Roadrunner/Rattler

Silverbell Municipal Golf Course

Starr Pass Golf Club - Coyote/Roadrunner

Starr Pass Golf Club - Rattler/Coyote

North at Randolph Golf Course

Popular Golf Packages

Nearby Driving Ranges

The Practice Tee

La Mariposa Golf Range

Area Map

Tee Times

Error

Report inappropriate review or comment

Change / Set your location