Apache Stronghold Golf Course

I can see efforts of improvements and hope this continues. The Tom Doak design is a hidden gem. Turf conditions could use some attention especially with the over watering of the greens and approaches. There is no bouncing the ball onto the greens with the wetness. Greens putt surfaces have shown improvement and roll nicely. Rudy from outside services is one of a kind and is a real plus to the operation. Cristina is the GM and has a great vision for the course. Keep up the good work.

Played 18 through golfnow for $25, regular green fees are $45 at the moment. Course was cart path only due to the recent rain so course was muddy. Fairways are turning yellow but the greens were ok and rolled fine. The course itself is challenging with strategic corners and angles, carts have gps. Keep it in the fairway and you’ll be ok. Par 3s appeal to all skill levels and are fun. The negatives is that they do not offer complementary water bottles on the course and their snack back / bar is closed right now..

This is a great course. Today the fairways were wet in many places. Made for mud on ball most to the time. Greens were very good. Sand traps were typical Arizona, terrible. Staff weas very friendly and helpful.

Stronghold has a great design! Such a shame that it is not kept up. All but one green were quick and fairly smooth. For $30, I think it is a good value but you probably need to move the ball in the fairway. Last, driving range was closed and it is a fairly common occurrence.

Good course design overall.

Greens are getting better but still need more work.

The weeds and bushes in front of the tee boxes need to be cut immediately, as they represent an unintended hazard that interferes with drives! Some are over five feet high.

This course has so much potential, seriously this course could be one of the best in the state, and from what I’ve read and heard from friends they are improving the course conditions but some areas need work especially in regards to water drainage which leads to some muddy fairways and greens. The greens could use some more work as some spots are bald while the other end of the same green it’s a swamp. The fairways are pretty much the same way, but all in all it’s not bad just needs some more TLC, and I believe if they continue to improve the course the people will come, as golf seems to be enjoying a resurgence

Okay now to my biggest gripe, they no longer offer water on the course and charge a ridiculous $1 per water bottle fee, also there is no ball washers and sand to repair divots. The no water available thing really makes me angry as all courses I’ve been to offer water in some form or another. Apparently this is from the new supervisor. In short it’s far too hot to not at least offer water. Its really ridiculous. Also the snack bar was closed, which i understand because there was no one playing besides me and another group way ahead myself. I feel they should maybe add some vending machines that would be at least something. The bathrooms were nice and stocked and clean so no complaints there. My suggestion, at the very least bring back water on the course and ball washers. You do that and I bet your reviews would improve at least in that regard.

The layout is whats worth the play here, the Tom Doak design is truly beautiful and very very challenging that rewards good shots and makes you eat the bad ones, the elevated tee boxes were cool and the gps carts help you on all tee and approach shots. The layout is excellent and because no one else really was playing, the pace was perfect which allowed me to enjoy the scenery and wonder and dream of this course fully returning to it’s former glory which i imagine when it first opened must of been something to behold.

The staff was friendly and the guy that brought me the cart was cool, he went out of his way to bring me a bucket of ice for my cart cooler which was a nice touch.
I will play again and will recommend to friends but I will warn them ahead of time of the water situation.

Fix the greens, fairways and bunkers, and offer basic amenities for a good price and I promise this place will turn around.

We’ve been playing this course since it opened years ago. It used to be a very nice course. The layout and staff are great. But the course management leaves way too much to be desired. Little by little, this course is catering less and less to the golfers that love to play here. First, all the ball washers were removed, then no sand on the cart to repair divots, then the overwatering that makes playing a muddy mess, then restricting players from teeing off early when no one is on the course, then neglecting to have real sand in the sand traps (concrete traps is a better description),, then no longer offering drinking water on the course (this is a desert course, for Pete’s sake!!), then charging 10 cents a tee for tees that were previously free, then not having the snack bar/restaurant open. I could go on. We do love playing on this wonderfully layed out course. And we do sympathize with the wonderfully friendly, accommodating staff. But the poor management is making it hard for us to enjoy our round.

I am so mixed about how I feel about this course. The layout was absolutely awesome. Elevated tee boxes, gorgeous views. But this place needs some real love. The fairways are currently dormant Bermuda. Bunkers haven't had sand in them in a decade. Only reason why I said I would recommend to a friend is because I will probably play the course again when the Bermuda is green again. Staff was very friendly

played for second time, cold windyday. This course although in a bit rough shape and very wet is a hidden gem. For a low handi-cap it is a really well layed out golf course. Conditioning is hurting due to location and no over seeding for winter.

All in worth the drive and to play. bring your A game.

Called course to check conditions we’re told all was fine not cart path only we got there and we’re told it was cart path. Only and discovered that the course should have closed water over our shoes in most places only tried to play a few holes had to quit no compensation from the course bad experience !

Improvements are very visible with turf on greens and selected fairways. Greens are very receptive to approach shots and putting surfaces are excellent. Greens and approaches are extremely wet and could be improved with some attention to how much water is applied. New carts with GPS is a nice improvement also. Keep up the good work.

Conditions were terrible. GPS yardage was incorrect!! Paid $10 through hot deal and need $8 back! No water on the course to hydrate..... ridiculous

They are driving this great golf course into the ground. Every hole was cut terribly high with the cup level with the green, bunkers never raked, no staff for the snack bar so it closed. If you want food at the turn you need to bring it with you. We have played this course for years and now even though a round for 2 is over a hundred dollars they have decided to charge for range balls. Better options in the area and sad to see it continue to go the wrong direction. They took a top 100 in the county course and continue to abuse it.

The carts needs to replaced. every time you go up a hill the cart has a hard time go up the hill.

GOOD: $34, no players, big interesting greens, great location and views, no houses, interesting layout
BAD: Fairways almost non-existent grass, ok w liberal use of preferred lies; cart path only, some green damage spots;
UGLY: Fairways bad, some flood damage; cart paths gravel-dirt.d fairways,
Even with bad fairways and problems spots on greens, worth the trip, your results may vary

Seeing improvements to playing conditions. Lots of sod filling on several greens and fairways have taken place and are clearly visible.

Made the drive from Scottsdale. Under two hours. First impressions were not great-range closed, carts need windscreens due to dust on paths. Course design is one of the best in AZ. Started as a single on 10 and joined up with a regular after a few holes. He helped immensely with lines off the tee and green slopes. The fairways are generous, but being on the right side makes a difference. Every hole is different and unique. Great risk/reward par fives, a couple of exciting short par fours, and some good, long challenging par fours.

Par threes are really good, don’t be short on any of them or you will find bunkers that are playable but in rough shape. Fairways were wet in spots, close to greens were soaking wet and balls plugged where they landed. Land on the green and balls hold and stick. Makes for large ball marks, but greens were very playable and in good shape.

Overall course is in good shape, but in some places you need to lift and clean. If this course was near Phoenix and in good shape would be as good or better than WeKoPah, Quintero, and Wickenburg Ranch. Better than Troon North or Grayhawk. Nowhere near as penal as Quintero, but just as hard and you can see the greens could be as fast as Quintero if they wanted to make it play that way.

It is worth taking a group for the day and enjoy the course as it is and dream what it could be if they could figure out how to generatethe kind of revenue it needs to be in championship conditions. Could be a long term project/challenge for Troon Golf.

Played one up from tips and it was perfect distance for me-6 handicap. Suggest play the right tees to get the most out of the experience.

Don’t expect Scottsdale service or conditioning, but played in under three hours and never hurried. Might be the most playable desert golf course, with unique design elements I have played in a long time. $40 green fee and $30 in gas is still cheaper than anywhere comparable this time of year.