Raven Golf Club - Phoenix

First let me start by saying this was a really well maintained golf course. I was very impressed with the tee boxes and greens, and there was nothing wrong with the fairways and rough. This course features many trees, and if you like me, come from a place with tree lined fairways you will feel right at home. There is also some great views from this course and very few houses and roads to clutter up the course and squeeze it in. I played the tips which play over 7000 yards typically very long for me, but I only did this because I got paired up with some local long hitters. Shot 83 largely due to the fact that there is not much OB or hazards you have to contend with or at least not as much as the other more desert golf courses I have played while out here.

The bad, this course is a muni for sure. Not a resort course or private. That’s not the bad, but it means the tee times are stacked together and the pace of play was an issue. The cart guys don’t give you keys until they are ready for you to go out, which wouldn’t be a problem, except our tee time did not start on time because we were waiting on keys while the cart guys handled other stuff. We were waiting on keys after our tee time because the group ahead was not ready at the time they were supposed to start. At one point, pace of play became such an issue, that a group tried to skip a couple of holes to get in front of us, and we had to “politely” ask them to get off the tee box when we pulled up to play the hole because we were in front of them.

In and around the clubhouse, driving range, and putting green, they blare music at almost an obnoxious level. I don’t mind music, but it was really loud!! Mostly late nineties and early two thousands lol hits…also obnoxious. From Britney Spears to BlackEeyedPeas and Ludacris some of the worst music in American history. Someone who watched too much mtv and vh1 in high school was controlling the playlist.

Lastly the price was a little steep. I payed just as much for this place (and it was a nice course with pretty terrible amenities) as I payed to play some of the top 10 courses in the state of AZ. This may mean that their rates stay the same all year unlike some of the others, and if so I am more willing to accept the price. However, if these were the off-season rates, that would be the only time I would play at this course. To possibly pay more money to play there would not be worth it to me.

I would recommend this course for 2 reasons. The condition was really good! Greens were among the best I played while on this trip and were better in my opinion than The TPC and Phoenician when it came to speed. These were probably running around 11 and those other places around 9. The second reason is because this course gives you a different feel on a golf trip. More of a local flavor and feel. It will remind you of the munis everyone knows and loves back home. I think that is a worthy experience when traveling somewhere to experience what golf is like there. Try at least one muni on your trips. Find one that is in great shape like this one. Add it into the mix with the resort courses and private places you are going to play. Play a game with your buddies, throw down some cold snacks, and remember what golf was like before country club dues.

Had great time, good course, bunkers were rock hard, need some maintaining, pace of place was good right up to 13 hole, played from 9 in hour 25 min then caught up to poky 2 foursomes, from then on it was agonizing slow, well over 2 hours from 13 hole to finish back nine.
Would recommend course, good fair layout but only saw beverage cart once, and disappointed when I did see beverage person that no beer deals, used to be always had beer deals, found that all course I've played last week no deals...

Course was in great shape except for the sand traps. Pace of play was very slow and the Ranger really didn’t do anything about it

Won’t be disappointed. Course is great shape and staff was awesome. One of my favorite courses hands down,

The course is always in very good shape. Put some non alcoholic beer on the cart please and educate the nice lady about what that is. Some of the traps could use a little sand but really this course is very enjoyable.

3rd time playing Raven. On course staff very friendly and helpful. The guys in the pro shop not friendly at all, which I’ve noticed every time I’ve played here. Starter was great. Surprised outside snack shop was closed. For $89, good deal. Course in good shape, especially the greens this time of the year

Love the layout and the course is in great condition, pace of play was great and summer price was pretty good compared to others and their crazy expensive prices

Enjoyed our round. Course was in good shape & pace of play was good. Would recommend this course and will play there again when we're back in town.