This was our first visit to the Anthem country club.

There are two beautiful championship golf courses here with some amazing clubhouse and grounds views.

Anthem is like a large oasis in the Sonoran desert surrounded by the majestic Sonoran mountains. There are beautiful vistas everywhere here.

Our encounter with Mark in the proshop was Meh, but Andrew from Elkhart, Indiana and a PGA Pro in training was inspiring.

Andrew was playing starter this time and he was a great personality and so helpful we visited for a while before our tee time.

The Persimmon course is in fine condition with some of the fastest and deceptive greens in the area.

The fairways were green and plush with just hints of browning in the rough. Green number six is huge and needs watering badly.

Almost all the greens and fairways here are extra large and wide.

There are only two holes with forced carries, and they will challenge

most players on a windy day.

This course is what you expect from a private club. It's quality golf with a relaxing and classy atmosphere, quick cart service before and after the round.

Visiting the area and played through my Clubcorp membership. Really enjoyed the round. Course in excellent shape. Looks like they overseeded tees, greens, and rough, but not fairways. Fairways were dormant bermuda with good coverage. Huge greens, with a LOT of ridges and undulations. The posted sign said the stimp was 10.9 and it felt like it. That means you are left with a LOT of long puts with multiple breaks. Spend some time on the practice green to get the pace down. Some blind shots off the tee - I'll play better the next time.

If I have a complaint it is that you can't always see where you're going or hitting off the tees (blind shots or hidden hazards). No hole maps or diagrams on the scorecard or on the hole markers on the course. Unless you play with a local member, you are going to be at a serious disadvantage. Suggest the course do something to help folks who are strangers on the course have a clue about where and how far to hit the ball.

Enjoyed the round and would play again if in the area.