Sid8830611

After spending 13 holes waiting on the group in front of us, the ranger drives up, says "You're behind. Pick it up," and drives off.

Several greens are severely damaged. Staff in pro shop and the starter weren't rude, but none too friendly, either.

Marvelous routing, but the rest of it makes it nothing special.

I played Ken McDonald on a Saturday, then the following Monday. The course is in excellent condition except for slow greens (haven't been mowing close due to overseeding - that will change). I'm sure some will complain that there are some significant bare spots in the rough, but, hey, it's the rough. We shouldn't be there, and if we are, there should be a penalty for missing the fairway. Fairways are in top condition, as are the bunkers. Greens roll true, but are slow because the grass isn't mowed close enough. Playing time was 4:15 on Saturday and 4:45 on Monday. Go figure. More marshalling would help a whole bunch. In all, it is a fun course to play and can't be beaten for value. Using Golf Now, I played Monday for $27.

Service was superb. Pace of play was great - foursome teeing off at 8:40 finished in 3 hours 50 minutes! Course condition was top notch. So what was the "one thing?" The greens had been sanded and there was no mention of it, nor any discount in greens fees. That was both surprising and very disappointing.

The course conditioning was generally excellent - I can't recall any issues other than the sand in the bunkers wasn't always the most consistent. Sometimes heavy, sometimes not. Then, again, why was I in there in the first place. The staff was amazingly helpful and friendly. For Scottsdale in high season, the rates are reasonable. It was a course to which I will definitely be returning several times during my six week stay here.

Arrived for my tee time 35 minutes early. My clubs were taken from me as soon as I pulled in to the parking lot, which is a good thing. I went in to pay and was "greeted" by the gentleman behind the counter who had virtually no personality and no affect. I told him I would like to have my wife ride with me, and he informed me that there was a $25 rider fee. I asked if that was the case, even though no one else was sharing the cart with me. He said, "Yes, it is a seat fee and she is taking up a seat." I paid the $25 and went outside to get my putter and some balls to practice on the putting green. On the way, the gentleman that took my clubs to my cart said I could go right then if I wanted to. I thanked him for the offer, but said I needed a couple of minutes to putt, to which he replied, "Fine, but you'll be behind these women (a twosome with whom we had already been talking)." I said I would putt. When I finished five minutes later, the women were still socializing and were not ready to go to the first tee. I told the gentleman that I was ready whenever he was. He said, "Oh, you want to go now, huh? Must have changed your mind." He, nevertheless, sent me to the first tee where I was met by the starter who could not have been nicer and more personable. The round of golf was only OK. The fairways are bordered by houses which are VERY close to the fairways - virtually no room for error. I get that a former country club would have houses close. The course conditions were only average, which surprised me for Scottsdale. Fairways and rough were fine., Bunkers were all nicely groomed. The greens, while they putted OK, had many bare spots and a prodigious number of unrepaired ball marks - very surprising since I had an early morning tee time and there were virtually no golfers in front of me. They obviously pay little attention to this. In all, I enjoyed my day, but no thanks to the first two staff members I met and no thanks to the condition of the greens, especially. Two days later, I played Silverado, which had amazingly friendly and helpful staff as well as a very well conditioned course. Will be playing Silverado, and not Starfire, for the remainder of my six weeks in Scottsdale.

Probably the best conditioned golf course I have ever played. There isn't a blade of grass out of place. The course is easy to navigate, though difficult to play due to the length. It is imperative that you play the proper tees or you will be bludgeoned. Keep the ball in the fairway as the native grass is incredibly long and it's impossible to find a wayward ball. Staff is accommodating, friendly, and extremely helpful. A tremendous experience all around.

The course condition was no better than a typical public access golf course you would find in the states. The fairways were not particularly well kept with divots abounding - and none of them filled because they provide no sand or seed. The greens were splotchy, which visually creates an environment that is less than desirable for this price point, although it did not affect play. Ball marks were not repaired. There is no drinking water on the course, save for the snack bar at the 10th tee. Problematically, there is absolutely no signage to assist the golfer in finding the next tee, which significantly slows play. The staff is amicable enough, though not particularly helpful. In all, an average course at a premium price.

You meet some of the nicest people at Hodge Park. Being from out of town, having nice people to play with enhances my golfing experience. Since Hodge Park is so inexpensive, the players tend to be more relaxed about their rounds that at "high end" courses. The course itself can be tough if you don't know the layout (hidden water, for instance). The conditions were really good for mid-April. My only complaint would be that the collars of the greens haven't grown in yet, so putting from just off the green is tricky to impossible. Otherwise, very good conditions with very friendly playing companions. A good time had by all.

Staff was friendly but did not offer assistance. They answered all questions, though. Course was in very good condition. Driving range and putting green we're a bit rugged, however. In all, I would definitely come back.

This is an excellent layout. No two holes play the same, unlike many other courses. There is an excellent mix of easier and more challenging holes. If you play the right tees, none of the holes are so long as to be almost impossible. Birdies are not easy to come by, and pars are possible on all holes. The greens are in wonderful condition right now. Rough is long enough to be difficult, and fairways are in really good shape.

I used to live 1 block from the course and quit playing it several years ago because its condition deterioriated. After playing this week on a vacation trip "back home," I am glad to see that the course conditions are much better than before and that the course is, once again, truly enjoyable to play. The greens are absolutely perfect, and the fairways are well maintained. I'm glad I went back and played Blacklake.