bartolucci

The course needs some TLC. Typically very good, the greens were covered in debris and weren’t rolling smooth. Sand in the bunkers was really hard, and lacking depth. Big patches of grass not mown in the fairways. Overall the conditioning wasn’t great and needs some TLC.

Muskoka Bay is a really interesting and challenging course to play. Lots of elevation changes, doglegs, hazards, etc all lend themselves to the player having to plan shots out and really get creative. The course was in near-perfect condition - there was one tee box on the back nine that was very hard and dry (it was an elevated box in a very strange location...), but everything else was great. The track rewards accuracy, but there's so much variety you can have lots of fun no matter your skill level.

Playing a links course in Scottsdale was a nice change of pace for me. Lots of desert golf, lots of hilly range courses, and Ambiente didn't dissapoint with challenging flatland, grassy hazards. The course was in really strong shape from the tees to greens and the staff was amazing. Oh, and ProV1's grow on trees here - I think I walked away with 10 extra balls after this round! I'd play here again in a heartbeat. Lots of fun.

The positives: The course was really fun to play. Because of the elevation changes, there were big drop-off par 3's, long uphill par 4's and 5's and a nice variety of shot making options. I think I used every club in the bag this round. The greens were fast and fun and the hazards are pretty unique being a higher elevation course (relatively speaking). The fairways were generous and I had a really good time there.

The negatives: The tee boxes were completely chewed up and rarely flat. It stood out as a big issue when you really had to look for a great place to tee up. And the course markings were WEAK. More than a few times we found ourselves looking for the right place to go. Also the staff was a bit rude. I know I'm a younger looking guy, but I was greeted with contempt "Can I help you?" "YOU'RE playing here??". Pretty rude, to be honest. Also, the clubhouse is in completely the wrong spot. You have to drive in a golf cart 5-7 minutes up a huge hill to get to the first tee and practice area. Then, after a long round, you have to drive all the way back down the hill to get back to your car! Crazy. It felt like they built the clubhouse first, then built the course where the course made sense. Very illogical.

So, my gripes have less to do with the track, than the experience of playing here. I'd likely recommend to someone to go check out, but I doubt I'd go back.

WOW. This course was outstanding. The design itself is very unique with large rolling and curving fairways, lots of interesting hazards and the most insane greens I played this past week. There were massive drop offs, big ledges, undulations...you name it, the greens had it. I found myself laughing out loud at how crazy some of these features were - they were so exaggerated it was unreal. It really made the track fun to play, and forced lots of strategic thinking and consideration, versus just whacking away. Yes, it's "far away" from Phoenix and Scottsdale, but only relative to the massive amounts of great courses directly in Scottsdale, but it was worth the drive, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Heck, I'd almost fly out to Arizona again just for another round here. Oh, and I was there for the new clubhouse opening. It has an amazing patio overlooking 18. Really nicely done. In my mind, this is a must-play.

I took advantage of the unadvertised walking rate (thanks to previous reviewers!) and had a great time out on the course. The track is really challenging with lots of bunkers in-play and a couple of risk-reward holes that really challenge placement. I didn't shoot my best round here, but really had fun.

Played a nice afternoon round here. The course was in good condition; smooth greens, flat, well kept tee boxes and overall well taken care of. I really enjoyed my round, even if we were playing against the setting sun - it was definitely dark when we finished, but managed to get all 18 in. My only complaint was the sloooww pace of play. There were a couple of groups ahead of us that were hacking away which forced a minimum of 5 minutes wait at each tee. Really frustrating, but there were marshals out and they were on top of it. I'd play here again, but would consider a morning round, versus an afternoon.