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Course conditions were very solid for the middle of summer. More grass around greens than expected, most bunkers in better shape than some other similar courses. Greens were very slow, but putted true. Best part was we heard that a local celebrity #EMOY was playing a round at the same time we were.

I have played Bison several times a year for the last few years. It's a wonderful public course that has been well-maintained, especially the greens, in recent years. It's affordable and you'll find challenges with some of the narrow pine tree-lined fairways. The greens typically run fast, which puts a premium on keep the ball below the hole and not short-siding yourself if you miss greens.

I write this review because Bison has a new layout in 2017 because they built a new clubhouse directly off Highway 260. The new facility is nice, especially the restaurant Buffalo Bill's Tavern. I did not not eat there, but the place looks nice and I've heard good reviews.

As for the course, it's the same, just re-numbered. After a lengthy drive from the clubhouse, the new opening hole is what used to be No. 15 -- a dogleg left Par-4. With this as the starting hole, it breaks up the consecutive Par-5s that used to make or break or rounds and leaves the new finishing hole as the former No. 14. it's a tough finishing hole because there aren't many options to go for the green in two and your layups require demanding and precise club decisions to avoid trees and hazard areas.

I've always loved playing Bison so the new layout doesn't bother me. However, for players looking to play a quick nine holes, this may not be your course. Starting on the new #1 has you finishing about as far from the new clubhouse as possible on the course. And if you start on the back-9, it's the same issue -- you'll have a very long drive getting out to your opening hole. And then there's always the drive back to the clubhouse from #1/18 tees anyways.

Logistically, it's not an ideal set up. But once on the course it's a lot of fun, I think. The playing areas are in great shape right now with super fast greens, especially when the morning dew evaporates. In thunderstorm season, always a good idea to try and get out early to beat these storms. And this course does get busy mid-morning with a lot of play.

I recommend it because I find it enjoyable even when I don't play well. Just know there are a few quirks to the new setup (and there were a couple smaller quirks to the old setup, too).

This was my second time playing this course after first stopping by last summer. It's a very nice layout with -- as the name suggests -- tremendous views of the backside of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The course itself is moderately challenging with generally forgiving fairways, well-place bunkers and some elevated greens.

Right now, the course is undergoing some repairs. They are building a new clubhouse and some areas of the actual course are under repair. Despite these areas, the course is in fine shape for middle of the summer. Last year it was in excellent shape, and I imagine once current work is done, it will be back to top-notch conditions across the board.

The staff was super friendly and accommodating, offering some playing tips to a few in our group who had not played the course. There is a nice kitchen and dining area, and you can call in an order before you make the turn.

I definitely recommend this course as a must-try to those in the Tucson area. Few talk about playing this course, but it's one of the better tracks in the area and will remain so once current improvements are completed.

Silver Creek is a very good course for golfers of all abilities, though the greens can test the better players. Variety of tee boxes to suit your length, lush and accommodating fairways and slippery greens can be expected. There is a nice driving range and practice green if you like a quick warmup. While I haven't eaten in "Sandbaggers" for a couple years, it's was a tasty post-round place to eat when i have stuck around. Cart paths are a bit bumpy and if it's your first time at the course you may have difficulty determining exactly where to go to the next tee box. The tee boxes are well marked with yardages to the pin, and the fairways have markers every 25 yards to help you figure distance to middle of the green. If you see front (red flag) or middle (white flag), keep your ball pin high or below the hole -- don't go long! Some of the back pins (blue flags) are on small shelves or tiers, so leaving yourself way short can make it hard to 2-putt.

This is a really fun course nestled in the Ponderosa Pines in Show Low. The two nines are quite different. The front opens with forgiving holes that you'll want to take advantage of. The back offers tighter fairways and some lengthy par-5s that will require accurate tee shots.

The challenge here is to keep the ball below the hole. Greens get firm and fast, and downhill putts can be difficult to keep close if they don't drop. The speed provides more break than sometimes meets the eye, too.

One complaint of the course is that, while it is fairly well marked, there are no 100 or 150-yard posts on a few of the longer holes or holes that offer blind shots. Providing a standing visual on these holes would help speed up pace of play. Otherwise 200, 150 and 100-yard marks are identified in the center of fairways, and some sprinklers indicate front/center/back yardages. I would prefer all Par-3 tee boxes also have a yardage marker to confirm what is on the scorecard.

In the summer, the course is soggy early in the mornings, but dries out rather quickly, especially for the back-9.

Some may be disappointed that the cart paths are rugged, but it adds to the uniqueness of playing golf in the White Mountains!