Those of you who play the Phoenix municipal golf courses on the weekend know that tee times are hard to get and the pace of play can be excruciatingly slow. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Phoenix muni courses and the rates are hard to beat. But when I want a change of pace at a great price I wander over to the Sun City Country Club par 72 golf course.
Location
The Sun City Country Club golf course is nestled among small, well-kept houses in the heart of Sun City, north west of Phoenix. It is easily reached by taking the Loop 101 to Olive, then west to 107th Avenue, then north a few blocks.
9433 North 107th Ave.
Sun City, AZ 85351
623-933-1353
Tee Times
Although it is a private club, the Sun City Country Club offers tee times to the general public through their web site.
The Good Stuff
Every time I play at the Sun City Country Club golf course I can book the tee time that I want. Summer rates are fantastic, only $20 for 18 holes with a cart and a bucket of balls. Watch for their specials. This year they offer a summer golf pass, 10 rounds for $125 including a cart, good Monday through Friday any time, Saturday and Sunday after 10 a.m.
I don’t know why more people don’t play there, but the course is generally empty. A round takes 3.5 to 4 hours. People behind aren’t crowding you, you rarely wait on people ahead.
I love old, established courses with lakes and mature trees. Sun City Country Club fits the bill! It was the first country club Del Webb ever built, opened in 1967. The fairways are wide, the holes have enough bunkers to be challenging but not overwhelming. Several holes have doglegs so course management and strategic layups are important. The course is well maintained and very walkable, although I ride in the summer because of the heat. It does not have big gullies or hills or long distances between holes.
Course Rating
72 par, 6,223 yards
68.4 rating, 115 slope
Fellow players are generally club members/senior men who play the course often. They are efficient and fast, so keep up the pace. They are also friendly and supportive and funny and woman-friendly. Instead of “the look” I often get when teeing off with a group of men, these guys give me a big smile and a warm handshake.
Amenities
The Pro Shop offers golf hats and clothing for both men and women, as well as shoes, tees, balls, and all the other paraphernalia. The driving range tees boxes are grass, not mats. Ice water and towels are provided in the summer to help beat the heat. The restrooms are clean. They do not have bag drop-off service or men leaping to clean your clubs.
Sun City Country Club is lucky enough to offer the Penny Pulz Golf Academy. Penny Pulz is a two-time LPGA champion and 18 year tour veteran; with 13 years of experience as a coach and teacher. I met Penny at a golf clinic and she was friendly and knowledgeable.
The Down Side
No beverage cart, no drinks, no food. A few snacks like granola bars are offered in the Pro Shop. Ice water is available from a container at the Pro Shop but water is not available on the course except at the restroom on the back nine. No restroom on the first nine holes (or at least I didn’t find it).
Disclaimer
I’m not affiliated with the courses I review.
SOURCES
Sun City Country Club, http://www.suncitycountryclub.org/, golf
Sun City Country Club, http://www.suncitycountryclub.org/history/index.asp, history
Sun City Country Club, http://www.suncitycountryclub.org/membership/index.asp, membership
Sun City Country Club, http://www.suncitycountryclub.org/academy/index.asp, lessons
Reference:
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/5641300/phoenix_golf_course_birdies_and_hazards.htm
- money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2008/06/26/teaching-golf-with-seniors-in-m
