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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
728 Reviews (728)
5 Stars
118
4 Stars
321
3 Stars
173
2 Stars
70
1 Stars
46
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.8
Layout
3.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.8
80.0%
Recommend this course
585 out of 728 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
29 Reviews (29)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.7
Layout
3.7
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.6
82.8%
Recommend this course
24 out of 29 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
47 Reviews (47)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
24
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
5
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.7
Layout
3.8
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.6
80.9%
Recommend this course
38 out of 47 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The staff here consistently earns high praise for being welcoming and genuinely helpful to golfers of all skill levels. Tee boxes, fairways, and greens hold up well, and this classic course offers solid value for the experience.

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Style Desert
Par 70
Length 6436 yards
Slope 124
Rating 69.4

Previously known as Trini Alvarez El Rio Municipal Golf Course

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El Rio Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1934
Golf Season Year round
Architect William P. Bell Ken Kavanaugh (2004)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

3.8
728 Reviews (728)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 15
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 30
Water Hazards 10
Undulating Greens 7
This course/club is great for:
Locals 31
Beginners 26
Seniors 26
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 44
Near Local Attractions 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 115
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

Decent place to play

Renovations to clubhouse still in progress (pyramid’s built faster). Good restaurant and bar before improvements so should be worth visiting if clubhouse work is ever completed. Carts in sorry shape. Balls flying all over place due to compact course layout. Only on course water from fountains which provide tepid, and foul tasting water (seemed to be laced with kerosene, yuck!) Drink cart available and attentive, or bring your own water.

But, there is progress. Fairways only OK (bare spots), bunkers good with sand though wet the day I played. Greens a bit slow but not bumpy and held OK. Layout not inspirational but presents challenges and has a few tough holes (long, small greens) which will test you. Sub 4 hour rounds standard if pace moves as expected. Staff friendly and attentive. Reasonable priced golf.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Rain has helped

Not quite a complete with grass everywhere but makes this course live up to it's heritage. The layout is challenging and with grass it's getting closer to it's history. The traps still suck overall. They need sand and rakes on every trap. But for the summer price it's a great course to work on your game. It's also fun and makes you think.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fast pace and enjoyable

Pace of play for the two of us was excellent. Greens were in good shape and played fast.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Mass Chaos

So the course scheduled school practice and a shotgun 9 hole at the same time as booking regular golfers. The students were skipping holes, playing extremely slow, and walking. Made for a rough day to get into other rhythm. Greens were good but super firm and difficult to hold any shot. Fairways are rough and thin.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Rain has helped, really greened up

The history when this was a country club the pga played here. With it greened up it shows the course off. It does require some golf shots. It's not exactly hard by today's long hitter standards but it always makes me think about my shots. So I enjoy it and it makes me practice (except the traps still lack uniform sand.). Summer rates are also great if you watch for certain tee times. Staff is always welcoming and helpful.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Terrible

The city fought for this course to stay open because of it’s history in the community but they’ve done absolutely nothing to honor that history. Fairways are mostly dirt. Club house has been closed and under construction for the better part of two years. Fortunately the staff tending bar outside at a folding table is great! First tee facility is the best in Tucson. Hopefully those kids get to play a different course when they are ready. Just an embarrassment of a course run by the city.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 48
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fairways

The fairways are in pretty bad shape. More dirt than grass. Greens were nice and traps were well kept. Enjoyed the round.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Rain has helped

Much better than the last time I played. Greens were a bit slow but 100% grass was appreciated. Fairways were also better except some large areas that were being worked on. Bunkers still. Need more sand . T boxes need some work. But it was a fun day. This course could really be special with all its history.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 113
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Top 500 Contributor
Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
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Golf Packages

Tubac Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

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TUCSON | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa and golf at Tubac Golf Resort.
Tubac Golf Resort

Tubac Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

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TUCSON | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa and golf at Tubac Golf Resort.

The Triple Down Stay & Play Package

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PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Gila River Resorts & Casino - Wild Horse Pass or Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino and golf at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes and Whirlwind Golf Club - Cattail & Devil's Claw courses.

Whirlwind Golf Getaway Package

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CHANDLER | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Gila River Resorts & Casino - Wild Horse Pass and golf at Whirlwind Golf Club - Cattail & Devil's Claw courses.

Mesa Golf Around Package

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MESA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Home2 Suites by Hilton - Mesa Longbow and golf at Las Sendas Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club & Ocotillo Golf Club.
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