Dobson Ranch Golf Course

The Grounds Super had the maintenance team scalp the winter grass in May as part of the transition to summer grass. Unfortunately, it decimated the fairways. By the time the grounds crew got their mower blades adjusted the damage was too severe and terminal.

Lots of crab grass and weeds have found their way into the fairways, and there are still lots of mud spots visible.

If you are walking with a cart as we do regularly, be prepared for mud caked wheels, and 30 minutes of cleanup at the end of your round.

While all Arizona courses are challenged with the transition from winter over seeding to summer grass, Dobson compounded its problems by scalping its fairways. They are dumping an inordinate amount of water on the fairways to try and make up for it. It’s going to take a good two weeks of non-play, for what little grass is left to come back.

Slow rate of play. Holes near the driving range have countless balls scattered across the course. Driving range is definitely more quality than the course itself.

The cart path only on Monday and Tuesday seems to be having a positive result on the fairway. They are starting to improve a little over what it has been.

We were paired with two great guys that played ready golf like we did.

Dobson has definitely lost its appeal. Course was in HORRIBLE condition. dirt fairways, patchy weedy grass everywhere else. I would advise Dobson to invest more in conditions of the course rather than the driving range, sound system and mini putt putt course.

Cons - little to no grass on the fairways. More green in the rough which was a combination of Bermuda and Crabgrass. All the pins were like 2 steps from the edge of the green either in the very front or back, with a couple in the middle but close to the edge.

Pro's - there was a Marshal keeping the players moving. Beverage cart had Coca Cola and not Pepsi!

Condition is terrible. Pace of play was terrible. Course was cart path only.. for what?! They are doing no work on the fairways or the greens, what are they trying to salvage? Came to play as a single, got to the first tee box, was told to wait 5 minutes until a group of 3 teenagers could join. Why not just send me off solo? It was 10am on a Monday, not very busy. It was their first time playing so they were very slow, separated from them after hole 2. Got to hole 6 and was told they do not allow people to play through on this course due to "pace of play" issues. First course I have ever heard this from. There are plenty of other courses in the area that would be a much better value. You couldn't pay me to play this course again.

Was cart path only Monday. I didn't mind, I was told it was to allow the grass an opportunity to grow. Since there is hardly any grass in the fairways now I hope this effort produces results. Another note. Planting a tree practically in front of the forward tee box on hole number two is in my opinion cruel and stupid.

Used to be a nice golf course. Let the super know it's ok to grow grass.

Had a great day! Course in pretty good shape around the greens and tee boxes. Has a few rough spots in “fairways”. It is AZ in the summer!

Dobson Ranch is a wonderful muni golf experience. In July you can't beat the rates! Around $35 for an early Friday tee time.

Greens were recently punch but still rolled nicely.

A lot of thin spots in the fairways but manageable

It's a challenging but fair old-school muni track

Highly recommend!

Dobson Ranch is a well run golf course with great amenities and a fantastic covered driving range. It was cart path only for this round which makes play slow down but they do it to keep the grass healthy so I get it. I play there a lot and will continue!

Checked in this morning to play 18, was paired up with some reasonable people that didn't mind that while I suck, I'm fast at sucking. Started on 10 and besides a bit of the course a bit soft from rain, it played well. Bev Cart was on point after five holes and very courteous throughout the round. Thank goodness I had a cart for myself as I said, I needed to be fast at sucking. Can't wait to play there again soon as always. Also, construction on the nine hole putting course is looking great and that just seem to at another later of excitement at Dobson.

Thanks to the staff as always, and to paraphrase Drew at the Ranch, y'all definitely made me smile!

They had the whole course “cart path only”. It escapes me why because the fairways were worse than bad. There was a lot of dirt spots, weeds and dead grass in the middle of the fareway so why cart path only!? I expect courses to have summer conditions but I didn’t understand what they are preserving. I was told “we’re getting the course ready for the fall”… it’s mid July…. The pace was painfully slow (partly cuz of cart path only). It didn’t seem like the groups Infront adjusted their pace And no one did anything about it. I won’t play this course again until it’s “ready for fall”.

I've been playing DR for years. I've never seen the fairways in such poor condition. Even if you can be lucky enough to find grass on the fairway it been cut so short it's like hitting of bare ground. I've decided to play it like a Far Eastern course and carry along a grass patch to hit off of. I've played several courses in the valley and DR is by far in the worst condition.