Camelback Golf Club - Padre Course

Ok, so I have read the last few reviews left on this course, which made me a bit concerned about our choice to play. Wrong - wrong WRONG. I have played this course over the last few years and stopped due to the continuous declining conditions. I heard that Marriott threw some $$ at the conditions and what I heard was correct. The greens - very smooth, absolute even coverage of grass, true rolling and at a competitive speed providing the greens some defense! Secondly the tees are flat level and at multiple yardages to accommodate any aptitude of skill. This a VERY good Arthur Hills design challenging all levels. There are 8 holes with water actively in play, which for the desert valley is a great attribute. Depending on skill, there are 4 or 5 holes (par 4's) where driver might not be the best play with an emphasis on placement of your tee ball is a priority. Continuing with the design variety there are 6 elevated greens, again testing your skill to avoid the green front hazards & providing a chance for birdie. Playing in the winter months the Bermuda rough was brown and could be left to grow a bit and offer some challenge to keep the ball in the fairway. The pace of play on the front side was near perfect (my buddy and I and our wives) played in 1 hr. 50 minutes. The back was a bit slower as two groups were inserted in front of us, and even with that the round was done in 4 hours 5 minutes. The beverage cart stopped/passed us at least 3 times on each 9, and the greeting staff and club cleaning crew were very helpful.
I would like to congratulate Marriott on $$ well spent and encourage the team to keep up their excellent work on the great Arthur Hills Design.

Ok, so I have read the last few reviews left on this course, which made me a bit concerned about our choice to play. Wrong - wrong WRONG. I have played this course over the last few years and stopped due to the continuous declining conditions. I heard that Marriott threw some $$ at the conditions and what I heard was correct. The greens - very smooth, absolute even coverage of grass, true rolling and at a competitive speed providing the greens some defense! Secondly the tees are flat level and at multiple yardages to accommodate any aptitude of skill. This a VERY good Arthur Hills design challenging all levels. There are 8 holes with water actively in play, which for the desert valley is a great attribute. Depending on skill, there are 4 or 5 holes (par 4's) where driver might not be the best play with an emphasis on placement of your tee ball is a priority. Continuing with the design variety there are 6 elevated greens, again testing your skill to avoid the green front hazards & providing a chance for birdie. Playing in the winter months the Bermuda rough was brown and could be left to grow a bit and offer some challenge to keep the ball in the fairway. The pace of play on the front side was near perfect (my buddy and I and our wives) played in 1 hr. 50 minutes. The back was a bit slower as two groups were inserted in front of us, and even with that the round was done in 4 hours 5 minutes. The beverage cart stopped/passed us at least 3 times on each 9, and the greeting staff and club cleaning crew were very helpful.
I would like to congratulate Marriott on $$ well spent and encourage the team to keep up their excellent work on the great Arthur Hills Design.

A lot less desert than the other courses we played around Scottsdale, making it at least feel quite a bit easier. If you're tired of getting thorned searching for your ball in the desert, this is a good option. Course condition was good-average.

Probably less value compared to the other courses we played for the same price (Vista, Troon North, Quintero, Boulders), but a lot more accessible.

We have played numerous Marriott resort golf courses. Camelback was a huge disappointment. Even more so with the high rate they charge. Poorly designed many holes and condition. My wife and I both wonder if management at Marriott really know this. Having just played Marriotts Wildfire course which as usual was great, Camelback was a dog tract.

Course in good condition greens moderately fast fairways in good condition. Would recommend this course.

Re the Padre course, if you're below a 15 handicap - play their other course (ambience).

It took me almost 3hrs to play the first 9 on the padre...it was moving at a turtle's pace. And the course is nothing to write home about.

However, at the turn I went to talk to the pro shop staff. They let me go off on the front nine of the other course. As a 13 handicapper, I thought the other course was awesome. Definitely worth the money. And in fact, one of the more intriguing courses I've played out west. It's links style but not too long, and the fairways are moderately open and the views are great -what you'd expect Scottsdale course.

So overall i give the padre a three at best. The ambient course, a five. And the pro shop staff a five. I'll definitely be back.

It's a very enjoyable afternoon. Fr the time we dropped off our bags until we finish the game we can tell it's a really well managed golf club.

A top course! Both beautiful and challenging. Risks are rewarding with wonderful rolls and placement. Accurate shots a must. Will play each time I visit the Scottsdale area.

Fantastic course condition. Greens tour quality. For late December this was a great day

Ok course. Not very scenic or desert golf. Back nine in better shape and a bit more scenic. Was disappointed overall and expected more from a Marriott property.

The course was a bit wet and muddy especially if you weren't on the fairway.

Pace of play of was fairly slow, over 4.5 hours and there was just 2 groups of 3 in front of our group of 3. Players in front didn't know how to play ready golf and the player assistant that drove around would not get people to move along. In fact, he was rather argumentative when we asked him to move the groups in front along since they were so slow. The players in front kept hitting ball after ball into the water despite the fact that we were waiting over 10 minutes for every tee shot. The conditions were poor. There was barely any grass on the fairways, every shot resulted in mud chunks flying. Greens were not in particularly good condition either. Seemed like many players did not fill in their divots (in fact, the 2 players I was paired with did not even have sand bottles on their cart) nor did they repair ball marks, I would not recommend this course.

Played early December. Good conditions, great staff and had good time with pairing and guys in grill room.

booked 1 hr before tee time and had never heard of the course before. Glad I played. Course is tucked away just off Scottsdale Rd And North of the Phoenician.Practice range is nice. Padre was in really good shape, would love to have played in mid Dec after overseedding fully set in. I would not have been happy to pay full price but for a discounted price the course is awesome. Will definitely be back. The sister course looks great also. Not great views but peaceful. Greens were dandy!

Padre is one of two courses at Camelback (Ambiente is the other course). This course was in good condition, but it was not immaculate. They had recently overseeded the fairways, so it was cart path only. However, the pace was excellent. We played in three hours even though it was cart path only. The Ambiente course appeared to be fairly busy. The course is in an upscale neighborhood, but it had limited character. Although it was not overly expensive, the price reflected the neighborhood, not the character (the price should have been lower for the character). The practice facility was very good.

Play back for a challenge. Play middle for a fair test. Par 3s are nice. A few very tough holes and a few easy ones. Overall very nice.

Played the Padre course at 2:00 in the afternoon was done 18 by 5:30, felt like we were the only ones on the course. Grounds were beautiful with great mountain views. Service was good they load up your clubs and also clean them when you are done. Got a golfnow deal for $48 ea. Including cart.

Greens fast and true. Fairways a little wet, no roll to speak of and lots mud on the ball. Should have been lift clean and place. Overall 4 stars, had a great time.

Cart Path Only rules made it a little frustrating yo play.

If you are looking to play Camelback - Padre Course, know that there is really nothing special. I was fortunate enough to play this first before playing a few other courses in town. Nice place to start a golf trip or if you haven't played golf in a while.