Talking Stick Golf Club - O'odham Course

Played 18 each morning I was in Scottsdale and came here after. Considerably firmer and faster than elsewhere, better turf, really beautiful place. Abundant wildlife, breezy pace, met great people out on the course. Definitely coming back and highly recommend the evening summer round, really not that hot and extra beautiful.

The O’odham course is the first time I’ve ever played a course in the desert, and it was a much different experience than my usual parkland conditions. Straying off the course meant REALLY playing in the desert. Talking Stick is an interesting Coore/Crenshaw layout.

We got paired up with a couple who had retired to Phoenix, and they were extremely helpful in navigating the course as they said they were regulars at TS. The place was in excellent condition. The fairways are quite generous with plenty of room. But if you hit it far left or right, you were in the actual desert and that made for some difficult second shots. Greens were very good and putts rolled but many have lots of elevation changes to them.

The one hole that stood out as a little odd was No. 12. The design forces you to hit it to the right as there is a giant dirt-like “ditch” on the left and in the middle. Plus, it continues all the way up past the green.

Looking back, it was a fun day out in the desert and a cool experience. With so many options in the area, not sure I’d go back but I will highly recommend it to others.

Course conditions were very nice, greens were solid and fairways in good shape. North vs. course; long vs. short to drive the fairway, narrow vs. wide fairways, sand traps in difficult vs. not so obtrusive placement. Both courses have good differences.

The course itself was not bad. Big fairways, but not much room to miss fairways. Bunkers were fine, greens were not the worst. Good undulations on some. Pace of play was absolutely awful. Started as a 2 some paired with another 2 some who had to leave on 12 because we got so far behind. Ended up being a 5 hours round. No rangers in sight. Bev cart staff very unfriendly. We played at a discounted rate (over 50% off) that we would not pay again to play the course. Tons of wildlife (gophers) that seemed cool to start off on the first hole or two, but became disgusting after the first few holes because of how many there were. Had high hopes and was severely let down due to the pace of play alone.

The Talking Stick golf facility is one of my all-time favorite place to play golf in the world. They have 2 great courses, both designed by the Crenshaw-Coore architectural company and I like both of them equally. The staff (pro-shop, starter etc) are very professional and welcoming. Since I was going to be in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area for 16 days over Christmas, I bought an All Inclusive Card which gets you discounted green fees, one free round and free breakfast/lunch with a paid round. So, I played 3 times (and wished I could play more!). The first time I played at this facility was in 2007 and I try to play every time I visit my family in Phoenix.

100% recommend this facility (either course).

Pace of play was atrocious. They overbooked the course like crazy. No ranger to be seen on the course, they clearly didn’t care.

First and for most, only the range was open, but only for a short time. The putting green and chipping greens were closed. The starter was letting groups of 8 go off, slowing the entire course down. I recall seeing 4 groups waiting on a par 3, on the 3rd hole.
My tee time was for 1:00 pm (Before Twilight). After waiting on the third tee box for roughly 40 minutes just to tee off, the group behind us let us know that they had two groups of 8 behind them.
We finished the front nine in roughy 3.5 hours.
The beverage cart services, although having 2 carts in operation, took forever. We didn't see her until the 8th hole.
We decided to keep going and push it. The groups behind us gave up because it was getting late.
We ended up getting through 14 holes, not finishing our round.
That is uncalled for when we teed off at 1:00 pm.
Completely ridiculous.

It was my first time playing this course, and unfortunately will be my last.
I will not play this course again, and don't recommend this course.

It was a great 4 th of July morning. The early tee time made for fast greens nice fairways. Pace of play out or this world. No one in front or back pushing or pulling us. Just an all around great morning on a great course. Can’t wait to play the North course again.

Had a free golfnow round so value was excellent. Probably would not return at the going rate of mid $100's for a couple of reasons outlined below. Well maintained fairways, tees, and greens. Excellent sand in the numerous bunkers. No water on this "north" course.

On the negative side, greens were very flat and typical resort style. Also, all the holes basically were the same layout so none really stood out. The need to do some rodent control as the place is literally crawling with gophers.

We had a group of buddies travel to AZ for a golf trip and to watch the WM Open. This was our 3rd course and did not disappoint. Course was in perfect shape and provided incredible views. Staff was above and beyond friendly from the start. Fairways are pretty wide open, but you will be penalized if you get too wild. Greens are fairly big, and very easy to 3 putt if you land on the wrong side. Would recommend and will come back.

I cannot say enough about Talking Stick Golf Club from the moment we arrived till the time we left, friendly and welcoming. The pro shop was well stock and the merchandise nicely displayed. The staff extremely professional and efficient getting the morning rush of golfers checked in and out the starter. On the day we played there was a junior tournament so the range and putting green was busy, we still managed to warm up and make our tee time. The starter gets five stars for his calm and friendly approach. After 18 holes on the O'odham course, we enjoyed lunch in the restaurant and managed to get out for another 18 on the Piipaash course. All in all the two courses are in exceptional shape there are a few holes with water hazards on Piipaash. The greens roll true and are medium to fast speed. I highly recommend either course for any level of golfer. The blended tee option is perfect for the average golfer. The scenery and surroundings are breathtaking. Thank you Talking Stick and keep up the excellent work.

The clues was in excellent shape and we throughly enjoyed ourselves. We have family down from Canada and they have a blast

Course was in great shape and the set up of the entire facility just made a lot of sense to me. Very glad I went and will go again if I get back in the area.

Fantastic views, amazing condition !! Friendly staff. Overall great experience.

Conditions were great especially the greens. No issue on conditions and pace of play. The staff did a great job and all were pleasant and I would definitely come back.

The fairways and greens are in great shape. Also found, much to my disgust, that the sand traps are in great shape with soft, deep sand.
The fairways are wide and forgiving and there isn't any water on the O'odham course.
The staff were very helpful in getting me set up. I was greeted at the range and given a verbal outline of how the morning would progress until tee time.
Overall a very good experience.

Incredible course conditions for December Fairways so we’ll kept, large greens very well manicured. We enjoyed our round and would definitely play here again!

First time here and although the course wasn’t memorable from a design standpoint, it checked most of the boxes for me. We were the 3rd time off and played in 3:50. Didn’t see any marshals . Conditions were better than average. WIDE OPEN fairways. Great option for the average player. No GPS on carts but most holes had obvious landing areas.
When i can play 18 in under 4 hours on a Sunday at a daily fee course , I’m happy. It’s worth $100 in season. Staff very friendly.

I’ve been golfing in the valley for years and avoided teeing it up here for years. Colleagues had said it was flat and pretty much uneventful.. Yes it’s a pretty straight forward course with little in elevation change. That said it’s in flawless condition the greens were quick and to me difficult to read.. Great view and not a house lined track. Overall fun to play and forgiving fairways so you can let the driver go. Enjoyable day.overall

Staff and range were excellent. Design is not exciting but a very good resort course.