Ventana Canyon - Mountain Course

We live in Tucson, and have golfed this course now a few times. The course itself is beautiful and fun to play, but Vetanna pairs couples up with other two domes. This has happened the last two times we’ve played there. Today was the worst. The older couple we played but with complained constantly about the other golfers ahead of us and the slow pace of play. So, it should have been a beautiful, relaxing round of golf, but instead it was all about pace of play. I fault Golf Now and Vetanna for using the hot deal times as forced pairings.

The course in the summertime has reduced rates, and that's what made playing it palatable. Greens were in decent shape, but recent maintenance in the run up areas made hitting the right club into the green a crap shoot. And the layout is off the charts. Several distances from a green to its next tee can be more than a half-mile. Talk about breaking your rhythm. What was the architect thinking? Directional signage is marginal and there's no easy way for the golfer to get from the mandated parking lot to the pro shop. Other than that, it's worth the $32.

Price was low (normal gf = $155) because of the heat of Summer in Arizona and due to their aerating several fairways on the back nine. We lucked out and got a cloudy day, very good weather, and the fairways under aeration were still very playable. Love the layout, and I expect to play it better next time now that I know what the architects had in mind. Several holes had interesting bits in the fairway we weren't sure of until we got to our second shots. Greens were smooth and about 10 on the Stimpmeter, I'm guessing.

I played the Mountain Course at Ventana Canyon this morning and had a fun time. It is much more of a challenge than the Canyon Course in my opinion. The views of both the city and Catalina mountains were breathtaking. It was a bit sandy in front of the greens and lots of undulations on both the fairways and greens, which made for some high scoring. It was my first time playing the course, so knowing best places to be was a bit tricky. I will definitely come back and play this course again!

Next time, perhaps I'll have a big lower score!

One of the great things about living in Tucson in the summer is that you get to play all the really fine courses at greatly discounted rates. Which is what we did today at Ventana. The fairways were in great shape and the greens were fast. No problem with pace of play since only a handful of us were out there at 109F. Still, a great time and very helpful and friendly staff.

Course? Canyon

Views? Spectacular.

Course condition? Excellent.

Greens? Fast and true

Fairways? Mostly green

Sand traps? Wonderful.

Practice facility. Average.

Getting there? Not so easy. There is no bag drop. You pull up the circle and leave your bag on the curb and hope you found the right spot...according to the directions you go to the entrance for The Lodge, drive pass the 'Flying V' and it's on your right. Of course what you see is a plain building and tennis courts and there NO signs that direct you to the pro Shop. When you finally find it(on the back side of the building in a closet) they will treat you like your a homeless person because you are paying a golfnow rate.

AFTER that little experience it gets better, the cart guys and starter folks are really helpful. If you like scenic drives this is the place for you, it's nearly a mile cart-ride to the starter and range, and then you will drive another 7 miles on the course. I actually liked it.

Be sure to hit the concession stand for lunch at the turn, they have amazing sandwiches made in the Ventana kitchen.

We played the Canyon Course and had a great round! The weather was very hot but the course was in very nice shape for the most part. Groundskeepers were out keeping up with maintenance and the ground under repair areas were well marked. The staff were friendly and helpful! This course is definitely a do not miss and I'm sure that their sister course is equally good as well!

Will definitely come back for more!

Staff are repairing fairways, which are in rough shape in some areas. Greens are the best I've played in Tucson. Summer is a great time to play Ventana, price is reasonable.

I have played Ventana 5 or 6 times, and have never seen the (Canyon) Course I’m worse condition. The fairways had numerous areas with marginal grass. The greens varied from very fast to much slower, which made putting very difficult. Does Ventana abandon its courses in the low summer season?

Please read the June 24 review "If you book online". This says it all, with my personal add on below.

I was paired with 3 other local residents, 2 were staying at the hotel and we all had played this course before but never even knew about the little pro-shop hidden away down by the swimming pool and tennis courts.

Lugging my clubs up 2 flights of stairs and to my car in the back of the hotel lot in 102 weather is not how I expected to end my round.

Ventana continues to be one of best courses in the Tucson area. The layout is challenging and the grounds are superb. These greens are sometimes difficult to read but always a true roll...fast and no bumps. The lodge facilities (pro shop and restaurant) are very nice.

I teed off early (7 AM) and moved quickly around an enjoyable front 9. But when I approached the 10th tee, the Starter said he had two foursomes teeing off before me. I waited 25 minutes to tee off, then was stuck behind two slow foursomes before I quit on the 13th hole. I thought it was poor course mananagement to make those of us turning the corner while they started new groups off the 10 tee.

We have played Ventana many times over the years and still love both Courses!!

Great location , condition, and lay out.

Greens are very challenging, but for good golfers it is fun!! Very reasonably priced in the summer if you can take the hot weather . Traps are in good shape too!

First, let me say it’s a beautiful course, great condition and lightning fast greens that were immaculate. Definitely a challenging course and the Mountain Course’s signature Par 3 is really cool. I highly recommend playing it at least once.

With that said, here’s my beef on the experience. If you book online, you’re forced to check in at the Loews Resort area and not at Ventana Lodge. It’s further up the road and not convenient for the golfer. Plan on being there at least an hour prior and more if you like to spend time on the range.

Checking in at Loews Resort requires patience and time or lugging your clubs a long way through the parking lot and down a couple flights of stairs. If you’re patient, a shuttle will eventually pick you up in the parking lot then drive down a dilipidated cart path down around the cart barn and then you can walk up a couple flights of stairs past the pool and tennis courts to check in.

Upon check in, the staff in a little hole in the wall pro shop knows why you’re there and treats you the same. You’re the discount golfer and not a resort guest.

Then you walk back down to your cart. Nothing like a good cardio workout before your round!

Upon completion of your round, you better hope staff is available to shuttle you and your clubs back up to your car, if not you’ll be lugging them up a couple flights of stairs and to your car.

Again, beautiful course but be aware how you’ll be treated. 2nd Class.

Enjoyable round of golf, was neither pushed or had to wait for anyone the entire round. course was in great condition, greens were fast but true. Altogether an enjoyable round of golf.