Resorts at Ventana Canyon: Loews and The Lodge

I read reviews before I went to the course so I was well aware that I needed to be alert for signs leading to the clubhouse... I even called in advance to get explicit directions so I wouldn't miss my tee time... Huh, go figure... none of that was enough since they're too cheap to put up a sign or two to guide you in to this beautiful course! I tell the pro shop about the sign issue, he confirms that most people get lost... I'm asking him what's the problem... he just chuckles.. like, "we do that on purpose to (rhymes with hiss) people off before they get here" kind of chuckle... Goal achieved buddy! You have a 3/4 of a mile drive to the secondary clubhouse which is where the starter is, then another 3 or 4 minute drive back the way you came to get to the first tee, (only if you're playing the mountain course, I don't know where the canyon course starts), so, not an ideal layout if you run late. I was paired up with 2 really cool guys, Jim and John. It was a bit windy, but nothing you haven't seen in AZ before, 10-15 mph from swirling directions off the mountain, fun! The fairways are beautifully maintained, the carts are loaded with sand and you get refills every few holes, so, that's something that I pay attention to. It irritates me that some courses have staff that expect a tip to scrub your clubs at the end of your day... when their job is to make sure your round goes smoothly from the beginning, not the end.. make sure each cart has sand, tees, scorecard, fully charged cart, etc before sending someone out... These guys do that! The greens were not as fast as I expected them to be, but they are fast. Apparently, in the summer, they get to around 13-15.... today, maybe 10-11...the uphill putts stopped unexpectedly short and the downhill putts kept running... there are some greens that if you don't study for a few seconds and walk all the way around, you can't even see the slope/breaks... very challenging... NICE. After it started pouring down rain, we didn't take it too seriously, Very sporadic downpours, then came hail, it was not the nicest day to be out here, but better than working I guess. We did start to run into other groups, so I can see how the other reviews may have been accurate, but the rain made all the cowards hover in the break areas and restrooms, so we kept going and jumped about 3 groups and guess what..WIDE OPEN... so that tells me that the marshalls aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing by keeping the pace up.... After the 8th hole we never saw anyone... Some of these holes are intimidating, as well as breathtaking... Number 18, both the par 3's on the back, jees, just incredible looking holes... I took a coupla pics for you to enjoy. All in all, from the staff being very friendly, to the greens and fairways being in awesome shape, I have to give this course a 2 thumbs up... I think $80 is fair for this time of year compared to other courses that overprice themselves, but I think for $80 they should be able to afford a couple signs to help a guy navigate! I didn't stop to enjoy food or drink afterwards because I was soaking wet and cold.. but I will be back...

We were delighted To play this course

Played the mountain course today (teed off at 12:40), after 2 hours and 40 minutes on the front nine, we quit on 15. We were told that a shotgun in the morning played at a 6 hour pace holding up the entire course as well as a 6 foursome group to follow. We waited 20 minutes on a par 3 (#6) to tee off. Great course, but as a resort course, you have extremely slow play for the prices they are charging. Would not play there again, even though the course is beautiful. Play Arizona national instead.

Had a great time. A Marshall ushered our twosome past a foursome and we finished in 3:45.

The greens make the course challenging.

Will play again at the reduced rate.

Played Mountain course on a Sunday afternoon. Teed off at 1:45, easily got the round finished. Pace of play was good. Arriving at the course is a bit of a mystery, not well marked where pro shop is or really anything. If you need a bite to eat, don't expect it at the course. Only expensive hot dogs at the Starter's shack. No beer cart spotted. Spectacular course, well worth the $70 we paid on GolfNow.

This course was lovely to play - but because the course and the hotel are not run by the same company there are absolutely NO signs to the course. So frustration sets in before you begin to play - just not good!

I played both courses three times this week and they were a lot of fun! Greens are fast and challenging! Just how I like them!

Doesn't really get much better in terms of desert golf.

I played the Mountain course last year and the Canyon course is it's match. The course was in great condition and a great value for the internet price. The greens are hugh and very fast so it's hard not to have 3 putts. There are some fantastic views on some of the holes especially one the par 3s on the back. This is a MUST PLAY for anyone that appreciates a tough layout with great views and fast greens.

My wife and I played the Ventana Resort Canyon Course and it was in excellent shape. The starter was very helpful, the staff were friendly and more than went out of their way to make sure all was good. Play on the back nine slowed down due to a slow foursome; yet that was ok we had a great time and we recommend this course if you are in the Tucson area.

course was in great shape.....but the greens were like lightning. WE are from ELP, and play greens that are averageing 9-10 on the STIMP, these played like they were 16!!!!

This is a great course in wonderful condition with apectacular views. Only negative was they arbitrarily backed up my tee time reducing my preparation time.

The Staff was very friendly , the course has lots of nice views, but the 5 hour round of golf was way to slow and took away from the views. The greens are in rough shape, for it being March would have thought they would be better!

One of the best tracks in all of Arizona. Super greens and great variety of holes. A must play !

For a $59 green fee the conditioning of the golf course was off the dial. I don't generally like resort courses but this is worth playing if you get a $59 deal.

The greens are unbelievably fast, difficult to read, extremely large and will eat up all but the best club golfers. The routing of the course is also unbelievable. You cannot walk the course...it is routed over 10 miles!! Fabulous views and a great deal at $59.

Nice track except for all the travelling around from the pro shop to the range and back up the hill to the 1st tee. Why don't they reverse the nines? 10 is way closer to the starter and the range.

Beautiful course in pristine condition. Definitely a replay. Just super!

I have had the opportunity to now play both the Mountain & Canyon courses at Ventana. 'Golf Heaven'. The latest, the Canyon is an equally outstanding layout. Superb conditions (albeit the slickest greens you'll find in the area) coupled with friendly, helpful staff make for a very enjoyable experience.

This is a beautiful course. Vistas were outstanding and the course overall was in excellent shape. My only issue was that the greens were firm and would rarely hold an approach shot. I would play it again!

No two holes are even close to the same. There are plenty of tee box combinations to make the track enjoyable for anyone. No blind shots, long carries or cross fairway water hazards. We had a great time! The course is very popular so pace of play must be kept up.

Since it is a private course there is no 19th hole and the public can only play on one of the two courses each day.