I played Palo Verde Golf Course in Phoenix on Thanksgiving day. The following was a blub I wrote about it, but haven’t published until now…….
I’ve been looking forward to writing this blog since I started writing about golf and my game. Palo Verde Golf Course will always be special to me as it was a ‘stepping stone’ in the evolution of my golf game. I have previously mentioned that when I started playing golf after a long hiatus, I didn’t want to waste anyone’s (meaning other golfers) time. When I picked up the clubs again I went to the range, then my local par 3, then an executive course. The first exec I played was Palo Verde in central Phoenix. PV is one of the 8 city of Phoenix courses and is one of two exec courses (the other being the Encanto 9). I played here probably a dozen times before I moved on to a full par 72 18 hole course and I love going back to revisit this short, 9 hole track that helped me on my way to rediscovering a game that I have loved most of my life.
The first thing I like about playing here is it is short enough to walk. I’ve mentioned in previous blogs about my love for walking golf. If Phoenix summers weren’t so brutal and http://www.golfnow.com prices didn’t include a cart, I would walk every round. The Phoenix winter months afford me the opportunity to walk more. I do believe one can get a better feel for a course when walking and walking is definitely healthier. I have a carry/stand bag that weighs around 30 lbs, so I get a bit of a workout whenever I play these walkable courses.
Palo Verde has 3 par 4s, and 6 par 3s. #1 is a par 4 with a pond of water down the right of the fairway. When I started playing I wasn’t driving the ball at all and would end up halfway down the fairway. Now, I get within 80 yards of so with a small pitch on. #2 is a short par 3 with water on the right (you’re going around the pond). #3 is the last hole that borders the pond and is another short par 3. #4 (par 3) runs along the driving range (on the right) and I have always had trouble with this hole. I’ve played this course at least 2 dozen times and there have only been 2 times I have put the ball on the green. Every other time I always hit it to the right and have to hit around the trees next to the green. #5 is a longer par 3 around 150 yards. This borders the far end of the driving range. #6 is the longest par 3 around 180 yards. My 5 wood usually gets me there, but I’ve shanked it to the right many times. #7 is a short, and the final, par 3 under 100 yards that runs along 6 houses that overlook the back of the course. #8 is a short par 4 about 240 yards. I drove the green on this, once. There are a bunch of trees on the left of the fairway that creates a dog leg left. That time I just happened to hit a bullet right through the trees and put it side green for an approximate drive of 240 yards. My normal drive is 220 or so. This was a big deal for me. The last hole, #9, is a straight par 4 that ends up back at the clubhouse. All in all this a fun little course that keeps me coming back. Even during the winter, I believe it’s no more than $14 to play. Replay rate is $5. They were very busy on Turkey day and the 9 holes did take 2 hours, but I’ve played a round here in under an hour.
So, that’s what I wrote sitting in Discount Tire days later. I took pictures at the time but have no idea where they are.
Dry Heat Hacker 