Sundance Buckeye, Arizona

Over the holidays we checked out a local course in Buckeye, Arizona. Which is about 20 minutes from the house. I really enjoyed playing at Sundance. Especially since I beat Zombie Will for the first time in the 2 years that I've been playing. I can't say it was a great victory, considering he had one of his worst golf games in years. I would almost rather beat him when we both are having stellar games. Though I did give myself a small window of gloat time. Sundance has great mountain views and is also challenging. The fairways in some spots are narrow and there are houses on either side. Which you could tell had many a stucco patch from all those slicers and dicers. If you find yourself way out west, I recommend you stop in and bang a few golf balls. Nice place!

Coldwater Golf Course

My Zombie husband and I golf every weekend. But I don't always put the smaller homier courses on the blog. Here is a little course in the far west side of the valley. One Sunday morning, we found ourselves scrambling to find a course, since the course we had booked had a 1.5 hour frost delay. Yes, it occasionally gets cold out here. We found a tee time open at Coldwater Golf Course. I've driven by this course several times, but we never gave it a try. Pretty decent public course and we had a nice time hacking it up. The course is well-maintained and had some challenging dog-legs. There is a short par 3 where you have to hit over the water and a butt-load of reeds. This zombie managed to land it on the green. Definitely the high-light of my game. If you happen to find yourself on the west-side, I vote give this little hidden course a try.

Superstition Springs

Either this was one tough course or I was having a really bad golf game. I vote it was one tough course. This course is definitely not for a beginner. There are many a long par 5 and even some long par 4. There is plenty of water and an exceptionally tough par 3 which is up-hill. I couldn't make it to the green with a five iron, which I normally hit around 134 to 140. I did manage to squeak out a bogey. If you love a challenge and long fairways, this is the course for you. This course would work great for the person that can knock the snot out of the ball. Not so nice to those of us who haven't mastered the long ball. I would definitely play this course again. Though I might have to break out my rocket launcher driver for those par 5 day trips.

Seven Canyons Sedona Arizona

Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged on an Arizona course. Lately we've been playing the smaller local cheaper courses. Though all the courses are cheaper in Arizona during the summer. Over the weekend we had a wedding to attend near Sedona. We decided to drive up early for a round of golf at Seven Canyons. This course was originally a private course, but is now open to the public. Ok, so I have to blame my lacking golf game on the fact that this course is so scenic that every direction you look is a photo-op. It really is an awesome golf course. I must have taken about 50 + pictures but only loaded about 20 something on the photobucket link. This course is a must play! Definitely not for the beginner. I give this course a big Golf Zombiez top 10! I'm looking forward to going back soon and taking in the vibes from the vortex of spiritual golf healing. You'll love it!

Oak Creek Golf Club near Sedona

I apologize for the extremely late posting of this new course, but it's been a crazy last few months. Plus we all know the weather in Phoenix this time of year is HOT. You can golf in Phoenix in the summer, but you need to get up at the crack of dawn.

Oak Creek Golf Club is one cool course. It's about a 1.5 hour drive north of Phoenix. The scenery is spectacular and the course is fun. We drove to Sedona with our best friends, Dave and Bevy Jo. Before we headed to the first tee box, one of the locals gave me some sound advice. He said balls have a tendency to head towards Phoenix. Evidently there is some hidden Phoenix vortex sucking golf balls in a southern direction. Thanks local. The course is beautiful and the staff, well great. As you can see by the photobucket pictures, the course is well maintained and you can't beat the views of the red rocks. This course is a definite, Zombiez YES. If you are staying over in Sedona, I highly recommend the restaurant Cuchina Rustica. Yes, this is now a golf / restaurant blog. I give Oak Creek a 10!

Wigwam Golf Resort Blue Course

Over the weekend, Zombie Will and I decided to try out the Wigwam Golf Resort Blue Course. We've golfed at the Wigwam before last year on the Red Course. The Wigwam Golf Resort has 3 very nice courses, Blue, Red and Gold. The Wigwam is a great course, especially in the summer. There are plenty of giant trees for shade, and plenty of water features and ponds to keep it cooler. The fairways and greens are well kept and the golf attendants, were very nice and attending. Zombie Will and I played pretty darn well that day. The only drawback that I can see is that many of the fairways parallel each other and at some points are very narrow. Which wasn't an issue for us, but definitely an issue for other golfers that shanked and spanked their ball into different fairways. There were several instances where people's drives were banking off trees. Trust me, not everyone got a membership bounce. For some reason the term "duck" comes to mind. Near the end of the round I was feeling a little shell shocked from all the in-coming golf ball mortor. Despite that, I had a great round and I am looking forward to giving the Gold course a try. I will just wear a helmet next time. I'm kidding. I vote anyone coming to visit Phoenix and the surrounding area should definitely give these courses a try. Big Zombie 9 on the zombie scale!

To book a tee time at the Wigwam email: www.wigwamgolfclub.com or call 623-935-9414 / 1-800-909-4224

Sanctuary Golf Course at Westworld

First, let me say I went back to Estrella last weekend to take another crack at the course, since we had a wind factor. I have to be honest, I can't blame those questionable shots on the wind.

This weeks blog is about Sanctuary Golf Course in Scottsdale. This very narrow, some what tough course wasn't bad. This course is built in a flood plan area, where the power lines and the Salt Rive Project canal meet. You will notice many a picture with power lines in the background. The course was well maintained and the staff were very nice and helpful. Especially when our golf cart ran out of juice and Will had to push me up a hill to the next tee box. The cars are equipped with GPS, so a quick push of a button had a new cart delivered in no time at all. Though I have to admit, I did enjoy Will pushing the cart. There was also an Ashton club rep on the turn at the 10th tee. Before our round, I demo-ed a putter. Which I totally fell in love with and had to buy. Not a cheap around of golf that day. I didn't have a bad round of golf, but I get this feeling there is a magnetic pull that sucks the golf balls in the direction of the small sandy ravines. Could be the electro magnetic fields coming from the power lines or just the fact that I couldn't drive straight. I vote we go with the latter. All in all this was a fun course, not as scenic as most but definitely fun.

To see pictures of this course, click on the Photo Bucket link to the right. To book a tee time:

www.sanctuarygolf.com or call 480-502-8200

Golf Club at Estrella Ranch

The Golf Club at Estrella Ranch is one of Arizona's fun and challenging courses. It's a hidden gem in the Estrella mountain range. The staff is super nice. Big shout out for Denny. He is one of the attendants at the bag drop and was very nice. It was a gorgeous day starting out and even my not so great shots weren't all that bad. The real challenge came into play when the gale force winds picked up on the last 5 holes. I was worried about hitting into the wind and having my ball come back to knock me in the forehead. There was one episode when my visor blew off and I was sent scrambling through the desert bush to tackle it. No worries folks, I saved it. On the turn at 10, we picked up some munchies which were pretty darn good. The gals/guys in the snack bar were very nice and had our food out quickly. Estrella Ranch is well maintained and fun to play. I enjoyed it so much, that we are going back this weekend to play again, minus the hurricane force winds. (Hopefully). I give this course a 10. Please feel free to comment on this course.

To book a tee time at Estrella Ranch:

www.estrellagolf.com or call: 623-386-2600

Phantom Horse, Arizona Grand Resort

This weekend the Zombiez foursome, which is made up of King GoZo (Will), Queen Zomberina (Susan), ZomBean (Benita) and ZomGor (Gordon) took a whack at the Phantom Horse golf course at the Arizona Grand Resort. I can honestly say that my game improved from last weekend’s hack and whack session at Gold Canyon. Yeah! Phantom Horse is a very nice course and also very difficult. There are many a blind greens, narrow fairways and some rather difficult dog-legs. Phantom Horse is also known for the infamous 14th hole a.k.a “Jail House Steps.”(pictured above) If the elevated green doesn’t eat your lunch, the massive sand bunkers below the green will do you in. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is some type of magnetic vortex field that sucks golf balls into each sand trap as you sand wedge your way up the hill. If all else fails, a trusty dusty hand wedge does the trick (I’m kidding). The course has many scenic tee boxes and friendly staff. I love friendly staff. The 18th hole is very impressive, with it’s elevated tee box. It has great view of the mountain ranges and the sprawling City of Phoenix. After your 18 is done, I vote you try the little bar in the lounge area. They serve some of the best fish tacos and other very nummy dishes. This course is not for beginners. i.e., the 3-some in front of the Zombiez clan, hit at least 2 balls into the drink, which was about 20 feet from the tee box. Ba-loop. My rating on this course is a 9 on the Zombiez rating scale.

Guest Blogger ZomBean (Benita) adds her course critique:

Phantom Horse at Arizona Grand… Grand it is and you’d better be GRAND as well, especially off the first tee box. Why you may ask? Well, all the patrons of restaurant sitting on the patio will be watching you like a hawk. It is a little nerve wracking for the new or intermediate golfer who suffers from a lack of golf confidence or performance anxiety in front of a crowd. And yes, I do mean me. Thankfully however I am a She-Zombie and decided to hit off the She-Tees…(insert your joke here) not in located in front of the clearly amused restaurant patrons.

The He-Zombiez started the amusement with one rapidly shanked ball in the water! The other, made it safely across. Once the warm up at the first hole was over, we Zombiez started on a collaboration of equally good and bad shots at every hole. One of us was on, the other three were off. What was happening? If this had been best ball, we would have done great.

The overall course is a bit odd to me; the front nine is very different from the back nine. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it is just different. I absolutely loved golfing at this course because the scenery and the mountain views are absolutely beautiful! Kudos to the staff at Phantom Horse as well; they are all very attentive. Once the Arizona heat kicks in, someone comes around with ice cold, scented towels to help cool you off. Now that is what I call service! Once you’re done golfing here, you simply have to go into the little bar area and experience the best fish tacos you ever ate! The tacos are so good; I don’t even want to try anything else on the menu!

To book a tee time at Phantom Horse, please email or call:
www.phantomhorsegolf.com or 602-431-6480

Gold Canyon Dinosaur Course

Wow, isn't all that I have to say. This course is stunning. The views are breath taking and the fairways and greens are immaculate. Even if you totally stink at golf, just being on this course will make you appreciate life more, then just having a great drive off the first tee. The starter and cart attendants are super friendly. Everyone there seems to be in a great mood. Probably because the course is so nice. Actually, not everyone was in a great mood. After about the 3 hole, my mood was quickly deteriorating. For some reason, I left my A- game at home and decided to bring my N game for non-existent. I know people say that a bad day at golf is better than a good day at work. But what about a really bad day at golf. I was truly humbled by the golf Gods. I think I'm going to change my name to Hack-a-potimus. Though I'm not the type of person that will take a beating sitting down. I have vowed to return to the course and return the favor by giving the course a beat down in the like. I give this course a 10 on the zombiez scale! Not for a beginner.

To book a tee time at Gold Canyon: www.gcgr.com or call 480-982-9090 / 1-800-827-5281

Please click on the photobucket link to the right to view Gold Canyon Dinosaur course.

Rancho Mañana Golf Club in Cave Creek

Whether you're a native, transplant or just visiting, you will definitely enjoy the beautiful Rancho Manana Golf Club in Cave Creek, Arizona. From the moment we walked into the club house, we were greeted by super friendly staff. The cart attendants and the starter were great also. In fact, when someone, we won't mention any names, accidentally left my golf bag open and the attendant picked up my bag, about 30 golf balls went bouncing in all directions The attendant was so nice and helped me chase golf balls. Big time thanks Mr Golf Attendant dude. The fairway and greens, well are, very green. The course is in great condition and the scenery is awesome. On the 10th tee, there is a little dining building called the Oasis. Had great hot dogs and bratworst. This course is narrow and has plenty of housing hazards for you shank-a-potimus'. The course is also teaming with wild life and beautiful wild flowers. In my opinion, this is a challenging course and probably not good for beginners. On the golf zombie scale, this course rates a 10.

Click on the photobucket link to the right to see more of this course.