Sedona (Blues)
6646 yards – 71.1 Rating – 134 Slope – 84 Score
Day 5; April 25th, 2017
Most of the reviews I have read about Sedona Golf Resort talk about a feature that is 5 or 7 miles (I’m guessing) away. Other than this paragraph, I’m not going to do that (much). Yes, the red rock cliffs are an amazing backdrop for a golf course; and, yes, there are some stunning views to take in (I spent the most time gawking at #8, but I’m told #10 is the signature hole and I can see why that might be; however, I was too busy fighting my way out from under a tree for a bogey to properly take it in). However, I think all of this does a disservice to what is a really nice golf course.
If you took the exact same 18 holes and put them in the middle of nowhere, the course would still be a pleasure to play. There are plenty of elevation changes, water and almost every putt has some break on it. I was waiting for the people in front of me to move from the fairway so I could tee off on #13 and a guy working on his roof shouted over to me “are you saying a quick prayer, a lot of people do from there” (I should mention I was hitting from the back tee’s). Looking down the narrow shoot at what appeared to be a rather skinny landing area (turns out it opens up a bit down there) was intimidating.
That’s what I felt like I experienced most of the way around the Sedona course. Tricky (but completely fair) looks and shots with plenty of challenge. The second hole drops off what must be 100 feet from tee to green and it is one of several holes that require you to not only be able to hit all the clubs in your bag, but to really know them as well (i.e. is a choked up 9 the best 150yrd club with a 2 club elevation change, or would a full wedge land better). As an example, I was hitting my 3 wood an average of 215-220 so the 336 yrd downhill 18th looked like a good chance to fire at the front of the green. However when I thought it through my 7 iron was the high reward low risk club. 224 yrds later, from the center of the fairway, I was a simple gap wedge away from the green.
You also don’t need to look away from the course for scenery. It is sculpted around a variety of trees, brush and really nice homes that blend into the surroundings. It is in excellent condition and groomed nearly flawlessly everywhere. The only thing resembling a complaint I had was that the bunkers were very watered down and played quite “thick” as a result… easy enough to avoid by not hitting a bad shot into them though, right?
Staff was great and accommodating. Once again getting out early (second group) I found the pace of play beyond good and actually impressive. I finished my round in 2:49 (playing alone) and only waited on the group in front of me on two holes (on one of which they were held up by sprinklers). The twosome behind me was right there until the last hole as well, so it wasn’t just the front two groups moving along.
As I mentioned above, I’d play this course if it were in the middle of the Nevada desert (or some suburban neighborhood, or whatever). I really enjoyed playing Sedona… and yeah, the red rock cliffs were pretty cool as well.
