More of a resort course and one I used to play during the season as the price is usually right whereas I move more upscale in the summer. It's a troon managed course and generally in good shape. It's flat and forgiving (for desert golf) and not a bad choice to play. Not my favorite or least favorite course, a solid place to play.

Customer Service

Everything is solid and pace of play has generally been good.

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I would put it in the same category as Kierland or the Phoenician as a resort course in the Phoenix area. Phoenician is more tropical/Florida-like, Kierland a little more forgiving with more elevation changes.

WARNING!!! Generally I find courses that are managed by Troon Golf well run and respectable.
This is not the case for Talking Stick in Scottsdale. It is very poorly managed and the golf is inescapably bad. The whole experience of this course, from the bag boy – to the cart girl – to the club house assistance is BAD!! Worse of any course in the Troon system that my group and I have experienced. And we came on the recommendation of the casino next door. They must have a piece of the action at the course, because each of our group – 12 in all felt the same way.
Strongly recommend AVOIDING this disaster.

I played the North course (South is currently being overseeded). It is a very plain course. The fact that I played Boulders-South 4 days prior (which is outstandingly scenic), probably didn't help with my impression of this links-style layout. The fairways and greens were in good shape. The grounds, practice facility, and grille are nice.

Customer Service

Not impressed. I was given a coupon from the concierge at the Scottsdale-Hilton and the manager at Talking Stick didn't honor it stating that I was playing with an "afternoon rate." He informed me that the normal day rate is 110.00, even though the tee-times available linked to their webpage (talkingstick.com) clearly show an 80.00 rate for non-afternoon tee times. Bottom line, I was told to read the bottom of the coupon where it says "restrictions may apply"...nice, won't be back, not impressed overall. Very average course that doesn't even approach the level of other high-end courses I've been fortunate to play (Boulders, TPC-Sawgrass, Pinehurst, Homestead, Doral, Innisbrook, Saddlebrook, etc).

NORTH COURSE
An outstanding low-profile design that blends naturally and effortlessly into its environs, the North course is an absolute joy to play. Wide fairways, intelligent bunkering, and subtle greens combine to create strategic decisions on every hole. Rough is virtually nonexistent as an expansive fairway cut surrounds each green to give players the freedom to choose from multiple recovery options. The bunkers are simply works of art – from ragged-edged greenside pits to fairway scrapes that fade seamlessly into the desert scrub. Conditions were perfect, from velvety smooth greens to the gorgeous overseeded fairways. It is an easy walk with minimal distance between holes. Morning pace was refreshingly brisk, completing play in 3:45.

SOUTH COURSE
A more traditional layout than the North course, the South course may look more comforting to northern visitors, with grassy areas and mature deciduous trees framing most holes instead of desert scrub. The greens are generally built up higher, therefore the greenside bunkers tend to be deeper with higher sand faces. The bunkers have a more manicured style than on the North course, and a short cut of rough surrounds most greens. Water hazards are employed on three holes, whereas the North is completely dry. The strategic challenges are less subtle than on the North, which may make it easier for the one-time visitor to appreciate. Afternoon pace was reasonable, around 4:15. Both courses provide a memorable round; choosing a favorite 18 probably comes down to personal preference for aesthetics and style.

Customer Service

Troon Golf service is unsurpassed: as walkers, they shuttled us to #2 tee to shotgun start after a frost delay, were waiting at #18 to shuttle us over to #1 to complete the round, then waited behind #1 green to return us to the clubhouse. They were very flexible with my desire to play 36 holes, even informing me during my morning round of a slight adjustment for my afternoon tee time to ensure the best chance of completing 36 holes.

Course conditions, fast pace, free range balls, yardage books, great staff, quick pace

North course could of had a few more hazards.

I was fortunate to get away and play a round of golf on the family vacation. I was extremely pleased with my choice in Talking Stick. The North course was in excellent condition. The staff was very professional. And the driving range made for a great start to a great day. Complimentary yardage books, range balls, and quick paced play (completed the round a little over 3 1/2) made Talking Stick a great choice.

Customer Service

great

Definitely the turf conditions. Also you are treated like a player instead of some 10 dollar per nine hack.

none.

I just played the South course on 12/27/01 and I was very impressed. Great design and they let you use the 90 degree cart rule for the most part. Conditions were awesome. I used almost every club in the bag. Great sand quality.

Customer Service

Excellent all around.

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None

Everything.
Conditions
Customer Service
Views
Fairways
Greens - need I go on?

None whatsoever

I just returned from a spectacular 4 day golf excursion, courtesy of my wife, for my birthday. We played 6 courses in 4 days: Talking Stick, Las Sendas, Sun Ridge Canyon, Eagle Mountain, Wildfire and Gold Canyon (Dinosaur). Please take the time to read all my reviews.

This is by far the greatest course if you combine value, conditions, Customer service, pace of play and sheer enjoyment. I repeat, you cannot go wrong playing at Talking Stick.

The service? Incredible. Friendly, helpful, very polite. Range balls, yardage books all free -(learn from these guys, Las Sendas).

The course? Spectacular. We played the North course from the tips and it was very long(7100 yds) and almost every par 4 was over 440 yds! The pace of play was incredible. Our foursome played in under 4 hours. We never waited except on the 17th hole. Shot an 87.

Course Conditions? FLAWLESS! You could putt your ball from 150 yds out in the middle of the fairway! I have never played on a course that was as well manicured as this one. Fantastic is an understatement!

Green Fees? Try $50 on a Thursday afternoon.

Customer Service

Best in the Business - Thank you Talking Stick.

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Awesome Pro-Shop. Great prices and selection.

Virtually flawless in terms of maintanence.

None to speak of.

This is a beautiful, well-maintained course. The service was amazing, the course was excellent. I would definatly play this course again. The course plays well. It is tricky but not too challenging. The Marshell keeps players spaced out enough so that your game can run smoothly. I was VERY impressed with this course.

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None

Everything-condition, people, equipment, views, etc.

Nothing

This is the greatest course I have ever played. Very pricey at 110 a player or more, but well worth it. The people there are very friendly, and the course is great. Very well maintained from tee to green. Each hole is different, while all challenging. The course is very hard but fun to play.

Customer Service

Tee times very easy to make, made one the day I played one time. Service is great, friendly all the time. C

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The range is great. Its free and you can hit as many balls as you like, they set up triangles of balls at each station and you use however many you want. Its also great looking.