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| - Somehow, someway I was able to score a round on the Monument course at Troon North for half the going peak playing time rate. It is definitely a must play (at the right price - more on that later) for any local and snowbird's golfing vacation. I cannot speak on the Pinnacle's layout, but the Monument, on this particular brisk day in December, was in immaculate condition. Except for a few holes, the tee boxes were cut perfectly, the fairway had adequate delineation from the rough, which was surprisingly difficult, and the greens were the fastest I have played here since arriving from the east coast in October. The condition of the fairways and rough were a testament to the fact that the overseeding done here in the fall was very successful. Please note that the Monument is not an easy course. It's uphill par 4s and 5s rival those of SunRidge Canyon. There's plenty of variety as well offered by this track. Some holes are flat vistas, others are carved into downhill canyons and still others lay adjacent to massive palo verdes and mini buttes. The course definitely had the most cacti of any course I've played here in the Valley of the Sun.
Some may be asking: "Why only four stars for what is routinely ranked as the two best golf courses in state of Arizona by Golfweek, Golf Digest and Golf Magazine? Answer? One word: Price. I was able to get on the Monument course at half the price they were charging at the time for peak play. This isn't a knock on the course at all. It's just that while there aren't many courses in the Scottsdale area that rival the quality of Troon North, there are a few I'd consider it an equal of and which you can get on at much cheaper price point. There are those that hold Troon North is overrated. I would never go that far but you can play other courses that rival it's majestic layout at three-quarters to half the price.
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