Raven Golf Club
Phoenix AZ
A first class experience at non-first class rates
The Raven Golf club (formerly Raven at South Mountain) is under the management of OB Sports and it is a greatly improved place to play. It was designed by Gary Panks and David Graham and they did a wonderful job creating a course that, as my friend Sheldon said ,“meets the 3 f’s: fun friendly and fair”
Is it a parkland course? Or a desert course? The rolling fairways are generous and most of them are lined with Georgia Pine trees. In fact over 6,000 of them were planted when the course was built in 1995. There are some areas where desert washes have been created, but you won’t think you are in the Sonoran desert when you play here.
The undulating greens are all very large- varying from 29- 41 yards deep, most being between 36 and 39 yards deep. That alone could make a 3 club difference in an approach shot, and there are numerous pin positions making it a new experience each time you play here.
It is fun and challenging for all skill levels-- as it ranges from 7078 yards from the tips down to 5759 yards from the front tees. There is only water in play on three holes but the deep bunkering adds whatever challenge is missing from not enough water. Just how deep are they? Well you will just have to get in a couple to find out.- Some of the bunkers even seem invisible from the fairways so be sure to keep your eye in the yardage card they give each player.
The yardage card is very helpful but nothing like the hole by hole description on the website, which has comments about each hole with pro suggestions about the best strategy for each hole. They should include this info on the yardage cards they give out to the players.
Today the course was in terrific shape and the word is that it has been in wonderful shape all season, under the management of OB.
It has a first class practice facility with plenty of good clear targets on the range and an outstanding area to practice your short game. It has won many awards including being rated 4.5 stars (out of 5) by Golf Digest
Rates vary from $55 in summer to $150 in peak season of winter. These rates currently include $25.00 proshop credit and $10.00 lunch credit-- which reduces the cost for the day. There are wonderful discounts that are nearly 1/2 off with an OB Sports card. A bargain compared to many of the first class a golf facilities of Scottsdale
The Raven Golf Club – Phoenix,
call (602) 243-3636 or
visit www.ravenPHX.com
It is located just a few short miles south of Sky Harbor Airport
