Quintero Golf Club

Located in the northwest valley of Phoenix, Arizona the Quintero Golf Club offers an excellent experience for golfers who want to play a course with remote surroundings, elevation changes and incredible views of the upper portion of the Sonoran desert.  Rated as one of the top courses in the Phoenix area I definitely think this a top 5 public course that you need to put on your golf bucket list. Quintero, like many courses in Phoenix, was not immune to the economic crash of 2006. However, since Troon golf has taken over management of the course the future seems much brighter.

At 7208 yards, with a USGA rating of 74.9 and slope rating of 147 from the tips, Quintero is a very challenging course.  Scratch golfers to about 8-10 handicap can probably handle the tips.  For handicaps in the 10-20 range I recommend playing from the Gold tees at 6845 yards.  Another option a lot of golfers like to try is rotating between the Gold and Silver (6435 yards).  The scorecard actually lists which holes are recommended for a Gold and Silver tee box rotation.

This course is usually in excellent condition all times of the year with perfectly groomed greens and fairways.  The greens can play very fast at certain times of the year, especially in the winter with the rye grass.  For local Phoenix area golfers, who like to play upscale courses in the summer at reduced rates, Quintero is one of the best options in the valley.  While other courses usually struggle to keep their greens and fairways in tact during the extreme heat, Quintero and its higher elevations boasts some of the best greens and fairways you will see during June through August.

Hole overviews and photos.

The par 3 hole 6 is the first hole at Quintero where the view and panorama really open up to the golfer.  This challenging par 3 plays 219 from the tips and is a difficult club selection test because of wind and elevation changes.  (I've had to fire my caddie (myself) several times on this hole because of poor club selection).

Quintero's par 3 hole 6 has a big elevation change from tee to green and stunning views.

The par 5 hole 8 is one of Quintero's signature holes and one of my favorite par 5s in the valley.  There is a risk/reward option from all tees boxes.  Big hitters who want to go for the green in two have the option of cutting the corner and trying to land their tee shot on the uphill slope of the fairway above the creek that separates the lower and upper fairways.  Most golfers select the safer option of hitting a fairway wood and laying up before the creek and then hitting their second shot straight up (and I mean straight up) a very steep inclined fairway.

Quintero's par 5 hole 8 is one of the course's signature holes.  View from typical spot for second shot landing area short of creek that separates the upper and lower fairways. 

The par 3 9th hole has another elevation challenge to golfers.  Similar to hole 6 the green is straight down the hill.  The big difference on hole 9 is a water hazard guards the entire front side of the green. Club selection again is a big factor on this hole.

Quintero's par 3 hole 9.

The par 5 hole 10 offers more great views from the tee box and is an excellent way to start off the back nine.  At 521 yards this is one of the easier holes on the course and is a relief to many golfers after playing holes 8-9.

Quintero par 5 hole 10

Quintero course flyovers.

Quintero front nine

Quintero back nine

To sum it up, if you are up for a great challenge on one of Phoenix's top public golf courses Quintero is definitely worth playing a couple times.  It definitely helps to play this course several times to learn proper strategy and club selection.  Quintero's stay and play packages are also worth consideration.

More information about Quintero

For more information about Quintero Golf Club visit their web site at http://www.quinterogolf.com