Golf Course Review: Camelback Golf Club (Ambiente), Scottsdale, Arizona

 


CAMELBACK GOLF CLUB (AMBIENTE COURSE)

Scottsdale, Arizona

November 3, 2022


OVERVIEW

YEAR OPENED: 1970

ARCHITECT: Jack Snyder & Jason Straka

COURSE LENGTH: 5,538 - 7,225 yards

COURSE RATING: 69.0 - 75.8

COURSE SLOPE: 124 - 138

TEE OPTIONS: 5

LOCATION: Scottsdale, Arizona

FACILITY TYPE:  Resort


Playing new courses is something that always gets me excited about golf. Sure, I definitely have my favorite courses that I frequent but discovering something new and having a new experience is to me what this game is all about.


I recently played the Ambiente Course at Camelback Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona and it was definitely not what I was expecting!


When I think of desert golf, I think of green fairways surrounded by brown waste. The Ambiente course was a little different. They recently underwent a $10 million renovation that changed the course from classic flat desert golf into a links-style course with subtle elevations, dramatic bunkering, tall grasses, and trees.


While we were only able to play 17 ½ holes due to daylight, we got a front-row seat to a beautiful sunset behind Camelback Mountain. 





COURSE CONDITIONS RATINGS

FAIRWAYS: 3.5

GREENS: 3.5

BUNKERS: 2

PRACTICE FACILITIES: 4

SCENERY: 3

LAYOUT: 3


To put this round into context, it was the coldest day of the year in Scottsdale. With a high less than 50 and a crisp breeze passing through, the goal was to stay warm and stay dry.


The course set us up with rental clubs, all new TaylorMade Stealth from top to bottom (Driver, 3 Wood, 5 Wood, 4 Hybrid, 5iron - Gap Wedge, Sand Wedge, TaylorMade TP Mallet Putter, 6 Taylormade Tour Response Balls). 


The practice area was nice. They had a large expansive grass hitting area, putting, and short game green. I especially appreciated the short game green as it was elevated 2-7 feet higher than the surrounding ground depending on what side of the green you were hitting from. This forced me to practice my high soft pitch shots which is perfect because I get too comfortable using the bump and run and it forced me to get the ball high.


Grass driving ranges are always nice because you can feel the club going through the turf. I believe it gives better feel and feedback and gets you ready for the round to come.


While we were on the driving range, we could see a large dark cloud in the distance, and it was moving fast. We weren’t sure if it was going to hit us or not. As soon as the first of our 5 groups teed off, the weather did in fact move in. It was a fast and furious hail storm that lasted about 12 minutes. We thought we were cold before, but now it was going to be a different game. Luckily, I had prepared and had the right gear.


The course itself was in good condition, about what I would expect for that time of year, however the bunkers left a little to be desired. They were a bit firm and washed out which made it quite difficult. 


My only complaint is the same complaint I have of all golf courses with houses on it… I wish there weren’t houses on it. I understand having a house on a golf course is great, and I’ve even lived on golf courses myself! But if I had my ways, golf courses wouldn’t be allowed to have houses on them no matter how nice they are (and Camelback has some really nice houses). That said, for how many houses are on the course, it doesn’t feel as tight as I expected it would.




ACCESSIBILITY

COURSE DIFFICULTY: 3

WALKABILITY: 3.5

PACE OF PLAY: 4.5


With 2 Championship coutses to choose from, several different tee box options and a convenient location near the heat of Scottsdale, Camelback is worth adding to your list next time you’re in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. 


The course is a straight out straight back design with the turn being 3.5 miles away from the first tee. For us, that meant 10 holes straight into the wind and 8 holes down wind. But of course by the time we made the turn and were downwind, the storm had passed through and the 20-30mph winds we hit into for the first half of the round were now 5-10mph downwind 🤦‍♂️


Be aware that the restaurant closes early so don’t plan on staying after the round for dinner, though with some of the best dining in the country, Scottsdale has no shortage of places to fill your belly



SUMMARY

OVERALL RATING: 3.17


Overall, the course was nice, the staff was professional, the practice facilities were awesome, snack shack and cart girl were on point, and the location was convenient. I would LOVE to get back and play the course in the middle of summer when it’s firm and slightly baked because I think it would offer a completely different experience than the slightly soft conditions I played it in. Being a links-style course, being able to play the ball on the ground and run it onto greens and along slopes would really make the course come alive.


But until next time, keep getting out there and teeing it up. And if you have any suggestions for courses you want me to review, post your suggestions in the comments below



MOVE BETTER - PLAY BETTER

COACH BLAINE ⛳🏌️‍♂️


For more, visit www.TourShotGolf.com




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