Pros:
Wonderful Desert Oasis
This disc golf course is set on an Par 3 Executive ball golf course with a rustic, western theme. Wonderful setting in a desert canyon lined with mature mesquite trees and saguaro cactus. The canyon holds the Pima Wash, a dry riverbed that runs through the course.
I used bullet points if you don't want to read the entire review.
A True 18 hole course
This is not a nine hole course you play forward and backward to make 18. .This is an 18 disc golf course following an 18 Hole ball golf course. The course has two nine hole loops, so you can visit the clubhouse in the middle of the round. You can start on Hole 10, if there is waiting to start on Hole 1.
Unique Location
It really feels miles away from the super busy Oracle Road located along the top of the canyon. It is not completely cultivated and still has a lot of dirt and sandy areas. They have just enough grass for ball golf, with plenty of rough areas left for the disc golfers. The fairways are lined by mature mesquite trees and desert vegetation. There is even a small pond on Hole 14. When not blocked by all the mature trees, there are some beautiful views of the nearby Catalina Mountains.
Pay to Play
There is a fee to play the course. There is an additional fee if you want to rent a cart for your round. My daughter came along as a non-playing rider for a small fee. Pretty standard fare for a ball golf facility. You also have to pay for any beer you drink. Since this is a private facility, there are no joggers, walkers running through or picnickers and people sleeping in the fairways.
No Carts needed
While the electric carts are awesome, the course is compact enough to play 18 holes without a cart. I saw a family of four with children playing ball golf without a cart.
Tees
Disc Golfers play from the very same tee areas as the ball golfers. These are nicely maintained grass areas. The current tees are marked with white or red markers. The white tee markers are for Holes 1 through 9. The red tee markers are on Holes 10 through 18. The red or white tee markers help with the navigation as sometimes the tees for another hole is close by.
Signs and navigation
This course features extra-large wrought iron tee signs with western themes. The signs are for ball golf and give the distances in yards. The distances are measured from the center of the teeing area to the center of the ball golf green, so they are just a guideline for the current set up. Most of the disc golf baskets are beyond or to the sides of the ball golf greens. Each sign features unique western themed artwork like quails, cowboys, steers and windmills.
Carts
They had nice two person electric golf carts for rent. They have dirt paths throughout the course. I enjoy renting a cart because it allows me to bring lots of extra discs and water. You should only cross the wash on the provided path to avoid getting stuck in the sand. They are covered, so you can bring the shade with you. Last Carts out at 3:00pm. They do not let you reserve carts ahead of time. Not a lot of ball golf traffic when I played on a weekend.
Wildlife
There is the opportunity to see plenty of local plants and wildlife on the course. There were quail as the name states. We also saw plenty of rabbits, roadrunners, doves, lizards and hawks. You can hear many doves signing in the trees and the occasional screech of the hawks. We saw a ton of Zebra Tailed Lizards with a black and white striped tail. When they run the tail curls up and resembles a scorpion. These guys were running around everywhere.
Pro Shop and Clubhouse
They offer drinks and snacks in the pro shop. They have water, sports drinks and my favorite sports drink: cold beer! Since Tee 1 and 10 are close by, you can stock up between nines. They offer the usual ball golf accessories for sale. I don't recall if they had any discs for sale. If you need to take a break before,during or after your round, there is seating in the bar, in a dining area or on the back covered patio.
Nice and Cool
Best played early or late in the day. However, I played it mid-day over 100 degrees with a cart (and cold beer) and did just fine. The large cliff to the West puts the canyon in the shade in the late afternoon. The golf carts are covered, providing a nice shady spot to sit during the whole round. They also have a nice covered patio and courtyard area at the clubhouse to relax before during or after your round. It definitely felt a few degrees cooler down here in the canyon.
Restrooms
There are full service restrooms in the pro shop next to the tees from Holes 1 and 10. There is also a restroom facility at the far end of the course near holes 5 and 15.
Worth It - Will Play Again
I thought the fee was worth it. I enjoyed it enough that I will be back. I will definitely check to see if they have any leagues or night events on the schedule. I visit Tucson on a regular basis. I would play it again even if it didn't have carts and beer.
Kids, Carts and Strollers
Great place to bring kids. Suitable for pull carts and strollers. It might be a little rocky or sandy in a few spots. I suggest you rent one the awesome electric carts and pile in all your gear and your kids! Of course if you don't want to rent a cart, the course is compact enough to walk. Plenty of chances to use the restrooms and take breaks.
Beer!
Some things are worth mentioning more than once. I love beer and they serve beer, so it is a definite plus. I didn't see a beer cart and they don't allow you to bring outside alcohol.
Cons:
Not Much Variety
It doesn't require a wide variety of shots. It is pretty flat and mostly wide open. A big drive is an asset, but you still need to avoid the greens and the rough.
Ball Golfers are slow
We were a twosome that ended up behind a family of four playing ball golf. Since we had a cart, we just moved to the next tee and drove back to play the missed hole at the end of the round.
Pay to Play
I don't consider that a con, but some might not like to pay to play on private property. This is a nice place and I don't mind paying a few dollars to play a nice relaxing round - with carts and cold beer!
Tough Drive
Kind of a tough drive on congested streets with lots of stop lights if you don't live in this part of Tucson.
Other Thoughts:
Super Nice Management
The staff was friendly and everyone was very welcoming. They seemed very happy to have disc golf in the facility. Hopefully all disc golfers behave when they visit. If you can please try to spend a few dollars in the pro shop and buy a water or a sports drink before your round to show some support.
Weddings and Events
They host weddings and events in the oasis courtyard next to the pro shop and banquet hall. If they are holding wedding here you know it has to be pretty awesome. They have several banquet areas and buildings around the grassy courtyard for events. When I visited, they had just held an evening putting event and they were very pleased with the turnout. They hosted the putting event in the same area as they host weddings, which is pretty awesome. Of course, they serve alcohol.
Tennis Courts
They also offer Tennis. They have lighted courts for night play. It is separate from the golf/disc golf and has a separate entrance on Oracle Road.
It's About Time
I can't believe Tucson doesn't have more than one disc golf/ ball golf course. Hopefully, if this course is successful, more will follow. I can see why they added disc golf. We were one of three groups on the course in the mid-day sun and the only group of disc golfers.