Okay, so I finally got around to checking out Painted Mountain Golf Resort in Mesa. I’d heard some good things, and honestly, the pictures online looked pretty sweet. So, I booked a tee time for early Saturday morning – gotta beat that Arizona heat, you know?
First thing I did was hop on their website to get a feel for the course layout. Gotta have a game plan, right? I printed out the course map—old school, I know, but it helps me visualize.
Saturday morning rolls around, and I’m up before the sun. I grabbed my clubs, threw on my lucky golf shirt (don’t judge), and headed out. Getting there was easy enough, pretty straightforward drive. Pulled up, and the place looked even better in person than in the photos. Really well-maintained, nice landscaping, the whole nine yards.
Practice time
Checked in at the pro shop – the staff was super friendly. Then, I hit the driving range to warm up. Always gotta loosen up those muscles! Spent about 30 minutes just working on my swing, trying to get a feel for the day.
- Started with my wedges, just getting the feel.
- Then, I worked up to the 7 iron, focusing my practice.
- I finished up with a driver, get the most power.
After the range, I did some short putt to get the speed of the greens. They were running pretty fast, which I like.
Start Playing
Then it was time to tee off! The first few holes were pretty forgiving, wide fairways, not too much trouble. I was feeling good, making some decent shots. I was able to get on the green in two on the par 5 second, which was awesome.
The middle of the course got a little trickier. Some tighter fairways, more bunkers to watch out for. I definitely had to think my way through those holes – no just blasting away with the driver. I managed to scramble for par a couple of times, which felt like a win.
The scenery was amazing, by the way. Mountains in the background, palm trees everywhere. It made even the tougher shots a little more bearable.
The Last
Coming down the stretch, I was starting to feel the heat a bit. But I pushed through, stayed hydrated. The last few holes were a good mix of challenging and fun. I finished strong, which is always a good feeling.
After the round, I grabbed a quick bite at the clubhouse. Food was good, nothing fancy, but it hit the spot. Sat outside for a bit, just soaking in the view and reflecting on the day. All my golf score is not very good, but I still have a lot of fun.
Overall, it was a great day at Painted Mountain. Definitely a course I’d recommend, and I’ll probably be back again soon. It’s the kind of place that makes you remember why you love the game, even when your score isn’t perfect.
