So, I finally got around to playing San Marcos Golf Course out in Chandler the other day. I’d been meaning to check it out, you know, hear it’s one of the older spots in Arizona, so I figured, why not?
Getting there was pretty straightforward. Pulled into the parking lot, and yeah, you can tell it’s got some history. The clubhouse has that classic, old-school charm, not like some of these new, flashy places. I kind of dig that, to be honest. Makes it feel a bit more relaxed from the get-go.
Went inside to check in. The folks in the pro shop were friendly enough. Got my cart, loaded up my bag, and headed to the first tee. Didn’t really warm up much, just a few practice swings. Maybe that was my first mistake, ha!
Out on the Course
Now, the course itself. It’s an interesting layout. You can see it’s an older design. Not super long by today’s standards, but don’t let that fool you. Those mature trees, they’re everywhere, and they’ll gobble up your ball if you’re not careful. My driver decided to have a mind of its own that day, so I got pretty familiar with the trees on a few holes.
The fairways were decent, a bit dry in spots, but it’s Arizona, what do you expect? The greens, though, they were something else. They were pretty quick, and some had these subtle breaks that I just couldn’t read to save my life. I swear, I’d line up a putt, thinking I nailed it, and then watch it just cruelly lip out or slide by. Frustrating is an understatement for some of those putts!
I remember one par 3, can’t recall the number. Water on the right, bunker on the left. Simple enough, right? Nope. Managed to find the bunker. Then took me two tries to get out. Walked off with a double bogey. That’s golf for you, I guess. One minute you think you’ve got it, the next you’re humbled.
Played with a couple of random guys. Nice enough fellas. We weren’t setting any course records, just out there enjoying the day, or trying to, between bad shots. It’s funny how golf can be so social and so infuriatingly personal all at the same time.
- Lost a few balls? Definitely.
- Had some good shots? A couple, I think. Enough to keep me coming back.
- Swore under my breath? More times than I can count.
The pace of play wasn’t too bad, which was good. Nothing worse than waiting on every single shot. We moved along pretty steadily.
Wrapping Up the Day
Finished up the 18th, probably a bit sweatier and more tired than I anticipated. My score? Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. But then again, I’m not out there trying to go pro. Headed back to the clubhouse, returned the cart, and decided to grab a cold drink. Sat there for a bit, just reflecting on the round. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly shots I’d made.
You know, for an old course, San Marcos has its charm. It’s not perfect, some parts are a bit rough around the edges, but it’s got character. It’s a proper test without being ridiculously punishing, unless your driver is on vacation like mine was.
Would I go back? Yeah, I think so. It’s a solid, no-frills kind of golf experience. And maybe next time, my putter will decide to cooperate. Or maybe I’ll just aim for the trees less. A guy can dream, right?
