Here is my top-5 list of reasons why Aguila Golf Course gets a 5 star rating from me:
1. It is beautifully laid out. I did a little internet research and found that it was designed by a guy named Gary Panks (who passed away in 2024). Panks has a ton of impressive courses on his resume (one of them is at the Wild Horse Casino and I loved playing there, earlier this year). Full disclosure: I'm not sophisticated enough to know the difference between a well designed course and a bad one, but I sure did like this place. It was challenging. Pars did not come easy--*and I was hitting and putting the ball pretty well that day. (I ended the round with 5 pars--and just-missed 4 others. ) Aguila's course lay out was also forgiving when my slice occasionally decided to show up. Twice, I was able to return my ball to play from adjoining fairways and resume a legit hunt for a par despite a "crap!" drive. Basically, the course does not destroy one's confidence, but it will expect you to make good contact with the ball... and you also better be making intelligent choices when it comes to course management. (Water hazards, sand bunkers, undulations on the course, and trees along the way could make things tricky).
2. It is exceptionally well-cared-for. The place was immaculate--not a speck of trash or tree debris to be found. Putting surfaces were smooth and putts rolled true. Tee boxes were lush and well groomed. Apparently, surrounding trees have recently been trimmed, so it felt like I had stepped into a post card. The one trade-off regarding the spotlessness of the grounds is that the maintenance crews were working on numerous holes. I am not distracted by the noise, and hustle and bustle of these crews, but others might want to know that workers will be probably be out there "doing their thang."
3. Pro-shop staff, the snack bar crew, the starter, maintenance workers, and the cart lady were absolute gems. Every staff member that I interacted with definitely gave off a vibe of sincere friendliness, had a level of professionalism that was top-notch, and made the choice to share a dash of caring energy with me. One specific thing that stands out in the area of customer service shared with me by Aguila staff had to do with the fact that I, "Eff-upped" and booked a tee time for Wednesday--but showed up, ready to play, on Thursday. The woman in the pro-shop worked some, "computer magic" and was able to honor the Wednesday booking. (She playfully let me know that I was pretty lucky that she actually could do it-- and I know it! But what a nice touch it was on her part to show empathy for the goof-ball who should have had to pay for another tee time.)
4. GPS guidance in carts. Come'on now! This is a public course! It seriously is as nice as some of the semi-private and upscale places that I have played. (Not that my golf-course body-count is that impressive--but I have played at a few places that were exceptional. Aguila is up there with them.) As if that isn't enough, the practice areas here are amazing, the bathrooms are spotless, the views of the desert are beautiful.
5. Fairways were lush. Yeah, I know this is related to my #2 reason, but as I am now starting to get the fever for playing golf, I am finding that well maintained fairways with the "Goldielocks-zone level of grass (not too high and not too scalped) make play so much more enjoyable. As I struck balls on these links it was almost as if angels began to sing. The course record was never in jeopardy, but I did play at near my best game levels.
This place was so much fun, and will be remembered as one of my best-ever experiences in my golf journey, so far. I'm not the boss of you, but you definitely should put Aguila on your bucket list as a place to check out. I can't wait to play here again!