Boasting more than 320 days of sunshine annually, the area has been dubbed the Valley of the Sun and is a popular golf destination among snowbirds and residents alike. Lying in the shadows of the Phoenix Mountains, course layouts are as diverse as the landscape. From rolling fairways to desert settings, golfers of all skill levels will be challenged on world-class courses.
18-Hole Public Courses
Set against the backdrop of Squaw Peaks, the Arizona Biltmore Country Club offers two 18-hole courses as well as an 18-hole putting green. Built in 1928, the Adobe course offers mature fairways while the Links course provides a challenge with well-bunkered greens. Surrounded by panoramic vistas of South Mountain, the links-style Foothills Golf Club plays over 6,968 yards from the longest tee. Co-designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, the desert terrain provides 65 daunting bunkers spread across rolling fairways.
18-Hole Municipal Courses
Re-designed in 2008, Papago Golf Course challenges players with undulating, wide-open fairways, large water features and deep bunkers. This is a popular course, so tee-times should be reserved in advance.
The William F. Bell-designed Maryvale Golf Course features well-manicured, tree-lined fairways on a championship-length layout. Practice facilities are also available on the property.
Short Courses
Experience an exhilarating round on the 60-par layout at Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course. Designed by Gary Panks, the course features 44 bunkers with water coming into play on 13 holes. Yardage from three sets of tees ranges from 3,177 to 4,019. Before teeing-off at Paradise Valley Park Golf Course players might want to brush-up on their short game. Jeff D. Hardin designed the layout with steeply, sloped greens and the longest tee features 4,082 yards for a 61 par.
Nine-Hole Municipal Courses
When there isn't time for 18 holes, play a round at one of Phoenix's three executive courses. The Encanto Golf Course is a short three par layout that provides challenges for beginner and intermediate players alike. Fashioned after the 18-hole Aquila Course, the Aquila nine-hole layout provides two sets of tees with bunker-flanked fairways to test golfer's skills at every hole. With six par three holes, and three four par holes of between 285 to 300 yards, Palo Verde is a course not to be overlooked. The longest tee plays over 1,820 yards and a lake comes into play on holes one through three to challenge a golfer's tee shot.
Designed by Pros
Situated in the stark Sonoran Desert and set against the McDowell Mountains, the Wildfire Golf Club is an oasis providing two championship layouts. Playing up to 7,145 yards from the longest tee, the classic-designed Palmer Signature Course provides expansive fairways and large, rolling greens. Co-designed by Nick Faldo and Brian Curley, the Faldo Course offers players a tougher challenge with strategically placed bunkers lurking on tight fairways. The course plays over 6,846 yards from the longest tee for a 71 par.
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