Sedona | Arizona Golf Course Reviews

Arizona Golf Courses – Sedona Golf Resort

Located in the surreal red rocks that surround Sedona, a new player may suddenly realize the primary challenge of teeing it up at the golf resort of the same name is Mother nature. Yes, the toughest test in the “Land of Awe’’ is simply staying focused on the golf shot at hand as panoramic vistas, majestic mountain backdrops, and contrasting tones of red and green present boundless distractions.

And the golf’s pretty good, too. What’s weird about Sedona Golf Resort is that despite the 18 awesome holes designed by Gary Panks (well, 17, if you don’t count the 18th), this pristine property has gone bust – twice. That’s right, Sedona Golf Resort filed for BK in 1989, made a righteous comeback for 20 years and counting, and then fell back into bankruptcy in 2010.

Considering the course’s entertaining variety and spectacular views, not to mention some beautiful bent-grass greens, it makes an avid golfer shake his or her head.

Certainly the 210-yard 10th hole will blow your golf socks off, as the par 3 stretches out before your eyes with regal Cathedral Rock rising up in the background. It’s the single best view of Sedona’s red-rock splendor and those unfortunate souls who don’t play golf never see it.

In fact there are numerous red-rock formations of note in almost every direction, all day long. And the 10th is not the only stellar par 3 on the course, as the 17th, a 155-yard mid-iron over water to a semi-island green, is also worthy of signature status.

And the same can be said of Nos. 4, 6, 11, 13, 15 and 16. But NOT 18, which is a downhill par 4, with water on the left, that simply runs out of room. And, by the way, if you slice the ball at the 18th, expect to pay for one of those ubiquitous condo windows that frame the right side, at least that’s what it says on the irritating sign posted on the tee box.

It’s all just a modest reminder that really good stuff in life is not all good, all the time. Sedona Golf Resort is so good, though, it warrants consideration as a one-day turnaround day trip from the Phoenix-Scottsdale metro area. Better yet, wine and dine around town, spend the night and make a loop or two the next day as well, it’s that good.

The Arizona Golf Authority AZGA “Local Hang” for Sedona Golf Resort is no drive at all; the onsite bar and restaurant has perhaps the best view of well-known Bell Rock, with a picture window that literally frames it like a masterpiece. In other words, the perfect spot to enjoy a Oak Creek Amber that just happens to be brewed right down the road.

Visit our Arizona Golf Course Directory List and read the AZGA Player’s Review for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

SevenCanyons9_Publish — Seven Canyons Golf Club - Sedona

Arizona Golf Courses AZGA Guide: Tom Weiskopf, who has established himself as one of the world’s foremost course architects, has created some of the best layouts on some of the most beautiful land you can find in the state of Arizona, but even he was blown away the first time he toured the property that would become Seven Canyons. What he carved out here is a masterpiece on a 200-acre facility encompassed by the stunning red rock formations of Sedona and 100,000 acres of the protected Coconino National Forest.

In fact, the former British Open and U.S. Senior Open champion was so captivated, he visited the site more than 40 times during construction. “The design of Seven Canyons was a labor of love,” Weiskopf said.

“When I first saw the property, it took my breath away. Words don’t do it justice. The challenge was to create a golf course that looked like it had been there for a hundred years, and that was the most compelling reason I accepted the assignment. I can confidently say it is as good and dramatic a golf course site as I have ever had to work with in Arizona.”

Among other things, this course has been dubbed “The IMAX of Golf” and “Seventh Heaven” by various golf magazines.It was created as a private course, but due to a sagging economy and the financial strains that followed, Seven Canyons began offering public play in 2010, presenting golfers with a rare opportunity to tee it up on this exclusive and enchanting layout. The club continues to use a temporary clubhouse, but course conditions are first rate.

While the overall property is sprawling, Weiskopf had limited land with which to build the course that opened in 2003. But, working without any drawings, he made the most of it and created a memorable test that plays at just 6,745 yards from the tips. The par-70 layout has seven sets of tees, with the shortest at 4,986 yards, and it is rated at 71.1 with a slope of 139 from the back tees.

There are just two par-5 holes and Weiskopf purposely shaped some of the par-4’s to dissuade accomplished golfers from hitting drivers off the tees. One rarity is that the par-5 holes, at 591 and 500 yards, are the Nos. 1 and 2 handicap holes. Perhaps the most memorable hole is the par-3 sixth, which is the No.3 handicap hole, and is a near duplicate of the famous par-3 16th at Augusta National.

One Weiskopf trademark is creating holes reminiscent of his favorites as a PGA Tour player. Another is risk-reward holes, and there are several of those, including the 12th, a drivable par 4 that measures 305 yards from the back tee. Technology has created an arms race in golf that seems to dictate that “longer is better” when it comes to course design, but Weiskopf bucked that trend with a layout reminiscent of classic 1970s courses.

Instead of length, it puts a premium on shot-making with small greens, narrow landing areas, classic-style bunkering, mature trees, natural water features and constant elevation changes. Making it all the better is that the routing fits like a glove into the natural terrain, the course is walkable and it is one very enjoyable walk.

Visit our Arizona Golf Course Directory List and read the AZGA Player’s Review for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.