Grandview Golf Course – Sun City West
Grandview Golf Course is the longest and, to many, the most challenging of the 7 golf courses managed by the Recreation Centers of Sun City West, Inc. in the active retirement community located northwest of downtown Phoenix.
Greg Nash designed this course that stretches to nearly 6,800 yards, has water in play on seven holes and, in some cases, as many as eight bunkers lying in wait. While that combination makes it a challenge to any skilled player, Grandview offers four sets of tees, making it playable to all skill levels, particularly those who can avoid the “trouble.”
Like the other Sun City West courses, this one is technically private, but all 7 are now open to public play on a limited basis. Public golfers can snag tee times late in the day during peak season and all day during non-peak season.
Grandview, which opened in 1984, plays at 6,775 yards from the back tees and 5,598 from the front. From the tips, the par-72 layout is rated at 72.3 with a slope of 129.
The front-9 has several standouts, starting with No. 6, a 387-yard par-4 that features a lake on the right side of the fairway, five bunkers running down the left side and three more around the front, right and back of the green.
The 8th hole, a 147-yard par 3, offers up a challenging tee shot over a lake to a green with two massive bunkers behind. No. 9, a 350-yard par-4 is another tester with a mammoth bunker along the right side of the fairway and seven bunkers completely surrounding the green.
You’ll find the signature hole at Grandview after the turn at No. 13, a 575-yard par-5 with two water hazards in play. The tee shot on this dogleg right is over the water to the first portion of a bisected fairway. A lake runs along the right side of the second half of the fairway and wraps in front of the green, and three large bunkers guard the left side of the fairway with two more around the back side of the green.
Just relax here; hit it where you can see it, keep it on the grass and the hole is a whole lot of fun – tweak this recipe and you may have a different experience.
Grandview has full practice facilities with a driving range, putting and chipping greens and a recently opened academy staffed by Drew Reid and Ralph West, who have been longtime popular instructors at nearby Hillcrest Country Club.
The golf shop has a bar and the Crooked Putter Restaurant, which offers a full dining menu. Along with access to six other courses, Sun City West residents have numerous other amenities to choose from, including bowling alleys, tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness facilities and a library.
Read the Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Arizona Golf Course Review for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/; it’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.