The Buzz: What most recreational golfers are looking for is a good overall experience on a well-maintained course that isn’t tricked up with quirky holes, offers an affordable green fee, is player-friendly yet challenging and provides nice practice facilities before the round and a comfortable 19th hole after the round. Or to put it another way, they are looking for MountainBrook Golf Club. What was created as a semi-private club has essentially evolved into a public course in the far southeast corner of the Phoenix metro area that is framed by dramatic views of the desert foothills and sprawling Superstition Mountains. Designed by former PGA of America president Brian Whitcomb, MountainBrook is devoid of forced carries, features rolling fairways, undulating greens and mild desert transition areas, and its aesthetics are enhanced by white marble sand bunkers. The par-71 course has three sets of tees at 5,133, 6,080 and 6,620 yards, making it relatively short by today’s standards, and is rated at 69.4 with a slope of 120 from the back tees. The course, which opened in 1996, starts slow but becomes much more interesting after you make the turn.
After completing the par-5 ninth hole of 578 yards, another par 5 of 548 yards greets you at No. 10, followed by a stretch of three water holes. No. 11, a 378-yard par 4, is a slight dogleg right with a lake along the right side for the final 200 yards. Next up is a 170-yard par 3 with the same lake along the right side, bunkers left of the green and another lake poised to swallow up far-left tee shots. No. 13 is a classic risk-reward par 4 at 360 yards from the back tees. It is a sharp dogleg left that wraps around a lake, and big hitters are tempted to cut the corner, but that still requires a 320-yard carry over the water with tall cottonwood trees also blocking the way to a narrow fairway. The memorable stretch concludes with a 185-yard par 3 at No. 14 where a wash cuts across 15 yards short of the green, which is fronted by a steep rock wall. In other words, don’t be short.
This course features somewhat small greens, some elevated and some tiered, and putts break away from the Superstition Mountains, at times creating optical illusions. One thing golfers particularly like about MountainBrook is its extensive practice facilities, which were built with input from PGA Tour star Phil Mickelson. They span about 12 acres and feature a double-ended driving range, putting greens of 4,000 and 7,000 square feet and a short game area where you can practice shots from 115 yards in. In fact, along with its regular memberships, MountainBrook sells annual practice facility memberships, which have proven popular.
Its restaurant provides excellent mountain views that are particularly dramatic at sunset and offers a diverse menu. If you’re looking for fine dining and nightlife, this urban area isn’t the best place to start. There is plenty to be found a few miles west, however, closer to the Phoenix metro area.