Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf Course Buzz: This short, par-62 is a sister course to the par-72 Cottonwood Country Club and together they comprise one of the five enclaves of Sun Lakes, a retirement community for active adults southeast of downtown Phoenix.
This community covers 1,120 acres, has 3,809 homes, and like the others has a variety of activities available along with a clubhouse and practice facilities. The courses within these developments are private and offer various memberships as well as daily-fee play to residents and their guests.
Palo Verde has two sets of tees at 3,342 and 4,060 yards, with a rating of 59.7 and slope of 94 from the back tees. There are two par-5 holes, four par 4s and 12 par 3s, which range from 100-181 yards.
The layout features tree-lined fairways that are flat and tight and there is little water in play. One of the few hazards is a lake that runs along the right side of the 10th hole, which is a par-4 at 374 yards and the No. 1 handicap hole. The par-5 7th and 18th holes, which play at 495 and 483 yards, respectively, are the Nos. 2 and 3 handicap holes.
Palo Verde has a practice green but the driving range is located at the nearby Cottonwood Country Club.
Residents also have access to tennis courts, swimming pools, a fitness center, community parks, walking paths and basketball, pickle ball, racquetball and handball courts.
Read the Arizona Golf Course Directory AZGA Buzz for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/; it’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.