Tag: arizona golf courses

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Green Valley Southern Arizona Tucson

Canoa Ranch Golf Course

Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Arizona Golf Course Review: The Santa Rita Mountains, Elephant Head and the Santa Cruz River Valley provide the setting for this course, which Golf Digest named one of its “New Favorites” in 2006. With its dramatic elevation changes, this is both a challenging and scenic course created by design partners Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt of Phoenix, who are known for their innovative designs worldwide.

That becomes apparent early in the round with an imposing rock wall that stands majestically beside the second fairway, producing the first of the “wows” you probably will utter during your round. Several more will be prompted by views of Elephant Head, which has an intriguing history.

This mountain summit, which offers excellent hiking and biking, climbs to 5,607 feet and has had many names, most of which came from Indian tribes.  According to legend, it might have been a site of holy sacrifices or violent death, where Indians killed tribal enemies by throwing them off the peak.  From certain angles, the head of an elephant on the face of the monolith is easy to see, with head held high and the trunk curling downward on the backside of the formation.

“I’ve seen the elephant” was a popular expression by emigrants crossing the plains during the California Gold Rush area and was used as an indication of the progress of their journey in both directions. Now, it is used by golfers who tee it up on this course, which is part of the Wyndham Green Valley Ranch Resort and plays to par 70 at 6,552 yards from the back tees.

As scenic as the front nine is, it gets better after you make the turn. Among the more memorable holes is the 11th, a beast of a par-5 at 577 yards that plays downhill to a green set on a ridge about 40 feet below the fairway. Next up is one of the state’s tougher par-3s that plays at 230 yards with a forced carry across a gully, up a mountainside and often into a prevailing wind. The elevated tees, particularly at 13 and 16, offer stunning scenery. For a touch of the Old West, No. 15 features an aged wind wheel tower in the rough that is clearly visible from another elevated tee on a drivable downhill par-4. This is a course with character and some unconventional design, including its six par-3 holes.

After the round, you can whet your whistle at Grill on the Green. More golf is always a good idea and the resort has a second course called Torres Blancas, designed by golfing legend Lee Trevino, right across the street.

Expert golf instruction and most importantly, custom club fitting, is available at Canoa Ranch from Gary Blaisdell and his Blaisdell Performance Systems teaching staff. Gary has been improving player’s games and customizing their equipment for over 30 years for one very simple reason; his players improve. If your goal is playing more enjoyable golf than you do today, ask Gary to help. He’ll have you authoring those precise golf shots you’ve often seen, but now they’ll be coming off your own clubface.

Along with birding and hiking in the Madera Canyon, attractions in the area include Colossal Cave, Kartchner Caverns, Asarco Mineral Discovery and several historic Spanish missions.

Read the Arizona Golf Course List AZGA Player’s 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.

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Lake Havasu City Northern Arizona

Bridgewater Links Golf Course – London Bridge Resort

Arizona Golf Courses – Arizona Golf Authority Golf Course Guide

Bridgewater Links’ 9-hole executive layout isn’t the place for an all-day golf outing, but it’s perfect if you want to slip in a quick round, work on your short game or enjoy the view of the London Bridge, Thompson Bay and Lake Havasu from a golf cart.

Opened in 1986, you’ll find three sets of tees – 1,808, 1,567 and 1,330 yards. Bridgewater plays to par 30 and an 18-hole loop is rated at 58.7 with a slope of 91. Locals rely on the fine course conditioning provided here. It’s easy to walk and as the slope, rating and yardage suggest, provides and enjoyable player-friendly layout with plenty of birdie opportunities.

There are three par-4 holes on the course and all three are drivable at 217, 237 and 309 yards from the back tees. The shortest of those three, which is the third hole, also is the No. 1 handicap hole, mainly because of a lake and bunker that come into play.

The same lake is in play on the fifth hole, a 168-yard par 3, and is the only water hazard on the course. The par 3 holes range in yardage from 191 yards, which is the first, down to 132 yards at the ninth.

There is a putting green and chipping practice area, but no driving range, at Bridgewater and a snack shop, but no restaurant.

The course is part of the London Bridge Resort, which combines English Tudor with contemporary design and features studios, suites and hotel rooms next to Havasu Cove, a hotspot for fishing and boating activities. Green fees here are very reasonable and resort guests receive further discounts during the busy winter season.

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.

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Central Arizona Sun City West

Briarwood Country Club

Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf Course Buzz: Briarwood Country Club is considered one of the premier private clubs in Sun City West, a retirement community for active adults, but is not part of the Recreation Centers of Sun City West, Inc. which manages seven other golf courses for the residents of Sun City West.

Briarwood, designed by Greg Nash, who created many of the retirement-community courses around Arizona, opened in 1983 and the clubhouse was opened two years later. It has a reputation of presenting a friendly environment and a traditional-style course with a nice variety of holes that keep things interesting. The course has five sets of tees, with the back tees at 6,576 yards, rated at 71.5 with a slope of 128. The front tees play at 5,323 yards.

Briarwood Country Club’s par 5s holes are a real challenge, ranging from 505 to 540 yards, as are the par 3s, with the shortest at 175 and the longest at 202 yards. The fifth hole, a 426-yard par 4, is the No. 1 handicap and plays at 426 yards.

Briarwood has nice amenities, with full practice facilities that include two putting greens, and is known for excellent food service, both formal dining and casual at the Cactus Bar and Grille. About 36,000 rounds of golf are played here annually, mostly member-play, many driving their own personalized golf carts.

The club offers 9-hole and 18-hole league play for both men and women and schedules a variety of special events. Other amenities include a year-round pool and three tennis courts. Briarwood offers several memberships programs, as well as an affordable member-for-a-day option that includes golf, riding cart, lunch and a tour of its facilities.

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.

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Carefree Central Arizona Scottsdale

Boulders Golf Club – South Course

The beautiful hole #5 among the rocky boulders on the South Course of The Boulders in Scottsdale, Arizona
Hole #5 on Boulders - South Course

Arizona Golf Courses – Boulders Golf Club South Course

If you have to play one but not the other course at The Boulders, then the South better be your No. 1 choice. Spectacular beyond belief with magical million-year-old boulders — and loaded with signature holes – the South Course is full of the Kodak eye-candy you ogle in national golf magazines. There is one catch to playing The Boulders, however: You must stay at the world-class resort on the outskirts of Carefree (15 minute from Scottsdale) to get a tee time in peak season. Not necessarily a bad thing, considering The Boulders has earned a mountain of rewards ever since the first nine holes opened in 1969.

The beautiful hole #5 among the rocky boulders on the South Course of The Boulders in Scottsdale, Arizona
Hole #5 at The Boulders – South Course

Red Lawrence built the original nine and Phoenix architect Jack Snyder completed the first 18 a few years later. In 1984 Jay Morrish added 10 more holes as The Boulders played to three distinct nines up until 1992. That’s when Morrish returned to add the other eight holes, which were ultimately scrambled into the North and the South.

For some reason, the more fantastic offerings like the par-5 fifth hole, that gives you a choice between two fairways that lead to an incredible green setting snuggled into the rocks, as well as the par-3 seventh hole, where a seven-story-high boulder called “Rosie’’ awaits, turned up on the South Course. Even Morrish, a very honest gent who has since retired, was puzzled by the difference.

“As it turned out, I really like the South Course much more than the North,’’ he said. “I did those opening five holes, and the majority of the 18 on the South. Unfortunately, it’s kind of strung out and doesn’t tie together that well. But if you look at each hole individually, they’re pretty darn good.’’

Nobody at the club argues, nor do advertising production companies that seem to film TV commercial after TV commercial on the South. For convenience sake, the club reserves one course for the membership and the other course for resort play daily.

The Arizona Golf Authority AZGA “Local Hang” for the North and South Courses, following a libation on any of several Boulders patios, includes both the simple cowboy cheeseburgers and cold long-necks at Harold’s as well as the finest in fine-Foodie-dining at Binkley’s, both just up the road a piece in the Cave Creek – Carefree locale.

Click Boulders North Course to visit our Arizona Golf Course Directory List and read the AZGA Player’s Review for every golf course in Arizona.

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

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Carefree Central Arizona Scottsdale

Boulders Golf Club – North Course

Arizona Golf Courses – Boulders Golf Club North Course

Most people love staying at The Boulders as much as playing the two golf courses, which is why Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report, known as the connoisseur’s guide to “peaceful and unspoiled places,’’ once gave it the No. 1 nod in the world for 12 years running. It’s also why The Boulders was named by the Arts and Entertainment Network as one of the top romantic get-aways in the world.

Cool stuff for a golf course! Or should we say courses. A 36-hole day is always a good idea and we think you’ll find the North quite entertaining, even if it’s a bit more inundated with houses and offers a few fewer Kodak scenery moments than the South.

Low clouds over the #16 hole on The Boulder’s North Course in Carefree, Arizona
Hole #16 on the North Course at The Boulders

Certainly the North is more traditional and tight, with white stakes seemingly everywhere along the residence-lined fairways. The heart of the North starts at No. 10, where it reels off three demanding doglegs in a row. If there is a signature hole, it comes at the end of that run, as the par-3 14th is a dicey long iron over water to a tricky green. The course closes out with another strong, dogleg par 4 at the 18th, where water and sand once again complicate matters.

Surprisingly, and somewhat contrary to what Morrish and most visitors say, the club’s members enjoy both courses somewhat equally, which is why they are switched back and forth on a daily basis. Oh, yes, and one more thing to relish about The Boulders is its world-renown Golden Door Spa. Ahhhh – perfect after 36 holes of golf!

The Arizona Golf Authority AZGA “Local Hang” for the North and South Courses, following a libation on any of several Boulders patios, includes both the simple cowboy cheeseburgers and cold long-necks at Harold’s as well as the finest in fine-Foodie-dining at Binkley’s, both just up the road a piece in the Cave Creek – Carefree locale.

Click Boulders South Course to visit our Arizona Golf Course Directory List and read the AZGA Player’s Review for every golf course in Arizona.

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