Arizona National Golf Club
Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Arizona National Golf Club is celebrated as one of Golf Digest's "Top Ten Best Places to Play Golf." This course offers an exhilarating challenge for golfers of all skill levels, featuring a sprawling layout that seamlessly integrates with the rugged natural terrain.
Golf Pro's Note: Arizona National is known for its intimidating illusions behind the greens. Trust and use the yardage book provided to navigate the course effectively. The greens are typically firm and quick, adding an extra layer of complexity. Expect forced carries and dense foliage as obstacles along the way. With a solid tee shot and a conservative strategy, you can achieve a low-scoring game.
- Rating: 70.1
- Par: 71
- Slope 137
- Yardage: 6,342
Ventana Canyon
Tom Fazio's two 18-hole courses at Ventana Canyon in Tucson have secured The Lodge a Gold Medal Award from Golf Magazine as one of America's 20 best golf resorts. Golfers can enjoy the competitive Canyon Course or the picturesque Mountain Course.
Among the standout features is the Mountain Course #3, one of the most photographed holes west of the Mississippi. This 107-yard shot traverses cacti and canyons, offering golfers a stunning panorama that stretches across the Sonoran Desert into Mexico.
Ventana Canyon Mountain Course
- Rating: 70.5
- Slope: 139
- Par: 72
- Yardage: 6,314
Ventana Canyon - Canyon Course
- Rating: 70.2
- Slope: 137
- Par: 72
49ers Country Club
Forty Niner Country Club, designed by the esteemed William Francis Bell during the 1950s and 60s, is an upscale, semi-private facility known for its lush, mature landscaping and impeccable course conditioning. The course is adorned with mesquite, giant cottonwood, eucalyptus, and weeping willow trees.
Since its opening in 1961, this course has remained a challenging favorite, famously hosting the PGA Tour's Tucson Open, where Don January triumphed in 1963 and Jack Cupit in 1964. A local legend even mentions that one year, Jack Nicklaus failed to make the cut due to an infamous 11 on hole #11! This course demands accuracy off the tee and meticulous course management to excel on its quick, small greens.
- Rating: 68.0
- Par: 72
- Slope: 115
- Yardage: 6,114
Tucson National Golf Club
As the home of the PGA Tucson Open, Tucson National Golf Club stands out with its classic, traditional layout featuring tree-lined fairways and water hazards. This course provides a familiar and comfortable golfing environment.
Golf Pro's Notes: This PGA course incorporates minimal desert terrain, focusing instead on straightforward fairways and soft, manageable greens. High handicappers will appreciate the grass from tee to green, and long hitters will find the par 5s more attainable.
Orange/Gold
- Rating: 71.6
- Slope: 133
- Par: 73
- Yardage: 6,549
Gold/Green
- Rating: 70.3
- Slope: 136
- Par: 72
- Yardage: 6,305
Green/Orange
- Rating: 69.5
- Slope: 133
- Par: 71
- Yardage: 6,132
El Conquistador's "Cañada" Golf Course
El Conquistador's "Cañada" Golf Course offers golfers a balanced combination of traditional layout and challenging desert terrain. The narrow fairways and strategic design make for an engaging and rigorous round.
Golf Pro's Note: More varied in terrain than the Conquistador course, the Cañada layout includes forced carries over desert areas while offering more forgiving landing zones. Notably, Hole #8 is one of Tucson's most challenging par 3s, cementing the Cañada course as slightly more difficult than Conquistador.
- Rating: 69.7
- Slope: 132
- Par: 72
- Yardage: 6,288
- Designed by Jeff Hardin and Greg Nash
El Conquistador's "Conquistador" Golf Course
El Conquistador's "Conquistador" Golf Course winds through the rolling foothills, following ravines and draws. The primary challenge lies in launching accurate drives to the smaller, less forgiving landing areas.
Golf Pro's Note: This course contrasts with the Cañada course by eliminating forced carries over desert terrain. With smaller landing zones, it calls for accurate drives. Golfers, particularly high handicappers, will find the grass from tee to green appealing due to its soft and slow nature, making the course challenging yet accessible.
- Rating: 70.2
- Slope: 125
- Par: 72
- Yardage: 6,340
- Designed by Jeff Hardin and Greg Nash