The beauty of The Phoenician Golf Resort was apparent before I even stepped foot onto the course. Nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain (located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert), the resort provides a memorable experience for golfers of all abilities. Designed by Ted Robinson Sr. and Homer Flint, The Phoenician consists of three separate nines: The Canyon, the Desert, and the Oasis. Each nine provides its own unique challenges and gorgeous views. The Phoenician was named “North America’s Leading Golf Resort” by the World Travel Awards, and has been ranked among the “Top 75 Golf Resorts in America” by Golf Digest.
Canyon course 4th Hole: Par 5
Driving in, I was greeted by tall fountains that were complemented by a mosaic tile wall bearing the “phoenix” bird emblem. After a scenic drive to the bag drop, we were then greeted by the friendly staff who promptly took our bags and loaded them up in the cart. Had I not been so eager to hit the links, I might have chosen to spend the day in the resort’s golf shop, which lives up to the honor bestowed by GolfWorld Business magazine as one of the “World’s Top 100 Golf Shops.” The sheer size of the shop was rivaled only by the quality of the gear, which provides a perfect opportunity to go pick up a souvenir. The large putting and chipping greens are located conveniently outside the golf shop, making it easy to grab a few balls and work on that oh-so-important short game. Typically, I hit the range first and putt if I have time, but with The Phoenician’s range set apart from the clubhouse, I decided to warm up by rolling some putts.
Next, a short drive took us to the driving range. The balls are complementary, which makes it easy to hit as many or as little as you need to get warm and dialed in. Like many golfers, I have a particular routine so this played in my favor.
As we made our way back to the starter, we were notified that we would be playing the Desert and Canyon courses. I was excited to play the Desert course, as it was the nine I didn’t play in my only previous visit. The Desert nine is known for its dramatic elevation changes and is, to no one’s surprise, the most requested nine to play. While not overly long at 6,300 yards, the elevation changes demand precise club selection and accuracy to be successful.
Desert course 6th Hole: Par 3
The first hole began with a modest 415-yard par 4 that parallels Oasis’ #1 hole. It was a good warm-up hole, offering room on both sides for the popular “breakfast ball.” The par 4 3rd was one of my favorites on the Desert nine. Although it was only 303 yards, it required a lay up shot and a delicate chip over water to have a chance at birdie. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous about chunking it!
My favorite hole on the course was without a doubt the par 3 6th. With a dramatic elevation change and a beautiful view of the Valley, this hole was challenging. Of course, I had to snap a picture at the top! The beverage cart came around at hole 6 and it was the perfect time purchase some adult sodas to enjoy while on the “mountain.” My only real complaint about the course was that the drinks were a bit pricey compared to other courses, but the cart girl made up for it with an upbeat attitude and warm personality, which deserved a good tip!
The Canyon nine is on the south side of the mountain and provides the same amazing views as the Desert course. At only 3,008 yards from the championship tees, this nine has a more open feel but requires superb accuracy and club selection. I would advise visitors to trust the yardage card to make sure you are setting yourself up for accurate approach shots. One definite highlight of this course is the Oasis par 4 9th. This hole plays just over 300 yards and features Arizona’s only sand-island green. So if you’re feeling risky, go for it!
Overall, the pace of play was extremely quick and the starter did a good job of spacing out tee times. Quick play combined with unique views made this outing worthy of a return trip and a strong recommendation to friends and family.