PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Arizona Grand Golf Course

Course strategy, tee-specific yardages and a hole-by-hole game plan for Arizona Grand Golf Course in Phoenix, AZ.

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Arizona Grand Golf Course golf course

Arizona Grand Golf Course

Phoenix, AZ
Black tees · 5,945 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Arizona Grand Golf Course

Designed by Forrest Richardson at the base of South Mountain Preserve, Arizona Grand Golf Course offers a 6,288-yard par-71 layout featuring a distinct dual character. The front nine blends traditional links and resort-style elements with water features and suburban corridors, while the back nine shifts dramatically into narrow, technical Sonoran Desert target golf defined by steep elevation drops and mountain views.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Arizona Grand Golf Course

Off the tee

Target selection and club control take priority over raw distance. Drivers are often unnecessary on the tight, shorter holes, particularly on the back nine where desert washes, out-of-bounds lines, and narrow landing zones punish aggressive misses.

Elevation & terrain

Significant topography highlights the back nine, featuring elevated tee boxes with sweeping views of Phoenix and steep drop-shot tee shots, alongside dramatic uphill approach shots that demand careful adjustment for elevation changes.

Approach play

Approaches require pinpoint accuracy to elevated or well-guarded greens. Golfers face forced carries over desert washes and water hazards, where distance control is tested by elevation and sloping terrain.

Around the greens

Green complexes are protected by steep bunkering, natural desert terrain, and dramatic contours. The signature 13th hole showcases the Jailhouse Steps, a cascading 60-foot deep bunker complex that heavily punishes short approach shots.

Best way to play it

Play conservatively by favoring landing area placement off the tee rather than chasing distance. Respect the elevation drops on tee shots, manage layups intelligently on hazard-heavy par 5s, and play for the center of greens on the technical back nine.

Key takeaways

  • A tale of two styles: resort/links terrain with water on the front nine transitions into tight Sonoran Desert target golf on the back nine.
  • Designed by architect Forrest Richardson to reward strategic positioning over distance.
  • Hole 13, known as Jailhouse Steps, features a short par 5 with a dramatic uphill approach to an elevated green guarded by a 60-foot deep bunker complex.
  • Hole 10 and Hole 18 offer dramatic elevated tee boxes with sweeping panoramic views of the Phoenix skyline and Valley of the Sun.
  • Mandatory golf carts are required as walking is not permitted on the course.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
315
7
Play a controlled tee shot over the crest of the hill to locate the fairway and leave a short approach into the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~75 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
2
4
356
9
Target the right-center of the fairway and avoid taking an aggressive line over the left corner.
Your 240 yd driver · ~116 yards remaining by raw distance.
3
5
547
1
Treat this as a true three-shot par 5, using the downward slope to gain distance while keeping shots centered away from lateral desert terrain.
Your 240 yd driver · ~307 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
4
4
362
5
Focus on placing a fairway-finder into the primary landing area to setup a clean approach into a bunkered green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~122 yards remaining by raw distance.
5
3
165
17
Aim for the middle of the green surface to avoid surrounding sand traps and leave a safe two-putt.
6
5
520
3
Prioritize straight ball striking across all three shots to stay within the fairway and avoid surrounding out-of-bounds lines.
Your 240 yd driver · ~280 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
7
4
372
15
Target the broad center of the fairway to establish an uninhibited approach angle into a well-protected green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~132 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
3
206
13
Select enough club to carry the water feature and reach the central portion of the putting surface.
9
4
369
11
Keep tee shots inside the fairway corridor to ensure an unobstructed approach iron into the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~129 yards remaining by raw distance.
10
4
374
8
Adjust club selection for the significant downhill drop and focus on a specific fairway target as depth perception is altered from the elevated tee.
Your 240 yd driver · ~134 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
5
530
4
Focus on precise layup positioning to avoid native desert brush and establish a clear approach angle.
Your 240 yd driver · ~290 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
12
3
116
18
Choose a precise short iron to clear the desert wash and land softly on the small target green.
13
5
476
2
Lay up short of the cascading bunker complex to set up a full wedge shot up to the elevated green rather than taking a high-risk shot over the sand traps.
Your 240 yd driver · ~236 yards remaining by raw distance. The green may be within range for your second shot depending on lie and conditions.
14
3
145
16
Aim for the middle of the green to clear fronting terrain and avoid desert misfires on either side.
15
4
353
6
Select a club off the tee that keeps the ball in the fairway before approaching a guarded green surface.
Your 240 yd driver · ~113 yards remaining by raw distance.
16
4
262
14
Prioritize fairway accuracy off the tee to ensure a clear angle into the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~22 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
17
4
302
12
Lay up off the tee with a fairway wood or hybrid to secure a position in the fairway and leave a manageable short approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~62 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
18
3
175
10
Club down to account for the heavy elevation drop from the elevated tee box and target the center of the putting surface.

Course information and strategy are provided for planning purposes. Yardages, course setup, hazards and playing conditions can change. Always confirm current course information before your round.