PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Boulders — North

Course strategy, tee-specific yardages and a hole-by-hole game plan for Boulders — North in Carefree, AZ.

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Boulders — North golf course

Boulders — North

Carefree, AZ
Black tees · 6,959 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Boulders — North

Designed by Jay Morrish and opened in 1984, Boulders - North is a premier championship desert layout in Carefree, Arizona. Set against 12-million-year-old granite boulder outcroppings and Sonoran Desert landscape, the course tests golfers with target-style fairways, desert wash carries, and well-guarded green complexes.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Boulders — North

Off the tee

Tee shots require target-style accuracy to navigate fairways bounded by native Sonoran Desert vegetation, desert washes, and boulder outcroppings. Strategic placement is essential over driver distance to avoid harsh desert carries and fairway sand.

Elevation & terrain

Foothills terrain creates moderate elevation changes throughout the round. Uphill approaches and downhill tee shots toward mountain backdrops require careful club selection adjustments.

Approach play

Approach shots demand precise distance control and strategic landing angles. Many greens are fronted by dry arroyos, desert washes, or water, making forced carries a regular consideration.

Around the greens

Greens feature subtle tiers, undulations, and steep fall-off collection areas. Bunkering around putting surfaces requires sharp short-game touch and proper trajectory control.

Best way to play it

Prioritize position off the tee over maximum distance to secure clean lines into well-guarded greens. Take extra club when playing uphill or carrying desert washes, and target green centers when pins are tucked.

Key takeaways

  • Jay Morrish design seamlessly routed through massive ancient Sonoran Desert granite boulder formations.
  • Target-style golf requiring accurate fairway positioning to navigate desert washes and arroyos.
  • Distinct forced carries over desert waste areas and water on select par 3s and par 4 approaches.
  • Putting surfaces protected by deep bunkering, subtle tiering, and sharp fall-offs.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
5
513
6
Aim for the generous fairway off the tee. On your second shot or layup, stay short of the crossing wash and favor the left side to avoid the front-right greenside sand.
Your 240 yd driver · ~273 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
2
3
195
18
Aim for the center of the green complex to account for putting surface contours, paying close attention to pin placement relative to the left-side ridge.
3
5
548
4
Favor the right-center of the fairway off the tee for a clear line downfield, then lay up short of the dry wash guarding the putting surface.
Your 240 yd driver · ~308 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
4
4
404
10
Drive toward the center of the fairway using the background boulder mountain as your visual target, setting up a straight approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~164 yards remaining by raw distance.
5
4
425
2
Favor the right side of the fairway off the tee to prevent the guarding mesquite tree from blocking your approach shot into the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~185 yards remaining by raw distance.
6
3
142
16
Select proper clubbing for pin depth; carry fronting hazards while avoiding going past the green into the hidden back bunker.
7
4
347
12
Prioritize tee shot accuracy over distance to hit the narrow fairway corridor, leaving a mid-to-short iron approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~107 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
4
356
8
Choose a tee club that guarantees fairway positioning over raw distance to stay clear of lateral desert brush.
Your 240 yd driver · ~116 yards remaining by raw distance.
9
4
417
14
Club up on your approach to account for the uphill elevation, taking care not to overshoot the green into the deep rear bunker.
Your 240 yd driver · ~177 yards remaining by raw distance.
10
4
451
1
Aim for the wide portion of the fairway off the tee and prepare for a long, controlled approach shot into a well-protected green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~211 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
4
445
9
Pick a firm target line off the tee and focus on accurate distance control into the boulder-framed green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~205 yards remaining by raw distance.
12
5
525
5
Position your drive down the left side of the fairway to create the cleanest visual line and approach angle into the offset green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~285 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
13
4
457
3
Hit a solid tee shot into the fairway to establish a clean stance for a precise carry over the front wash onto the angled green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~217 yards remaining by raw distance.
14
3
183
15
Take enough club to clear the front water hazard safely, playing for the center of the putting surface.
15
5
483
13
Keep your drive in the fairway to evaluate going for the green or laying up to a clean wedge distance short of greenside sand.
Your 240 yd driver · ~243 yards remaining by raw distance. The green may be within range for your second shot depending on lie and conditions.
16
4
424
7
Target the fairway center off the tee to secure a clear angle into the contoured green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~184 yards remaining by raw distance.
17
3
220
17
Select extra club to clear the native desert wasteland and aim for the center of the putting surface.
18
4
424
11
Find the fairway off the tee with a controlled drive, then play a disciplined approach to the middle of the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~184 yards remaining by raw distance.

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.