PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Camelback Golf Club — Padre Course

Course strategy, tee-specific yardages and a hole-by-hole game plan for Camelback Golf Club — Padre Course in Scottsdale, AZ.

Personalize your game plan
Choose the tees you're playing and add your driver carry for distance-aware course strategy.
Camelback Golf Club — Padre Course golf course

Camelback Golf Club — Padre Course

Scottsdale, AZ
Black tees · 6,868 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Camelback Golf Club — Padre Course

Designed originally by Red Lawrence in 1966 and substantially redesigned by Arthur Hills in 1999, the Padre Course at Camelback Golf Club is a traditional parkland-style layout in central Scottsdale, Arizona. Framed by mature eucalyptus and palm trees with Camelback and Mummy Mountains in the backdrop, the course features wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and water hazards coming into play on nine holes, culminating in a memorable water-lined finishing stretch.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Camelback Golf Club — Padre Course

Off the tee

Fairways are generally generous and framed by mature trees rather than desert brush, making driving manageable for all skill levels. Strategic fairway bunkers and water hazards on key holes demand proper positioning over sheer distance.

Elevation & terrain

The terrain is relatively flat with gentle rolling subtle landforms throughout the property. Elevation changes do not significantly impact club selection, though a few approach shots play slightly uphill to elevated green surfaces.

Approach play

Approach shots require distance control into firm, fast greens protected by deep bunkers and surrounding collection areas. Water comes into play on several approach shots, most notably on the signature par 5s and short par 3s.

Around the greens

Greens are firm and smooth, with subtle contours and shaved collection areas that roll offline shots away from putting surfaces. Bunker play and precise chipping from tight turf around the greens are essential for saving par.

Best way to play it

Focus on smart positioning off the tee to secure clear angles into the green complexes while avoiding fairway bunkers. Respect the water hazards on the finishing holes on both nines, playing conservatively when approaching pin locations guarded by water.

Key takeaways

  • Rare parkland-style course in Scottsdale featuring tree-lined fairways instead of traditional desert target golf.
  • Water hazards affect nine holes, featuring dramatic water-lined finishing holes on both the front and back nines.
  • Arthur Hills design emphasizes strategic tee shot placement and precision into bunkered green complexes.
  • Firm, fast greens with surrounding collection areas punish mishit approach shots.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
446
7
Favor the right side of the fairway off the tee to clear tree lines on the left and gain a clean angle to the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~206 yards remaining by raw distance.
2
4
364
11
Use a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee to avoid fairway bunkers. Take an extra club on the approach shot, which plays slightly uphill, and avoid missing long behind the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~124 yards remaining by raw distance.
3
3
183
17
Aim for the center of the putting surface regardless of pin location to clear the water hazard comfortably.
4
4
410
13
Drive down the center of the fairway to setup an unencumbered approach shot to a bunkered green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~170 yards remaining by raw distance.
5
5
553
1
Thread the tee shot between out of bounds on the left and trees on the right. Lay up safely short of water hazards near the green or favor the left side on approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~313 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
6
4
416
3
Position the tee shot down the center-right of the fairway to avoid tree overhangs and gain an open look at the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~176 yards remaining by raw distance.
7
4
410
9
Target the center of the fairway off the tee to leave a straight approach shot into a multi-tiered green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~170 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
3
220
15
Select enough club to reach the putting surface while keeping shots below the hole, avoiding the deep bunker guarding the left side.
9
5
518
5
Tee off toward the left-center of the fairway to avoid water on the right. Lay up safely left on the second shot to setup an approach shot to a green that slopes toward the water.
Your 240 yd driver · ~278 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
10
4
482
2
Drive to the left-center of the fairway to steer clear of the right fairway bunker. Add a few yards on the approach shot as it plays slightly uphill.
Your 240 yd driver · ~242 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
3
163
18
Focus on distance control off the tee to land on the correct tier of the green and avoid flanking bunkers.
12
4
326
12
Hit fairway off the tee to clear fairway bunkers, setting up a wedge approach to a responsive, well-guarded green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~86 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
13
5
508
14
Find the wide fairway off the tee, then execute a disciplined second-shot layup short of hazard areas to leave a short pitch into the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~268 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
14
4
340
8
Lay up with a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee to target the wider part of the fairway and set up a short approach to a firm green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~100 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
15
4
433
6
Drive down the center of the fairway to set up a long approach shot to a green bordered by collection areas and sand.
Your 240 yd driver · ~193 yards remaining by raw distance.
16
4
351
16
Focus on fairway accuracy off the tee to set up a short iron approach into a contoured green guarded by bunkers.
Your 240 yd driver · ~111 yards remaining by raw distance.
17
3
198
10
Aim toward the center or right side of the green complex; avoid missing left at all costs, as shots pulled left will fall into the water hazard.
18
5
547
4
Hit a solid drive into the wide fairway. On the approach, decide whether to challenge the narrow green neck guarded by the lake on the left with a waterfall backdrop, or lay up safely to the right-center.
Your 240 yd driver · ~307 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.

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.