PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Gainey Ranch — Arroyo/Lakes

Course strategy, tee-specific yardages and a hole-by-hole game plan for Gainey Ranch — Arroyo/Lakes in Scottsdale, AZ.

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Gainey Ranch — Arroyo/Lakes golf course

Gainey Ranch — Arroyo/Lakes

Scottsdale, AZ
Gold tees · 6,800 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Gainey Ranch — Arroyo/Lakes

Gainey Ranch Golf Club's Arroyo/Lakes combination in Scottsdale pairs two distinct nine-hole layouts designed by Benz & Poellet. The Arroyo Nine requires strategic navigation of natural desert washes and fairway run-outs, while the Lakes Nine presents lush parkland terrain dominated by sparkling waterways, creeks, and a signature waterfall green on the 18th hole.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Gainey Ranch — Arroyo/Lakes

Off the tee

Tee shots require careful club selection to avoid natural desert arroyos and fairway bunkers on the Arroyo Nine, while the Lakes Nine demands accurate placement between perimeter water hazards and strategic fairway traps.

Elevation & terrain

The terrain across this former meadowland is generally level, with minor uphill approach shots on specific holes and a noticeable downhill drop on the par-3 17th hole.

Approach play

Approach shots demand precise distance control and proper section targeting into multi-tiered, heavily sloped greens guarded by front bunkers, creeks, and lakes.

Around the greens

Green complexes feature sharp ridges, multiple tiers, and heavy back-to-front pitching, surrounded by deep sand bunkers, water hazards, and steep protective mounds.

Best way to play it

Prioritize position off the tee over distance to ensure clear angles into multi-sectioned greens, playing conservatively around perimeter water hazards and desert washes.

Key takeaways

  • Arroyo Nine features desert washes crossing fairways and guarding green approaches.
  • Lakes Nine brings water hazards into play on nearly every hole, including creek carries.
  • Multi-tiered and ridged greens require landing on the correct section to prevent multi-putts.
  • Par 5s on both nines present high risk-reward choices over water and tree-lined doglegs.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
386
7
Consider laying back off the tee to avoid reaching the arroyo. Pay attention to pin placement on approach to land on the correct side of the green's large central ridge.
Your 240 yd driver · ~146 yards remaining by raw distance.
2
3
207
11
Shape a left-to-right ball flight off the tee to maneuver around the overhanging eucalyptus trees and access back-right hole locations.
3
4
374
15
Aggressive lines over the left corner bunker set up a wedge into the green, while playing conservatively to the right leaves a longer shot into a severely sloped putting surface.
Your 240 yd driver · ~134 yards remaining by raw distance.
4
4
404
1
Challenge the arroyo along the right side of the fairway off the tee to secure the ideal approach angle into a narrow, hourglass-shaped green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~164 yards remaining by raw distance.
5
5
533
17
Hit a high left-to-right tee shot clearing the corner trees to set up an eagle attempt; players laying up must carefully calculate distance to avoid the crossing arroyo.
Your 240 yd driver · ~293 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
6
3
173
9
Focus on precise distance control off the tee to avoid the water hazard to the right and leave a flat birdie putt.
7
4
384
13
Decide on the tee to either lay back short of the right bunkers for a longer approach or challenge the hazards to leave a wedge into the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~144 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
4
408
5
Lay back off the tee with less than driver to avoid running out of fairway, then hit a accurate approach shot to handle the green's steep pitch.
Your 240 yd driver · ~168 yards remaining by raw distance.
9
5
555
3
Favor the right-center of the fairway on every shot to stay clear of the water; approach shots onto the peninsula green demand high accuracy around four greenside bunkers.
Your 240 yd driver · ~315 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
10
4
394
12
Shape a left-to-right tee shot to follow the turn of the fairway and set up a favorable angle into a sloping green with difficult pin locations.
Your 240 yd driver · ~154 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
4
365
18
Aggressive drives set up a short approach, but control distance into the back-to-front sloped green to keep the ball below the hole.
Your 240 yd driver · ~125 yards remaining by raw distance.
12
4
395
4
Keep the tee shot right of fairway center to avoid water, then target the proper tier of the green on your approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~155 yards remaining by raw distance.
13
3
190
8
Target the center or right side of the green off the tee, as par is a good score and misses to the left will find water.
14
5
521
14
Challenge the left fairway bunker and trees off the tee to set up a chance to reach in two, which requires shaping the second shot around strategically placed trees.
Your 240 yd driver · ~281 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
15
4
411
10
Carry the left fairway bunker off the tee to shorten the hole; errant drives into the rough create uneven lies that hinder approach control to the multi-tiered green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~171 yards remaining by raw distance.
16
4
410
2
Position your tee shot between the left bunker and right water hazard, then hit a precise approach carrying the creek and lake to find the correct ridge on the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~170 yards remaining by raw distance.
17
3
198
6
Adjust club selection for the downhill drop and target the left-center of the green to stay clear of the right lake and carry the front bunker.
18
5
492
16
Work around the left-side water hazard on layups or aggressive second shots, targeting the middle of the green against the waterfall backdrop.
Your 240 yd driver · ~252 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.