PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Gainey Ranch — Lakes/Dunes

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

Personalize your game plan
Choose the tees you're playing and add your driver carry for distance-aware course strategy.
Gainey Ranch — Lakes/Dunes golf course

Gainey Ranch — Lakes/Dunes

Scottsdale, AZ
Gold tees · 6,629 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Gainey Ranch — Lakes/Dunes

Designed by Michael Poellot and Bradford L. Benz, Gainey Ranch Golf Club's Lakes and Dunes combination presents a contrast of garden-like water features and links-style desert terrain. The Lakes nine features lush fairways and water hazards on multiple holes, culminating at a famous waterfall green on the 9th. The Dunes nine introduces rolling terrain, desert arroyos, overhanging trees, and strategically bunkered landing zones. Precise tee shot positioning and disciplined distance control into multi-tiered greens are essential throughout the 18 holes.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Gainey Ranch — Lakes/Dunes

Off the tee

Tee shots require shaping and strategic positioning rather than pure distance. The Lakes nine demands avoidance of lateral water hazards and deep fairway bunkers, while the Dunes nine tests golfers with doglegs, overhanging trees, and a right-side arroyo.

Elevation & terrain

The terrain is generally gentle resort land, but minor elevation drops on par 3s require subtle club selection adjustments to carry front bunkers or water features.

Approach play

Approaches are heavily defined by hazards, including water carries, creek crossings, and deep green-front bunkers. Finding the correct tier on multi-level greens is essential to avoid fast downhill putts.

Around the greens

Greens complexes feature distinct tiers, sharp back-to-front slopes, and protective bunkering. Missing on the downhill side of pin positions or over rear collection mounds leads to demanding short-game recoveries.

Best way to play it

Play conservatively off the tee to favor the safe side of fairways, avoiding lateral water on the Lakes and desert arroyos on the Dunes. Focus approach play on pin depth and land below the cup on sloped putting surfaces.

Key takeaways

  • Respect lateral water hazards throughout the Lakes nine, especially on the signature 7th and 9th holes.
  • Position tee shots on the proper side of doglegs to open clean approach corridors past fairway trees and bunkers.
  • Target the correct tier on multi-section greens to prevent three-putt scenarios.
  • Keep approach shots underneath the pin on steeply back-to-front sloped greens like Lakes 2 and Dunes 1.
  • Avoid the right-side arroyo on the Dunes finishing hole on both the drive and lay-up.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
394
11
Shape a tee shot from left to right to align with the fairway angle. Aim approach shots below the pin to manage the pitched, undulating green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~154 yards remaining by raw distance.
2
4
365
17
Aggressive tee shots must remain online. Ensure approach shots land below the hole location on a back-to-front sloped putting surface.
Your 240 yd driver · ~125 yards remaining by raw distance.
3
4
395
3
Favor the right-center portion of the fairway off the tee to steer clear of the water hazard on the left. Check the pin position to land on the correct green tier.
Your 240 yd driver · ~155 yards remaining by raw distance.
4
3
190
7
Aim toward the center or right side of the green to keep tee shots clear of the water hazard running down the left.
5
5
521
13
Challenging the left fairway bunker and trees off the tee opens a chance to reach in two, though second shots must navigate trees guarding the approach. Otherwise, lay up into the fairway elbow.
Your 240 yd driver · ~281 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
6
4
411
9
Cutting over the left fairway bunker shortens the hole, but errant drives leave uneven lies. Conservative tee shots to the right-center provide a stable stance.
Your 240 yd driver · ~171 yards remaining by raw distance.
7
4
410
1
Thread tee shots between the deep left fairway bunker and the lake on the right. Approach shots must carry both water and creek to reach a green split by multiple ridges.
Your 240 yd driver · ~170 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
3
198
5
Adjust club selection for the downhill drop and target the left-center of the green to avoid the water right and front bunker.
9
5
492
15
Navigate water hazards off the tee and along lay-up zones. Precise distance control is necessary on approach to hold the elevated putting surface framed by water and palm trees.
Your 240 yd driver · ~252 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
10
4
388
4
Drive down the left side of the fairway for an open approach angle. Keep approach shots below the cup on a green that slopes severely from back to front.
Your 240 yd driver · ~148 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
4
305
14
Choose between laying up to the right of the fairway bunker for a short iron across the creek or taking an aggressive line over the hazard toward the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~65 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
12
4
345
16
Shape a draw off the tee to follow the fairway curve. Pay close attention to pin placement, as back tier hole locations require accurate distance control.
Your 240 yd driver · ~105 yards remaining by raw distance.
13
3
187
10
Account for the slight downhill drop off the tee and ensure tee shots carry the large bunker fronting the green.
14
4
396
6
Work a right-to-left shot shape off the tee to clear overhanging branches along the left. Hit a precise approach to find narrow pin locations.
Your 240 yd driver · ~156 yards remaining by raw distance.
15
5
506
18
Position tee shots and lay-ups to avoid the large tree guarding the right approach angle. Use careful depth control on approach to hit the proper green section.
Your 240 yd driver · ~266 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
16
4
390
8
Conservative drives favor the right half of the fairway for a clear view of the green. Aggressive players can cut the left corner, but off-target drives risk heavy penalties.
Your 240 yd driver · ~150 yards remaining by raw distance.
17
3
186
12
Select sufficient club to hit the center of the green while avoiding going long, as shots over the rear mounds face extremely difficult short-game recoveries.
18
5
550
2
Favor the left side off the tee to avoid the arroyo running down the right. Lay up left of the arroyo, and ensure approach shots clear the large front bunker to land on the multi-tiered green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~310 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.