PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Rancho Manana Golf Club

Course strategy, tee-specific yardages and a hole-by-hole game plan for Rancho Manana Golf Club in Cave Creek, AZ.

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Rancho Manana Golf Club

Cave Creek, AZ

Blue tees · 5,486 yards

COURSE OVERVIEW

About Rancho Manana Golf Club

Rancho Manana Golf Club is a dramatic High Sonoran Desert course located in Cave Creek, Arizona. Built on the site of a historic 1940s dude ranch, this Bill Johnston design features scenic mountain views, narrow fairways, severe elevation changes on the front nine, and water-guarded holes on the back nine.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Rancho Manana Golf Club

Off the tee

Rancho Manana is a classic target-style layout where accuracy completely outweighs distance, rendering driver unnecessary on many tees. Tight fairways are framed by native desert terrain, mounding, and desert washes that severely punish errant drives.

Elevation & terrain

Dramatic elevation changes define the front nine as holes climb into the Cave Creek mountain foothills. Steeply uphill holes require taking up to two extra clubs, while dramatic drop-shot par 3s require taking one to two clubs off.

Approach play

Approaches frequently feature blind looks into elevated greens, as well as forced carries over desert washes and lakes. Precise distance control and hitting the correct trajectory are vital, particularly on the water-guarded back nine.

Around the greens

Green complexes feature undulating surfaces, false fronts, and distinct tiers that demand accurate approach positioning. Bunkers and steep runoff slopes surround the putting surfaces, making off-target shots roll far away from pin locations.

Best way to play it

Embrace disciplined target golf by choosing hybrid or iron off the tee to hit the widest landing zones. Adjust carefully for elevation on approach shots and favor green-center targets to steer clear of surrounding water hazards and desert brush.

Key takeaways

Target-oriented desert layout where positional tee shots trump raw distance.
Front nine climbs the foothills, featuring steep uphill holes and dramatic drop-shot par 3s.
Back nine transitions around a central lake with water and washes guarding multiple holes.
Multi-tiered green complexes punish miscalculated approaches with steep runoffs.

YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole

Par

Yards

HCP

Strategy

366

Target the large mound in the center-right of the fairway off the tee to avoid the wash on the left and set up a clear downhill approach.

Your 240 yd driver · ~126 yards remaining by raw distance.

354

Favor the left-center side of the fairway off the tee to counteract the rightward slope and prevent shots from trickling into the desert.

Your 240 yd driver · ~114 yards remaining by raw distance.

332

Select a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee to find the widening landing area while avoiding the left fairway bunkers.

Your 240 yd driver · ~92 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.

308

Lay up to the wide left fairway for a clear but blind uphill approach, rather than risking the narrow right landing zone over the wash. Add up to two clubs on the approach.

Your 240 yd driver · ~68 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.

163

Choose enough club to clear the desert carry and favor the middle of the green to avoid surrounding sand traps.

425

Your 240 yd driver · ~185 yards remaining by raw distance. The green may be within range for your second shot depending on lie and conditions.

205

Subtract one to two clubs from the measured yardage to account for the steep drop, trusting the generous green complex.

259

Take an aggressive line toward the green off the tee or position a lay-up club to set up a short wedge approach for birdie.

Your 240 yd driver · Potentially reachable with your 240-yard driver carry.

185

Club down significantly for the elevation drop and land the ball short-center on the green to utilize the back-to-front slope.

444

Drive the ball straight down the center off the tee to establish a clear angle past the fairway trees for your second shot.

Your 240 yd driver · ~204 yards remaining by raw distance. The green may be within range for your second shot depending on lie and conditions.

123

Select a precise short iron to clear Andora Wash and hit the correct tier of the green to avoid tricky long putts.

382

Aim for the distinct red-roofed building target in the distance off the tee, then carry Galloway Wash on the approach.

Your 240 yd driver · ~142 yards remaining by raw distance.

348

Favor the left side of the fairway off the tee to stay safe from the water on the right, making sure not to fly the green on the approach.

Your 240 yd driver · ~108 yards remaining by raw distance.

137

Aim for the center or left-center portion of the green, taking the water hazard completely out of play.

334

Carry the water off the tee to the left side of the fairway, setting up a wedge approach up to the raised green complex.

Your 240 yd driver · ~94 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.

469

Hit a controlled tee shot down the center or cut the corner slightly over the dogleg to position for a potential green-in-two attempt.

Your 240 yd driver · ~229 yards remaining by raw distance. The green may be within range for your second shot depending on lie and conditions.

149

503

Lay up short of the creek bed on your second shot to set up a full wedge into a green framed by water right and bunkers left.

Your 240 yd driver · ~263 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.