PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Randolph North

Course strategy, tee-specific yardages and a hole-by-hole game plan for Randolph North in Tucson, AZ.

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Randolph North golf course

Randolph North

Tucson, AZ
Blue tees · 6,883 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Randolph North

Designed by William P. Bell and opened in 1925, Randolph North is a historic municipal parkland course in central Tucson, Arizona. As the longest course in the Tucson City Golf system, it features lush, tree-lined parallel fairways framed by mature pines, eucalyptus, and palms with views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Randolph North boasts a rich tournament history, having hosted the PGA Tour's Tucson Open, Champions Tour events, and the LPGA Tour's Welch's/Fry's Championship. Water hazards come into play on five holes, and compact green complexes place a premium on shot placement.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Randolph North

Off the tee

Tee shots demand control down long, parallel fairways bordered by mature trees and lush turf. Misses into adjacent fairways remain playable, but dense tree limbs can block direct recovery lines to the greens.

Elevation & terrain

The course plays across relatively flat parkland terrain with minimal elevation changes across the routing. Distance control off the tee and into greens is driven primarily by wind and ball striking rather than severe slope changes.

Approach play

Approaches demand accuracy into small-to-medium green complexes guarded by green-side bunkers and water hazards on select holes. Positioning tee shots on the proper side of the fairway helps create clean angles past overhanging branches.

Around the greens

Green complexes feature compact Bermuda surfaces surrounded by strategic sand bunkers. Chipping requires precision to navigate greens that slope subtly, particularly from back to front on select holes.

Best way to play it

Prioritize finding fairways over maximum driver distance to avoid tree obstruction on approach shots. Capitalize on the scoring opportunities provided by reachable par 5s while exercising caution near water hazards on the back nine.

Key takeaways

  • Historic William P. Bell parkland layout in central Tucson with deep PGA and LPGA Tour history.
  • Long, parallel fairways lined with mature pine, eucalyptus, and palm trees.
  • Water hazards test accuracy on five holes, most prominently on the back nine.
  • Relatively flat terrain makes it an easy, enjoyable course to walk.
  • Compact green complexes require accurate iron play and distance control.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
365
7
Favor the right-center portion of the fairway off the tee to create a clean angle past trees into a small, straightforward green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~125 yards remaining by raw distance.
2
4
415
9
Aim down the center of the fairway to avoid tree coverage and keep clear of the stadium perimeter along the right boundary.
Your 240 yd driver · ~175 yards remaining by raw distance.
3
5
569
11
Play down the center of the fairway on both the tee shot and lay-up to keep approach angles clear of overhanging tree branches.
Your 240 yd driver · ~329 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
4
4
429
1
Target the center of the fairway off the tee to establish a clear mid-iron approach to a bunkered green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~189 yards remaining by raw distance.
5
4
440
3
Commit to a long, straight tee shot down the main fairway to leave a manageable long-iron or hybrid approach into a compact target.
Your 240 yd driver · ~200 yards remaining by raw distance.
6
3
136
13
Select club carefully for a precise iron shot into a small green complex guarded by sand hazards.
7
4
373
15
Favor the open side of the fairway to secure an unobstructed approach angle over greenside sand.
Your 240 yd driver · ~133 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
3
198
5
Aim for the center of the green complex to ensure safe clearance over front bunkers regardless of pin position.
9
5
469
17
Keep tee shot and lay-up positioned away from the water hazard along the fairway boundary to set up a birdie opportunity.
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.
10
4
423
2
Drive down the fairway center to leave an open angle into a well-bunkered green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~183 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
3
197
14
Club up to carry the front hazards and land softly on the center of the green.
12
4
388
10
Place drive along the wider section of the fairway to avoid overhanging limbs on the approach shot.
Your 240 yd driver · ~148 yards remaining by raw distance.
13
5
480
16
Favor the safe side of the fairway on the drive; longer hitters can challenge the green in two while lay-ups must avoid the lateral water hazard.
Your 240 yd driver · ~240 yards remaining by raw distance. The green may be within range for your second shot depending on lie and conditions.
14
4
432
8
Hit a solid driver down the middle, then take enough club on the approach to clear front bunkers guarding the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~192 yards remaining by raw distance.
15
3
193
6
Favor the safe center-left portion of the green complex to stay clear of the water hazard guarding the right side.
16
5
574
18
Execute three controlled shots down the center of the tree-lined fairway to reach the bunkered green safely.
Your 240 yd driver · ~334 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
17
4
368
12
Target the center fairway, then aim to leave approach putts below the cup to take advantage of the back-to-front slope.
Your 240 yd driver · ~128 yards remaining by raw distance.
18
4
434
4
Drive down the center-left fairway to maintain a clear line past the water hazard bordering the right side of the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~194 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.