PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Whisper Rock Golf Club — Upper

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

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Whisper Rock Golf Club — Upper golf course

Whisper Rock Golf Club — Upper

Scottsdale, AZ
Rock tees · 7,550 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Whisper Rock Golf Club — Upper

Designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2005, the Upper Course at Whisper Rock Golf Club is an exclusive private facility in North Scottsdale set entirely within an undisturbed Sonoran Desert landscape. Built specifically to challenge low-handicap golfers and PGA Tour pros while remaining playable for average handicaps, the layout features generous landing areas off the tee coupled with demanding diagonal angles, dry desert washes framing the front nine, and a celebrated five-hole stretch on the back nine (holes 12 through 16) routed through dramatic granite boulder outcroppings near Pinnacle Peak.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Whisper Rock Golf Club — Upper

Off the tee

Fairways are generous for average players, but the championship tees feature demanding diagonal angles that require precise distance and line control over native desert carries. Off-target drives will find native sagebrush, dry washes, or granite boulder fields.

Elevation & terrain

The front nine plays across relatively gentle desert floor terrain framed by dry washes, while the back nine ascends into higher ground. The dramatic mid-back nine stretch features elevated tees, downhill drop shots, and holes carved through granite saddles and rock outcrops.

Approach play

Approaches demand sound distance control to greens often cradled by generous chipping areas. Missing on the wrong side of multi-tiered greens or approaching short over desert washes and water hazards creates significant recovery challenges.

Around the greens

Tom Fazio cradled most greens with expansive collection areas, grass hollows, and strategic bunkering. Recovery shots require touch and precise selection between chipping, pitching, or putting from shaved surrounds.

Best way to play it

Take advantage of generous fairway widths off the tee on the flatter front nine while avoiding dry desert washes. Manage risk carefully through the dramatic boulder stretch on the back nine, and exercise caution on the water-guarded 18th hole.

Key takeaways

  • The front nine relies on dry desert washes framing fairways and greens.
  • Holes 12 through 16 ascend into dramatic granite boulder towers near Pinnacle Peak.
  • Hole 13 is a signature risk-reward short par 4 playing downhill to a guarded green among rock outcrops.
  • Hole 18 features a prominent lake on the right and requires a clutch closing approach over water to a two-tiered green.
  • Greens are cradled by broad chipping surrounds that offer multiple recovery options.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
449
6
Aim for the wide center of the fairway to establish a clean angle into the opening green while avoiding lateral desert washes.
Your 240 yd driver · ~209 yards remaining by raw distance.
2
4
412
4
Drive toward the center-right section of the fairway to create the best angle into a green cradled by chipping areas.
Your 240 yd driver · ~172 yards remaining by raw distance.
3
3
210
18
Focus purely on distance control to hit the center of the green, ignoring pin positions tucked near desert edges.
4
4
394
14
Position your drive on the preferred side of the fairway to secure an unobstructed view of the green past framing washes.
Your 240 yd driver · ~154 yards remaining by raw distance.
5
5
581
10
Play two controlled shots to stay in the main fairway corridors, avoiding native wash hazard areas before wedging in.
Your 240 yd driver · ~341 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
6
4
487
2
Favor the widest side of the landing zone off the tee to leave a manageable long-iron or hybrid approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~247 yards remaining by raw distance.
7
4
411
12
Select a club off the tee that guarantees finding the fairway short of cross-cutting desert wash terrain.
Your 240 yd driver · ~171 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
3
250
16
Take enough club to clear the fronting desert waste area cleanly and target the center of the putting surface.
9
5
608
8
Focus on solid fairway placement across three shots to navigate desert washes lining both sides of the hole.
Your 240 yd driver · ~368 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
10
4
479
3
Keep the tee shot in the main fairway landing area to set up a clean approach into an open front green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~239 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
3
179
13
Commit to a precise short-to-mid iron carrying the desert waste completely to find a compact putting surface.
12
5
603
7
Thread your lay-up shot carefully through the boulder saddle to leave an uphill approach to a elevated green site.
Your 240 yd driver · ~363 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
13
4
322
17
Lay up short of the fairway bunkers for a simple wedge into the green, or go for the green only if you can clear the left traps.
Your 240 yd driver · ~82 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
14
3
169
15
Account for the downhill elevation drop and take one club less to hit the green framed by massive boulder towers.
15
4
512
1
Favor the clear fairway landing zone to ensure a solid angle into a green cradled by rocks and bunkers.
Your 240 yd driver · ~272 yards remaining by raw distance.
16
5
561
9
Navigate your drive and lay-up away from rock walls to enjoy a descending approach toward the lower desert terrain.
Your 240 yd driver · ~321 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
17
4
422
11
Aim your approach shot toward the left side of the green, as shots landing right will funnel down into a deep collection area.
Your 240 yd driver · ~182 yards remaining by raw distance.
18
4
501
5
Drive between the lake on the right and fairway bunkers on the left, then hit a precise long approach over water to a two-tiered green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~261 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.