ARIZONA BILTMORE GOLF CLUB Adobe Course
(602-955-9655)
Arizona Golf Course Review 9/07/07
General Information
The Arizona Biltmore is located in the heart of Phoenix and yet is situated on a secluded setting, alongside craggy hillsides amidst desert landscaping. The property features two championship courses
plus the Adjacent Arizona Biltmore Resort (a separate entity from the golf facilities) which offers luxurious accommodations and outstanding resort amenities. One of Phoenix's most impressive summits -
Piestawa Peak, provides spectacular mountain backdrops while the property's central location provides visitors with close proximity to world class shopping and dining.
The clubhouse facilities include a nicely stocked pro shop, Adobe Restaurant and lounge(open for breakfast and lunch) with outdoor patio, plus locker rooms with showers for men and women. The
practice facilities are comprehensive and feature a targeted grass range, short game area with sand bunker, and 2 putting greens.
The courses have 150 stakes situated in the middle of the fairways on some of the par fours and fives, but golfers will be able to rely on the Pro Link GPS on all carts, which provides hole diagrams and
accurate information from tee to pin. The turf consists of Bermuda from tee to green, with 328 putting surfaces. All images in this review are of the Adobe Course.
ADOBE COURSE
The Adobe Course was completely renovated and restored in 2004, but continues to feature a truly classic look with wide fairways and intricately shaped strategic bunkering designed to make golfers think
their way about the course. The original layout was the brainchild of William Wrigley Jr. (of Wrigley gum
fame). William P (Billy) Bell - designer of the Riviera and Bel-Air Country Clubs in California, was brought
in to create the Adobe Course. The parkland design is a unique feature in Arizona, and this course is considered to be one of only 3 truly classic courses left in the state.
There are three sets of tee boxes that play to distances and slopes measuring 6428 yards/123 slope, 6075 yards/119 slope, and 5417 yards with slope of 120 for women hitting from the back tees. The
Adobe plays to a par 71, with water hazards in play on 3 holes. There are 36 sand traps in play near the landing zones on the fairways or greenside.
To score well here, golfers will have to think their way about the course, while planning to stay away from
the plentiful fairway and greenside bunkers. Decisions to drive the bunkers or lay up will often define
course strategy. These sand traps are often sod walled, and penal in nature. The mildly raised, small round greens usually slope from back to front, meaning it is a good idea to keep approaches below the
hole. Each fairway is tree lined - although not too densely.
These two courses, while not overly long, are designed to invoke the best strategic planning by golfers of
all skill levels. They are challenging yet fair, and are kept in the type of conditioning that will make players
schedule a repeat visit. The courses are serviced by the same clubhouse, and while the hotel/resort is managed separately, stay and play packages are available. This is the convenient way to go! For more
info, visit our page for the Adobe Course, with direct link to the properties' website by clicking here.
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