ARIZONA BILTMORE GOLF CLUB Links 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 nicely appointed locker rooms with showers for men and
women(with shoe service available). 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 Links Course. The 15th hole, with the back tee box situated
atop a cliff, provides the most stunning view on the property. On a clear day, one can see the skyline of Phoenix, Scottsdale and the distant mountains.
LINKS COURSE
The Links Course at Arizona Biltmore is the more modern of the two layouts, and has provided a venue for new neighborhoods as it was built on the open spaces that surrounded the original grounds of the
resort. Designed in the spirit of the links courses of the British Isles, this layout features rolling fairways,
desert ravines and five lakes. The large green complexes are often protected by deep-style sand bunkers, creating the need for accurate iron shots and good short game play.
There are three sets of tee boxes that play to distances and slopes measuring 6300 yards/125 slope, 5726 yards/117 slope, and 4747 yards with slope of 110 from the forward tees. The average player will
find that the championship tees play fairly - and from these back tees the set up plays much more
dramatically, especially on the back side. The Links plays to a par 71, with water in play on 4 holes and with 47 sand bunkers situated about the course.
Golfers will appreciate the variance in terrain, as the topography features desert golf holes with those
defined by pine trees and water hazards. The front nine presents a terrain that is quite level, while the
back side features sloping fairways and some significant elevation changes - especially on the gorgeous
par three 15th (from the back tees).Views of the surrounding desert mountains are spectacular on the backside. The gently raised green complexes on both nines provide some interesting pin placements
which can change the strategy of how to play each hole from day to day. While well bunkered, the fronts are generally open so that good shots are rewarded with good scoring opportunities. Miss on the
approach and up and down recoveries can be tricky.
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, great stay and play packages are available. This is the convenient way to go! For more info, visit our page for the Links Course, with direct link to the properties' website by clicking here.
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