ENCANTO 18 GOLF COURSE (602-253-3963)
Arizona Golf Course Review 12/17/06
The municipality of Phoenix is the owner/operator of a nice variety of quality and value oriented 18-hole
golf properties, including Papago, Maryvale, Encanto Park, Cave Creek and Aguila golf courses. There
also are three 9-hole layouts. Besides the fact that these courses are easily accessible, golfers will also
appreciate the pricing structure that makes a round on these properties a good value on an Arizona golf
vacation. Visitors can click on the following link, to find pricing and to book a tee time online at any of the Phoenix municipal golf facilities http://phoenix.gov/sports/gfees.html
The photos in this review are of the Encanto 18 Golf Course, which has the distinction of being the third oldest course in Arizona. Wide, level fairways with a limited number of hazards make this a local
favorite - and ideally suited to the average golfer. An abundance of mature palms and salt cedar trees provide a relaxing and aesthetically pleasing environment, with some spectacular views of the
downtown Phoenix skyscape. The course is adjacent to a municipal park.
Frequent home to the Phoenix Open Qualifying, Encanto also features a nine hole executive course.
Both layouts play along a fairly level terrain with palms and other native trees lining most fairways. There
is generally plenty of room on this player friendly layout, which is a comfortable experience for beginners and high handicappers.
The green complexes are slightly raised with large bunkers often situated on one or both sides. In total,
35 sand traps line the fairways or are placed greenside, and water comes into play on just one hole.
The putting surfaces are large in size and sloping in nature, with some crowns providing challenges on shots that run through the greens.
There are three sets of tees that play to distances and slopes measuring 6386 yards/111 slope, 6167 yards/105 slope and 5731 yards with a slope of 111 for ladies playing from the forward sets. On course
yardage markers are provided on the fairways at 100, 150 and 200 yards, with color coded flags on the greens indicating front, middle and back pin placements.
If you are going to be in Phoenix for awhile, the Phoenix card is available ($50 fee and $30 annual renewal) and provides advance tee time reservations, discounted rates and promotional specials at all
of the municipal courses. For more information on the golf course and programs, visit our page for Papago and Phoenix municipal golf , with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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