THE GOLF CLUB OF ESTRELLA (623) 386-2600
Arizona Golf Course Review
Desert golf ... nothing much quite like it. Visitors to Arizona should know that there are all types of layouts in the area - from the traditional parkland
courses with an abundance of trees, water and sand bunkers to courses featuring rolling fairways and elevation changes. And then there are the true
desert layouts - designs featuring carries over and around desert waste areas with finely sculpted tee areas surrounded by tall saguaros, native foliage
and spectacular desert mountains. The Golf Club of Estrella falls into the latter category, and is one of the best of its kind in Arizona.
Located just 30 minutes west of downtown Phoenix, the Golf Club of Estrella offers a challenging round of golf on a course designed by Jack Nicklaus II,
and affords breathtaking beauty in a natural desert environment. Awards include: "One of the Nation's Top 40 Daily Fee Courses (Golf and Travel
Magazine August 2000), "Top Ten Public Course in Phoenix" (Business Journal 2000 & 2001), and "One of Top Ten Courses in Arizona" (Ranking Arizona
, The Best of Arizona Business 2000 & 2001). Stretching to over 7100 yards with a top slope rating of 136, and with 4 other tee areas measuring 6733,
6249, 5759 and 5124, this layout provides a fair test for golfers of all skill levels. We found the fairways to be quite generous, and the desert carries
featured from many of the tee boxes were very reasonable. The fact that the property was recently taken over by TROON GOLF cannot be overlooked.
We found the conditions and amenities to be worthy of the Troon name - bag tags, green repair tools, plus complimentary use of the practice facilities
(grass range, putting green and short game area) to name a few. The pro shop features top of the line clothing and accessories, and an inside and
outside dining area are available for snacks, sandwiches and beverages (including beer and wine). Word is that a new luxurious clubhouse is in the planning stages.
On course amenities include complimentary bottled water and ball and club washers on each cart, along with ice chests in season. There is a 150 yard
stake in the fairway. Sprinkler heads are measured to the front, middle and center of the greens, and there are also yardage indicators on the cart paths.
Arrive early and take advantage of the practice facilities, which like the course, are quite upscale.
The opening hole will get your attention immediately, as the Estrella Mountains loom spectacularly in the background. A short desert carry leads to a wide
fairway with plentiful room for a clear approach. As the number 16 handicap, this is a pleasant opening hole. The mid range par four second is a bit more
difficult, with fairway bunkers on both sides coming into play on errant tee shots. A desert wash 20 yards in front, and multiple greenside bunkers must be
negotiated on the approach. The par 3 third is also well-protected by sand traps, though there is ample bail out room on the left side. The fairway is
narrow off the tee on the par five fourth, but the approach provides plenty of room for error. Most players will need three shots to reach the putting surface
. A water hazard 100 yards from the green creates the challenge on five. A strong shot into the prevailing wind off the tee, followed by an extremely
accurate approach may earn you a well deserved par on this beauty of a hole. Another water hazard left and a huge sand trap along the right create a
demanding tee shot on 6, and the putting surface is equally guarded by a large bunker complex short left. This precedes a straight forward par three that
features a ridge running through the center of the green - pay attention to the pin placement here. There is plenty of room off the tee on 8, though a
desert wash that fronts the green makes for a challenging approach. The ninth is a formidable par four that is nick-named "The Island". It bends to the left
and demands 1 club extra to reach the green complex, which plays uphill.
The back side opens with a short desert carry on number ten. The fairway here is quite tight, with desert to the right and a bunker complex left. Eleven is
heavily bunkered on both sides of the fairway, and also in the front left and deep right of the green. The 12th is another challenging par four, as it bends
to the right with a triangle of deep bunkers surrounding the green. The serpentine par five that follows features a generous landing area off the tee, but a
desert wash about 70 yards from the center of the green will make this a 3 shot hole for most golfers. The uphill par three 14th must carry some desert,
but there is more grass in front of the green than it appears from the tee area. Short is a viable option here. A substantial desert carry awaits on 15, and
another natural area about 100 yards from the green's center may effect the approach. As with the previous hole, there is ample bail out room short. The
last par five is also the longest hole and the number one handicap on the course (605 from the tips). A long tee shot along an open fairway and an easy
lay-up in front of the desert wash (about 100 out) will leave a short iron to a well guarded green. This is a pretty hole, but pales in comparison to what we
have discovered to be one of the best pair of closing holes in the state. Number seventeen is a gorgeous and challenging par three that is nearly all carry
over a considerable desert area. The view from the tips and also from behind the green are especially memorable. The finishing hole demands a long
and accurate shot from an elevated tee (except from the front tee box). Placement to the right side of the fairway will leave a shorter approach, though the
best angle is from the second level of fairway past the right side of the traps. Anything hit long left has a good chance of sliding into the desert, and ruining
your chance of par on one of the prettiest holes on the course.
The Golf Club of Estrella gets our vote as one of the most under-rated (perhaps because it is not as well known as some others) desert courses in the
state. This is the second time we have played it in the past few years - and we regard both visits as highlight rounds. The conditions are exceptional -
especially since Troon took over - and the ambiance and demeanor of the staff proves that they sincerely enjoy working at this property. Our advice -
include the Golf Club of Estrella in your Arizona Golf itinerary - it is worth the drive!
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf detailed listing page with a link (if available) to this course's website.
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