FRANCISCO GRANDE Hotel & Golf Resort
(520) 381-8200
Arizona Golf Course Review
Francisco Grande - where John Wayne stayed and where Willie Mays played - emerged in the sixties from the imagination of Horace Stoneham, legendary owner of the San Francisco Giants. He originally conceived the
property as a first rate spring training facility for his baseball team. Today, visitors will find a visually enhanced
resort featuring 101 elegantly renovated guest rooms, each with its own outdoor balcony overlooking the course
and surrounding area. Amenities include a tropically landscaped outdoor pool area with hot tub, fitness room,
Legends Restaurant (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily) and Dukes Bar (named after John Wayne, who
was a frequent visitor), plus conference and banquet facilities that can accommodate up to 400 guests. For
more info, visit our page for the Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort on out Arizona Golf Resort listing page by clicking here.
What we enjoyed most about the resort was the close proximity of all the facilities. Nothing is far away - including
the wonderful golf facilities. There is a targeted grass range, 2 large putting greens and a short game area with
sand bunker. Guests can walk out there door any time of the day to hit a few balls or to work on their short game.
The pro shop is adjacent to the lobby, making it extremely convenient for check in. John Jacobs' Golf School is
on site, providing innovative golf instruction on the 70,000 square foot practice area. Overnight and commuter programs for every skill level are available.
The golf course is a Ralph Plummer design and at 7.545 yards is the longest in the state! This traditional, par 72
layout features manicured greens, water hazards that are heavily populated with native wildlife, and strategically
placed sand bunkers that are mostly located greenside. Over 1500 mature trees, many of them palms and
Arizona pines, line the fairways that are also often bordered by desert areas. The course is one of the few in the
region that over-seeds fairways, tees, greens, roughs and the public areas that total over 180 acres.
Five sets of tees provide options for all levels of players, and measure in distance and slope 7545 yards/130
slope, 6941 yards/124 slope, 6476 yards/120 slope, 5840 yards/115 slope for men and 120 for women, and
5224 yards with a slope of 114 for ladies playing from the forward sets. From the red tees, this course is very
player friendly. In fact, if you can avoid the trees that define the shape of most of the holes, golfers of all abilities
should be able to score below their handicap here.
On course yardage blocks are located near the center of the fairways at 100, 150 and 200 yards, and 150 yard
stakes are present on all par fours and fives. Small markers on the flagsticks indicate front, middle and back
hole locations. Water comes into play on four holes, including pond carries on the par three 8th and 16th holes,
and approximately 3 dozen sand traps are situated along the fairways or near the medium sized, mildly undulating putting surfaces.
Francisco Grande is a pleasant golf experience - a wonderful value, and with the resort facilities is a great place
to start an Arizona golf vacation. The service, including every member of the staff we encountered, was
exceptional during our stay. Golfers will be able to practice to their heart's content, to prepare for some of
Arizona' tougher golf challenges. Economically - visitors will find that they can enjoy nice amenities and a
comfortable resort experience without breaking the pocket book. We highly recommend a stay here! The
property is located between Phoenix and Tucson - about 45 minutes from Sky Harbor Airport. For more info on
the course, visit our page for the Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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