THE LEGACY GOLF CLUB (602) 305-5550
Arizona Golf Course Review - 1/02/03 -
The Legacy Golf Club near South Mountain in Phoenix is the premier property in the list of courses operated by the In Celebration of Golf Management team. The 18-hole Gary Panks design is the
centerpiece of the Legacy Golf Resort, which also includes 328 spacious suites (all with full kitchens), a
beautiful outdoor pool, whirlpools, fitness center, tennis courts, meeting and board rooms and all the other amenities associated with a first class resort. For more information on the resort click here. The clubhouse features a dining room and outdoor patio, pro shop, workout facility and men's/women's
locker rooms with showers. After touring the property, we came away convinced that for visitors looking
for upscale accommodations in a lush Southwestern style setting - the Legacy Resort will fill their needs.
For a resort course, the Legacy packs some punch. The tips measure over 6800 yards with a 128 slope rating. Alternate tees allow golfers to choose their medicine from distances of 6378, 5958 and 5471.
Each tee area is beautifully manicured and the conditioning of the fairways, greens and bunkers was quite exceptional on our visit. The rough is very playable, and although there are some desert holes,
forced carries of considerable yardage are rare. The key to scoring well here is to STAY OUT OF THE BUNKERS - especially those lining the fairways on many of the par fours and fives. Most are deep with
high lips preventing attempts for long recoveries with fairway woods or long irons. A wedge or short iron
will more often be needed to escape. Avoid these traps and you will find that good shots are rewarded with good lies - and ample opportunities at birdie or par. Green diagram sheets mounted on each cart
provide accurate info on the day's pin location, and yardage blocks at 100/150/200 along with marked sprinkler heads, help tremendously with club selection. There are subtle elevation changes, but none
severe enough to discourage beginners or resort golfers from enjoying a "vacation round". Accomplished players will find that a score below their handicap is possible with timely course management.
The opening hole, which plays into South Mountain, presents a good example of the panoramic beauty surrounding this course. This mid length par four is straight and manageable - and affords an opportunity
to get off to a good start. A short desert carry off the tee awaits on number two. The length (441 from the
tips) and uphill nature of the approach makes this a difficult hole to reach in regulation. There is plenty of
room prior to the bunkers that line the right side of the fairway on the short par four third. These can
indeed be classified as hazards - plan a safe route with the goal of avoiding them. A triad of sand traps
guards the green to the right, left front and back on number 4, the first par three of the layout. Each of the
four par 3's here are unique and gorgeous. We also found the 4 par fives, which measure from 523 to
580 in length, to be very interesting. After a mid-length par four, you will be confronted with the first of the
par fives - this one measuring 571 from the tips. Long hitters will be able to carry the fairway bunkers on
the left, if they decide to try to reach the green in two. The safe play is to the generous fairway on the right
. Three fairly accurate shots will allow many to reach in regulation. The seventh is absolutely gorgeous,
with mature palms and vistas of the South Mountain framing the backdrop. The fairway trap along the left
side of the fairway, and a considerable bunker complex just right of the green will need to be avoided on
the par 5 eighth. A shot placed between the bunkers short right and long left will leave a good view of the
uphill approach on the finishing hole of the front - which plays very long from the tips (442 yards).
The backside begins with a short carry over a desert wash, to a wide open fairway and a simple approach. The eleventh, like the other par threes on the Legacy, is an absolutely beautiful hole. The palm
trees and mountain view behind the putting surface form a frame-able backdrop. A small pond sits in front of the tee area on 12, which plays long from the copper (459), black (431) and white (391) tee
boxes. This is a difficult hole to reach in regulation. Number 13 also plays to over 400 yards from the tips
, but the wide open fairway invites one to grip it and rip it. Running parallel to thirteen, the par four 14th is
the #1 handicap hole. There is a water hazard left of the green complex about 70 yards out, which creates the need for and accurate approach. A beautiful par three over water follows - long is obviously
better than short here. Take a healthy swing or an extra club as the green is slightly elevated. There is
plenty of room on the left on the mid-length par four 16th. Avoid the bunkers and this is an easy hole.
There are some humungous bunkers left of the green on 17, which is long and difficult for a par three ( 203 yards from the tips, and # 5 handicap). A generous fairway on 18 has mounds on both sides which
funnel slightly mis-hit shots back towards the center of the fairway. The approach here is uphill to a perched green.
An experience here is one that you will enjoy. This is an upscale facility with a moderate price structure
for the area. The golf course design is quite interesting, with gorgeous scenery and a layout that affords
most golfers the opportunity to use every club in their bag. This is not the typical resort course
experience...Golfers of all skill levels will find an adequate challenge. On property is a grass range with
complimentary balls, short game area with practice bunker, and expansive putting green. The pro shop features top quality golf wear and accessories. With the upscale accommodations and recreational
facilities, the Legacy is the is the perfect place for an extended stay - as many of the areas top golf
courses are nearby. It also is ideal for a one or two night getaway, for those looking to add a special
experience to their vacation itinerary. In Celebration properties in the area also include an incredible golf emporium and eight additional golf courses.
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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