ARIZONA BILTMORE GOLF CLUB Estate Course (602-955-9655)
Arizona Golf Course Review
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 Arizona Biltmore Resort which offers luxurious accommodations and outstanding resort amenities (click here for the resort's website). 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 locker rooms with showers for
men and women. 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 Visage 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
Adobe Course.
ESTATE COURSE
The Estate Course was completely renovated and restored in 2004, but continues to feature a truly classic look with wide fairways and intricately shaped strategic bunkering
designed to make golfers think their way about the course. The original layout was the brainchild of William Wrigley Jr. (of Wrigley gum fame). William P (Billy) Bell - designer of the
Riviera and Bel-Air Country Clubs in California, was brought in to create the Estate Course. The parkland design is a unique feature in Arizona, and this course is considered to be
one of only 3 truly classic courses left in the state.
There are four sets of tee boxes that play to distances and slopes measuring 6586 yards/122 slope, 5973 yards/114 slope, 5537 yards/110 slope, and 5220 yards with slope of
112 for men and 120 for women. The Adobe plays to a par 71, with water hazards in play on 3 holes. There are 36 sand traps in play near the landing zones on the fairways or
greenside.
To score well here, golfers will have to think their way about the course, while planning to stay away from the plentiful fairway and greenside bunkers. Decisions to drive the
bunkers or lay up will often define course strategy. These sand traps are often sod walled, and penal in nature. The mildly raised, small round greens usually slope from back to
front, meaning it is a good idea to keep approaches below the hole. Each fairway is tree lined - although not too densely.
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, stay and play
packages are available. This is the convenient way to go! For more info, visit our page for the Estate Course, with direct link to the properties' website by clicking here.
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