ARIZONA BILTMORE GOLF CLUB Links 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 nicely appointed locker rooms with
showers for men and women(with shoe service available). 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
Links Course. The 15th hole, with the back tee box situated atop a cliff, provides the most stunning view on the property. On a clear day, one can see the skyline of Phoenix,
Scottsdale and the distant mountains.
LINKS COURSE
The Links Course at Arizona Biltmore is the more modern of the two layouts, and has provided a venue for new neighborhoods as it was built on the open spaces that surrounded
the original grounds of the resort. Designed in the spirit of the links courses of the British Isles, this layout features rolling fairways, desert ravines and five lakes. The large green
complexes are often protected by deep-style sand bunkers, creating the need for accurate iron shots and good short game play.
There are four sets of tee boxes that play to distances and slopes measuring 6300 yards/124 slope, 5726 yards/117 slope, 5255 yards/111 slope and 4747 yards with slope of
110 from the forward tees. The average player will find that the championship tees play fairly - and from these back tees the set up plays much more dramatically, especially on the
back side. The Links plays to a par 71, with water in play on 4 holes and with 47 sand bunkers situated about the course.
Golfers will appreciate the variance in terrain, as the topography features desert golf holes with those defined by pine trees and water hazards. The front nine presents a terrain
that is quite level, while the back side features sloping fairways and some significant elevation changes - especially on the gorgeous par three 15th (from the back tees).Views of
the surrounding desert mountains are spectacular on the backside. The gently raised green complexes on both nines provide some interesting pin placements which can change
the strategy of how to play each hole from day to day. While well bunkered, the fronts are generally open so that good shots are rewarded with good scoring opportunities. Miss on
the approach and up and down recoveries can be tricky.
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, great stay and play
packages are available. This is the convenient way to go! For more info, visit our page for the Links Course, with direct link to the properties' website by clicking here.
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