LAS SENDAS GOLF CLUB (480) 396-4000
Arizona Golf Course Review
The Phoenix/Scottsdale area has an incredible volume and variety of golf courses to choose from. When the Two Guys Who Golf are asked to recommend something that is most representative of Arizona golf - Las Sendas is one of the first courses that comes to mind. This 4-star layout (Golf Digest - but 4 1/2 in our books) is a true desert design, and one
that encompasses all that is unique about golf in the Valley of the Sun. Located in Mesa - within a half hours drive of Sky Harbor Airport - Las Sendas offers a Robert Trent Jones Jr
. challenge that has been rated as the number one public course in the state by the Business Journal every year since it opened in 1995. Golf Magazine has also included it on its
list of "Top Ten You Can Play in the Nation". With its pristine desert setting and red rock mountain backdrops, plus top notch facilities, we recommend Las Sendas highly -
especially to first time visitors and those wishing to impress friends and clients. This is what Arizona golf is meant to be...
Come early to enjoy their fine practice facilities - which are complimentary to guests with booked tee times. This is a tough layout and one that will demand your concentration and
patience. With slope ratings that vary on the six sets of tee boxes from 142 to 125, most golfers will be able to find their comfort zone and play to their skill level. Scratch golfers will
find all they can handle from the tips which measure 6914 yards, and the blues are also challenging at 6657. Alternate tee areas allow golfers of all levels to find a set that fits their
game, with yardages and slopes measuring 6081 yards/ 135 slope, 5829 yards/129 slope for men and 137 for women, 5426 yards/ 124 slope for men and 133 for women, and
5100 yards with a slope of 128 for ladies hitting from the forward tees.
The course provides yardage books to assist players in locating distances on the course while red/white/blue flags on the pins indicate hole locations. The conditioning of the
entire course was excellent on our visit, and the tif dwarf greens were some of the best we have played - rolling quick and true. It is a good idea to stay below the flag on most
holes, as downhill and side putts break deviously. Many of the green complexes featured elaborate bunkering and putting surfaces perched above grass swales and surrounded
by subtle mounds. Outstanding views abound - of the surrounding mountains, with saguaros and native desert foliage dotting the landscape, making Las Sendas visually
stunning.
Number one is a tough opening hole. This long par four doglegs right towards a rather intimidating water hazard. The best landing area off the tee is between the two fairway
bunkers. Be careful not to drive through the fairway which is possible if you stray too far left. The long par five 2nd features a desert wash on the right and a large fairway bunker
left. The best approach is from just in front of the huge bunker complex fronting the green. This is the # 1 handicap. The desert carry on three is not overly demanding - aim for the
tall saguaro in the left center of the fairway. The fairly level putting surface offers one of the best birdie opportunities of the day. After the # 5 handicapped par four 4th, golfers get
some relief as the next 4 holes are the course's 15th, 11th, 17th, and 13th handicaps. Number four doglegs right and plays uphill towards a picturesque mountain, with the green
sloped heavily back to front. The par 3 fifth also features a beautiful mountain backdrop, and is followed by the shortest par five, and one of the most score-able holes of the layout
. Aim just left of the saguaros on the right side, and again along the right side on your second shot. This is a double dogleg right - with the uphill approach being fairly simple from
anywhere on the fairway. A short par three follows, and can be a difficult par if you land on the incorrect portion of this two-level putting surface. The eighth and ninth holes feature
generous fairways, but distance off the tee is of importance if you are to reach in regulation. A strategically placed fairway trap on eight and a grassy wash near the center of the
fairway on nine need to be avoided. The view of the clubhouse with a gorgeous mountain backdrop is worth the price of admission here.
If you were happy with the vistas on the front side, you will be delighted with the back. The mountain backdrop on the long par four tenth is suitable for framing, as is a similar view
on the par three 11th. Number ten is a grip it an rip it hole, and the eleventh, though short on paper, plays one to 2 clubs uphill. There is a bit of room for error on the long par four
12th - distance is premium off the tee and accuracy is necessary on the approach as the layout narrows considerably. A generous fairway awaits on 13, but beware of the desert
wash that crosses some 50 yards from the green. The uphill par 3 fourteenth has elaborate greenside bunkering that creates the demand for a high arcing shot that must land on
the correct portion of the putting surface. Do it and a birdie is a great possibility. A desert wash approximately 250 from the green creates the need for thoughtful shot selection off
the tee on 15, and mounds and bunkers around the green will challenge the approach on this number two handicapped par five. The closing holes - 16 through 18 - present some
great photogenic opportunities. The background on the uphill par three 16th is somewhat reminiscent of the vistas available on the golf properties in Sedona. The views are
similar on number 17, which is a short but tricky par four. Aim for the 150 stake and avoid bending your tee shot to the left, as a desert wash will make reaching in regulation nearly
impossible. Mounding will feed anything on that side towards the desert. Eighteen stands out as a unique hole - and can be breathtaking from the tee if you are finishing your
round near dusk. There are two water hazards - one which can be avoided off the tee with a shot placed to the left or center of the fairway, and another that must be negotiated in
the approach. The best case scenario calls for the second shot to land safely, as close to the water hazard as possible - leaving a short iron over water towards the putting surface
- with a gorgeous view of Camelback Mountain and the Phoenix skyline as a formidable distraction.
Great desert golf, spectacular scenery, beautiful clubhouse with pro shop and award winning restaurants, and wonderful facilities - Las Sendas has it all. There are actually 3
dining establishments on property, including Bogie's Steak & Seafood House - with upscale dining (and Humphrey Bogart aesthetics) complimented by free valet and free
Stretch Limo pick up and drop off from residences and hotels in the nearby area. There is also the "Rusty Putter" open from 7am to closing and the Viewpoint Patio for lunch items
. Las Sendas is 20 minutes from airport and 30 minutes from N. Scottsdale. Take the 202 east to Power Road exit, turn left (north). Go one block and turn right on Eaglecrest Drive,
go 1 mile and club entrance is on the right side. This is an extremely memorable experience!
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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