Arizona Golf Course Reviews
Tournament Players Course at Scottsdale Review
Scottsdale, AZ
TPC tees: 74.4 rating; 133 slope
Last played: 2006
TPC Scottsdale Golf Course Overview: Any time a golf course is a regular stop for the PGA, it’s a forgone conclusion that it will be fun and/or treacherous. The TPC at Scottsdale is no exception to this rule and actually achieves both as the front nine is very difficult, but not as fun or memorable as the inward nine, which may afford better scoring. This track has elements of Arizona desert golf, converted into the difficult Stadium course atmosphere. There’s also enough water to make the golfer nervous and the well-manicured fairways and greens create the wonderful visual contrast of desert browns, green grass, blue water and sky. The best holes are discussed below:
TPC Scottsdale Hole 3: The best offering on the punishing front nine, this long par 5 has trouble everywhere. Several fairway bunkers will trap the unwary and the creek (sometimes dry, sometimes not) that runs down the right side is not very far from the fairway. This creek crosses the green about 50 yards out and will be in the golfer’s mind throughout the hole. The green is extremely well guarded, two-tiered and has enough character to make birdie a difficult proposition. (Not pictured)
TPC Scottsdale Hole 11: The eleventh is the beginning of a memorable string of golf holes, and is also the most difficult on the course. At 469 yards, the length is enough. However, the lake that runs the entire left side of the hole adds an additional level of fear to the hole. A perfect drive must be hit, and will still leave a mid to long iron to the green, which, along with the lake left, has a huge bunker in front. The bail out right leaves a downhill chip to a green running away from the golfer and towards the lake.
TPC Scottsdale Hole 11: The eleventh is the beginning of a memorable string of golf holes, and is also the most difficult on the course. At 469 yards, the length is enough. However, the lake that runs the entire left side of the hole adds an additional level of fear to the hole. A perfect drive must be hit, and will still leave a mid to long iron to the green, which, along with the lake left, has a huge bunker in front. The bail out right leaves a downhill chip to a green running away from the golfer and towards the lake.
TPC Scottsdale Hole 13: This exhilarating par 5 features a desert island in the middle of the fairway that must be avoided. This means the golfer can go left, right or attempt to hit a monster drive and fly it (not recommended for the average player). Going left, while safest, makes the hole much longer, but going right brings the lake into play and is a much tighter shot. If the tee shot is hit well, the second must avoid the absurdly huge bunker that starts about 100 yards from the green and flanks the left side of the hole to about 20 yards in front of the green. From there, par is not a real good option. If that trap is avoided, the approach must avoid another deep bunker right of the green.
TPC Scottsdale Hole 15: The signature golf hole is a famous short par 5 with an island green. The choice is obvious, as are the danger and rewards associated with going for the green in two. The lake running down the left side of the hole makes precision even more of a factor from tee to green.
TPC Scottsdale Hole 17: This great short par 4 is downhill all the way, and this green can be driven. However, there are bunkers, waste areas and a lake left that will grab any shot hit less than perfect. The green is huge, and has lots of tiers and severely breaking puts for the approach that is not hit close. An easy birdie can turn into double bogey very easily on this little hole. (Not pictured)
TPC Scottsdale Hole 18: The premium on this dogleg left finishing hole is on the drive. The golfer, from the tee, has no choice but to carry the beautiful and large lake. The question left up to them is how much lake to carry and how long of an approach shot to be left with. Anything too cautious will find bunkers or steep hillsides right of the fairway, leaving a very difficult approach to the large, but well-guarded (front right) green.
TPC Scottsdale Hole 18: The premium on this dogleg left finishing hole is on the drive. The golfer, from the tee, has no choice but to carry the beautiful and large lake. The question left up to them is how much lake to carry and how long of an approach shot to be left with. Anything too cautious will find bunkers or steep hillsides right of the fairway, leaving a very difficult approach to the large, but well-guarded (front right) green.
