The Mountain Course

The tee offers a breathtaking panorama that stretches across the Sonoran Desert into Mexico. Bring your camera, you’ll want to remember this!

At the highest point on the golf course sits Ventana Canyon’s signature third hole. One of the most photographed holes west of the Mississippi, this short par three is tucked into the rugged rocks of the Santa Catalina mountains and plays across a canyon of cacti. The tee offers a breathtaking panorama that stretches across the Sonoran Desert into Mexico. Bring your camera, you’ll want to remember this!

This slightly intimidating tee shot will force you to focus on the fairway not the water. but don’t try to cut the corner too much as there is trouble in the left rough. However, you don’t want to push it too far right either. An approach shot into a narrow green guarded but knolls and bunkers, it is much better to be long than short.

This lengthy par 4 is actually the number one handicapped hole. Preferred here is a well struck tee shot to the right of the fairway bunker. The approach shot into this beautifully unobstructed green is definitely inviting. But, while on the putting surface, you will once again experience the effect of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

This cozy but picturesque par 5 calls for yet another straight and trouble-free tee shot. The hole itself is reachable for the longer players in two. Yet options to lay-up before the waist area or just beyond set you up for a decent chance at birdie with a good short iron shot. But no matter what, this undulating green poses challenges for golfers of all levels.

We close out the front nine with this delightfully splendid par 4. Keep away from the fairway bunkers on the right, though, as it makes it difficult to get home with your approach. When hitting into this oblong green, remember that it is best to be short.

We open the back nine with a beautiful short dogleg right par 4. The tee shot over the pristine desert preserve does not always require the driver, but a smartly placed ball in the fairway is key to making par on this hole. The approach shot is slightly downhill to a green that runs away from the player. It is advisable to play up to this green and let the mountain effect take its course.

This lengthy par 4 gives you one option: take out your driver and hit everything you have. And if you place your tee shot straight down the middle of this generous fairway, you leave yourself with an opportunity to negotiate the just slightly left to right green. Once on the putting surface, make sure to pay attention to the peaks of Ventana Canyon to really show you the line.

This spectacular straightaway par 5 is truly a Tom Fazio work of art. But your focus should be on the green grass of this long fairway. With bunkers along the left and a desert wash to the right, it is imperative to keep the ball as straight as possible. And it should be noted that even the long hitters tend to bow to the fact that it is three to get home.

This short par 4 is a pure risk/reward shot from the tee box. But don’t let the distance fool you. With strategically placed fairway bunkers, a hazardous green-side bunker, and a three-tiered green, par is still a great score.

This uphill par 3 with desert right requires one thought only: keep your tee shot to the left of the pin. And if you happen to bank it off the hillside, you get a chance to watch the mountain take you home.

The Santa Catalina Mountains in the background are indeed breathtaking on this scenic par 4, but a long, straight tee shot will set you up with an approach over the grassy knolls to an elevated green that slopes drastically from left to right. A par 4 is a good score.

This delightful par 3 plays down into the valley. Though not a long hole, you must be sure to cover the desert, but don’t overshoot the green. If you find yourself in the back bunkers, then par becomes a difficult score.

The tee offers a breathtaking panorama that stretches across the Sonoran Desert into Mexico. Bring your camera, you’ll want to remember this!