Hole by Hole Guide to Phoenix
1st
White 388 yards, par 4; Yellow 374 yards, par 4; Red 367 yards, par 4
A tough opening hole – a dog leg right with out of bounds down the right and trees lining the left. A good drive will leave a short iron into a large green. The less brave take an iron leaving a longer approach.
2nd
White 502 yards, par 5; Yellow 490 yards, par 5; Red 419 yards, par 5
Reachable in two for the big hitters, this is an excellent birdie chance. Beware though - the hole is very tight and you need to stay in position. You can also make a birdie the old-fashioned way by laying up and leaving a wedge approach.
3rd
White 202 yards, par 3; Yellow 192 yards, par 3; Red 161 yards, par 3
A difficult par 3 from an elevated tee. Well bunkered so requires a good straight hit, stray shots to the right may find the pond beneath the trees. A par on here is always a good score.
4th
White 355 yards, par 4; Yellow 344 yards, par 4; Red 271 yards, par 4
A slight dog leg left with trees playing a part in blocking your way. Many take an iron onto the uphill fairway leaving a mid to short iron to the green that slopes right to left. Best to leave an uphill putt on this green.
5th
White 506 yards, par 5; Yellow 479 yards, par 5; Red 389 yards, par 5
A dog leg left over a hill so your second shot will be blind. A ditch awaits just short of the MacKenzie green so many play this as a three shotter. In theory should be a relatively easy 5 but if you get greedy you need to beware.
6th
White 141 yards, par 3; Yellow 135 yards, par 3; Red 128 yards, par 3
An uphill short hole playing a shortish iron. Semi blind green so final result has to be awaited. A red flag (front) makes this sometimes a treacherous hole as you go past the hole at your peril
7th
White 469 yards, par 4; Yellow 453 yards, par 4; Red 389 yards, par 4
Usually this plays the most difficult at Phoenix Golf Club. Out of Bounds down the left and 468 yards combine to defy you. Many handicap golfers are happy to take a bogey 5 and walk to the 8th.
8th
White 151 yards, par 3; Yellow 139 yards, par 3; Red 135 yards, par 3
A very pretty par 3 in front of the stunning Halfway House. Not the longest hole on the course but can still catch you out especially if you get topside of the hole on the back to front sloping green.
9th
White 352 yards, par 4; Yellow 330 yards, par 4; Red 285 yards, par 4
Beautiful par 4 with Out of Bounds and water hazard down the left hand side. A wide welcoming fairway that sometimes lulls you into complacency. A ditch across the fairway will catch short hitters. Again beware getting topside of the hole as definitely 3 putt land.
