Small Wonders: Scottsdale’s Best Par 3’s

There’s no denying golfers love the long ball. Nothing excites PGA Tour fans more than watching big hitters like Rory and Rahm smash towering drives down the fairways. However, few will ever replicate these heroics on their own.

While we may strive for 300-yard drives, the best opportunities most players will have to hit shots reminiscent of their PGA Tour heroes will come on a golf course’s par 3s.

Luckily, Scottsdale, The World’s Finest Golf Destination, boasts some of the game’s most thrilling and celebrated par 3s. Here are some of the best visitors can look forward to playing the next time they are in town: 

TPC Scottsdale, Stadium Course, 12^th Hole

The entire world knows about TPC Scottsdale’s infamous 16^th Hole, and for a good reason. Playing No. 16 with the stadium seating prior to the WM Phoenix Open is an experience unlike anything else in golf. However, purely as a golf challenge, the Stadium Course’s 12^th hole is not only better than the 16^th, it’s among the very best in Scottsdale. From the back tee, the 12^th hole stretches just over 192 yards to center. The green is long and somewhat narrow with bunkers left and water to the rear and right, giving players little room for error. Players may not be booed if they miss the green here, but pars are more scarce. 

Troon North, Monument Course, 16^th Hole

Both courses at Troon North Golf Club are celebrated for their incredible challenges and raw natural beauty. The 16^th hole on the Monument Course puts these attributes on spectacular display. From a dramatically elevated tee box with Troon North’s iconic boulders, players are treated to sweeping westward views of the Valley below. From the back tees, the 16^th is measured at 244 yards but plays at least one to two clubs shorter, depending upon conditions. The shot is daunting, but there’s more room than it first appears for slight misses. This hole is especially striking late in the day with the sun sinking low and the Arizona sky ablaze. 

Grayhawk Golf Club, Talon Course, 17^th Hole

Not all Scottsdale’s great par 3s are long. The 17^th on Grayhawk Golf Club’s Talon Course measures just 126 yards from the rear tees. It’s a simple wedge for most players, however, getting the ball close and even keeping it on the true island green can give players fits. No. 17’s green has subtle crowning and artful contours that deftly deflect all but the most purely struck shots. The waters around the green have swallowed more than their share of golf balls, and the hole is aptly named Devil’s Drink.  

SunRidge Canyon, 17^th Hole

The 17^th Hole at SunRidge Canyon Golf Club is part of The Wicked Six, the club’s daunting finishing holes some consider to be the toughest in Arizona. Play alternates between its two sets of tees, giving No. 17 a completely different personality depending on the day it’s played. From the “long tees,” the hole measures 209 yards. Players must carry a box canyon to a mid-sized green with a bunker right. The “short tees” require an elevated tee shot of up to 152 yards into a small green with the bunker left. Add in the varying winds, and this challenging hole is quite capable of giving players fits. 

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Saguaro Course, 15^th Hole

Finally, the 15^th hole on We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s celebrated Saguaro Course designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw may be one of Scottsdale’s most scenic and most challenging. The hole stretches 255 from the back tees to the center of its massive green. Panoramic views of the Mazatazal Mountains form its backdrop, and the rugged Sonoran Desert hugs tightly to its left side. Pulled shots meet certain death. The right is more accommodating with a generous bail-out area. Typically, the hole plays firm and fast, giving players more roll than expected and shots tend to break left once on the green. Getting the ball close to the pin can be difficult, putting premiums on a player’s short game and creativity.

These are just five of Scottsdale’s spectacular par 3s that delight players from around the globe. To learn more about the more than 200 courses in the greater Scottsdale area, plus the accommodations and activities for rounding out the perfect golf vacation, check out experiencescottsdalegolf.com.