Fountain Hills, Arizona
Situated in the beautiful Fountain Hills area, a few minutes east of North Scottsdale is SunRidge Canyon Golf Club. A challenging golf course in a breathtaking setting, SunRidge Canyon is fast becoming one of our favourite courses in Arizona.
SunRidge Canyon has won many accolades including GolfWeek Best Courses in Arizona: 2012-2018, GOLF Magazine/GOLF.com Best Public Courses in Arizona: 2012 – 2018, Best of Phoenix 2016 by The Phoenix New Times, Golf World Top 50 Public Courses in the Country Readers Choice Awards, Hosted 2014 PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada & 1997 USGA Team Championship.
Playing the Course
The course is 6,823 yards so not long by modern standards but don’t let that fool you. Take time to figure out which tees best suit your game or you can expect a humbling experience. SunRidge Canyon is a course that requires your best course management as well as your A-game!
There are four sets of tees but they also provide the option of combining two sets of tees which ultimately mean you have six tee options to choose from. You can see the full card here.
The first hole is typical of how you need to manage your game around SunRidge Canyon. It is a drivable par 4 but with all sorts of trouble if you get it wrong so for most (sensible) people it is a hybrid or long iron off the tee up the right side leaving a wedge into the green.
If you do decide to go for the green you have to go straight at the green. If you start it up the right which looks like the safe line you can find yourself running out of room with your ball probably ending up under a particularly prickly cactus!
The greens were slick when we played with some significant undulations so once you get on the greens the job is only half done. They were beautiful putting surfaces when we played last December.
There are a good range of short and long par 4s, some great par 5s, but if I had to pick one standout feature of SunRidge Canyon it would be the par 3s which are ridiculously good. I don’t think I have seen a better set of par 3s anywhere.
The finishing stretch at SunRidge Canyon is appropriately labelled ‘The Wicked Six’ with 2 par 5s, 2 par 4s and 2 par 3s providing the perfect symmetry but as you make the gradual climb up to the clubhouse, symmetry is the last thing on your mind!
If you happen to have a good card going as you reach the long, uphill par 5 13th… well, good luck. With the par 4s and 5s all uphill, the two par 3s offer some respite, although the 14th hole must be negotiated with care with water short and right.
The biggest elevation change is saved until last with the second shot into 18 steeply uphill, requiring at least an extra two clubs.
You can read more about the Wicked Six here.
Layout
So, in summary, there are 5 par 3s, 4 par 5s and 9 par 4s which range from the 308 yard 10th hole (10 yards shorter than the first) up to the 463 yard 5th hole, although the uphill 457 yard par four 15th seems sooo much longer!
Then there are those par 3s. Ranging from the 169 yard 12th to the daunting 243 yard 8th hole but it is the first par 3, the 6th, which will have you gasping. Just over 200 yards off the back tees across a canyon to green which slopes from back to front. There is barely anywhere to bail out so it really does call for your absolute best off the tee.
Location
SunRidge Canyon is situated in Fountain Hills which is less than 30 minutes drive from most of our featured Scottsdale accommodation.
Dining
After a challenging round of golf, what better way to relax than have lunch at W6 Bar & Grill at SunRidge Canyon Golf Club. Perhaps take advantage of the spectacular views on the terrace or retreat to the spacious grill.
You can more details including sample menus here.
Overall Impression
SunRidge Canyon is a tough yet enjoyable golf course maintained to a very high level. The scenery is fantastic and you can be sure of a warm welcome. We found the staff were friendly and the service was excellent.
All in all, we thoroughly recommend SunRidge Canyon Golf Club.
