Papago Golf Course (Phoenix, AZ)

Papago is often called the “Torrey Pines” “Bethpage Black” of the Southwest. It’s a municipal course that can hold its own against the best in the world. In fact, Gary Van Sickle of Golf.com said if it wasn’t for the summer heat, the USGA could add this to their US Open rota! 

(The thirteenth highlights the beauty of Papago. “A parkland course in a desert setting” is the best way to describe it. 402/376) 

William F Bell designed Papago in 1963, and like Torrey Pines in San Diego, another William Bell course, it quickly joined the top municipal courses in the country list. While there’s no ocean views, the Papago Mountains do a splendid job providing the scenery. 

(The 561/544 yard par five first doglegs right to a elevated green.) 

Make no bones about it, Papago will test your ability to hit a long iron or hybrid. The four par threes cover over 900 yards themselves! Add six par fours that are over 440 yards, and one quickly realizes the strength of this golf course. While length itself is part of the challenge, one must also exhibit accuracy too as the fairway and rough quickly fade to desert  for a slice or hook. 

(The short par four second plays directly at the mountain. Papago wastes no time introducing its gorgeous scenery. At 386/350, it’s a good chance at making birdie.) 

My favorite holes on the course were the par fours. They had the most variety and seemed to occupy the best terrain. The property rolls and the holes play along the high points with the desert in the low areas.

(The 442/398 yard sixth dogs dogs left past the bunker. The green is actually slightly below this point of view) 

Papago is kept in terrific shape, and it was playing fast and firm when I was there. The greens are well bunkered. At least one side of the green was covered by sand, and sometimes both sides were. Bell kept to simple geometric shapes, so greens and bunkers are round. Nowadays many architects inject artistic flair into their designs, but that was most definitely not Bell. 

The par threes are incredibly long at Papago. Three of them are well over 230 yards from the tips. Unfortunately, there’s not much variety in them, and are the holes you least looking forward to playing. Being just short of the green is always a good play for them. 

(The 243/232 yard seventeenth is just a no nonsense par three where par is always a good score. There is plenty of room behind the left trap to tuck a pin during competition.) 
(The 187/158 yard eleventh is one of the few holes with water in play.) 

The par fives are solid holes though one and ten and virtually the same hole. The ninth played as the eighteenth when the LPGA played here just so players had a chance to make eagle. It’s a short downhill par five with no real defense if the drive is well struck. The fifteenth is in a class of is own as it weaves up and down all the way to the green. 

(This view of the green on the 585/545 yard fifteenth.)
(The view of the natural vegetation that lines the holes at Papago.)     

Phoenix is known for its golf, and several highly prominent courses take up most of the discussion, but Papago deserves to be included in the conversation. It’s close to the airport and downtown, making it a great place to kick off a golf trip. I give it a 6 (very good)(worth driving two hours). 

[ASU recently merged with Papago, and will become the official home of the golf team.  A more personal note: this is my 200th golf blog!! Here’s to blogging a couple hundred more!]