Wildfire Golf Club and its two golf courses have been voted ‘Best Courses You Can Play’ by Golfweek Magazine, ‘America’s Top Golf Courses’ by Zagat, ‘World’s Best Golf Resorts for Family Trips’ and ‘Best Resort Course in the Southwest’ by Travel & Leisure Golf Magazine.

Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Arizona

Par 71 | 6846 yards | 6260 metres

A rugged sand belt-style desert golf course

The ‘Faldo Championship’ Course at the Wildfire Golf Clubopened in 2002 and offers a very different challenge from the club’s older sister course designed by Arnold Palmer.

Faldo’s thoughts:

“We wanted to create a layout that was unlike anything else that existed in the Phoenix region and I think anyone who plays here will agree that we have succeeded in doing exactly that. Featuring more than a hundred bunkers but very few water hazards, our design theme has produced a course that looks and plays in a manner reminiscent of Australia’s sand-belt courses. The surrounding scenery, however, is classic Arizona, with its ancient cacti and stunning mountain backdrop. I’m confident that our layout at Desert Ridge will inspire all golfers to bring out the very best game in their game.”

The Palmer Signature Course plays up to 7,145 yards, providing a very scenic desert experience. The expansive fairways allow the player to remain in play even on an errant shot. The flashed bunkering on Palmer is superb, and the putting greens carry plenty of undulation, like many Arnold Palmer designs. The expansive square footage of the greens (average size is 7,000 square feet) allow the undulations to create subtle challenges for the short game without feeling contrived or “tricked up”.