Coldwater Golf Club

A great birdie opportunity, as well as wonderful off site views.

Coldwater Golf Club

Website: www.coldwatergolfclub.com
Phone: 623.932.9000
Address: 100 North Clubhouse Drive
Avondale, Arizona 85323
New Owner: Charlie Gibson
General Manager: Cole Gibson
Director of Golf and Tournament 
Operations: Pete Mason
Superintendent: Tim Gavelek
Course Architect: Forrest Richardson 

About this Course:
Par 72 – 7203 yards from the tips
Rating/Slope: 71.5/120; 69.5/113; 67.0/108; 72.0/118; 68.6/111


There is a new sheriff in town or at least a new family of owners/operators at Coldwater Golf Club. The Gibsons are tweaking the old adage, “A family that plays together, stays together.” While one might question the sanity of purchasing a golf course operation, they are all pitching in to work it along with longtime family friend, Pete Mason. 

Coldwater is set within the Coldwater Springs housing development. Forrest Richardson’s thoughtful routing delivers a rollicking fun adventure around the homes and desert boundaries with an occasional train chugging through between the course and the beautiful Estrella Mountains backdrop. While mostly wide and forgiving, there are enough twists and turns to challenge the shaping of shots. Play is priced lower than competitive courses for an added bonus. 

Hole #6, 506 Yards, Par 5 - This severe dogleg right requires a healthy drive to a level plateau. The fairway narrows, and caution must be heeded as the right side, unseen from the tee box, slopes to a large waste area of wispy grasses and desert. Big hitters may try to cut the corner, but there is no distance advantage gained if you are hitting out of the wasteland. A grassy knoll behind the elevated green provides a backdrop for errant long shots. This is a solid par 5 that begs common sense. Play the percentage for a good chance of birdie and possibly eagle. Don’t overthink!

Hole #8, 115 Yards, Par 3 - The entrance to the community provides the first glimpse of the signature water hole as you drive to the clubhouse. This relatively short, par three is dominated by a lake where turtles sun on the banks while waterfowl paddle across until a golf ball makes a splash. Golfers must carry the lake from all tee boxes to reach the multi-tiered green. A small pot bunker on the right side should be avoided and pin location is paramount to achieving success. If on the top shelf, the landing zone is smaller. The biggest factor here could be wind. If velocity approaches 20mph there might be a three-club difference. Big challenges can come in small packages.

Hole #11, 562 Yards, Par 5 - This is a beast of a hole! A sweeping dogleg left requires a great drive to the corner. Mounding feeds to a waste area on left with trees that punish those foolishly trying to cut across to shorten the hole. There are several landing areas of plateaus, valleys and hills. The green elevates with a deep bunker guarding the front left. Obstacles abound for those that can’t seem to help themselves from going for this green in two. The smart play would be to lay up to your best approach yardage for a chance at birdie or par. Avoid the big score and take what the hole gives you. 

Hole #18, 495 Yards, Par 5 - The closing hole can be reached in two by big hitters, but the drive must be center or left center as a lake borders the fairway to green on the right side. Plus, a bunker and trees block approaches from the right. Three bunkers dot the left side of the fairway as it narrows toward the split- level green. Confidence is essential to split the bunkers and avoid the lake to reach the green in two. If successful, hooray! If not, the clubhouse is within view for libations to soothe the ‘almost’ great shot you thought you could make. Such is life, such is golf.

The Coldwater Clubhouse has new carpeting, new merchandise and a full bar with a revamped menu. Hotdogs are ready with all the fixings and super BLTs are made to order with grilled bread. Call from number eight and they’ll be ready at the turn or enjoy after the round. 

Owner Charlie, son Carl and Pete collectively bring over 100 years of golf experience. Charlie’s wife Lisa is the business controller and Cole’s wife Cassie could be driving the beverage cart while 20-month-old daughter Ruby might be inside rearranging merchandise. In a flash she just might fill more than the merchandiser role. It’s all in the family after all.