Sanctuary golf course is located at the base of the McDowell Mountains in a beautiful north Scottsdale neighborhood designed by Randall J. Heckenkemper. A spectacular eighteen-hole golf course with breathtaking views of Arizona Mountains, wildlife and stunning city views was amazing. The course had local presence from junior golf to its weekly men’s league all joining together to enjoy a wonderful golf experience. It was enjoyable to see parents as well as grandparents out watching their young golfers practicing and taking instructions from all of the wonderful golf professionals at Sanctuary. 

The course was in excellent shape and well manicured, even though we have seen such warm dry conditions this year making an extremely difficult job even harder for the staff at Sanctuary. The rye fairways and poa trivealis greens were spectacular.  If you made the unfortunate error and ended up in a bunker they were an absolute pleasure to play out of. The soft fluffy bunkers made for a great golf experience even for an average bunker player such as myself.

Our foursome had a wonderful round on this gorgeous November day in the Arizona desert. However, this golf course will teach that accuracy is more important than distance. The 6,624-yard (par 71) is very challenging and does take a bit of strategizing before your shot, especially on the spectacular 18th hole. Using your most accurate club off the tee and hitting fairways can save you from having to take a penalty stroke that could have been avoided.

Hole #1, par 4, 418 yards from the tips. Hitting your driver off the tee is not completely necessary and the right side of the fairway is much more forgiving than the left. The downhill fairway will help you pick up a few bonus yards no matter which club you decide on. The oval shaped green with a couple of front side bunkers is pretty forgiving and offers a great opportunity to start your round with a birdie.

Hole #8, par 3, 234 yards from the tips. This is one of two par 3’s on the front nine and the only hole with a water hazard. The green has water on the right, bunkers in the front shadowing both sides of the green, which leaves you a very small and narrow fairway area if you are to come up short. This hole is also unique because it does have a rather large area of grass behind the green, if you do end up overshooting it. A very enjoyable hole with the soothing sound of water as you are lining up that birdie putt!

Hole #18, par 5, 516 yards from the tips. Sanctuary’s Signature Hole. A dogleg left that offer’s a challenging but rewarding hole for everyone. Eagle is possible, but be careful, this hole can easily turn into a double bogey. Off the tee you have a set up shot into a fairly open landing area with a bunker to the right side of the fairway. Coming up short can kill your chance at eagle or birdie. If your set up shot goes as planned, you’re in for a great finishing hole on this amazing course.

Sanctuary has a casual yet elegant clubhouse with breathtaking views and excellent food. You can see Camelback, Squaw Peak, and Mummy mountains and it’s a great place to enjoy Arizona’s amazing sunsets from the clubhouse patio. The course had a wonderful practice facility with a great driving range, putting green, and a chipping area with a deep bunker to help warm you up for a great round. The entire staff at Sanctuary was wonderfully friendly and very helpful with any questions, which made for a fantastic golf experience.

If you’re heading out for golf, lunch or a little practice to help refine your game, be sure to put Sanctuary Golf Course at West World on your list. This course has plenty to offer to make for a great day while enjoying the Game!