The Arizona Golfer course review team was pushing the Christmas rush and once again discovering a hidden gem in the West Valley. Palm Valley Golf Club is an outstanding Arthur Hills layout and it is in wonderful condition even after the heavy surprise rainfall we had in mid-December. The golf course, along with the Fairway Grille, is more welcoming and more playable for golfers of all skill levels than ever. It’s just a great challenge and fun track to play…period. One of our team’s favorites.

The front and back nines were switched when Phil Mickelson and his group acquired the course a few years back, allowing the golfer to finish on a dramatic par 5 instead of a challenging uphill par 4. Aside from switching the nines, they also removed much of the vegetation in the transition areas, allowing golfers to play their balls even after a miss-struck shot.

This hidden gem isn’t the only thing that is most welcoming to the golfer. As soon as you walk into the Fairway Grille in the clubhouse you can catch the game after you finish your round, and you won’t have a problem finding a seat with a great view of a TV. They have surrounded the golfers with big screens on every wall. And, the menu offers an excellent assortment along with all the libations needed to go along with your viewing. The clubhouse pro shop is well appointed and full of Callaway products (it’s a Mickelson property, after all).

Palm Valley offers an excellent practice facility with driving range, large chipping and bunkering areas, along with a large putting area. And, yes, of course, the pros are there to help you with any lessons you might decide you need to improve your game.

Hole 3 – par 3, 195 yds. from the tips:  This hole is the first of 4 challenging par 3’s on the Palms Course. The 195 yard hole plays to a green that is guarded by rocks in the front. Make sure you hit enough club to carry the rocks, otherwise your golf ball will be playing plinko as it ricochets back and forth between the boulders.

Hole 9 – par 4, 445 yds. from the tips:  A challenging hole from tee to green, plays uphill to a slightly elevated fairway which makes this hole play even longer than the yardage on the card. The vegetation to the right of the fairway has been removed and even though it isn’t optimal it is at least playable from right of the fairway. The best angle into this hole is from the left side of the fairway, but be careful as you play your second shot into the green, a steep bank to the right is waiting to carry your ball away from the hole and ruin your chance to make par.

Hole 12 – par 4, 430 yds. from the tips: This tee shot is perfectly framed with the Estrella Mountains in the distance. After you hit your tee shot, the approach into the green is a challenging one with a gaping bunker guarding the front and a large ridge that runs through the green. Accuracy and distance control are a must to conquer this challenging par 4.

Hole 18 – par 5, 545 yds. from the tips: This is a great finishing hole playing back towards the clubhouse with the Estrella and White Tank Mountains surrounding the green in the background. This hole will give you an opportunity to make birdie, but the water lurking left can catch a wayward golf shot. After avoiding the water, the golfer is still faced with an approach shot to a multi-tiered green making distance control a must if you want a makeable putt for birdie. Great finishing hole, for sure.

It is apparent that quality and playability are at the top of Palm Valley Golf Club’s course priority. However, Palm Valley isn’t just an 18 hole facility. Part of the M Club vision is to bring more families to the game and the adjacent Lakes course is the perfect place for that. This 18 hole executive course offers plenty of challenge, as well as a great opportunity to turn a beginner loose and introduce them to the game of golf. The Hale Irwin designed course has a nice mixture of par 3’s and 4’s that will test your game. Length is only one obstacle that an architect can use. Irwin uses water…‘Lakes Course’ makes sense, plus the natural desert surroundings create challenges for the new and experienced golfer alike. So, if you are new to the game or a seasoned golfer looking to play golf in the West Valley, Palm Valley has something for everyone.

Take advantage of the best rates during peak season and throughout 2014 with the Palm Card, which is on sale right now for only $119. This card offers golfers and their guests the opportunity to play Palm Valley and get up to $20 off the resort green fees throughout 2014.

Palm Valley is managed by Scottsdale-based, OB Sports Golf Management.

So get on out to the West Valley and experience this hidden gem…you’ll be planning many more golf outings to Palm Valley Golf Club…for sure!