Troon North Golf Club

36 Holes of Championship Golf Monument Course Reviewed

Troon North Pinnacle Course offers up outstanding boulders and Arroyo challenges throughout your round.

Troon North Golf Club

By By Nancy Howard

Mention to any fellow golfers you meet that you are from Phoenix/Scottsdale and the first thing out of their mouth is, “Have you played Troon North?” The word has been out for 25 years now about this great venue with 36 holes of impeccable golf, with the courses recently being renovated by original designer and British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf. Celebrating 25 years for some courses brings to mind they might be a bit dated, not the case with Troon North. This property has maintained its challenge through the years and is fresh as the day it opened.

With an elevation of 1,000 ft. higher than the Phoenix/Scottdale area, Troon North offers cooler temperatures during our summer months while still being just a short drive from the Valley of the Sun.

Troon North Monument Course offers true desert golf with the course stretching through natural ravines, giant granite boulders, lush desert landscaping and all in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak. Even as the highlight of the community, you feel as though you are in a secluded area with plenty of wildlife to amuse and amaze that you may find makes it hard to stay focused on your game.

Bentgrass greens, year ‘round,  that are immaculate assure they hold and putt true, but do remember that you are playing mountain golf and it does affect your reads. The fairways are lush, the greens are smooth and the sand is fluffy so your visits to the beach aren’t too severe or damaging to your score.

Open to the public, Troon North gives you the experience of being at an exclusive private golf resort. That may be one of the reasons this property, hosting the Monument and Pinnacle Courses, has maintained it’s “Must Play” status with golfers throughout the country. And, “Must Play” over and over again to take on the challenge.

Troon North offers a Clubhouse that blends in beautifully with the Sororan Desert landscape, offering a fully appointed pro shop, the Dynamite Grille as well as patio dining overlooking the courses. Truly make plans to stay over for libations and great sliders, my favorite, at Dynamite Grille. The ambiance is outstanding and live music smoothly delivered in soothing tones adds to the ambience. And, of course the service is outstanding, above and beyond any request you might have. Thank you Melissa for taking such excellent care of us during our visit.

Quick note for first timers on Monument Course, follow the signs carefully to get to the #1 tee box. It can be a bit confusing but trust the signs.

Hole #3, par 5, 556 yards from the tips: First thing you notice is this large walrus looking boulder dividing the fairway, thus the name being The Monument for this hole. Hit to the right of it for the severe dogleg right and you’ll be in good shape for your second shot. This hole doesn’t offer too many birdie chances, for sure.

Hole #6, par 4, 306 yards from the tips: Go for it on this one, called Gamble, even with the large bunker on the right and small ones across the fairway up to the green. This is a good birdie opportunity hole even with the boulders in front blocking the views of the bunkers ahead of you. Explains its name, for sure.

Hole #12, par 4, 426 yards from the tips: Not sure why this one is named Desert Holly, should be more like Bunkerville. Slight dogleg right from the tee, then you face a green that is surrounded by bunkers and trying to find a safe place to land if you aren’t on the green. A hole to remember for sure and hopefully meet the challenge.

Be sure to visit Troon North’s website (www.troonnorthgolf.com) for their 36-hole special. And, the rates vary considerably from the first half of May to the second, so now is the time to start taking advantage of great golf at a great rate.

Overall, you’ll want to experience Troon North for so many reasons, however in my eyes the main one is experiencing a true Sonoran Desert golf course at its finest. Isn’t that why golfers from all over come to the Valley of the Sun? 

Congratulations Troon North on your 25th Anniversary and here’s wishing you a continued successful next 25 years, maintaining your high bar of excellence.