This week on the PGA TOUR brings the rowdiest event on the schedule, the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. While the atmosphere of the tournament is incredible, the golf course itself is quite average. There are a few exciting holes on the back nine, but the rest of the course is rather vanilla.
Most of the holes don't have any unique features, and the bunkering leaves a lot to be desired. That being said, the layout has a strong finish and possesses a crisp, attractive aesthetic with dramatic contrast between the deep green grass and surrounding Arizona desert.
Overall: 5.30 - TPC Scottsdale has a few fun holes but is generic and unspectacular on the whole.
Memorable Holes: 5.5
TPC Scottsdale has a lot of cookie-cutter-type holes that don't do much to stand out; however, the inward nine presents a few quality tests that create drama during the tournament. For example, the 475-yard 11th is a very difficult par four with water guarding the entire left side from tee to green. The third hole is a solid par five where the second shot requires a carry over desert wasteland to find a severely two-tiered green. The most memorable hole, however, may be the 558-yard 15th; this exciting par five features water tight to the left side of the fairway and a green complex that sits on an island. Clearly, there is plenty of danger to avoid when going for this green in two.
Interest: 5.0
Again, most of the course is average at best; the bunkering isn't special, there aren't many opportunities for creative shot-making, and the green complexes are quite ordinary. There are still a couple highlights, though. The short-par-four 17th is arguably the best example: At only 335 yards and slightly downhill, the green is drivable, but there is a shaved runoff to the right and a dangerous pond to the left. The green itself is large and features a tiny finger that sticks out on the back-left side. The tee shot at the 17th is high stakes and can lead to huge triumph or terrible disaster.
Par Threes: 4.0
The par threes at TPC Scottsdale are, in my opinion, the layout's biggest weakness. They lack in variety, difficulty, and creativity. The fourth hole is 183 yards with an angled green and bunkers guarding the front, left, and right. The 215-yard seventh is a run-of-the-mill par three with an ordinary green guarded by a bunker on both sides. The 12th is the exception; this 192-yard hole has a long green that narrows at the back with a pond guarding the right and back sides of the green. A shaved runoff short and right of the green adds to what is already a difficult hole to attack. The 163-yard 16th, sometimes known as The Coliseum, is famous for its awe-inspiring stadium and electric atmosphere. The actual golf hole, however, is fine but not great. The plateau green sits at an angle and is surrounded by shaved runoffs and four bunkers.
Difficulty: 5.0
TPC Scottsdale is a course of average difficulty for a PGA TOUR player. At just under 7,300 yards as a par 71, it has medium length, and all three par fives as well as the drivable par-four 17th are outstanding birdie opportunities. The layout's main defenses are a number of large bunkers and some intimidating water hazards on the back nine. The most difficult hole on the course is the previously-mentioned par-four 11th. What makes this hole particularly difficult is the fact that it is a dogleg right, and the fairway slopes to the left toward the water. Players must also be careful not to drive the ball through the fairway at the turn of the dogleg as this will also result in a water ball.
Finish: 7.0
The finishing holes are the strength of TPC Scottsdale. As already mentioned, the par-three 16th is a dramatic setting for a hole that is just okay. The 17th provides outstanding drama as a drivable par four where players can make anything from eagle to double bogey. The 18th is a quality 442-yard par four with an intimidating tee shot: players must carry a lake off the tee and avoid bunkers on both sides of the fairway, including the "church pew" bunker on the left that imitate the famous sand trap at Oakmont. The green sits in a natural amphitheater, continuing the theme of drama and entertainment for fans with the tournament on the line at the final hole.
For the criteria used to determine these ratings, please click here.