The Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish designed Monument Course at Troon North Golf Club represents classic desert golf. One of Tom Weiskopf’s Southwestern gems sits in the Sonoran desert in the shadow of Pinnacle Peak. A rugged landscape of granite boulders, sizable saguaro cactus, and hearty native plans cover the ravines and foothills. In between are lush but perfectly manicured fairways, bentgrass greens that role true, and pure sand bunkers.
The Monument Course designed in 1990 is the original course at Troon North Golf Club. A separate article illustrates the Pinnacle Course designed in 1996. Weiskopf upgraded both courses in 2007 including rerouting holes and the playing sequence. They brought characteristics of links to the desert such as the capability to play bump and run shots. Monument Course ranks #58 by GOLF Magazine of the 2016/17 “Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the United States”. They ranked it #4 in all of Arizona. One gets the immediate sensation you’re in for something special when you arrive at the enormous well-appointed practice range. The turf was lush.
Many desert courses are “target golf” that require precision shot making with little room for error off the narrow fairways. Some tee shots intimidate as desert seems to loom in all directions, and the fairway appears tiny. Don’t worry; the fairways are generous. Hence, this Troon North Golf Club course is playable for the average golfer. One prominent characteristic if the diversity of the holes. Each hole provides something different.
Two drivable Par 4’s are around 300 yards, Hole #6 at 306 yards from tips and Hole #15 at 299 yards from the tips. Three Par 3’s average over 200 yards including #16 at 244 yards from the back – but is steeply downhill. Many desert courses have elevated greens requiring high spinning approach shots. The Monument Course has more playable green-side areas allowing for a variety of approach shots making it a favorite desert course for the high handicap golfer. You can find some interesting yet playable approach shots on the Monument.
Nevertheless, the low handicap golfer will get all they want from the Black teeing ground stretching 7039 yards with a 145 Slope. The tee shot target lines are challenging.
The Signature Hole – The Monument – Par5 Hole #3
The course gets its moniker from the Hole #3 named – The Monument. The Par 5 Signature hole includes a 35-foot high boulder in the fairway’s center. There are many well conditioned desert golf courses in the Scottsdale, Arizona area. Most can be brutal to play though. The Monument Course ranks high in our mind because it’s fun for all abilities and the scenery is spectacular. Troon Golf Club seeks to “providing our guests with the finest conditions on the planet.” It is one of the top daily-fee courses in the nation. The Monument has separated itself and stood the test of time for almost two decades.
The potent combination of conditioning, layout, playability, views, accolades and customer service make the Monument Course at Troon North Golf Club a must play when you visit the desert here.
See our other Southwest course profiles here.
