ARCHITECTS
Course info
Score
Difficulty
Weather
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Course Report
Estancia was Golf Digest’s “Best New Private Course of 1996” and has held the #1 ranking in Arizona for years.
About
The Estancia Club, designed by Tom Fazio and established in 1996, sits beneath Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale, Arizona. Renowned for its seamless integration with the Sonoran Desert and dramatic mountain vistas, it features 18 holes on bentgrass greens across 7314 yards. Consistently ranked among America’s best private courses, Estancia is famed for both design and immaculate conditioning.
Caddie Tip
Play conservatively off the tee, as the desert borders can quickly turn a solid round into a struggle. Focus on positioning rather than distance, particularly on approach shots to medium-sized, undulating greens. The course demands thoughtful club selection and reading subtle breaks on Fazio’s bentgrass greens.
The Main Challenge
Estancia’s challenge lies in its desert surrounds, elevation shifts, and demanding green complexes, which require accuracy and creative shot-making. The back nine, especially holes 12–16, can significantly test your skills, with trouble awaiting any lapse in concentration.
The Good
Golfers rave about the perfect harmony of desert scenery, elevation changes, and the Tom Fazio design, which takes full advantage of Pinnacle Peak’s landmark setting. The course conditions are regularly lauded as immaculate, and the member experience is one of the most exclusive in the country.
The Not So Good
Some find that the course’s exclusivity and private status limit access, and for newcomers, the challenging layout can be particularly punishing, especially with tight targets and the penal desert waiting just off the fairway. Heat in summer may restrict comfort and playability.
Signature Hole:
#
16
The 16th hole is a par 3 set amid dense desert vegetation, offering a visually striking tee shot to a green surrounded by boulders and natural desert beauty. It demands pinpoint accuracy to reach the putting surface while avoiding trouble, and stands out for its challenge and scenic grandeur.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse offers luxury locker rooms, fine and casual dining, a pro shop, lounge spaces, and outdoor terraces with views of Pinnacle Peak. Additional amenities include fitness centers, spa services, and personalized member services.
Practice Facilities
World-class practice amenities include a full driving range, multiple putting greens, and short game areas with bunkers. The facilities are designed to accommodate all aspects of game improvement in a quiet, member-focused environment.
Dress Code:
Prestigious
No dress code enforced. All attire is permitted.
Collared shirts not required. Clean, athletic or golf-appropriate casual wear is acceptable.
Collared shirts required. No denim, gym wear, or overly casual clothing.
Collared shirts must be tucked in; no cargo or athletic shorts. No hats indoors.
Elite club standards; jackets required indoors, no changing shoes in the parking lot, and specific attire rules based on the area of the facility.
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