The Photographed Icon
The 15th hole’s 80-foot drop and vast Valley vistas make it one of the most photographed par 3s in Arizona. Every round here feels incomplete without a shot or selfie from that tee.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Arizona Biltmore – Links
Phoenix, Arizona
Established
1979
Architect
Bill Johnston; renovation by Forrest Richardson
Access
Resort
Par
Par 71
Length
4,747 – 6,300 yds
Green Fees
$$$
The verdict
Resort Fun with Desert Flair
Arizona Biltmore – Links offers a classic resort round framed by urban desert scenery and a few standout holes. It's not a must-see national pilgrimage, but with its welcoming vibe and that photogenic par 3, it's a Phoenix detour worth making. The experience is all about placement, playable challenge, and the region’s distinct atmosphere.
Course DNA
Difficulty
67
Scenery76
Conditioning68
Shot Variety72
Walkability62
Green Complexity71
Wow Factor74
Design Quality68
Don't miss
Snap a photo from the tee box of 15—the panoramic city and mountain view is one-of-a-kind even for locals.
At a glance
Quick facts
Notable signature hole
Dramatic drop-shot par 3 at 15
Designer
Bill Johnston (renovation by Forrest Richardson)
Course setting
Central Phoenix with desert-and-urban views
Playable for all levels
Short from front, challenging from back
Frequent celebrity guests
Presidents and Hollywood legends have played
Course style
Tree-lined but with dramatic elevation changes
Resort atmosphere
Upscale, lively, and energetic
The design
The architecture
The Links course at Arizona Biltmore is a distinctive blend of tree-lined fairways, strategic angles, and dramatic views. Bill Johnston’s original routing favors placement, offering shorter par 3s and scorable par 5s, while Forrest Richardson’s updates preserved the playable challenge and added to the visual interest. Its standout feature is the elevated, panoramic par 3 at 15, but the layout as a whole is about managing position and enjoying the landscape rather than tackling brute length. Fast greens and visual deception keep resort and low-handicap players on their toes.
Bill Johnston specialized in strategic, resort-friendly layouts with playable challenge. Forrest Richardson’s sensitive updates preserved the Links course’s original routing and character while adding to its everyday playability and appeal.
Defining features
- Rolling, mature-tree-lined fairways
- Dramatic par 3 with 80-foot drop
- Greens as primary defense
- Reachable par 5s favor birdie opportunities
- Playable strategic angles throughout
- Urban-meets-desert visual setting
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 10
Desert Marathon
PAR
5
YARDAGE
549
The longest hole on the Links, this par 5 is a classic three-shot challenge unless the wind is at your back. Uphill and framed by city and mountain views, it sets the back nine’s tone.
Play it smart
Focus on placement rather than distance; the second shot sets up the best angle for a simple wedge approach.
Where it bites
Miss left off the tee and you bring fairway bunkers and awkward lies into play.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching the 15th green from 180+ yards on a windy day
Ignore the backdrop and focus on your full carry yardage; the elevation will help, but swirling winds make committing to a number essential.
Laying up on the par-5 10th
Choose a club that sets up your favorite wedge yardage—pin position determines your ideal angle as much as distance.
Tee shot on the short par-4 14th
Aggression pays if the landing zone is clear, but safe is sometimes smart—scoring clubs follow precision.
Greenside miss on the short par-3 8th
Stay below the hole; chipping back from above risks running off the green on these slick surfaces.
Big drive on the 17th
Don’t get greedy—medium club to the center fairway is the smart play before the lengthy approach.
Par-5 closing at 18
Second shot placement is key—leave yourself a full approach, ideally from the fairway, and avoid the tempting but risky shortcut.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Resort-standard with variable turf and well-kept greens; expect slick putting surfaces especially late in the day.
Pace
Can be brisk in early tee times but typically slows during peak resort hours, especially in high season.
Vibe
Relaxed resort energy with an upscale, lively feel; enjoy the scenery and lighthearted atmosphere.
Dress code
Standard resort golf attire is expected; collared shirts and proper shorts or pants.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Tee Time Strategy
Book an early morning time for smoother pace and cooler desert temps—midday can slow to a crawl.
02
Gear Up for Elevation
Bring extra wedges and be ready for downhill shots—club selection matters more than brute force here.
03
Sun Protection
Desert sun is relentless; pack sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and stay hydrated throughout the round.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1979
Links course opens at Arizona Biltmore
- 2024
Links continues as companion to newly rebuilt Estates (ex-Adobe) course
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Presidential Tee Time
Stories persist of U.S. presidents and world dignitaries playing the Biltmore Links, adding a dash of celebrity folklore to your resort round. Rumor has it several leaders tried—and sometimes failed—to conquer the signature par 3.
Desert by Design
While the course sits within the city, its holes weave past mature trees and offer dramatic backdrops of Camelback Mountain and the Phoenix skyline. The blend of subtle desert features and city proximity is uniquely Biltmore.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The 15th hole’s 80-foot elevation drop makes it one of Arizona’s most photographed par 3s.
2
Hollywood legends and at least three U.S. presidents have teed it up at the Biltmore.
3
The Links course starts and finishes in view of the resort’s iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture.
4
The course pairs resort playground elements with a few true strategic challenges, making it memorable for all skill levels.
Build the trip
Your Phoenix–Scottsdale Desert Golf Kick
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
We-Ko-Pa Saguaro
Public Resort
Top-ranked public course with pure desert golf
Papago Golf Club
Municipal
Classic value, big-city golf experience
Talking Stick O’odham
Public Resort
Bold fairways and sweeping sandy visuals
Grayhawk Raptor
Public Resort
Tournament-tested with creative risk/reward
Troon North Monument
Public Resort
Dramatic scenery, prestige, and playability
Biltmore/Camelback Corridor for shortest drive, or consider Scottsdale if focusing on northeast Valley courses.
Course DNA
If You Like Arizona Biltmore – Links
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Mount Washington Golf Resort
Bretton Woods, New HampshireScenery
Why it matches: Mount Washington Golf Resort is a natural next stop after Arizona Biltmore – Links: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Sewanee Golf Club
Sewanee, TennesseeWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Sewanee Golf Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Arizona Biltmore – Links.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Homestead Old Course
Hot Springs, VirginiaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Homestead Old Course a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Arizona Biltmore – Links.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?