Arnold Palmer’s Hat-Trick
Arnold Palmer powered to three straight Phoenix Open wins, with Arizona Country Club the stage for two of his most memorable victories in 1961 and 1963. His charge solidified the club’s legendary tournament aura.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Arizona Country Club
Phoenix, Arizona
Established
1909
Architect
Harry Collis (original); Tom Lehman & John Fought (2002 redesign); Andy Staples (2024 renovation)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,398 – 6,720 yds
The verdict
Phoenix Tradition With Tournament Roots
Arizona Country Club is a private classic with a rich Phoenix Open history and a modernized, tree-lined strategic test. While not a national pilgrimage, its strong conditioning and storied setting deliver a club atmosphere with real legacy. It's a must-play for those who value golf’s historic side in a vibrant city.
Course DNA
Difficulty
73
Scenery66
Conditioning88
Shot Variety71
Walkability70
Green Complexity74
Wow Factor67
Design Quality70
Don't miss
Look for the historic Phoenix Open memorabilia in the clubhouse that commemorates Arnold Palmer’s back-to-back titles—an insider’s tribute to tournament lore.
At a glance
Quick facts
Phoenix Open Host Years
1955–1973
Number of Water Holes
5
2024 Renovation Architect
Andy Staples
Tee Boxes
5 distinct sets
Signature Tree-Lined Fairways
Major feature since 2002 redesign
Bermuda Grass Greens
TifEagle Bermuda (2024 update)
Club Origin
Founded as Ingleside Golf Resort, 1909
The design
The architecture
Arizona Country Club is a classic Phoenix parkland layout—tree-lined, walkable, and thoughtfully updated to blend tradition with playability. The course’s roots date to Harry Collis but its most striking features emerged from Lehman and Fought’s 2002 redesign, reinforcing shotmaking choices while integrating water hazards and crisp bunkering. The 2024 Andy Staples renovation is set to carry forward that legacy, rebuilding greens and bunkers to elevate daily conditions and sustainability. Always more club than spectacle, the architecture prizes classic private-course feel over flash, offering an unpretentious but story-rich round.
Blending over a century of Phoenix golf with 21st-century enhancements, the design embodies understated challenge and club tradition.
Defining features
- Tree-lined fairways accentuate shot shaping
- Five holes bring water strategically into play
- Subtle, well-bunkered Bermuda greens
- Classic, intimate routing with small walks between holes
- Recent upgrades to turf, irrigation, and sustainability
- Traditional parkland strategy updated with modern hazards
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Welcoming Gamble
PAR
5
YARDAGE
510
A reachable opening par 5 that tempts big hitters to attack but rewards caution. The fairway is generous, but angle for the best wedge or challenge the green in two if conditions allow.
Play it smart
Position off the tee for your preferred second shot; lay up for a wedge or try for the green with a bold second.
Where it bites
Miscalculating layup distance brings bunkers and awkward angles into play.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching tree-lined fairways
Keep tee shots center-cut—shaping shots around mature trees is key to open angles.
Second shot on long par 5s
Assess risk of going for it in two; lay up smart to your favorite yardage if doubt creeps in.
Pin tucked behind a bunker
Aim for the heart of the green and trust a two-putt, rather than risking a short-side miss.
Firm, slick Bermuda greens
Land approach shots short and let the ball release—over the back means trouble.
Closing out a tight match
Stay committed on 18—take the shot you believe in, as the finish rewards confidence.
Long par 3 tee shots
Club up for depth, not just distance, and plan for a full swing every time.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Excellent greens and lush fairways; best surfaces after 2024 renovation.
Pace
Member-paced, steady rounds typical of a private club.
Vibe
Traditional, polished, understated private-club atmosphere.
Dress code
Standard private-club attire is required; confirm specifics directly with the club.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial in your short game
Firm Bermuda greens reward creativity and touch around the surfaces.
02
Pack classic golf attire
Standard private-club dress is enforced; err on the polished side.
03
Know your distances
A mix of long and short holes means precise yardages matter for scoring.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1909
Club traces origin to Ingleside Golf Resort
- 1955
Begins hosting Phoenix Open, cementing major city legacy
- 1961
Arnold Palmer wins Phoenix Open here
- 1963
Palmer wins again for his third consecutive title
- 1973
Last Phoenix Open held at the club
- 2002
Redesign by Tom Lehman & John Fought modernizes layout
- 2024
Major renovation led by Andy Staples
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Phoenix’s Private Golf Nucleus
As the first home of the Phoenix Open, Arizona Country Club brought big-league golf to the Valley of the Sun, hosting legends from Jack Nicklaus to Gary Player. For decades, it was the city’s beating golf heart.
From Ingleside to Icon
Evolving from its 1909 Ingleside resort roots to a refined private-club experience, the course has followed Phoenix’s journey from frontier outpost to golf hotbed—with each redesign layering a new chapter.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Hosted the prestigious Phoenix Open from 1955 to 1973.
2
Arnold Palmer won two of his three consecutive Phoenix Opens here.
3
Five holes bring water directly into play—a rarity for Phoenix classics.
4
The 2024 Andy Staples renovation rebuilt all greens with TifEagle Bermuda.
5
Club origins trace back over 110 years to the Ingleside Golf Resort.
Build the trip
If you're making a Phoenix/Scottsdale golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Papago Golf Club
Municipal
Superb city-run public track with a championship pedigree and unbeatable value.
Troon North Golf Club
Resort
Public desert golf at its finest, with two celebrated courses and dramatic scenery.
TPC Scottsdale – Stadium Course
Resort
Home of the WM Phoenix Open—play inside the ropes of the PGA Tour spectacle.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
Resort
Gorgeous desert views and a brawny, highly-ranked public test.
Camelback Golf Club
Resort
Upscale, approachable, and conveniently close to Arizona Country Club.
Central Phoenix for history or Scottsdale for dining and nightlife options.
Course DNA
If You Like Arizona Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.4
Evansville Country Club
Evansville, IndianaConditioning
Why it matches: If Arizona Country Club is your kind of course, Evansville Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Windyke Country Club
Memphis, TennesseeConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Windyke Country Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.9
La Gorce Country Club
Miami Beach, FloridaConditioning
Why it matches: If Arizona Country Club is your kind of course, La Gorce Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
The architect's other work
More from Harry Collis
Meadowbrook Country Club
Northville, MichiganClassic Detroit golf, bold design beautifully restored
Flossmoor Country Club
Flossmoor, IllinoisClassic Chicago parkland with championship DNA
Community Sentiment
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