The Weiskopf Crown Jewel
Tom Weiskopf has called The Rim Golf Club the best design he ever completed with Jay Morrish in the U.S., thanks to its dramatic terrain, natural movement, and integration of high-country vistas.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
The Rim Golf Club
Payson, Arizona
Established
1999
Architect
Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish
Access
Semi-Private
Par
Par 71
Length
5,211 – 7,193 yds
Green Fees
$$$$
The verdict
Elite Arizona Mountain Retreat
The Rim delivers an unforgettable blend of mountain vistas, championship-caliber holes, and private-club polish deep in Arizona’s high country. While not a national bucket-list site, it’s a can’t-miss stop for serious golfers seeking scenery and challenge off the Phoenix grid.
Course DNA
Difficulty
85
Scenery88
Conditioning84
Shot Variety80
Walkability62
Green Complexity77
Wow Factor81
Design Quality82
Don't miss
Seek out the panoramic overlook between holes 2 and 3 for the best sunrise photograph in Rim Country—locals swear it’s the top Instagram spot on property.
At a glance
Quick facts
Elevation
5,000 feet above sea level
Main turfgrasses
Bentgrass greens, ryegrass fairways
Longest hole
No. 13, Par 5, 581 yards
Shortest hole
No. 12, Par 3, 145 yards
Practice facilities
Full range, short game, putting green
Signature natural feature
Views of the Mogollon Rim
Recent upgrades
Clubhouse and F&B renovation (2025)
The design
The architecture
The Rim Golf Club delivers an exhilarating tour through Arizona’s high country, with Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish’s routing capitalizing on natural elevation shifts, ancient pines, and arresting mountain panoramas. Nearly every hole flows with or along the contours of the Mogollon Rim, presenting constant uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies that demand both trajectory control and disciplined strategy—particularly when faint breezes swirl among the pines. Green complexes run true and quick, protected by cleverly placed bunkers and closely-mown runoffs that penalize short-siding or poor flight control. Offering both heroic vistas and subtle shot demands, The Rim never relents on keeping the golfer engaged through 18 distinct, memorable frames.
Weiskopf and Morrish crafted The Rim to play as their ideal blend of excitement and fairness, demanding precision in a setting that rewards strategic thought and bold shotmaking.
Defining features
- Signature mountain vistas on nearly every tee
- Challenging tiered and multi-section greens
- Substantial elevation changes and sidehill lies
- Strategic bunkering forcing disciplined approaches
- Seclusion among towering pines
- Routing that maximizes natural terrain movement
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
The Rim Breaker
PAR
4
YARDAGE
476
This long, uphill par 4 plays straight toward the rim, demanding power off the tee and a nervy long-iron or hybrid approach into a well-defended green. The boldest challenge on the front, it sets the tone early for the course’s championship flavor.
Play it smart
Favor the right side from the tee for the best angle—left is blocked by tall pines. Take one more club for the approach due to the subtle uphill climb and thin mountain air.
Where it bites
Miss left off the tee brings tree trouble into play, and short approaches risk steep runoffs or bunkers.
Course management
Shots to think about
Club selection in thin mountain air
Factor in altitude on every iron shot—expect a full club less, but don’t let adrenaline cost you control on short clubs.
Approach shots to tiered greens
Favor the wide side of the pin and plan to be below the hole—overly aggressive approaches risk slick, fast putts.
Driving on sharp doglegs
Check your aiming line—quiet movement in the pines can mask fairway bends, so trust the landing zone and resist over-shaping driver.
Recovery after a missed fairway
Play for the easiest next shot; punching out is often better than gambling against the tall pines or rim-edge hazards.
Second shots on reachable par 5s
Evaluate your lie and angle—lay up if doubts arise since the course punishes errant hero attempts with big numbers.
Putting on slick contours
Lag putting can save your round—give extra attention to pace on downhill putts and favor the uphill miss.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Consistently crisp lies, true fast greens, lush fairways even in summer heat.
Pace
Leisurely premium-club pace, rarely rushed.
Vibe
Quiet, secluded, high-end residential golf escape.
Dress code
Traditional private-club attire required (collared shirts, no denim).
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Warm Up Thoroughly
Use the practice range and short game area before your round—the first tee jumps right into championship demands.
02
Pack for Altitude
Bring plenty of sunscreen and hydration; the high-country sun is intense and the air is dry even when cool.
03
Bring GPS or Rangefinder
Sloping fairways and changing altitudes make distance control tricky—have tech handy for accurate reads.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1999
Course opens as a Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish original design
- 2011
Ranks #52 on Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Public
- 2013
Recognized among Arizona’s top 3 residential courses
- 2022
Remains top 20 in state by Golf Digest
- 2025
Milllion-dollar clubhouse and amenity transformation completed by Arcis Golf
Stories & legends
What makes it special
True Altitude Test
With holes routed above 5,000 feet, club selection and trajectory are revealing—shots soar farther but sidehill lies and swirling winds keep golfers thinking on every approach.
No Two Holes Alike
Every hole at The Rim presents a fresh visual and strategic challenge, with eye-popping elevation changes ensuring there’s never a dull tee shot or repeat angle.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Designed as the flagship layout for a luxury residential golf enclave.
2
Weiskopf called it his best work with Jay Morrish in the U.S.
3
Holes play at 5,000 feet, which boosts distance and shapes play throughout the round.
4
Home to several annual charity tournaments and local classics.
5
Every green is built to remain firm and true even during high mountain monsoon season.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Rim Country golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Chaparral Pines
Private - Resort Guest Access
Another Weiskopf/Morrish mountain gem across town, offers limited reciprocal or stay-and-play access.
Payson Golf Course
Public
Classic local nine-hole layout, friendly and affordable for a second round or tune-up.
Tonto Verde Golf Club
Semi-Private
A fun, playable option in the Rio Verde foothills for golfers heading toward Phoenix or Cave Creek.
Stay in Payson for the easiest access to both The Rim and Chaparral Pines, with restaurants and Rim-country charm close by.
Course DNA
If You Like The Rim Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort
Donnelly, IdahoScenery
Why it matches: If The Rim Golf Club is your kind of course, Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Strong DNA Match8.4
The Quarry at Giants Ridge
Biwabik, MinnesotaScenery
Why it matches: The Quarry at Giants Ridge is a natural next stop after The Rim Golf Club: it shares a memorable sense of place.
Strong DNA Match8.0
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club – Cholla
Fort McDowell, ArizonaScenery
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club – Cholla shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to The Rim Golf Club.
Community Sentiment
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