The Palm Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club is one half of an extremely popular and picturesque 36-hole championship facility located smack in the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona. The two courses, both of which were designed by the late esteemed course architect Desmond Muirhead, have been delighting local and traveling golfers ever since they opened in 1972. Along with the Pine Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club, The Palm Course winds through the well-to-do master-planned McCormick Ranch community. With five sets of tee markers, the par-72 test can play as short as 5,057 yards and as long as a hefty 7,044 yards. (Note that carts are mandatory.) Muirhead s traditional-style layout features lush grass that extends from tee to green. You won t have to contend with desert rocks, cactus and the like at the Palm Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club. In fact, you might be inclined to think you were on a Florida golf course were it not for the stunning views of the McDowell Mountains and Camelback Mountain. Palm trees, bunkers and water features help define the generous playing corridors on this well-conceived, entertaining layout that players of all skill levels find manageable and enjoyable. Since the rough beyond the fairways normally isn t penal, most of the trouble on the Palm Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club comes in the form of water and sand. No fewer than ten holes bring water hazards into play. Golf Illustrated magazine once deemed the signature 9th hole, a par 4 with an island fairway, one of the Top 18 Water Holes in America. Scores of bunkers also dot the playing field. The Palm Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club features large, well-defended elevated greens that make it a bit tougher than the Pine Course for most players. You ll be challenged to come away with a two-putt when the notably undulating Bermuda putting surfaces are rolling fast. Practice facilities at McCormick Ranch Golf Club include a grass driving range, two chipping areas with sand bunkers, and one of the largest putting greens in Scottsdale. The clubhouse, which the Palm Course shares with the Pine Course, is home to a top-100, full-service pro shop and a spacious restaurant that is open for breakfast and lunch and serves American fare with a Southwest twist. For post-round drinks, it is hard to beat the patio that overlooks the McDowell Mountains and Camelback Mountain. The next time you are looking for a tee time in Scottsdale, why not make it the classic, beautiful and fun Palm Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club.
