Why JW Marriott Desert Ridge Is a Must-Visit Golf Destination

Golf Travel Ideas, Golf Course Reviews, Arizona, Scottsdale

Immersed in the vibrant serenity of the desert, JW Marriott Desert Ridge offers a diverse array of experiences, including championship golf, as it features two courses designed by two of the most famous architects worldwide, Nick Faldo and Arnold Palmer. The resort also takes pride in having one of the top pickleball facilities in Phoenix, with 17 courts, as well as five spectacular pools with a lazy river. Escape to this luxurious Arizona desert resort, where awe-inspiring vistas, exceptional service, and modern facilities will inspire you in a way no other resort can.

The Faldo Championship Course, Inspired by the Great Sand Belt Courses of Australia

Spreading out over 174 acres, this fun and not overly difficult course has been very popular with golfers of all skill levels ever since it opened in 2002. The golf course gets its character, intrigue, and strategy from the over 100 dramatic sand bunkers it features. Bunkers line the fairways and greens, and in the process, they define the playing corridors and set the angles of play. The Faldo Course is a desert course that is not about target challenges or forced carries. With its gaping landing areas, the golf course is fun and playable.

Faldo gives players options on tee shots and approach shots that are angled from the fairways. The key is avoiding the bunkers and the desert. The greens are large and elevated but only moderately undulating. The 18th hole on the Faldo Course will quickly become the stuff of the 19th hole legend, as it features no less than 10 bunkers and, from an elevated tee box, provides a heart-pounding view of Marriott's new Desert Ridge Resort Hotel. The golf course is surrounded by the McDowell Mountains and scattered with century-old saguaro cacti.

The Palmer Signature Course, One the Greatest Golf Courses in the Scottsdale Area

The Palmer Signature Course is a par 72 layout that opened in 1997. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape at every hole. The expansive and immaculate fairways allow the player to remain in the game even if they tend toward the occasional errant shot. With superb flashed bunkering and curvy putting greens that perfectly emphasize what Arnold Palmer courses are most famous for, golfers can expect excitement, challenge, and entertainment while playing a round of golf there. The course has received numerous accolades over the years, such as being one of the Top 100 Resort Courses in the United States.

From the tees, golfers will look out to large fairways, which allow for missed shots to remain in play. Bunkers are sprinkled all across the course, from fairways to greenside, making accuracy essential. Like many of Palmer's courses, the greens are large with heavy amounts of undulations, making even a short putt tricky. The golf course is great for players of all skill levels, as it rewards great shots while not punishing poor ones too harshly. On top of a great round of golf, players will enjoy the scenic views of North Phoenix and perhaps even the wandering wildlife.

Have we sparked your interest in playing golf at JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Arizona? Check out two of our best golf vacation packages for this mesmerizing destination!