The 36-hole Boulders Golf Club, located ?about 40 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Carefree, is one of the coolest places to play in the greater Scottsdale/Phoenix area. Though the North and South eighteens are part of a private club that reserves one of its courses exclusively for members, each day public players and resort guests can make tee times for the other layout. Don t miss the chance to play either of these two captivating, Jay Morrish-designed gems that showcase some of the most rousing scenery in the Valley of the Sun. Both layouts date from the mid-1980s and exhibit Morrish s environmental consciousness and playful artistic spirit. In an era before tight water restrictions, when other desert courses were covered wall-to-wall with grass, The Boulders Golf Club presented pioneering minimalistic creations that embraced the arid environment by incorporating the site s natural desert terrain and iconic rock formations into the designs. Morrish made forced carries over the saguaro-filled desert floor an essential part of the game. The South Course garners the most raves at The Boulders Golf Club, as it offers the signature, target-style golf experience at the property. The routing weaves around jaw-dropping rock formations and giant boulders, most notably the iconic Boulder s Pile and Rosie s Rock. The opening holes whet your appetite for the exhilarating tests and vistas that follow. Penal desert areas frame tight, lush fairways. While the back sets of tee boxes feature sizable forced carries, you ll be well advised to keep your driver in the bag, as balls run off at the margins into the inhospitable desert. Meanwhile, the North Course at The Boulders Golf Club is somewhat more straightforward and traditional it doesn t hug the boulders like its seductive sister. Instead, it presents wider playing corridors. Many players prefer the North Course because they can use their driver off the tee more often. The North Course is also a favorite for its tremendous sunset views. However, don t expect the challenge to be any easier. The desert is still in play and the back nine of the North Course presents the toughest stretch of golf at The Boulders Golf Club. Several of the par 4s are long and an aerial entry is often required to the stoutly defended greens. Water also threatens the swing on a couple of the incoming holes. Note that both courses at The Boulders Golf Club are enjoyable for women golfers, in part because most of the forward tee boxes are placed ahead of the desert. Exquisite course maintenance and top-flight amenities make for a pleasing upscale experience at The Boulders Golf Club. Practice facilities include a full driving range, a short game area with a bunker, and a nice putting green. The clubhouse is a busy place with its fancy pro shop, locker rooms, and both Bogey s and The Grill for dining and drinks. Should you wish to stay overnight to enjoy a resort experience, The Boulders is a fabulous, full-service, luxury oasis that embodies the same environmental ethos as Jay Morrish s pathbreaking desert golf courses. For resort guests and daily fee golfers, a tee time at one of the courses at The Boulders Golf Club is an unforgettable experience.?
