Arizona Grand Golf Course

Arizona Grand Golf Course sits in the South Mountain foothills of Phoenix, designed by Forrest Richardson and opened in the late 1990s as part of the Arizona Grand Resort development. Richardson, a Phoenix-based architect known for his work throughout the Southwest, routed the course across rolling desert terrain that features elevation changes uncommon in many Phoenix-area layouts. The design incorporates the natural Sonoran Desert landscape, with fairways carved through stands of saguaro, palo verde, and ocotillo. The routing takes advantage of the sloping topography, offering views across the Phoenix valley and creating a variety of uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies. Water features come into play on several holes, contrasting with the arid surroundings. The course layout emphasizes strategic options rather than pure length, with bunkering and green contours that reward thoughtful course management. Several holes play along ridgelines or down through natural washes, giving the round a more rugged character than target-style desert courses built on flatter ground. Arizona Grand operates as a resort course, accessible to guests of the adjacent property and daily-fee players. The facility serves both destination visitors and Phoenix-area residents seeking a desert golf experience with more topographical movement than many Valley courses provide. The design reflects Richardson's regional expertise and his approach to working with existing landforms rather than extensive earthmoving.