Public

Palmer Course

Wildfire Golf Club

Phoenix, AZ, USA
tylergoetsch
JZ Sr.
ryanshook1
rypell67
cwieg
+37
18 holesPar 727,145 yds72.7/142

About this course

The Palmer Course at Wildfire Golf Club is an Arnold Palmer design located in north Phoenix, situated within the planned community of Desert Ridge. The course opened in the late 1990s as part of a 36-hole facility that includes a second layout by Nick Faldo. Palmer's routing takes advantage of the Sonoran Desert terrain, incorporating native vegetation, desert washes, and elevation changes characteristic of the region's high desert landscape. The design reflects Palmer's philosophy of creating playable yet strategic golf, with generous fairways that reward aggressive play while offering recovery options for less precise shots. Water features come into play on several holes, and the bunkering style emphasizes visibility and strategic positioning rather than excessive penal hazards. The course presents views of the surrounding mountain ranges that frame the Phoenix metropolitan area. Wildfire serves as a daily-fee facility and has functioned as a resort amenity for the adjacent JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. The Palmer Course has hosted various regional amateur competitions and corporate outings, benefiting from its accessibility and conditioning standards typical of upscale Phoenix-area golf venues. The layout provides a representative example of Palmer's desert design work during a period when he was actively developing courses throughout the American Southwest.

Rankings

Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.

2232

Best in World

2016

Best in USA

67

Best in AZ

Quick facts

Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1997
Holes
18
Par
72
Length
7,145 yards
Difficulty
72.7/142
Course Vaults score
7.4

Getting there

Most arrivals to Wildfire Golf Club begin at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), roughly thirty minutes northwest via the Pima Freeway as the city sprawl gives way to the high Sonoran foothills. Private aviation guests often favor Scottsdale Airport, a discreet gateway tucked just minutes south of the property. The final stretch climbs gently into the McDowell Mountain corridor, where saguaro-studded ridges frame the approach and the desert's raw geometry sharpens with every mile - a fitting prelude to Wildfire's bold, elemental terrain.

FAQ

Common questions about Palmer at Wildfire Golf Club

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Palmer at Wildfire Golf Club has a Course Vaults score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 42 logged golfers.

Palmer was designed by Arnold Palmer.

Yes. Palmer at Wildfire Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at Palmer is 72.

Palmer plays 7,145 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at Palmer is 142.

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