What sets Troon North apart is the sheer drama of the landscape and the smart way Weiskopf’s design team routed two distinct 18s through it. You’ll find the Monument Course to be a somewhat more classic, wider desert layout, famous the world over for the massive, towering granite boulder that sits smack in the middle of the third fairway. It’s an unforgettable sight, demanding strategic thought right off the tee. The Pinnacle Course, on the other hand, is a little tighter and tends to follow the elevation changes of the foothills more closely.

Many players find Pinnacle to be the tougher test, featuring dramatic carries and more forced target-style golf. That said, both courses consistently rank among Arizona’s very best because they deliver on the promise of pure, natural desert golf without relying on cheap tricks. The feeling of solitude, with those giant granite outcroppings framing your approach shots and the stunning views of Pinnacle Peak towering nearby, is quite special. You really feel like you’re playing golf in a wild, undisturbed corner of the Southwest.