Faldo Course at Wildfire Golf Club
By Shane Jensen
on Mar 11, 2008

Nick Faldo has designed a gem in the Sonoran desert that incorporates wide fairways and undulating greens. Many of the greens here at the JW Marriott Wildfire Golf Club Faldo Course are surrounded by bunkers and elevated which makes the short game extremely important. Wildfire Golf Club is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and features two nine-hole golf courses designed by Major Championship winners, the Faldo and the Palmer.

The front nine is the shortest of the two sides and makes a good warm-up for the challenges that await on the back nine. The 10th and 12th holes on this golf course are par-4's that both measures over 460 yards. The 10th is a slight dog-leg right that has a bunker just 40 yards short of the green. If your ball happens to find this bunker, making par could be a hard bargain.

The 10th hole features the most undulating greens on the golf course. Nick Faldo had a great short game and he has placed an emphasis on good play around the greens. The 12th hole is the longest par-4 on the golf course and will require two well-struck shots to reach this green. Although there is not much undulation on this green, it is very slick and three-putting is a strong possibility.

Like all great designers, Faldo has incorporated a drivable par-4 at Wildfire Golf Club. The 16th hole measures only 314 yards from the back tees but the green is heavily guarded by numerous bunkers. This is a great risk/reward hole and the longer hitters will be able to make a much needed birdie on this hole.

The contrast between the green grass and the sparse desert makes the Wildfire Golf Club perfect to experience desert golf at its best. The Faldo course is kept in the best condition and the greens are fast.

Wildfire Golf Club is located in the Northeast part of Phoenix and is in close proximity to some of the best golf in the city. Also in this area is the Grayhawk Golf Club and the TPC Scottsdale.