The Lookout Mountain Golf Club is part of the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, which has helped the resort become one of Phoenix's most popular golfing destinations. It is consistently ranked as one of Arizona's top 25 golf courses and it is a favorite of local golfers who are in the know.
The Lookout Mountain Golf Club is part of the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, which has helped the resort become one of Phoenix's most popular golfing destinations. It is consistently ranked as one of Arizona's top 25 golf courses and it is a favorite of local golfers who are in the know. Adjacent to the Phoenix Mountain Reserve, the course tumbles across a rugged landscape that offers plenty of changes in elevation. Many holes play from elevated tees that offer both a challenge and a stunning view of the surrounding Sonoran Desert and Piestewa Peak. A great amount of variety is incorporated into the design, which is most clearly seen in the fairways that range from wide and open to narrow and tree lined. The golf course also features lush, undulating greens and several risk-reward opportunities.
by Doris A. Gonzalez on June 10th, 2013 18:29I can always count on this course to be in tip top condition for a great and challenging round of golf.
by Faye on March 27th, 2012 06:43You're never sure when you book a resort golf course what you will actually find when you arrive. We were pleasantly surprised. The shuttle from the resort to the golf course was a nice amenity. The course was in excellent shape and the change in topography really adds a lot to a desert course. Food was good, nice patio, be sure to try the Gin Blossom, especially if you've had a few more putts than you would have liked. Would stay here and play again.
by Joe Chambers on December 14th, 2011 13:08I had a chance to play the Lookout Mountain Golf Club in mid-November 2011. The last time I was here was in 2004 when I was staying in the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort that is attached to the golf course. A very nice resort back then. I played the course then and I thought it was a good track.
Since then, there has been some changes. Troon Golf has taken over management of the golf facility, so you should know right there that any changes will be for the better. I have not played a Troon facility that was below par so to speak.
You park at the Hilton resort, where attendants will take your clubs. The pro shop is there as well. Friendly people. The drive is about two blocks to the course, starter's shack and the practice area, past the Maricopa County Sheriff's stables.
If you haven't been to this course, the first thing you notice is that all the water hazard has been removed that used to surround the 18th green. it has been replaced with desert and sand bunkers. I liked that lake, but maybe it made the hole too difficult or was too expensive to maintain.
The practice area consisted of a nice grass range and practice bunker, chipping area and large putting green. The green, for this time of year was smooth, cut short and quite fast compared to other tracks we had played that week.
This course lulls you to sleep a little for the first 4 holes. The fairways are wide open and it's pretty much bombs away. Once you get to the 5th hole, you start into the mountain golf. It gets very difficult as its turns to target style. You have to place your drives in certain areas for a good second shot.
As you go up the mountain, you are rewarded on the 10th tee with some of the best views in the Phoenix valley. And on this tee box, you drive to a fairway a hundred feet below. Don't stray or you'll end up in the desert.
The rest of the course continues like this until you get to the 15th. This is a nice par 5 that is reachable in two with water down the left side.
The 16th is a par 3 that has had the water hazard removed as well. Replaced with sand and desert. A nice change at this hole. The two finishing holes set you back to Earth nicely. Bombs away again, but watch for plenty of sand on the par 5 18th.
One of the changes I noticed right away on this track, is that the bunkers have been re-worked. They've been made deeper and have more definition, thus making the holes look nicer. Before, the bunkers were mostly like pancakes, not deep and didn't add much to the course.
All of the fairways were beautiful and the grass was even. No burnt out areas. The greens were receptive to good shots and putted true. Some tee shots require a medium to longer carry over the desert areas.
This is a tough course, but also fair. Hardly any hidden shots. One thing I'd like to see is better yardage markings. You'll also definitely fare better with a GPS, but there aren't any on the carts. It's not an overly long course, playing only 5800 and change from the middle tees, but too long for the average golfer at 6600 from the championships tees.
The value of this course is great. Some great deals to be had on Golf Hub or Golf Now. This course is as good as any of the higher end courses of Scottsdale and the scenery is spectacular.
The difficulty of the course made for a long round, in the 5 hour range, but I would be back here in a minute.
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