CAREFREE, Ariz. -- The South Course at Boulders Resort is one of two 18-hole courses at the luxury golf resort and spa just north of Scottsdale in Carefree, Ariz. The South Course and the next-door North Course, which were designed by Jay Morrish, are semi-private and wind around 12-million-year-old boulder formations. Each holds a reputation among the best-conditioned and serviced golf clubs in the Scottsdale area.
While the North plays slightly longer, it's the South that has some of the resort's most striking visuals. Oddly enough, while the North has a championship tee box rating .7 higher, the South's slope is higher at 140 to 137. It's tough to really say which is the tougher of the two plays, as both put a premium on accuracy thanks to fairways weaving through dense desert.
But it's the South that has some of the most spectacular holes on the property. The par-5 fifth hole heads toward the largest of the boulder formations set behind the green. The par-3 seventh features a tee box that plays right beside "Rosie's Rock," a formation of boulder teetering atop another.
Guests of the Waldorf Astoria-brand, casita-style resort have preferred access to the courses and can book up to 90 days in advance, while the general public can play the course on a space available basis. Also at the golf club is a restaurant, full driving range and short game practice area.
South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - No. 5
The Boulders Resort's signature hole is the par-5 fifth hole on the South Course, playing toward the mighty boulder pile.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - No. 4
The fourth hole on the South Course at Boulders Resort is a par 4 that plays more than 400 yards.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - No. 6
A boulder pile sits behind the par-4 sixth green of the South Course at Boulders Resort.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - No. 7
The par-3 seventh hole on the South Course at Boulders Resort plays downhill.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - Morrish
Both the North and South courses at the Boulders Resort were designed by architect Jay Morrish.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South GC at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - No. 9
The ninth hole on the South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South golf course at Boulders Resort - No. 11
The 11th hole is the longest par 5 on the South Course at Boulders Resort.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South golf course at Boulders Resort - Yardage
The South Course at Boulders Resort plays slightly shorter than the North at just less than 6,900 yards.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - No. 15
The South Course at Boulders Resort has back-to-back par 3s, beginning with the 15th hole.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South golf course at Boulders Resort - No. 16
The par-3 16th hole on the South Course at Boulders Resort plays more than 200 yards.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - No. 17
The 17th hole on the South Course at Boulders Resort is a 420-yard par 4.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
South Course at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale - No. 18
The South Course at Boulders Resort closes with a long par 5.
Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf
Related Links
(based on 2 reviews) Meandering across 1,300 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert, the Boulders Golf Club offers two stunning championship courses that play through the foothills of the Black Mountain. Both the North and the South Courses were carved from the hillsides, offering stunning views throughout. The South Course is the newer of the two and many say it is more scenic.
18 Holes | Resort/Semi-Private golf course | Par: 71 | 6917 yards | Book online | ... details » Also see these nearby courses: