Talking Stick (O’odham North)

Subtle and thoughtful designs are the hallmark of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and the North Course at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale is no exception. The duo took a flat parcel of desert landscape and built a grassland-fringed layout where the fairways are wide and taking the proper angles is rewarded. This is the antithesis of desert-style target golf. Greens are slightly elevated; miss those and your short game will be tested. Two of the strongest par-4s come early at the 3rd and 4th holes, while the 12th and its fun, split fairway set the tone for the back nine. Best of all is the par-5 2nd with out-of-bounds snug down the left side — it makes golfers do strange things! Max fee: $105 (Photo: Courtesy of Talking Stick Golf Club)