Every February, the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale becomes the loudest place in golf. The rest of the year, it's a public course you can book. Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed it for the PGA Tour, and it has hosted the Phoenix Open since 1987. Its 16th hole, wrapped by temporary grandstands during tournament week, is the only fully enclosed hole on Tour. Tiger Woods made a hole-in-one there in 1997, and the replays still get shown every year.
The Stadium Course measures just over 7,200 yards from the back at a par of 71. It's a desert layout without the extreme carries you'll find on some Arizona courses, with wide-ish fairways, plenty of bunkering and water coming into play on the back nine. The finishing stretch from 13 to 18 is one of the best risk-reward runs in public golf. If you enjoy decision-making and like having birdie chances alongside danger, this is a great day out.
Before you go
- Book in advance for peak season. Winter and spring are the busiest and most expensive times in Scottsdale. Summer rates drop dramatically, but so do comfortable temperatures.
- Expect to ride. It's a resort-style operation and most golfers take a cart. If you play in summer, start as early as possible.
- Pick sensible tees. Most mid-handicappers will enjoy something between 6,200 and 6,600 yards. Several par 4s stretch toward 470 to 490 yards from the back.
- Hydrate seriously. The desert air is dry even when it doesn't feel hot. Drink water every hole.
- Note the ball flight. Warm, dry air helps the ball carry a little farther. Check your numbers on the range before you go out.
- Bring a camera. You'll want a photo on the 16th tee.
Hole-by-hole strategy
Holes 1 to 4: settle in
The opener is a gentle par 4 of around 400 yards from the back, and its green is the only one on the course without a bunker. Get a par on the card and relax. The 2nd has three bunkers around a green full of breaks in different directions, so prioritize the center. The par-5 3rd is a genuine birdie chance with a waste area crossing the fairway; plan your second so you're not left with an awkward carry. The 4th is a short par 3 with bunkers flanking a modest green.
Holes 5 to 9: length and precision
The 5th is a long desert par 4 with a fairway bunker right and a wash in front of the green. Lay up short of the wash if you can't comfortably carry it. The 6th is shorter but has five bunkers in the landing zone, so accuracy matters more than distance. The 7th is the longest par 3 on the course, with two bunkers pinching the front, so take enough club to fly them. The 8th doglegs left around circular bunkers, and the 9th is long and straight to a green that's wide but shallow. Distance control on that approach is key.
Holes 10 to 12: water appears
The 10th is a sharp dogleg right with a big bunker tempting you to cut the corner. Mid-handicappers should play to the fairway and leave a mid-iron rather than chasing the shortcut. The 11th has a lake down the entire left side and trees on the right; aim for the right-center of the fairway and play to the middle of the green. The par-3 12th has water on three sides and a long green, so pick your number for the flag's depth rather than just aiming at the center.
Hole 13: the first big decision
This par 5 has a pond on the right and bunkers around the green. A good drive can tempt longer hitters, but most of us should hit three solid shots and take our chances with a wedge. Position the layup to the left side to stay clear of the water.
Hole 15: island-green temptation
The 15th is a par 5 of about 550 yards from the back, with water threatening both the fairway and the approach to a green almost entirely surrounded by water. It's the most volatile hole on the course. The smart mid-handicap play is a fairway-finding tee shot, a layup to a full-wedge yardage, and a confident swing at the middle of the green. Going for the island with a fairway wood brings double bogey firmly into play.
Hole 16: the Stadium hole
Without 20,000 fans, it's a straightforward par 3 of around 160 yards from the back with four bunkers guarding the green. Ironically, the lack of a crowd can make it feel strange. Make a smooth swing to the center of the green, ignore the pin, and enjoy the moment.
Hole 17: the drivable par 4
At around 330 yards from the back, this is one of the best short par 4s on Tour. Five bunkers sit in the landing area, and water runs left of the green. For a mid-handicapper from forward tees, it may be reachable, but the odds favor a layup to your favorite wedge distance. Hit something you can keep in the fairway, then attack the flag from a full swing rather than a tricky half-wedge.
Hole 18: a demanding finish
The closing par 4 is a cape-style hole with water down the left and three fairway bunkers on the right. Pick a target between them and commit. The green has an irregular shape, so look at where the flag sits and aim for the biggest part of the surface.
Scoring tips for mid-handicappers
- Bank shots on the front nine. The first nine has fewer water hazards and some gettable holes. Building a cushion before the back nine helps a lot.
- Know when to lay up. On 13, 15 and 17, choose your layup distance before you tee off. Decisions made in the moment usually end up in the water.
- Center of the green is your friend. Greens here have plenty of movement, and two-putts from the middle add up to good scores.
- Watch your lies in the desert. If you stray off the fairway, take your medicine and get back into play. Desert scrub can hide rocks and make swinging risky.
- Use the extra carry wisely. Warm, dry air helps distance, but don't let it tempt you into forced carries over water.
The Stadium Course is fun, fair and full of moments. Play smart on the closing stretch, soak in the 16th, and you'll leave with a story to tell.
Playing TPC Scottsdale – Stadium Course?
Check today's conditions, scout every hole and load the scorecard on your phone.