Golf Tips & Quips

I went out for a round of golf with Patrick Gibbons yesterday. We took on the beautiful Sanctuary Golf Course at WestWorld, a member of the world renowned golf experience, Troon Golf. Located in the foothills of McDowell Mountains, Scottsdale Arizona, Sanctuary provides a gorgeous golf setting you will not soon forget.

Sanctuary, designed by well known golf course architect Randy Heckenkemper, is the first golf course in Arizona and only the 17th course in the world to be awarded with Audubon Signature Status. There are many different species of animals and plants which enhance the entire experience.

This par 71 course plays to 6,624-yard from the back tees, and is a test, but also fair for golfers of all skill levels. Most of the fairways are narrow so a premium will be put on your tee shots. Keep it in play and you will have the best chance to score well. As always, the desert is unforgiving for any ball that finds its rocky terrain.

You will have to choose your shots carefully as there are 55 strategically placed bunkers that are ready to eat your ball up if your shot is offline. It makes for a pretty scene, but you definitely do not want to end up in one.

Water comes in to play on a few of the holes, some of which you will not know is there unless you have played here before. Case in point is the par 3, 8th. As I stepped up to the tee, all I saw was a good sized green at which to shoot at.

I hit a good shot that landed on the green. As we came over the hill towards the green, I looked to my right and noticed a good sized lake with a two-tiered waterfall. I told Patrick I was glad that he didn't tell me about the lake as that is probably all I would have been thinking about during my tee shot. As it stood, I walked away with a par. Ignorance is bliss sometimes.

In my next post, I will talk specifically about my round. My online coach, Mike Southern and I are working on a plan to improve my green in regulation percentage. He asked me to take notes during my next few rounds. "If I hit long, short, left, right, or any combination of them." He also wanted me to note how I "felt". Did I fall forward? Did I push the shot? From this, maybe we can establish a pattern and find the proper solution for my approach shots.

So I give Sanctuary Golf Course a thumbs up. With all the many tracks in the Scottsdale area, this is one you will not be disappointed with. From the time you check in for your tee time, to relaxing at the Sanctuary Grill for a post round meal, you will understand why they call it a "Troon Golf Experience." Have a great round and always hit your target.