Tucson's Best Alternative Golf Courses

By Scott Behmer
Southern Arizona Bureau Chief

TUCSON - While Tucson sports some of Arizona's best traditional layouts, it also has a fine collection of alternatively styled courses. Forget the conventional par 72, 6800-yard layouts, these three courses are uniquely designed, offering a challenging round with a distinct combination of holes.

Rolling Hills Golf Course is an accurate driver's paradise. This executive layout measuring 4146 yards is short in length, but it adds difficulty with its narrowness off the tee. Nine par 4's and nine par 3's provide ample birdie opportunities; however, the houses adjacent to the fairways are quick to capture any wayward shot. The par 4's average about 300 yards with some as short as 240.

Hit a "heaven wood" from the tee and your result could be divine. Water, sand, and numerous doglegs are all obstacles to be contended with throughout the round. Rolling Hills is a fun course for all players, and especially for newcomers to the game. After the round relax in the homey clubhouse and enjoy one of the popular daily specials. Located on Tucson's far east side, it's easily accessible from I-10. (520-298-2401)

If you're looking to work on your short-iron game then check out the Quail Valley Par 3 Course. Its longest hole measures 165 yards, so by the end of the round you should be throwing darts at the pins. Hit the tiny green and at most you'll have a twenty-footer for birdie. The greens are all sloped from back-to-front, helping your ball stop immediately on the surface.

However, miss long and you'll be faced with a delicate uphill, then downhill chip. There are no bunkers and only two water holes, making this a perfect setting for beginners, and allowing them to just concentrate on the hole not the obstacles en route.

Nestled in a peaceful valley off of Oracle and Rudasil roads, shade trees help keep you cool while you make 18 holes in two hours or less. Before or after the round stop in for some delicious home-cooked food at Holly's Cafe. (520-887-6161)

Finally, The Links at Continental Ranch provides a par-72 Scottish-style layout. Natural grasses eight to twelve inches high line the fairways, making this 6800-yard layout play even longer from the rough. Home of the qualifying for the PGA's Tucson Open, this is an excellent challenge for the experienced golfer.

Fairway and greenside pot bunkers as well as the gusty wind from off the freeway would make a Scotsman feel right at home. He won't find cattle grazing on the greens to keep them trimmed, though. Instead, in Tucson we use a Deere to keep them in top shape.

After your round, you can retire to the nostalgic clubhouse and reflect on how much fun it is to play golf the way it was designed to be played. Conveniently located adjacent to I-10 at Cortaro Farms, it's just a quick trip on the freeway from anywhere in southern Arizona. (520-744-7443)

Tucson has a style of course to fit every golfer's desire. If you're looking to work on your scoring then check out Rolling Hills and Quail Valley. If you want to return to golf's roots without leaving town then The Links at Continental Ranch is ideal.

No matter which course you play, you'll discover a new fun challenge that you won't find at a conventional course.

Related links:
• More GolfArizona.com course reviews
• Past course reviews by Scott Behmer