Troon Country Club

Troon Country Club opened in 1986, the very first collaboration between Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish — a partnership that would produce many of the Southwest's most acclaimed desert layouts. Named after Scotland's Royal Troon, the club helped pioneer the target-style desert golf concept that would come to define Arizona golf through the 1990s and beyond.

The course is routed around the base of Pinnacle Peak, a dramatic 3,000-foot granite formation visible from virtually every hole. As a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the course supports a thriving ecosystem of Sonoran Desert flora and fauna. Golf Magazine has recognized Troon among the top courses in the United States.

The Weiskopf-Morrish partnership that launched here went on to create dozens of celebrated courses, but Troon Country Club remains the foundational work — the design that proved desert golf could be both visually spectacular and strategically brilliant.

Troon seamlessly integrates the Sonoran Desert environment — saguaro cacti, Palo Verde trees, natural desert washes, and native wildlife are constant companions. Desert washes bisect fairways, creating forced carries and strategic decisions off the tee. The McDowell Mountains provide a stunning backdrop that changes character throughout the day.

As one of the pioneering desert courses, the layout feels less contrived than some later imitators. The routing ensures Pinnacle Peak is visible from nearly every point, creating one of the most dramatic backdrops in Arizona golf. Conditioning is immaculate throughout.

Access is strictly private — members and guests only.

Desert air can add 5-10% to carry distances. Factor this into every club selection.

Desert washes that cross fairways demand a clear decision: lay up short or carry confidently. Do not leave the ball in the wash.

Accuracy over length. The manicured fairways are the only safe landing zones — straying into native desert typically means a lost ball.

GPS-equipped carts provide chilled water, fresh fruit, and scented towels. Hydrate aggressively in the desert heat.