Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Las Sendas Golf Club offers a world-class golf experience with fabulous mountain views and a challenging desert-style layout. We’ve taken great effort to make the course fair and enjoyable for golfers of varying skill levels, but it’s wise to arrive with a strategy for your round. To help you get a plan, we’re pleased to share the following drone flyover footage along with tips for playing our first hole.
First on the Tee Box: Las Sendas’ Most Challenging Hole
That’s right, your first tee shot will be on Las Sendas’ most demanding hole. There’s a large amount of water on the right side, and going beyond the fairway could lead to an unfavorable lie in the desert area. Two fairway bunkers and three greenside bunkers add to the hole’s complexity. Measuring between 461 yards (from the silver tees) and 349 yards (from the copper tees), this challenging dogleg right is one of course’s longest par fours.
Here are two options for planning your tee shot:
Option 1: “The Safe Play”
Some golfers prefer a conservative approach and aim to the left of the water. No doubt, this is the safest play—assuming that you don’t hit your drive too far and end up in the desert area (which, by the way, is considered part of the course). Even if you hit a perfect drive and find the fairway, you’ll still be left with a lengthy second shot.
If you’re looking for a more direct approach to the green, then our next option might be your best bet.
Option 2: “The Aggressive Play”
Aggressive play can pay off for the golfer who hits a long, straight drive over the pond. (From the black tees, that usually means hitting the ball at least 275 yards.) Finding the other side of the water with your drive makes the hole play much shorter, resulting in a short iron or wedge for your approach. Watch out for the fairway bunker on the water’s far left edge though. Finding sand—instead of fairway—turns a manageable approach into a tricky second shot.
One final tip for the aggressive golfer: Avoid driving the ball too far. As with the first option, hitting a monster drive could lead to an undesirable desert lie.
Planning Your Approach
Carefully consider pin placement and slope as you plan your approach shot toward this “kidney bean” shaped green. Going short and slightly left might be the safest approach for golfers looking to avoid penalty areas (behind the green) and the three greenside bunkers. However, being too conservative could lead to a long, difficult putt.
Also note that the approach for hole one plays a little uphill. Some people leave their approach shots short, only to find a bunker instead of the green.
Book Your Next Tee Time at Las Sendas
Feeling up to the challenge? Learn more about golf at Las Sendas and book your next tee time. We also offer multiple membership options if you’re looking to join a golf club in the greater Phoenix area.