When the winter months arrive, there is no hotter place to visit than Scottsdale, Arizona. The popular desert landscape is littered with many high end golf facilities. At this point, I like to think that I have played them all. However, when FireRock Country Club reached out for a photography shoot, the name didn’t immediately ring a bell.
That is because this little slice of high end desert golf likes to keep it under the radar and with a major clubhouse renovation complete, the club is ready to show off. Rain tried to thwart my efforts, but eventually I managed to get the full photography scoop at FireRock. Please enjoy every hole at FireRock Country Club. Thank you to local member, model and TV personality, Blair O’Neal, for helping me show off the golf course.
Hole #1 - Par 5 - 525 yards
FireRock starts from one of the highest points on the entire golf course. If you can avoid the fairway bunkers on this slight dog leg left, there is a good chance that you will have a look at reaching this green in two shots. Blair hit the fairway from the tee box, but I threw her golf ball in the bunker to create a more interesting shot. The first hole is a great opportunity to start your round off with a birdie.
Hole #2 - Par 3 - 188 yards
The first par 3 at FireRock is a gorgeous uphill medium length par 3. The golf shot is usually straight forward depending on the pin placement. A lone bunker defends the green on the right hand side and a pin position near the bunker is the most challenging.
Hole #3 - Par 4 - 413 yards
There is a bit of a drive from the 2nd green to the the 3rd tee box, but the payoff is worth the drive. A spectacular view of the 3rd hole and the nearby McDowell Mountains greets the golfer on the tee box. The 3rd hole doesn’t play as long as the card indicates because of the downhill tee shot. You will want to avoid the fairway bunkers in order to set up a reasonable approach to this two tiered green.
Hole #4 - Par 4 - 402 yards
The 4th hole flip flops the direction of the 3rd hole and plays along a series of bunkers. The green-side bunkering here is some of the most dramatic on the entire golf course. Unlike many golf courses of similar caliber, FireRock deploys a sparse offering of bunkers. The strategy becomes effective on holes like the 4th. Because the golfer is not accustomed to an absurd amount of bunkers on every hole, a reasonable amount of bunkering can be used to provide visual interest and yield noticeable options for play.
Hole #5 - Par 5 - 513 yards
The 5th is another reachable par 5 and gives the golfer a solid chance at finding a relatively easy birdie. The golf hole is straight away with just 3 bunkers entertaining the golfer along the way. If you are off to a solid start, this is a great place to really heat things up.
Hole #6 - Par 3 - 146 yards
Everyone loves a good short par 3 and the 6th hole at FireRock delivers the goods. The bunkering in front of the green is mostly aesthetic, but does a good job of framing the hole and punishing those that come up dramatically short of the green. A well struck short iron will give most golfers a chance to make a 2.
Hole #7 - Par 4 - 407 yards
From a photogenic perspective, the 7th hole was one of my favorite golf holes at FireRock Country Club. The morning and evening light both do a fantastic job at showing off the undulations and bunkering on the golf hole. A bunker on the inside right of the dogleg will push golfers out to the left of the fairway. Those that challenge the bunkering will be rewarded with a short wedge into the green.
Hole #8 - Par 4 - 394 yards
When Blair and I arrived on the 8th hole, our sunrise and brief photography shoot was nearly over. The plan was to capture a couple photos and videos of long putts and call it a wrap. Blair dropped her ball onto the green and immediately canned a 30 footer. Even though I captured her reaction, Blair was disappointed that I missed the opportunity for video. I believe that the sincerity of that double fist raise makes up for the lack of video evidence.
Hole #9 - Par 4 - 394 yards
The 9th hole is my favorite hole on the golf course. It provides great views, several strategic options off of the tee and a fun opportunity to finish off the front nine with a birdie. You can lay back and enjoy plenty of fairway or take the aggressive line down the right hand side and give yourself a short club into the green.
Hole #10 - Par 4 - 448 yards
The 10th hole runs straight away and is one of the longer par 4’s at FireRock from the back tees. A large barranca separates the landing area from the green complex. You are going to need to good shots if you want to find this green with a look at birdie. 2 bunkers protect the front of the green and the hole gets increasingly more difficult as the pin moves back and to the right.
Hole #11 - Par 5 - 530 yards
The 11th hole elevates the bunker game a bit and provides some of the best views early in the morning. Aside from the lighting, the most interesting aspect of the 11th hole is the 2nd shot. You can challenge the bunkers and give yourself a putt or an easy chip for eagle or you can lay back and approach the green with a full swing.
Hole #12 - Par 3 - 191 yards
This longer par 3 will force most golfers to pull out a long iron and fire one towards the mountains. A lone bunker on the right hand side complicates this reverse redan style template. A good play towards the center of the green is a smart one.
Hole #13 - Par 4 - 470 yards
Most golfers don’t see the 13th hole coming. With a blind shot around the dogleg, it’s easy to leave 200 yards remaining on your second shot here. The smart golfer will hug the dog leg in an effort to minimize the distance into the green. Two bunkers guard the front left side of the green.
Hole #14 - Par 4 - 337 yards
Every golf course should have a short and potentially drive-able par 4. The 14th at FireRock does a great job at providing that short par 4 excitement. The green will be out of reach for most, but there are a few options from the tee. You can lay out to the right and attack with a short iron or you can play your ball directly at the green leaving a short and easy approach. The gamble here is the risk of finding the fairway bunkers that will give you a tough short wedge from the sand.
Hole #15 - Par 4 - 483 yards
The shortest par 4 at FireRock is immediately followed by the longest par 4. The good news is that the 15th plays slightly downhill and the fairway is wide. After a big drive from the tee, several bunkers and a large body of water protect the green on the left hand side. Par is a good score on the 15th.
Hole #16 - Par 4 - 388 yards
The 16th plays back down the right hand side of 15. A small patch of manicured desert separates the two golf holes. It’s pretty close to a mirror image of the previous hole… the 16th is just about 100 yards shorter. The approach shot requires a little more finesse, especially when the pin is tucked close to the bunkers on the right front portion of the green.
Hole #17 - Par 3 - 175 yards
The final par 3 on at FireRock requires a medium length iron shot to a green tucked into a small valley. Three bunkers guard the front of the green. I particularly enjoyed the large saguaro just in front of the tee box.
Hole #18 - Par 5 - 560 yards
The tee box on 18 provides one of the most dramatic views on the golf course and you can see the entirety of the 18th hole laid out in front of you. A big accurate drive will give only the longest players an option to clear the wash and find the green. Most golfers will lay up and enjoy a very scenic approach into the finishing green. The brand spanking new club house looms in the background and hopefully, several of your friends will be watching as you roll one in for a finishing birdie.
