Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: Ranks alongside Forest Highlands as the best mountain golf offerings in The Grand Canyon State. Dramatic shots, impressive elevation changes, and a surprisingly playable layout team up with the scenic setting to create a great experience over 5000'. Grade A-
Quick Facts
Designer: Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish 1999
Cost: Private
Phone Number: 928-472-1470
Course Website: Official Website - Visit The Rim Golf Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 300 S. Clubhouse Road, Payson, Arizona 85541 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of The Rim Golf Club
Similar Course:
What to Expect: Located in Payson 75 minutes northeast of Scottsdale, The Rim sits at over 5,000 feet elevation and provides a welcome reprieve from the scorching heat found in the valley. The course gets its name from the Mogollon Rim that runs northwesterly through the middle of Arizona and is in view during the round. The dramatic terrain that The Rim sits on is highlighted by rock outcroppings, large elevation changes, and Ponderosa Pines that frame the landscape. If there is one word to describe the Rim it would be fun. The design offers excellent playability with generous widths and greens that are complimented by expansive views throughout the round. Some of the elevation changes are so substantial that 13' flags are found on a couple of the greens as well as flags in the middle of a couple of fairways that are removed to signal to the trailing group that the hole isn't clear to tee off. The rock formations, juniper and pine trees, and movement in the property is well incorporated in the design to deliver plenty of memorability and constant variety in the hole lengths and shape. While the entire course is enjoyable, once players get to hole seven it is simply one of the most enjoyable stretches of holes in the Southwest. When all is said and done, The Rim is the perfect escape in Arizona where players can enjoy the smell of trees and feel like they've truly removed themselves from the hustle and bustle of the valley; and the heat of the desert. The course is a ton of fun to play and an underrated layout since it is located outside of the famed Scottsdale area.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 71 | 7193 | 72.9 | 140 |
| Rim | 71 | 6877 | 71.9 | 138 |
| White | 71 | 6619 | 70.6 | 135 |
| Member | 71 | 6179 | 68.8 | 129 |
| Gold | 71 | 5876 | 67.7 | 121 |
| Club | 71 | 5510 | 66.0 | 117 |
| Red (Ladies) | 71 | 5211 | 69.1 | 126 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 13th Hole – 581 Yard Par 5 – A beautiful use of the natural terrain, the impressive 13th hole is an exciting downhill three-shotter that terminates at Elephant Rock; a stone structure that mimics the look of earth’s largest land mammal. The tee shot plays to a fairway that bends left around a bunker that helps protect from players trying to cut the corner. The fairway goes through a series of widening and tightening enroute to the green that features a stone on the left side and bunker on the right. Reaching the putting surface in two will take a second shot that can draw into the green that features a nice run-up area in front. The huge Elephant Rock behind the green really is an iconic landmark and in my opinion should have been used in the name and logo of the course.
Best Par 3: 8th Hole – 225 Yards – The lengthy par three 8th hole plays slightly downhill to a green that is flanked by a pond on the left and a trio of bunkers on the right. There is a small kickboard at the front right corner where players can hit that location and watch their ball scoot onto the green and yield a look at birdie. The putting surface is shaped from front right to back left which makes pins in the back third nearest to the water just brutal to get close to.
Best Par 4: 14th Hole – 435 Yards – The 14th is a unique offering that some would call a dual fairway, but really is designed as a primary fairway supplemented by an alternative landing area. The fairway goes to the left before bending back to the right around a pond with the water acting as the right boundary of the putting surface. The alternate tee shot option is to lay up to the jelly bean shaped area that is essentially 35 yards by 35 yards but runs off a cliff edge if you hit it over 250 yards. The approach shot from this location is only 150 yards but is over water the entire way while approach shots from the primary fairway likely will be coming in from further out. With either tee shot choice there are some good opportunities to card a birdie, but poorly executed tee shots could bring double quickly into play.
Best Par 5: 9th Hole – 533 Yards – The concluding hole to the front nine is a par five that many players will be licking their chops to reach in two. The tee shot plays to a fairway where the right side is flanked by two bunkers and a pond, pushing players to eye the left side when swinging their driver. The rise in the fairway becomes a factor on the second shot and hides some of the landing areas that a player may be targeting. A trio of bunkers sit greenside, but the front of the putting surface is open and allows accurate aerial or ground shots to tumble onto the green and set up a scoring opportunity. The entrance to the green is narrow, so laying up can be wise for some players, though getting closer than 80 yards from the green will leave the ball in the rough where the fairway terminates.
Birdie Time: 5th Hole – 346 Yard Par 4 – The short par four 5th sees a group of trees in the middle of the hole with one fairway carving around them on the right while a second fairway is available up the left. You'd think that clearing the first set of trees would be sufficient to avoid further trouble with hardwoods, but a lone tree is found just beyond them 70 yards from the center of the green and commits players to go left or right, and not over the top, of the trees to avoid trouble. Once success is found off the tee, players will have a scoring club in their hand with an opportunity to go pinseeking at the slightly raised green.
Bogey Beware: 2nd Hole – 476 Yard Par 4 – A brute of a par four, the 2nd requires you to be on your game right off the bat. A lengthy tee shot with a baby cut is the ideal play with driver followed up by an uphill approach shot that will require 1-2 more clubs to cover the distance to the green. The putting surface is fronted by a deep bunker that leaves only the far right side of the green open to a ball coming in that doesn't have the juice to cover the sand. This is a tough green in regulation, so keep your approach up the right side and give yourself the best chance to save par.
