Troon North Golf Club

Set in the Sonoran Desert just north of Scottsdale, Troon North Golf Club is often considered the gold standard of desert golf. Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, the Pinnacle and Monument courses wind through dramatic granite boulders, towering saguaros, and sweeping desert vistas.

The Monument course is perhaps the more famous of the two, with its namesake rock formation guarding the fairway of the par-5 third hole. Elevation changes, pristine playing conditions, and postcard sunsets make both layouts unforgettable.

For golfers, Troon North represents the perfect blend of challenge and beauty — a true showcase of how desert golf can both test your game and lift your spirits.

On one of my early visits, I remember racing the desert light — that golden hour when the saguaros glow and the shadows dance across the fairways. It’s a fleeting window, but the photos I captured that evening still rank among my favorites. That’s the magic of Troon North: it makes you slow down and savor the desert in a way few places can.