Troon North Monument Course
The course that defined Scottsdale target golf, the Monument at Troon North is the original Weiskopf and Morrish desert layout, threading between saguaro and granite at the foot of Pinnacle Peak. It remains the round most visitors put first on an Arizona golf trip.
Photograph: Troon North Golf Club, via Google · golftraveller
The verdict
The Monument Course is the course that put Troon North, and arguably Scottsdale desert golf, on the map. Opened in 1990 to a design by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, it set the standard for the target style golf that came to define northern Scottsdale, with emerald fairways carved through the raw Sonoran Desert at the base of Pinnacle Peak. It takes its name from a huge granite monument boulder that splits the fairway on the par 5 third, an image as recognizable as any in Arizona golf.
It is a par 72 of around 7,039 yards, public and beautifully presented, and it plays with the firm, strategic character its designers intended, rewarding the player who positions the ball over the one who simply hits it far. Weiskopf returned to refresh the layout in 2007. With its sister Pinnacle Course alongside, two Weiskopf designs that play nothing alike, Troon North is the heart of a Scottsdale golf week, and the Monument is the one that travellers remember.
Troon North Monument Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1990
- Designer
- Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish
- Type
- Desert, target
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Around 7,039 yds
- Green fee
- $300+ peak (indicative)
History, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Troon North Golf Club and leading course guides. The Monument was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish and opened in 1990, a par 72 measuring around 7,039 yards, refreshed by Weiskopf in 2007. Indicative peak season rates, roughly January to April, run above 300 dollars before a small resort surcharge, with far lower prices in the summer heat. Fees are indicative and change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Monument is target golf in its classic form. Ribbons of green fairway thread between desert washes, granite boulders and stands of saguaro, so the tee shot is about finding the short grass rather than overpowering the hole, and missing into the desert is genuinely penal. Weiskopf and Morrish angled the greens and the landing areas to reward the bolder, better placed shot, and the firm conditions ask for a controlled, thoughtful round.
Its signature moment comes early, on the par 5 third, where an enormous granite monument boulder sits in the middle of the fairway and gives the course its name, forcing a decision on line and the most photographed shot at Troon North. From there the round climbs and falls across the desert at the base of Pinnacle Peak, with elevation changes, long desert carries and big mountain views that make it feel a world away from the city below.
For the visiting golfer the Monument is the essential Scottsdale experience, the course that captures what northern Arizona desert golf is all about. It is firm, strategic and spectacular, beautifully conditioned, and paired with the sister Pinnacle Course it anchors a desert trip. Play it in the cooler months, take plenty of golf balls for the desert, and enjoy one of the genre's true originals.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A public, daily fee desert course; visitors are welcome and tee times are bookable in advance, with the two Troon North courses often played together |
| Green fee | Indicative peak season rates above 300 dollars roughly January to April before a small resort surcharge, dropping sharply in the summer heat; carts are included |
| Booking | Reserve ahead online or through a trip planner; the cooler high season from winter into spring is the busiest and most expensive window |
| Handicap | No handicap certificate required; standard dress code and desert golf etiquette apply, and carts with GPS are included |
| Getting there | At the base of Pinnacle Peak in north Scottsdale, around 30 to 40 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport |
| Best months | Autumn through spring for comfortable temperatures; high summer is extremely hot, with early morning the only sensible play |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from Troon North Golf Club and course guides; desert green fees swing widely between peak season and summer, so always confirm current details directly before booking with the club or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
North Scottsdale is full of resort options within easy reach of Troon North, from the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North beside the courses to the many spa resorts of the area. Staying nearby puts the first tee, the desert trails and Scottsdale's restaurants and nightlife all within a short drive, ideal for a week that mixes golf with the wider Sonoran experience.
Scottsdale is one of America's great golf concentrations, with dozens of high quality desert courses within a short drive and Phoenix Sky Harbor among the best connected airports in the southwest. Most visitors pair the Monument with its sister Pinnacle Course and add neighbours such as the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course and Grayhawk for a full desert golf trip.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts in north Scottsdale.
Build a Scottsdale golf trip
We base a Scottsdale week on Troon North, pair the Monument with the Pinnacle Course, add the best of the desert courses, and handle the resort, carts and the order of play in the cooler season. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Troon North Monument Course questions
How much does it cost to play Troon North Monument Course?
Indicative peak season rates, roughly January to April, run above 300 dollars before a small resort surcharge, with carts included; prices drop sharply in the summer heat. These figures are indicative and change by season and year, so always confirm the current rate directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Who designed Troon North Monument Course?
The Monument was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish and opened in 1990, with Weiskopf returning to refresh the layout in 2007. It is a par 72 of around 7,039 yards and is widely credited with setting the standard for the desert target golf that came to define Scottsdale.
Why is it called the Monument Course?
The course takes its name from a huge granite monument boulder that sits in the middle of the fairway on the par 5 third hole. Players must decide which side to take it on, and the boulder, framed against Pinnacle Peak, is one of the most photographed and recognizable features in Arizona golf.
Can visitors play Troon North Monument Course?
Yes. Troon North is a public, daily fee facility and the Monument welcomes visitors, with tee times booked in advance online or through a trip planner. No handicap certificate is required and carts are included. The cooler months from autumn into spring are busiest, so book ahead and confirm current rates before travelling.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. History, designer, par, yardage and indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.