Wildfire Golf Club
Thirty six holes of resort desert golf at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in north Phoenix, a Palmer course and a Faldo course that together make one of the Valley's most complete golf bases.
Photo: Wildfire Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Wildfire Golf Club is the golf engine of the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge resort, two contrasting championship courses that give a winter visitor everything in one place. The Palmer Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay and opened in 1997, is the bolder of the two, a layout of wide fairways, flashed bunkers and rolling greens that stretches to about 7,145 yards. The Faldo Championship Course, designed by Nick Faldo with Brian Curley in 2002, takes its cue from the Australian sandbelt, with 108 bunkers and firm, fast green complexes.
Between them the two courses cover the desert golf spectrum, the Palmer playing generous and bold, the Faldo strategic and exacting. Operated to a high resort standard and attached to a major resort, Wildfire is built for the group trip, the corporate day and the family golfer who wants 36 holes without leaving the property. It is one of the most reliable and accessible premium golf stops in north Phoenix.
Wildfire Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1997 and 2002
- Designer
- Palmer and Faldo
- Type
- Desert resort
- Par
- 72 and 71
- Courses
- Palmer and Faldo
- Green fee
- From about 70 dollars
Designers and details verified June 2026: the Palmer Course was designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay and opened in 1997, playing about 7,145 yards to a par 72; the Faldo Championship Course was designed by Nick Faldo with Brian Curley in 2002, playing about 6,846 yards to a par 71 with 108 bunkers. Indicative green fees from roughly 70 dollars in summer to about 225 dollars in winter peak reflect 2026 rates and change by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Palmer Course is the one most visitors play first, an expansive, confidence building layout with big fairways, dramatic bunkering and enough water and length to keep the better player honest. It rewards aggression off the tee and gives the average golfer room to enjoy a round in the desert sun, with the McDowell Mountains as a backdrop.
The Faldo Championship Course is the thinking player's test, tighter and more strategic, with its sea of pot and sprawling bunkers demanding precise position rather than pure power. The greens are firm and full of movement, and the sandbelt inspiration shows in how the trouble hugs the lines you most want to take. Many good players come away preferring it.
Together the two courses make Wildfire a true 36 hole destination, easy to combine over a couple of days from the resort. Conditioning is consistent, the pace is managed, and the convenience of two strong courses on one property is the real draw for a group golf trip.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort courses at JW Marriott Desert Ridge; open to resort guests and the public |
| Green fee | From about 70 dollars in summer to about 225 dollars in winter peak, indicative 2026; rates vary by season and demand |
| Booking | Book through the resort or course; winter and spring are the premium season, so reserve ahead |
| On the day | Cart golf standard; resort dress; two courses, so allow time to play both |
| Getting there | In north Phoenix near Desert Ridge, about 30 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport (PHX) |
| Best months | October to May; winter and spring are prime, summer is hot but heavily discounted |
Access and fees verified June 2026; resort pricing changes by season and year, so always confirm current rates and tee time availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge is the obvious base, a large resort with pools, spa and dining wrapped around the two courses, built for groups, conventions and families alike. Staying on site puts both first tees minutes from the room.
For a wider Phoenix and Scottsdale golf trip, Wildfire pairs with the desert names across the Valley, from the granite framed The Boulders North Course in Carefree to the long, links style Ak-Chin Southern Dunes south of the city.
Looking for a base nearby? See our recommended hotels and resorts.
Build a Phoenix golf trip
We arrange tee times across both Wildfire courses and the best of the Phoenix desert, then book the resort lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Wildfire Golf Club questions
Who designed the courses at Wildfire Golf Club?
Wildfire has two courses: the Palmer Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay and opened in 1997, and the Faldo Championship Course, designed by Nick Faldo with Brian Curley in 2002. Both sit at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in north Phoenix.
What is the difference between the Palmer and Faldo courses?
The Palmer Course is bolder and wider, a par 72 of about 7,145 yards. The Faldo Championship Course is tighter and more strategic, a sandbelt inspired par 71 of about 6,846 yards with 108 bunkers.
Is Wildfire Golf Club open to the public?
Yes. Both courses are public resort courses at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, open to resort guests and the public.
How much does it cost to play Wildfire Golf Club?
Indicative green fees run from about 70 US dollars in summer to about 225 dollars in the winter peak season. Rates change by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
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. Designers, opening years and yardages verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.