Wigwam Golf’s Red Course is a favorite among locals and club members. Built in 1972, it’s a traditional layout with wide fairways lined by pine and eucalyptus trees. The fairways give way to generous-sized greens while streams and ponds meander throughout the course bringing water into play on 10 holes. The course’s closing stretch of holes (15, 16, 17 and 18) just may be the toughest final four holes in the Phoenix area.
How to Play the Red Course
HOLE 1 | PAR 4
On this opening hole, you’ll want to aim left of center of the fairway using a 3 metal or long iron. This will leave you a straight approach shot to the green. Note: This large green is guarded by a right-side bunker.
HOLE 2 | PAR 3
With its dazzling views, at first you may think this Par 3 is a pushover. But trust us when we say this one tough hole. Watch out for a water hazard running down the left side of the hole. You’ll also discover bunkers tightly guarding the green on three sides of the hole.
HOLE 3 | PAR 4
Want our advice? OK, we’ll give it to you anyway! Take dead aim at the right center of the fairway. Keeping your tee shot in the fairway is important for your approach shot to the green. Watch out for the pesky bunker along the left side of the green.
HOLE 4 | PAR 5
You can reach the green in two shots. The best way is to find the fairway long off the tee. But, a more conservative option can also yield something less than a par. Just play this as a three-shot hole with a second shot that lays up short of the green side bunkers. Then it’s a simple finesse wedge tucked in tight to the pin.
HOLE 5 | PAR 3
Feeling strong? Good. Because this is a demanding green that rewards a strong shot and punishes a weak one. It would be better to play short of this green than go long. Pro tip: This green is guarded by bunkers in the front right and the back. Avoid them if you can.
HOLE 6 | PAR 5
Pssst. Listen up. If you use a strong drive down the right center of the fairway, you can make this Par 5 reachable in two. If you need to play this as a three-shot hole, this is a demanding multi-tiered green so it’s critical to plan where your ball lands on the 2nd shot approach. A smart lay-up in front of the green will definitely help get you close to the pin for an easy birdie try.
HOLE 7 | PAR 4
Breathtaking, right? This stunning Par-4 is carved out of the surrounding landscape. Using your trusty 3 metal or long iron, take aim at the first green-side bunker. This short hole features multiple bunkers and a creek runs down the right side of the hole from tee to green.
HOLE 8 | PAR 4
Truth or dare. Risk or reward. Are you up for a challenge? Aim toward the left side of the fairway bunker with a 3 metal or long iron. Are you a long ball hitter? If so, the green is driveable. Pull out your driver and, well, grip it and rip it. The good news? This green is only guarded by two bunkers on the front left and right.
HOLE 9 | PAR 4
Set your sites on the right corner of the first bunker. Doing so will leave you a short, easy approach shot. Because this is a demanding multi-tier green, you’re better off playing short than long.
HOLE 10 | PAR 4
Yes, it’s short. But it’s still a very challenging Par 4. We recommend using your 3 metal or long iron and aim toward the left greenside bunker. With a tight narrow fairway, there’s no advantage to taking any risks off the tee when a birdie is gettable here with a well-placed wedge up to the pin. You’ll note the bunker on the front left side of the green.
HOLE 11 | PAR 4
Left. Left. Left. The message here is to focus on the left edge of the greenside bunker. Your approach shot really matters here. It’s important if you hope to record a low score on this hole. This taxing multi-tier green requires you to be on the same level as the pin.
HOLE 12 | PAR 3
At first glance, this Par 3 may seem simple, but it usually plays tough. Because this large multi-tier green is difficult, it makes the proper club selection extra important. If you miss the green short, you may have trouble with the deep bunker or pin position in the back left of the green. Be warned: This may force you to take your tee shot up and over the trees.
HOLE 13 | PAR 5
You’re sure to enjoy this green and may only need to take two great shots. If you aim just left of the second bunker, you’ll be in a terrific position to reach the green in two. The green is flanked by bunkers, one short and one in back. Note: This green is smaller than average, so accuracy is important.
HOLE 14 | PAR 4
When you’re right, you’re right. Take aim at the right edge of the second bunker using your favorite 3 metal or long iron. Keeping your tee shot on the left side of the fairway allows the most room to shoot for the pin. Word to the wise: The green is guarded by bunkers on the left and a water hazard on the right.
HOLE 15 | PAR 4
Well, you’ve made it to hole 15. What do you think so far? As usual, we’re ready with more great advice. Here, you’ll want to take aim at the right edge of the second bunker on the left side of the fairway and cut it back to the middle of the fairway. If you pull that off, you’ll have a straight approach shot to the green, guarded by two bunkers on the right side.
HOLE 16 | PAR 4
Ready for a little adventure? This is one of the longest Par 4’s on the Red Course. Take aim down the left center of the fairway since this will cut some distance on this dogleg left hole. Your approach shot should land on this very narrow green bordered by a tight bunker. Believe us: Par on this hole is a good score.
HOLE 17 | PAR 3
Hole 17 is beautiful to look at, but tough to play. This Par 3 can stretch out to over 254 yards, making it one of the most difficult holes on the course. Want a safe play? It’s easy. Just target the center of the green!
HOLE 18 | PAR 5
You’ve reached the end. And what will you find? A grueling dogleg left finishing hole. This Par 5 will take you all of three shots to reach the green. Off the tee take aim with a 3 metal or long iron left of the first bunker. A smart lay-up is a medium iron down the right center of the fairway. And at the end? You’ll need a short iron for your approach shot. We hope you enjoyed your 18 holes of golf at the Wigwam Golf Club’s Red Course, and that you’ll come join us again.
A ROBERT "RED" LAWRENCE DESIGN
The Red Course was designed by Arizona Golf Hall of Fame member and golf course architect Robert “Red” Lawrence. Nicknamed the “Desert Fox” for his brilliant design of Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Arizona, Lawrence’s other notable designs include the Championship Golf Course at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and Tubac Golf Resort in Tucson where the movie Tin Cup was filmed.
2022 BUNKER RENOVATION PROJECT
Wigwam Golf’s Red Course underwent a four-month bunker enhancement project in the the fall of 2022. The project focused on refreshing all of the course’s 44 fairway and greenside bunkers. Pro Turf International (PTI), in collaboration with The Wigwam’s ownership group JDM Partners, executed the project. As part of the Red Course bunker enhancement project, all bunkers were excavated and rebuilt using a next generation bunker lining system. In addition, tan sand was replaced with new, higher-quality white sand in all bunkers. The bunkers were reshaped and greenside bunkers were brought closer to the greens for better playability. On some holes greenside bunkers were removed while others that remained were reduced in size with better shapes. The fairway bunkers were refreshed, with a few new fairway bunkers added to provide additional strategy to the golf holes.
MENS YARDAGE / RATINGS
Championship
6,852
72.0 Rating / 125 Slope
Club
6,291 Yards
69.4 Rating / 118 Slope
Forward Combo
5,806 Yards
66.9 Rating / 111 Slope
Forward
5,578 Yards
65.9 Rating / 108 Slope
WOMENS YARDAGE / RATINGS
Club
6,291 Yards
75.2 Rating / 128 Slope
Forward Combo
5,806 Yards
72.1 Rating /122 Slope
Forward
5,578 Yards
71.2 Rating /119 Slope
2024 SUMMER MAINTENANCE
Red Course Maintenance: Closed: 6/24 – 7/7 | 7/22 – 7/26 | 8/12 – 8/16
Blue Course Maintenance: Closed: 5/28 – 6/9 | 7/8 – 7/12 | 7/29 – 8/2
Gold Course Maintenance: Closed: 6/10 – 6/23 | 7/15 – 7/19 | 8/5 – 8/9
TWO COURSES ARE AVAILABLE DURING TEMPORARY MAINTENANCE CLOSURES
2024 OVERSEEDING DATES
Red Course Overseed: 9/23 – 10/13 | Cart Path Only: 10/14 – 11/7
Blue Course Overseed: 10/21 – 11/10 | Cart Path Only: 11/11 – 12/05
Gold Course Overseed: 10/07 – 10/27 | Cart Path Only: 10/28 – 11/21
WE WILL ALWAYS KEEP ONE COURSE OPEN DURING OVERSEEDING!
