Ventana Canyon - Canyon Course
About
One of two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses at this Tucson resort, the Canyon Course at The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is classic desert golf, set against the backdrop of the Sonoran Desert enhanced by its surroundings of saguaros, deer, roadrunners, quail and birds. The 6,836-yard, par-72 layout rolls through the Esperro Canyon, incorporating a massive formation known as Whaleback Rock in its design. The golf course has several memorable holes, including a couple of difficult par 3s - the 13th and 16th - as well as the reachable par-5 finishing hole, which features a man-made waterfall.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 6836 yards | 72.1 | 137 |
| Green | 72 | 6537 yards | 71.1 | 135 |
| Gold | 72 | 6299 yards | 70.2 | 132 |
| Blue | 72 | 5962 yards | 68.6 | 128 |
| Silver | 72 | 5822 yards | 68.0 | 125 |
| Silver (W) | 72 | 5822 yards | 73.8 | 139 |
| Turquoise (W) | 72 | 5442 yards | 71.8 | 136 |
| Copper (W) | 72 | 4939 yards | 69.3 | 124 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 71.7/137 W: 79.2/155 | 408 | 483 | 401 | 338 | 148 | 433 | 552 | 183 | 416 | 3362 | 336 | 463 | 574 | 158 | 303 | 474 | 221 | 442 | 503 | 3474 | 6836 |
| Green M: 70.7/135 W: 78.1/154 | 408 | 483 | 401 | 338 | 148 | 386 | 526 | 183 | 378 | 3251 | 336 | 423 | 535 | 158 | 303 | 452 | 173 | 403 | 503 | 3286 | 6537 |
| Gold M: 69.9/131 W: 76.5/149 | 398 | 472 | 376 | 290 | 124 | 386 | 526 | 156 | 378 | 3106 | 314 | 423 | 535 | 140 | 276 | 452 | 173 | 403 | 477 | 3193 | 6299 |
| Blue M: 68.3/128 W: 74.7/146 | 366 | 472 | 376 | 290 | 124 | 349 | 470 | 156 | 350 | 2953 | 314 | 392 | 515 | 140 | 276 | 374 | 148 | 373 | 477 | 3009 | 5962 |
| Silver M: 67.8/126 W: 73.9/141 | 366 | 453 | 363 | 272 | 116 | 349 | 470 | 142 | 350 | 2881 | 286 | 392 | 515 | 140 | 252 | 374 | 148 | 373 | 461 | 2941 | 5822 |
| Turquoise M: 66.0/122 W: 72.1/137 | 366 | 388 | 363 | 228 | 116 | 349 | 402 | 123 | 350 | 2685 | 286 | 392 | 428 | 135 | 252 | 374 | 111 | 373 | 406 | 2757 | 5442 |
| Coral W: 71.4/127 | 316 | 388 | 363 | 228 | 116 | 349 | 402 | 123 | 292 | 2577 | 286 | 392 | 428 | 135 | 252 | 374 | 111 | 321 | 406 | 2705 | 5282 |
| Copper M: 63.8/115 W: 69.6/125 | 316 | 388 | 324 | 183 | 94 | 313 | 402 | 123 | 292 | 2435 | 244 | 335 | 428 | 127 | 202 | 330 | 111 | 321 | 406 | 2504 | 4939 |
| Handicap | 9 | 11 | 5 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 10 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 3 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 17 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 6 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
ClubhouseReviews
Reviewer Photos
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The signature #3 on the Mountain Course Photo submitted by TucsonTom18 on 05/23/2026
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Photo submitted by J2KFVoWtB3fVqvpfWMaW on 04/14/2026
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Photo submitted by J2KFVoWtB3fVqvpfWMaW on 04/14/2026
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Photo submitted by clubmanager74 on 10/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u000004321456 on 10/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u000004321456 on 10/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u000004321456 on 10/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u000004321456 on 10/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u000004321456 on 10/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u000004321456 on 10/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161470775 on 06/30/2022
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 05/27/2022
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 05/27/2022
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 05/27/2022
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Photo submitted by bensonliao on 03/28/2022
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Photo submitted by u3831269 on 09/14/2021
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Photo submitted by u444820267 on 04/23/2021
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Photo submitted by u314161182673 on 03/09/2021
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18th box is a little intimidating Photo submitted by u000004619845 on 03/01/2021
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18th green. Photo submitted by u00000929108 on 02/06/2021
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Photo submitted by u572685527 on 12/26/2020
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Photo submitted by Gabby12jack on 12/08/2020
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Photo submitted by u314160856053 on 09/29/2020
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Photo submitted by weathercommand on 03/01/2020
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Photo submitted by bert1953pien on 01/24/2020
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Photo submitted by bert1953pien on 01/24/2020
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Photo submitted by bert1953pien on 01/24/2020
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Photo submitted by bert1953pien on 01/24/2020
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Photo submitted by bert1953pien on 01/24/2020
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Photo submitted by u766204156 on 01/20/2020
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Photo submitted by u766204156 on 01/20/2020
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Bob the cat Photo submitted by Brian7710472 on 09/10/2019
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Photo submitted by kmforney on 08/29/2019
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Tee shot view on #18 from the Blacks. Photo submitted by nickesquire on 09/02/2018
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Photo submitted by virgocurtis on 06/10/2018
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Par 4 # 10 Whale hole Photo submitted by retired123 on 01/19/2017
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Par 3 # 13 Photo submitted by retired123 on 01/19/2017
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Par 5 18th Green Photo submitted by retired123 on 01/19/2017
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Par 4 # 3 Photo submitted by retired123 on 01/19/2017
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Number 4 monster Photo submitted by David4702427 on 04/12/2016
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Yes, it's a long way down! Photo submitted by David4702427 on 04/12/2016
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#3 - Plays 99 yards rain or shine, and I believe it rolls right. Photo submitted by David4702427 on 04/12/2016
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#3 short Par 3 Photo submitted by David9262534 on 05/27/2014
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1st tee Photo submitted by David9262534 on 05/27/2014
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Photo submitted by David9262534 on 05/27/2014
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Photo submitted by David9262534 on 05/27/2014
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Photo submitted by 966bonita on 05/20/2014
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Photo submitted by 966bonita on 05/20/2014
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Photo submitted by 966bonita on 05/20/2014
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18th from behind green Photo submitted by Cinda1964 on 03/18/2014
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Photo submitted by Ayman0128 on 02/04/2014
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#3a real beauty. Photo submitted by Rob5910994 on 11/14/2013
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Photo submitted by Andrew3750072 on 10/12/2013
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Photo submitted by doncagle on 09/03/2013
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Mountain Course, Hole 3, Par 3 Photo submitted by eaglebeagle4 on 11/25/2012
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Photo submitted by u000005857062 on 11/03/2012
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love this hole Photo submitted by spectre1972 on 10/04/2012
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long par 5 finishing hole Photo submitted by spectre1972 on 10/04/2012
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not as easy as it looks Photo submitted by spectre1972 on 10/04/2012
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signature par 3 Photo submitted by spectre1972 on 10/04/2012
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par 5 with water Photo submitted by spectre1972 on 10/04/2012
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challenging hole Photo submitted by spectre1972 on 10/04/2012
Ventana Mountain Course
Ventana continues to be one of best courses in the Tucson area. The layout is challenging and the grounds are superb. These greens are sometimes difficult to read but always a true roll...fast and no bumps. The lodge facilities (pro shop and restaurant) are very nice.
Great front 9, but all backed up on back 9
I teed off early (7 AM) and moved quickly around an enjoyable front 9. But when I approached the 10th tee, the Starter said he had two foursomes teeing off before me. I waited 25 minutes to tee off, then was stuck behind two slow foursomes before I quit on the 13th hole. I thought it was poor course mananagement to make those of us turning the corner while they started new groups off the 10 tee.
Favorite AZ Course
We have played Ventana many times over the years and still love both Courses!!
Great location , condition, and lay out.
Greens are very challenging, but for good golfers it is fun!! Very reasonably priced in the summer if you can take the hot weather . Traps are in good shape too!
If You Book Online - You’re Treated As 2nd Class
First, let me say it’s a beautiful course, great condition and lightning fast greens that were immaculate. Definitely a challenging course and the Mountain Course’s signature Par 3 is really cool. I highly recommend playing it at least once.
With that said, here’s my beef on the experience. If you book online, you’re forced to check in at the Loews Resort area and not at Ventana Lodge. It’s further up the road and not convenient for the golfer. Plan on being there at least an hour prior and more if you like to spend time on the range.
Checking in at Loews Resort requires patience and time or lugging your clubs a long way through the parking lot and down a couple flights of stairs. If you’re patient, a shuttle will eventually pick you up in the parking lot then drive down a dilipidated cart path down around the cart barn and then you can walk up a couple flights of stairs past the pool and tennis courts to check in.
Upon check in, the staff in a little hole in the wall pro shop knows why you’re there and treats you the same. You’re the discount golfer and not a resort guest.
Then you walk back down to your cart. Nothing like a good cardio workout before your round!
Upon completion of your round, you better hope staff is available to shuttle you and your clubs back up to your car, if not you’ll be lugging them up a couple flights of stairs and to your car.
Again, beautiful course but be aware how you’ll be treated. 2nd Class.
Ventana Mountain Course
Enjoyable round of golf, was neither pushed or had to wait for anyone the entire round. course was in great condition, greens were fast but true. Altogether an enjoyable round of golf.
Fantastic Father's Day
PLAYED WITH MY SON. STAFF WAS GREAT. PACE OF PLAY WAS PERFECT. COURSE WAS IN GOOD SHAPE EVEN AFTER THE STORM THE DAY BEFORE. COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER WAY TO SPEND FATHER'S DAY.
staff not friendly. staff person at pro shop by the resort very unwelcoming. I wanted to buy some merchandise and asked it as I could not find the tag. he said something to the effect of 'keep looking' and offered not help. he cart attendant - and there was no one else there- asked if I'd been in contact with my party, I had not and told him so. asked by me why, he said ' you may have to come back here to pick him up. the range/clubhouse is a long way to the cart pick up and I'm the paying guest, so why would I have to do this? just a bad taste in my mouth. several employees that certainly aren't going to help Ventana earn my golf buck.
A must play!
Ultimate golfing experience! Mountain course is an awesome layout with spectacular views that will bring you back for another round of golf. This course is on my must play list when visiting Tucson.
Very Disappointed
This golf course was very disappointing, as five greens did not have pins or flagsticks and irrigation was running on numerous greens. I mentioned this to course management and they could care less and wouldn’t give a refund. Very disappointed.
Excellent conditions, great tie to play Ventana.
Greens near perfect, and fast. Fairways nice and firm for a good rollout. Rough trimmed to very playable length. Bunkers pristine.
Aerated greens
The fairways were fine, with extra watering on some brown spots cause of the heat. Greens had been aerated a while ago and still had evidence of that, making them very difficult to read and putt. Even small breaks seemed to be magnified which was difficult. Ventana is a walk in a garden to play. It's very beautiful and a fine experience every time.
Driving and not with your driver
Hmmmm...well needless to say it was difficult to find pro shop. Once you get your cart you have to drive a mile or so to the driving range. It was a cluster since everyone there was on a shotgun start. We had to drive, again, to our starting hole...what a trip. The course itself was ok to play. No yardage book or gps. I have to say I remember most about driving to hole to hole then the course itself. The pace of play was sloooooooow. No marshall.....after driving back up to hole #1 my partner and I decided to call it a day.....with 4 holes to play...I will skip this course next time down and pay a few more dollars.....
great course, disappointing service
started playing as a single, me, and a rider, my wife. there were NO reps on the entire course with towels, drinks or info. but the worst part was when we finished the 18th, found our way to the proshop, it was closed at 2. ok where is the the valet when we got there at 3pm? we waited , we looked, where do we go with our clubs? we had passed an employee going the opp way and he didnt say a word. 10 minutes later he arrived. well, not fair to leave people not knowing where the help is and waiting when it was 106 degrees. we didn't know how to get to our car with our clubs expected better from this facility.
A long drive rewarded
I really enjoyed this course. It helped considerably that I was paired up with someone who had played the course before. The course did not have a yardage book and the layout posted on the cart was difficult to read. BUT, the course was very well maintained and interesting to manuever through. The greens were a challenge to putt and to hold an approach shot since they had recently been aerated. The course does not lend itself to fast play since in very few instances do you go from green to the following tee in less than a couple of minutes: it took 10 minutes in a cart to go from the 9th green to the 10th tee. The pro shop was difficult to find, but the playing experience made it worth the hunt.
The mountain course was awesome, fairways were awsome! The greens were aeriated recently so they were bumpy! The views were Incredible! We played the round 4HRS &15minutes. Not to bad for first time on the mountain course. Would play once a week if i lived closer.
The draw back to this whole review is there is NO guidance to entrance of the course and No bag drop! NO SIGNS LEADING YOU TO THE COURSE! VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND HELP TO GUIDE YOU.
Greens are terrible.
Green were very grainy. Poor service. At 3:00 there was no one around to clean clubs or help getting club to parking lot. No what you expect from a resort course.