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
Rode the Greens (6537/71.1/133) in less than 4H with Gerta, a Sr. lady with alot of game! 75, calm and clear.
Fun, challenging Fazio layout that is up/down rolling hills. In excellent shape after fall over seeding.
Tees lush, near immaculate with few unfixed divots.
Fairways lush, mowed tight and excellent to play from.
Rough mostly transitioning Bermuda. Can be clumpy and punitive because of the way a lie can vary so much in about 2'.
Sand usually excellent here, fine beach sand that the ball frequently sits slightly down in. Marking it down today because I was 2/2 on getting lies with too little sand underneath the ball.
Greens almost always smooth and firm. Medium fast, downhill putts have to be cozied up to the hole or you will quickly have 6-10' coming back.
Customer Service always top notch here. Nice restaurant onsite and excellent all grass practice area that includes multiple chipping and putting greens. They finally upgraded the carts to GPS, so that is a nice addition recently. Recommended.
Mountain
Rode the Greens (6537/71.3/137) twilight. 80ish,clear and calm. Around a 4H POP.
This Fazio layout is a real conundrum for me to manage now that I have seen it 30+ times. Numerous holes I can now play much better knowing where not to miss. However, ignorance was bliss in that there are also numerous holes I played well early on because I did not realize I was hitting into areas with almost no margin for error and kept getting away with it. Now that I see how much trouble there is and I lay back more, the holes play completely differently.
Tees lush/level with most divots repaired.
Fairways very lush and excellent to play from.
Bermuda rough is thick and can be punitive even a few inches off a fairway or green.
Sand traps very good with plenty of soft white sand. Fairway bunkers firmer, both types well maintained.
Large Bermuda greens roll nice. Firm, smooth and medium fast speed.
Excellent all grass practice area which includes range balls but it is a long way from the pro shop and 1st tee. Customer service very good from all. No Drink cart on weekdays. Nice restaurant on site with good selection/reasonable golf course prices. Carts have now been upgraded to include GPS. Challenging layout with forced carries and many lateral lost ball areas. Recommended.
Canyon
Rode the Greens (6537/71.1/133) in less than 4H with 3 very nice Seniors. 75, breezy and clear.
Fun, challenging and up/down rolling hills Fazio layout that is in excellent shape after fall over seeding.
Tees lush, near immaculate with few unfixed divots.
Fairways lush and excellent to play from.
Rough mostly transitioning Bermuda and is clumpy and can be penal.
Sand excellent. Fine beach sand that the ball frequently sits slightly down in.
Greens are smooth and firm. Medium fast, better not get above many pins here.
Customer Service always top notch here. Nice restaurant onsite and excellent all grass practice area that includes multiple chipping and putting greens. Biggest downside is no GPS on the otherwise nice carts. Recommended.
Mountain
Rode the Greens (6537/71.3/137) twilight. 80ish, partly cloudy and breezy. Less than 4H POP.
Tees mostly lush/level with most divots repaired.
Fairways lush and very nice to play from.
Bermuda rough is thick and can be punitive even a few inches off a fairway or green.
Sand traps very good with plenty of soft white sand. Fairway bunkers firmer, both types well maintained.
Large Bermuda greens roll nice. Firm, smooth and medium speed.
Customer service very good from all. No Drink cart on weekdays. Nice restaurant on site with good selection/reasonable golf course prices. Excellent all grass practice area which includes range balls but it is a long way from the pro shop and 1st tee. Basic carts do not have GPS. Challenging layout with forced carries and many lateral lost ball areas. Recommended.
Canyon
Rode the Greens (6537/71.1/135) in less than 4H with Ken. 80's, clear and calm made for great golf weather. Course is very green and lush after over seeding.
Tees near immaculate with most divots filled in. Mostly level and very lush.
Fairways very nice to play from. Lush and they still play firm.
Rough not high but lush. Many times the balls sinks to the bottom of the over seeded Bermuda.
Sand traps excellent with plenty of good quality sand.
Greens medium speed and firm. Few ball marks due to the firmness and you have to play for roll out here.
Cart and Pro Shop staff always good here. Almost never any on course services, but nice restaurant on site with good service, decent prices and plenty of options No GPS on the carts is about the only negative, but the sprinklers are reasonably well marked. Spread out, challenging layout with a nice practice area. Recommended.
Ventana Canyon
Rode the Greens (6537/71.1/135) in less than 4H with Frank. 85, clear and calm made for nice golfing conditions.
Course has come in nicely after over seeding, green and lush!
Tees lush/level. Near immaculate with most divots filled in.
Fairways lush and very nice to play from, a little longer than their usual tight but still firm.
Rough much better over seeded. Not high but lush.
Sand traps excellent with plenty of good quality sand.
Greens medium speed and firm. Few ball marks due to the firmness and you have to play for roll out here.
No on course services, but nice restaurant on site with plenty of options @ decent prices. Cart and Pro Shop staff always good here. No GPS on the carts is about the only negative, but the sprinklers are reasonably well marked. Challenging layout with a nice practice area. Recommended.
Very nice
Played 10/11. Canyon. Great course and layout. Range closed disappointing and pace of play very slow. No rangers and no beverage cart. Great course, excellent conditions just coming out of over seeding, greens pretty firm and fast. Fun.
Love Playing Ventana Canyon Mountain Course!
Beautiful course, greens rolled fast and true. Will definitely be back to play again!
Mountain
Rode the Greens (6537/71.3/137) early Sunday. Only reached 90 later in the round, muggy but fairly calm. 4H, 10M POP.
Tees mostly lush/level with most divots repaired.
Fairways lush and very nice to play from.
Bermuda rough is thick, the ball will sit down to where you almost have to step on it to see it unless you are right on top of it. Even though it is not ridiculously tall, it is very punitive.
Sand traps very good with plenty of soft white sand. Fairway bunkers firmer, both types well maintained.
Large Bermuda greens were rolling nice after the recent rains. Still firm, smooth and medium speed.
Very enjoyable round made even better when my guest from Colorado almost aced #3, the signature par 3 with the green cut out of the top of a hill surrounded by lost ball territory for a kick in birdie!
Challenging layout with forced carries and many lateral lost ball areas. Customer service very good from all. No Drink cart even on the weekends was a surprise? Nice restaurant on site with good selection/reasonable golf course prices. Excellent all grass practice area which includes range balls but it is a long way from the pro shop and 1st tee. Basic carts do not have GPS. Recommended.
Dbl
Played mountain course, a true pleasure would recommend this facility anytime
Mountain
Rode the Greens (6537/71.3/137) super twilight. Around 100 and fairly calm. POP was as quick as you chose, hardly anyone out.
Tees lush/level with most divots repaired.
Fairways lush and nice to play from.
Bermuda rough green and decent to play from. Thick, the ball will sit down.
Sand traps very good with plenty of soft white sand. Fairway bunkers firmer.
Large Bermuda greens were top dressed but still rolled nice. Smooth, medium speed and firm.
First course Fazio designed west of the Mississippi River in the mid 1980's that will challenge you. Expect forced carries and many lateral lost ball areas. Customer service very good from all. No Drink cart on weekdays in the summer. Nice restaurant on site. Excellent all grass practice area which includes range balls but it is a long way from the pro shop and 1st tee. Basic carts do not have GPS. Recommended.
Average experience
The course was adequate
The starter Ian’s the guys driving the carts were professional
But the people at the water station fell short
We try to get water None was offered and no beverage cart came around the entire 18 holes
Canyon
Rode the Greens late afternoon. Muggy, clear, calm and around 100. Course has really become much more lush after the seasonal Monsoon rains. Several holes on the back have sand piled up around the edge of the rough/desert, courtesy of a couple of flash floods a few weeks ago.
Tees level and nice to play from.
Fairways lush and nice play from.
Bermuda rough maintained low and generally okay to play from with some thick areas. Ball settles in and is punitive.
Sand traps well maintained with good quality, light sand.
Greens smooth and medium speed. Firm, you have to play for some roll out.
Customer service excellent from everyone. Top notch grass driving range included with the golf. Carts do not have GPS. No Drink cart today, and they no longer provide bottled water since the water jugs are filled again. Nice restaurant onsite with decent variety and good prices for a golf course. Recommended.
Charging for parking???
They better review the policy for charging for parking, quite a ridiculous money grab.
Course is best in the Tucson, don’t ruin it for charging for parking.