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
Nice Fazio course
Well maintained. Great resort course. Would definitely reccomend.
Stacking them deep
It took 90 minutes to play the first 3 holes because of the amount if golfers scheduled on the 8am shotgun start.
The pace quicked and it turned out to be a very relaxing round.
Nice facility, bad experience.
I brought two business associates and came as a threesome but was paired with a club member that treated us with extreme rudeness to the extent that it ruined our experience. Their golf etiquette was a big zero and management could see nothing wrong with this. Complained to the director of golf who did nothing to correct the situation.
I will never go back there again.
wonderful experience
Well maintained facility....very knowledgeable staff...visually magnificent. ..exceptional conditions. ...very fair test from the tips....great course for all levels as different tees allow lesser players to avoid significant carry overs yet still experience the design layout and not feel cheated in the process. Greens are very undulating allowing for multiple precarious pin placements. Fairways are generous except for short and driveable par 4s.
Total package for any golfer
Outstanding facility for the golfer. Practice range is very good, friendly starter, very decent pace of play.
Course is just beautiful. Tee shots are challenging but fair, approach shots are more challenging, bunkers are perfectly kept, greens must be read according to grain. Greens are perfectly kept. I played from the Gold tees at 6400 Yards, would like to have played the 6800 yard tees but my pairing were not interested. Nevertheless the Canyon course will show you desert golf at a high level.
Strange Layout
Of the two Ventana Canyon courses I much prefer the Mountain Course. The Canyon has plenty of interesting holes including two par 4s even I was able to reach off the tee. I found the travel from green to tee quite distracting. The course conditions were spectacular. The fairways were lush, the greens firm, but fair and putted true. For the money, I would rather play the Mountain Course.
Ventana Canyon Mountain Course
Best course in Tucson. Great condition, excellent greens. Sand traps could use a little work, but who's complaining. Try the hot dogs at the turn. Straight off the grill. Good value.
Ventana Canyon in the Wind
Windy round made some holes very difficult. Pretty course- would like to play it again.
Pace of play spoils
My wife and I come to Tucson every February and March and have played this course a number of times. It is always in excellent condition and the scenery is wonderful. The frequent waiting between shots and considerable distance between holes makes for too long a round. So unless one can keep occupied with the views it can be annoying.
If time is limited and one wants to play Ventana, then the Mountain course would be the better choice
Ventana Experience
The course is excellent, but the pace of play can be challenging as we got behind some seniors playing at a 5 hour plus pace. UGH!!!!!
Great day in the canyon.
Excellent service, great course stay on the green grass.
Great Trip
A great trip through thick desert terrain. In canyons and arroyos, the fairways were lush, the greens were nice. Water features were a nice surprise.
Ventana canyon golf. Great experience!
First time playing the canyon course. Beautiful! Course did not have our golf now reservation, but honored the tee time anyway. Shorter back 9, but impeccable greens, fairways, and tee boxes. Great vacation destination.
Outstanding golf course
Well manicured, beautiful views. Outstanding value.
Worth The Play!
Facilities and staff were excellent and we really felt Welcomed.
favorite course so far in Tucson area
Beautiful course and scenery. Fun to play and forgiving enough so a 14 handicapper can be challenged but have a great time! Got a nice price through golfnow. Probably more convenient for resort guests as drive up players had a bit of a walk to and from the starting point, although staff was good about picking up and returning clubs to vehicle. Played Canyon course several years ago and enjoyed both Canyon and Mountain courses equally.
Beautiful course
This course was great. I am from out of town, and this was my first Tucson area course. I figured I would start at the top of my dream list and work my way down. I was paired with a member, so the experience was that much better. The greens were fast with crazy breaks that were tough to read. The starter said everything breaks away from the mountain, and that is exactly what happened, regardless of any other optical illusions. The course was fairly forgiving except for very poor shots. Yes, I donated quite a few balls to the desert landscape. The course was immaculate and I couldn't even make a ball mark with a full swing sand wedge. Most of the fairways have a funnel setup, which is handy for a high handicapper like me. My only criticism is that my rental set had stiff shafts on the irons and a regular flex driver, so I hit a lot of ballooned drives. Obviously when I slowed down my swing speed, the ball would take a more normal path, but I would lose a lot of distance for a club that is known to hit fairly long. The sand wedge was the only club in the bag with a steel shaft, so that was a little weird too. The rentals were Callaway Hot X. The long day on the course was mostly due to the long drives between green to tee. I felt like my group had a decent pace of play, and we hardly ever had to wait on the group in front of us. A normal round for me going single without waiting on anybody is around 2 hours.
Try it you'll like it
Loved the course. Every hole was scenic w very green well kept fairways. We played in 4 1/2 hours and felt like we had the course to ourselves. Practice area is 1 mile from checkin and return signage is poor. Getting to pro shop is also not well marked from parking lot.
Slow----but good
The staff was nice and the course was in good shape. The pace of play was unacceptable and the Marshall's and pro shop did nothing to speed up play. Disappointing.