Starr Pass (Rattler & Roadrunner)

The Marriott Resort at the foot of the Tucson Mountains is quite elaborate, featuring numerous pools and a lazy river. We suggest you take advantage of these options, because of the south Arizona heat, but naturally we assume you will have played the resort’s 27 holes of golf first.

The Roadrunner and Rattler nines are the championship course at Starr Pass, originally designed by Bob Cupp and later renovated by Arnold Palmer (who also added the extra Coyote nine). One other nice detail at this family resort is that kids play free...but one must consider whether taking them on the course is truly good parenting. During the course’s hosting of the Tucson Open between 1986 and 1997, two of the holes on the Rattler route played among the hardest on tour.

No. 3 is a long par four featuring carries across a deep arroyo both from the tee and to the angled green. No. 5 is a par five with two fairways to consider approaching from with one’s third shot: The angle is better but the distance longer from the left route, while the forced carry from the right will make one doubt whether the shorter distance is worth it.