The resort's premier course, the 18-hole Conquistador is a 6,801-yard par 71 with a rating of 72.7 and a slope of 126. Recently renovated, the course provides an exceptional golf experience for all skill levels. The re-shaped fairways and greens create an exceptionally playable course. The new 419 Tiffway hybrid Bermuda turf allows for better lies on the fairways and Tiff Eagle on the greens produces truer and quicker putts. The new landscaping adjacent to the fairways means the desert rarely comes into play except as a beautiful backdrop for every round. The course offers a variety of short par 5's and long par 4's with dramatic mountain views and elevation changes.
The 5th hole is a 541-yard par 5 with a lake and bunkers protecting the two-tiered green. Two long woods will allow the player an opportunity to get home in two. But a head wind will typically prevail, and hinder most opportunities to eagle the hole. The back 9 includes two par 5's with birdie potential, but heavy bunkering challenges players.
The signature hole is #16, providing memorable views of Pusch Ridge while trying to avoid any of the 16 strategically placed bunkers.
The Cañada Course
The 18-hole Cañada course is a 6,713-yard par 72 with a rating of 72.2 and a slope of 140. The greens were renovated in the summer of 2000, but retains the charm and challenge of high-desert golf popular for over a decade. The natural terrain comes into play as fairways wind through ravines and arroyos. The challenge of this course is in the proper club selection. Many golfers prefer the Cañada course because it demands a good deal of strategy, requiring a player to use every club. There's a lot of variety on Cañada - with considerable mounding, doglegs and elevation changes from the tee to the green. There are many birdie opportunities on the par 4's, but the risk may outweigh the reward for some golfers.
Hole #16 presents special challenges because the 533-yard, par 5 doglegs to the left. A perfect drive may leave the golfer in the position to go for the green on the second shot. But the risk is high because the green is protected by water and by drastic mounding and three huge bunkers behind the green.
The signature hole is the 183-yard 8th hole, considered by many to be the toughest par 3 in Tucson. Players drive uphill along a narrow ridge and aim between two towering Saguaro cacti just 40 yards out from the tee box. The green is surrounded by natural desert that falls into canyons on either side of the green. Both the 4th and 5th holes begin from elevated tee boxes surrounded by cacti, which give the player the opportunity to experience "target golf". Players must hit strong; well-executed tee shots on these par 4's to land the ball in these narrow fairways.
Pusch Ridge Course
The Pusch Ridge course is a nine-hole, 2,788-yard, par-35 with a 65.6 rating and a slope of 110. The course encircles the 428-room resort property. It is considered by some to be the best-kept secret in Arizona golf. Sporting a 175-foot change in elevation from start to finish, this par 35 layout is not to be taken lightly. It makes full use of the ravines and ridges in the mountain desert, as well as indigenous cacti and trees, such as saguaro, ocotillo, mesquite and palo verde. While it may serve as a warm-up for the two championship courses at the El Conquistador Golf Club, Pusch Ridge provides challenging play for all skill levels.
Dramatic elevation changes, small greens and the signature 380-yard 5th hole make for memorable rounds. The 5th hole is a par 4 surrounded by water with a walkway to an island green. The hole is considered one of the most scenic in Tucson and draws a variety of local wildlife, including blue heron and javelinas.
