Kokopelli Golf Course Course Review
Images - Kokopelli Golf Course
Course Review - Kokopelli Golf Course
Kokopelli, built in 1993, is a traditional, links style golf course, featuring
lakes, rolling hills and fountains. There is a premium on approach shots to the
multi-level greens. Kokopelli features impressive contours and mounding,
rolling fairways and fast breaking, severely undulating greens, highlighted by
seven serpentine lakes and exceptional views. In sharp contrast to its flat
surroundings, the radically sculpted layout by Bill Phillips leaves little room
for making errant shots. The risks are tempting, but with so much to get in the
way, it’s usually better to play it safe. The course description even advises
against becoming overconfident, suggesting caution and careful club selection
on every hole. Most of this course's tee boxes and greens are elevated. There
is grass from tee to green, but don’t expect to get many flat lies. Water
hazards and ponds come into play on eleven of the holes. Kokopelli has multiple
island tees and dramatic views that provide players with a great golfing
experience.
Kokopelli has enough doglegs that you may feel like you are in a kennel, but it
is certainly no dog track. Playing from the “tips” will provide a stiff
challenge to low handicap players. The par 3 holes play long. Most of the
trouble is in front of the elevated greens forcing you to carry the greens on a
fly. On most of the water holes, the water goes around the side and, in front
or in back of the green, forcing pin point accuracy on the approach shot.
The signature hole is the long 574 yard, 18 TH hole.
This challenging par 5 is a fantastic finish to a fun round of golf. You can
give it a rip from the elevated tee box. On the next shot water comes into play
on the left side and OB is on the right side. Then, the approach shot is over
water to an elevated green surrounded by a few bunkers and water. If you finish
with a par, you will certainly enjoy the drive back to your room.
Online Yardage Book - Kokopelli Golf Course
Other Information - Kokopelli Golf Course
Practice Facilities: There is a driving range, putting green, chipping green with practice sand traps. Range balls are extra.
19th Hole: The dining area is called the Grill at Kokopelli. There is also a snack bar and a drink cart.
Clubhouse: Their full service pro shop offers golfers a nice selection of golf apparel and is well known for their friendly service.
The Players:
- Designer: Bill Phillips
- General Manager: Jason Jaffrey
- Superintendent: Seth Koch
Golf Lessons: There is a full staff of
PGA professionals on hand to help you improve your game.
Grass type: Green and fairways are Bermuda grass. Rye grass is used during overseeeding in the winter months.
Cart Path Only: No.
Soft spiked shoes allowed: Yes.
Recommended handicap: With four tee boxes, and with grass from the tee boxes to the greens, any level of golfer will enjoy Kokopelli. Playing from the championship tee boxes are exceptionally challenging. Not only does it play longer, but the tee boxes are strategically placed, making it much harder to stay out of trouble on the drive. For example, on some of the water holes, there is a lot of water to carry from the tips, but little or no water to carry from the other tee boxes.
1 -10 Course Rating by Meridian’s Golf Specialists: 6 ½
Comments by Meridian Guests:
- “It is like an oasis in the desert, with lots of water.” “Kokopelli is a fair test of golf.” “The only time I had a flat lie seemed to be when I was on the green, and even a few of my putts were from deeply sloped areas on the green.”
- “We played Kokopelli twice. The first time from the back tees and then we played it from the championship tees. Playing from the tips was extremely difficult. The back tees weren’t nearly as challenging. It was like two different golf courses.”
- “Every drive that missed the fairway left me either in the water or on the side of a mound.”
The Drive: It is only a 30 minute drive from Meridian CondoResorts to Kokopelli in Gilbert. It is also only about 20 minutes from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix.
