TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course: Inside the Coliseum and the Desert Challenge
TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course is the desert stage for the WM Phoenix Open, with the famous Coliseum 16th and year-round visitor golf.
TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course is the desert stage for the WM Phoenix Open, with the famous Coliseum 16th and year-round visitor golf.
A stadium course created for the Phoenix Open
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The Stadium Course began construction in 1986 and was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish to give spectators clear views of tournament play. It became the home of the WM Phoenix Open, one of the most recognisable stops on the PGA TOUR calendar. The layout was renovated in 2014, while retaining the features that made it a distinctive tournament venue.
The course sits in the Sonoran Desert, with the McDowell Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. Its playing corridors combine broad desert views with carefully placed bunkers, defined landing areas and greens that reward control. It is a course that can look generous from the tee but still ask a player to make a precise second shot.
The 16th: The Coliseum is a golf experience unlike any other
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The par-3 16th becomes “The Coliseum” during the tournament, when temporary grandstands surround the green and spectators create one of the loudest settings in professional golf. Outside tournament week, the hole is still part of the regular course and offers a very different atmosphere: a focused tee shot over a carefully framed target, without the stadium crowd.
For visitors, the key is to play the hole as a golf shot rather than a stage performance. Check the wind, choose a club that covers the full carry and commit to a balanced swing. The crowd may be absent on an ordinary day, but the green still asks for accuracy.
The Coliseum is the headline — strategy is the real test
The 16th hole is unforgettable during tournament week, but the Stadium Course is a complete par-71 test. Accuracy, angle and sensible tee selection matter on every hole.
The rest of the round deserves equal attention
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The 17th and 18th holes provide their own tournament tension, while earlier holes ask players to manage desert waste areas and place the ball on the correct side of the fairway. The course rewards a strong plan more than a string of maximum-effort drives. Choose the tee that suits your game and aim for the angle that makes the next shot manageable.
The Stadium Course forms part of a 36-hole facility at TPC Scottsdale, with the separate Champions Course offering another style of desert golf. A visitor who has time for more than one round can experience two different course identities in the same destination.
Book outside tournament week for the full course experience
TPC Scottsdale publishes visitor tee-time options for the Stadium Course during the weeks when the tournament is not using the venue. Check the official booking calendar for event closures, seasonal rates and the tee-time conditions that apply to your date.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Who designed TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course?
Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed the Stadium Course, which began construction in 1986.
What is The Coliseum at TPC Scottsdale?
It is the tournament configuration of the par-3 16th hole, surrounded by temporary grandstands during the WM Phoenix Open.
Is the Stadium Course open to visitors?
Yes. Visitors can book during the weeks when the tournament is not using the venue, subject to availability.
Was the Stadium Course renovated?
Yes. TPC Scottsdale’s official course page notes a renovation in 2014.
