Desert Forest Golf Club, Golf course in Carefree, United States
Desert Forest Golf Club is a private golf facility in the desert with 18 holes spread across 7011 yards of natural terrain. The design uses bent grass greens and Bermuda grass fairways while leaving native vegetation between holes, and features six dogleg fairways without sand bunkers.
Red Lawrence founded this facility in 1962 as one of the first desert golf courses that preserved the natural landscape with minimal alterations. The concept set a new standard for golf design that adapted to the existing terrain rather than transforming it.
The club reflects a philosophy of living alongside the desert landscape, with the course design preserving natural vegetation and inviting players to move through their surroundings rather than against them. Visitors experience a golf facility that consciously fits within the existing environment.
The course is a private facility with memberships offering access to practice areas including a driving range, putting green, and chipping zone. Golf carts and equipment are available for members, and the public cannot visit the course.
The course intentionally avoids sand bunkers, instead challenging players to navigate through the native desert vegetation surrounding each hole. This approach makes each shot unpredictable and requires a deeper understanding of the natural terrain.
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