Desert Forest Golf Club Top 100 Review

Desert Forest Golf Club, located in Carefree, Arizona, is a pioneering desert-style golf course designed by Red Lawrence and opened in 1962. The course is widely recognized as the first desert links course ever built, transforming golf course design in the American Southwest.

The course exemplifies authentic desert golf design, built with respect for natural terrain and native ground contours rather than imposing artificial alterations. This approach established the template for desert courses that followed for decades.

Desert Forest is characterized by its beauty, character, and authenticity, emphasizing simplicity and pure golf. The club maintains a strong commitment to preserving its rich traditions and heritage while contributing to the broader golf community through initiatives like its youth caddie program, which provides exposure and opportunity to aspiring golfers.

The club operates as a private membership facility dedicated to the fundamentals of the game, positioned as a destination for golfers who appreciate classical course design and traditional golf values. Its historical significance and innovative approach to desert golf make it a notable institution in American golf history.