The Rim Golf Club

The Rim is finally open to public play, it had been private since it's opening, but due to the recession, and the development not taking off, they've opened it up. We had our first chance to play the course last week, and while it's a hike up from Phoenix, we'll be back a couple of times a year. It's on the east side of Payson, off Rt 260, routed through the Tonto National Forest. From the back tees the course can play to 7,115-yards, par-71, 73.4/139 ratings, we played it from the middle tees at 6,650 yards. The course is routed through the forest with major elevation changes with boulders and rock outcroppings lining the fairways with stunning views of the Mogollon Rim – a mountain plateau that extends for 200 miles. It was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish in the early 1990's, Five of the par 4s measure 450 yards or longer. Two par 5s that stretch beyond 575 yards, and a lot of them are uphill, so it's all you need in a challenge. There's also a nice blend of shorter holes where all you need is a driver and a short iron. Our favorite hole, maybe the most scenic was the par-3 eighth hole, guarded by a lake to the left of the green, playing 225 yards the day we played. The first time around this course, you're a bit awe struck with the setting and the first class facilities, and the layout is not all that straightforward. Excellent conditioning, rates were $120 at peak, but they have lower rates later in the day. A must play while it's still public.