5 Reasons Fountain Hills Disc Golf Course Is The Must-Play Destination Of 2025
Fountain Hills Disc Golf Course, a legendary stop on the professional circuit and a bucket-list course for enthusiasts, is officially the most talked-about destination as of December 24, 2025.
The buzz is centered around significant course upgrades and its confirmed role as the host for major 2025 tournaments, cementing its status as a championship-caliber venue. Located in the picturesque Fountain Park, this 18-hole track is famous worldwide for its stunning backdrop—the world's 7th tallest fountain—and its high-stakes water hazards, which demand both precision and power from every player.
The 2025 Championship Calendar and Course Upgrades
The Fountain Hills Disc Golf Course is not just a recreational park; it is a proving ground for the world's elite. The 2025 season is packed with high-profile events, drawing global attention to this Arizona gem.
The most prominent event is the annual Memorial Championship presented by Discraft, which kicked off the professional year in January 2025. This tournament utilizes the Fountain Park course alongside the challenging Vista Del Camino Park in Scottsdale, showcasing a diverse range of desert golf styles.
Capping the year, the course will also host the Desert Oasis Open presented by Innova, a PDGA-sanctioned Pro/Am B-Tier event scheduled for late December 2025. These back-to-back high-stakes events confirm the course’s demanding nature and its importance to the professional disc golf community.
Fresh Upgrades for the 2025 Season
To maintain its championship status and enhance the player experience, the Fountain Hills Disc Golf Club has overseen recent course updates. The latest improvements include new teepads and pins, providing a fresh challenge even for seasoned locals.
Players will find top-of-the-line amenities, including 25 Mach X baskets and new round cement tee pads, which ensure a consistent and high-quality launch point for every drive. The course, originally designed by legends like Van Miller, Mike Hughes, and Dan Ginnelly, continues to evolve while honoring its classic, wide-open layout.
The official championship layout for the Women’s division during the Memorial Championship was recorded at 18 holes, Par 57, covering a distance of 6,535 feet, highlighting the significant length required for competitive play.
Navigating the Iconic Water Hazards: Holes 1, 12, and the Fountain
The defining feature of the Fountain Hills course is the massive man-made lake that surrounds the park’s centerpiece—the towering fountain. This lake is both a breathtaking backdrop and a constant, disc-losing threat.
The course is renowned for its high-risk, high-reward "water carry" shots. Unlike many wooded courses, the challenge here comes from elevation changes, rolling hills, and, most critically, the presence of water on numerous holes.
The Infamous Water Carry Shots
The opening holes immediately set the tone, with Hole 1 demanding a 384-foot water carry for many players. This early challenge tests a player’s nerve and their ability to execute a clean, powerful drive over the lake.
Another notorious spot is Hole 12. This signature par 3 is a challenging 402-foot hole that requires extreme accuracy. The tee is positioned to force a straight line to the basket, with the water lurking, ready to claim any errant shot.
For right-hand backhand (RHBH) throwers, the main layout features at least three significant water carry tee shots, making disc selection and wind reading absolutely crucial. The sheer number of holes that play around the man-made lake means a successful round requires avoiding the 'water penalty' and saving your discs from a watery grave.
Essential Gear and Strategy for Arizona Disc Golf
Playing the Fountain Hills course requires a specific strategy tailored to its open, park-style layout and the unique environmental factors of Arizona disc golf. It’s not a heavily wooded course, but the wind, sun, and water make for an intense round.
The Discs You Need to Conquer the Hills
To tackle the signature long water carries and open fairways, players often rely on high-speed, overstable distance drivers. For instance, the Discraft Z Nuke is frequently mentioned as the preferred choice for a good drive on the long par 3s. You need a disc that can handle the power and fight the desert wind, which can be unpredictable.
Given the risk of losing plastic to the lake, bringing a few 'sacrificial' or less-favored discs for the water holes is a common piece of advice. The risk of a "disc-losing challenge" is real, especially for those new to the course.
Strategic Keys to a Low Score
The key to scoring well at Fountain Hills is maximizing distance on the open holes while maintaining absolute control near the water. The course rewards big arms, but punishes inaccuracy. Players must master the hyzer and anhyzer lines to navigate the subtle rolling hills and scattered trees that provide the only other obstacles besides the lake.
The course's well-maintained condition, featuring top-of-the-line baskets and clear color tee signs, means players can focus purely on execution. Whether you are a local or a visitor from metro PHX, the combination of a beautiful park setting and a demanding, championship-level design makes Fountain Hills a truly unique and essential stop on any disc golfer's journey.
From the Memorial Championship drama to the ongoing course improvements, Fountain Hills remains a vibrant and challenging icon of the sport. The 2025 season promises to further solidify its legacy as one of the greatest disc golf courses in the world.
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