The Duke at Rancho El Dorado

You've got to have a spirit of adventure to play some of the newest courses being built in the Phoenix area these days, like The Duke at Rancho El Dorado.

The Duke is a long course - 7,011 yards from the back tees and 5,136 yards from the forward tees. It's also tough and challenging, with uphill approaches to most greens. These situations call for using a longer or bigger club than usual.

Designed by David B. Druzisky, the course's character shines on two holes in particular, the 12th and 13th, because of their dynamic bunker placement and sandy waste areas reminiscent of Pine Valley.

The par 3s seem to be one of the real strengths of this course. The par-3 fifth hole (177 from the back tees and 104 from the forward) is the most photogenic hole at the Duke. It requires a shot to an island green ringed with palm trees. From the back tees, set at 177 yards, you need to carry 120 to 140 yards to get over the water.