General Manager: Ryan Eckroat
Course Superintendent: Arnie Galvez
Course Architect: Gary Panks
18 Holes of Championship Golf
Par 72 – 7282 yards from the tips
Rating /Slope : 74.1/127; 72.1/123; 69.5/121
72.9/125; 69.4/119
For Tee Times: 520.723.1880 or
www.bookthe butte.com
6100 W. Merrill Ranch Parkway
Florence, Arizona  85232
www.postonbuttegc.com

Widespread vistas of Superstition Mountain, the San Tans, and a range of smaller buttes, serve as the backdrop for this fabulous course in Florence, Arizona. A beautiful, wide waterfall marks the entrance, welcoming you to the Anthem community. Managed by Troon Golf, Poston Butte has brilliant green fairways, creating a real oasis in the desert.

If driving from Phoenix, take plenty of water for the road and make sure of your route to arrive with enough time to enjoy the great practice facilities where range balls are included in the price of green fees. You will be amazed at the growth in the east valley. Anthem at Merrill Ranch and the surrounding communities are like a whole new metropolis minus the skyscrapers.

Pyramids marking the holes and tee boxes, reflect the tower shape of an Apache ruin atop a hill in Florence where Charles Poston resurrected a fire temple and called it Poston Butte. Known as the “Father of Arizona” due to his influence on Abraham Lincoln to create the territory of Arizona in 1863, he was buried at the summit.

The front 9 of Poston Butte is wide open to the desert, while the back 9 provides some lucky homeowners the entertaining view of golfers along with magnificent landscapes. On one hole we heard the old, familiar sweet sound of construction that has been missed in the valley for so many months. It clanged with hope for renewed prosperity, developments and maybe an uptick in the economy. 

Hole #3, par 5, 616 yards. A cross breeze makes this an even longer par 5. A huge fairway bunker at the crotch of the dogleg right shouldn’t be a big problem with all the room on the left, but use caution as some balls are naturally drawn to it. Approach the green from the right to escape the beach guarding the front left. Check out the pin placement to maneuver the steep hill in the green.

Hole #5, par 4, 354 yards. This is a shorter version of number 3 with regards to the dogleg and fairway bunker placement. Avoid this one at all costs. It is huge with an unusual geometric shape. The green has 2 tiers with a severe slope back to front. A bunker behind vacuums in any long shot balls and makes the pop out difficult without rolling back down and off the green – unfortunately, the voice of experience on this one. 

Hole #10, par 4, 466 yards. Grab what you need on the turn and behold your first water hazard on the left side of 10. Across the shore is a very impressive and elegant community center of Anthem, in full swing with soft music at the pool.  Ensure a narrow approach from center left or you must fly over the greenside bunkers in front right to position a successful putt.

Hole #17, par3, 169 yards. You’ve got to love the challenge of an island green. It almost makes you giddy to look at it. Don’t go right and don’t go left. Don’t leave it short and don’t go long. Anything but a nice target iron will be swimming. Tromp across the wooden bridge to sink your birdie or make your par as the ducks watch in amusement.

Unique to a desert course, all the fairways are framed by extensive red gravel with natural desert foliage making the lies easier when you miss the fairway and thereby extending the acceptable target areas. We found most pin placements to be strategically challenging and maybe sadistic on a couple holes, adding to the fun and leveling the playing field. Our friend Freeman, maker of 45 hole-in-ones agreed but still amazed us by his accuracy to the pin.

The Greenside Café offers drink specials, sandwiches or salads and efficient service in a lovely patio setting. Watch players on the ample practice range and green with the majestic mountains all around. A full service restaurant with upscale amenities is planned for the future. Visit their website for a fly over course tour, specials and more. Discount tee times are available at www.bookthebutte.com.

While we wouldn’t want to commute every day for work, the great golf is well worth the drive. It was a beautiful day at Poston Butte.