That’s me at the raucous par-3 16th at TPC Scottsdale during the 2012 WM Phoenix Open—probably half the size it is today!

One of my favourite golf destinations in the U.S. is Scottsdale. There are more than 200 courses in this sun-baked region (and probably as many of my golf balls embedded in cacti alongside their fairways).  Below are my top five SMALL WONDERS — Scottsdale’s Best Par 3s.

Even if you’ve never been to Scottsdale, you’re likely familiar with one hole—the par-3 16th at the TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. AKA “The Thunderdome” during the WM Phoenix Open, it’s more akin to the Roman Coliseum than a traditional Tour stop once its stadium seating is erected and packed with enthusiastic golf fans in varying states of inebriation. From hacker to Tiger, everyone looks forward to playing this iconic hole.

But the best par-3 at the Stadium Course is actually No. 12. Stretching just over 192 yards to the centre of the green, its putting surface is long and narrow, with bunkers left and water to the rear and right, leaving players little room for error. You may not have 20,000 fans breathing down your neck, ready to boo you for an errant shot, but a par is always worthy of applause.

With lots of info from Commlinks’ Jerry Rose, who I’ve accompanied on many a media junket, here’s a look at four other one-shot wonders in the area.

No. 16, Troon North, Monument Course
Both courses at Troon North GC are celebrated for their challenge and raw beauty. The 16th hole on the Monument Course puts these attributes on full display. From a dramatically elevated tee box with Troon North’s iconic boulders just a topped shot away, players are treated to sweeping westward views of the valley below. It measures 244 yards from the tips, but tends to play at least one to two clubs shorter. The shot appears daunting, but there’s more room than it appears for slight misses. This hole is especially striking late in the day with the sun sinking low and the Arizona sky ablaze.

No. 17, Grayhawk GC, Talon Course
Not all of Scottsdale’s great par-3s are long. With a nod to No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass, the 17th on Grayhawk Golf Club’s Talon Course measures just 126 yards from the rear tees—a simple wedge for most players. But getting the ball close and even keeping it on this island green can give players fits. The putting surface has subtle crowning and artful contours that deftly deflect all but the most purely struck shots. And it your tee shot is slightly wayward, well suck it up, buttercup—it’s called Devil’s Drink for a reason!

No. 17, SunRidge Canyon GC
The 17th Hole at SunRidge Canyon Golf Club is part of The Wicked Six—the club’s daunting finishing holes some consider to be the toughest in Arizona. Play alternates between its two sets of tees, giving the hole a completely different personality depending on the day it’s played. From the “long tees,” the hole measures 209 yards, requiring players to carry a box canyon to a mid-sized green with a bunker right. The “short tees” call for an elevated tee shot of up to 152 yards into a small green with the bunker left. Add in the varying winds, and this challenging hole can drive you nuts.

No. 15, We-Ko-Pa, Saguaro Course
Rounding out this fivesome is the 15th hole on We-Ko-Pa GC’s celebrated Saguaro Course. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, this may be one of Scottsdale’s most scenic and most challenging. The hole stretches 255 from the back tees to the belly of its massive green. Panoramic views of the Mazatazal Mountains form the backdrop, with the rugged Sonoran Desert hugging the left side—and it’s all bad news over there. The right is more accommodating with a generous bailout area. Typically, the hole plays firm and fast, giving players more roll than expected, with shots tending to break left once on the green. There’s a premium on a player’s short game and creativity here.

If things get really ugly here, take comfort in the fact that you’re less than an hour away from the some pretty decent tequila at the Saguaro Grille.