La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 9th
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La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 9th
Mountains, elevated tee shots and flawless conditions are all part of the experience at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 1st
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La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 1st
The first hole on La Paloma's Canyon Course is a 454-yard par 4. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 2nd
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La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 2nd
The second hole on the Canyon Course at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson is a good risk-reward par 5. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 3rd
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La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 3rd
The third on the Canyon Course is one of several picturesque par 3s at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 7th
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La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 7th
One of the best views at La Paloma Country Club is from the seventh tee on the Canyon golf course. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 9th
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La Paloma C.C. - Canyon golf course - 9th
One of the tougher greens at La Paloma Country Club can be found on the ninth green on the Canyon Course. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Ridge golf course - 3rd
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La Paloma C.C. - Ridge golf course - 3rd
The third hole on the Ridge Course at La Paloma Country Club is another reachable par 5. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Ridge golf course - 4th
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La Paloma C.C. - Ridge golf course - 4th
You can't miss left on the par-3 fourth on the Ridge Course at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Ridge golf course - 6th
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La Paloma C.C. - Ridge golf course - 6th
The no. 1 handicap hole on the Ridge Course at La Paloma Country Club is the 459-yard, par-4 sixth. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
La Paloma C.C. - Ridge golf course - 8th
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La Paloma C.C. - Ridge golf course - 8th
Don't hit it through the dogleg on the par-4 eighth hole on the Ridge Course at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Arizona. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
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La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Arizona: A tough desert golf beauty

TUCSON, Ariz. -- One of Jack Nicklaus' early designs, 27-hole La Paloma Country Club, is also one of his best.

Operated by Troon Golf and open to guests at the newly renovated Westin La Paloma, the golf course is one of the best conditioned and most scenic in southern Arizona. With plenty of elevated tees and mountain views throughout, the scenery never stops. And although the fairways are ample, if you miss them, you're in the desert with very little chance of recovery. The greens are also challenging with plenty of undulation. Your best bet is to stay below the hole.

Here, then, is a look at the most popular combination at La Paloma C.C. -- the Ridge and Canyon Courses.

Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Arizona: A tough desert golf beauty