You’ve heard of golf in Scottsdale before and know of its reputation as a mecca for golfers worldwide, but what are the best golf courses in the Scottsdale, AZ area?
Knowing where to play is just as important as who you play with on a trip, so you might as well go with the best.
These golf properties have been listed to make your next golf trip enjoyable and hassle-free. Many have more than 18 holes onsite so that you can play more than one round in a day.
No need to worry about the weather here as Scottsdale has some of the most temperate climates in the whole country. So round up your foursome and sift through this list to plan your next golf getaway to one of America’s most notorious golf locations; Scottsdale, Arizona.
Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ, is a world-renowned golf facility that stands out from the competition in many ways. Troon North offers two championship golf courses–Monument and Pinnacle–that are considered some of the best in the area.
Monument is a classic desert course known for its majestic views and challenging layout, while Pinnacle is a more modern, links-style course that features deep bunkers and rolling fairways. Both courses have hosted numerous professional tournaments and are consistently rated as some of the best in the Southwest.
Troon North is also home to a massive practice facility that includes an expansive driving range, a short game area, and two putting greens. The practice facility is designed to help golfers of all levels make the most of their game by providing various practice options.
Finally, Troon North is known for its excellent customer service and commitment to providing a great golf experience. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to help golfers with whatever they need.
2. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club – Best for Views
Designer: Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
Courses on Property: Cholla and Saguaro
Price: ????
Why You Should Play Here: If you want to feel like you’re in the middle of the desert, far from civilization, then take a trip here.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is a 36-hole golf facility set in the open spaces of the Sonoran Desert and offers golfers a unique and unforgettable experience.
The courses are designed with challenging yet enjoyable holes that golfers of all skill levels can enjoy. Not only is the course challenging, but it also has some of the best views of the desert scenery in the area. The elevation changes of the course make it even more exciting and offer a different perspective than many other golf facilities in the area.
The course also has a variety of bunkers and water hazards that add to the challenge. The bunkers are strategically placed throughout the course to make the game more interesting.
The club is also home to the We-Ko-Pa Challenge, a unique two-day, two-course tournament that has attracted some top golfers worldwide. This tournament is a great way for golfers to test their skills and compete against each other in a unique and exciting setting.
Overall, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club offers golfers a unique and memorable experience that can’t be found at other golf facilities in Scottsdale, AZ.
3. TPC Scottsdale – Best for Tour Fans
Designer: Tom Weiskopf and Gary Player
Courses on Property: Stadium and Champions
Price: ?????
Why You Should Play Here: Feel like a pro and imagine 15,000 screaming fans surrounding you while you’re standing on the 16th tee at the Waste Management Open.
TPC Scottsdale is a championship golf course in Scottsdale, Arizona, home to the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open and is widely considered one of the world’s most spectacular courses. It features two 18-hole courses, the Stadium Course and the Champions Course.
The Stadium Course is the most renowned of the two courses and is known for its crowd-pleasing finishing holes, where huge galleries line the fairways, making it one of the most exciting places to watch golf on the PGA Tour. This course features wide and forgiving fairways, large undulating greens, and deep bunkers, making golf a challenging and rewarding round.
The Champions Course, designed by Gary Player, is a more traditional layout than the Stadium Course and is a great test of golf for all levels of players. The Champions Course is shorter than the Stadium Course and features tight fairways, undulating greens, and deep bunkers. The Champions Course is an excellent choice for those looking for a more relaxed round of golf without the pressure of the PGA Tour.
What makes TPC Scottsdale one of the top golf courses in Scottsdale is the unique combination of two championship courses, the Waste Management Phoenix Open atmosphere, and the overall quality of the courses and facilities.
4. Grayhawk Golf Club
Designer: Tom Fazio and David Graham
Courses on Property: Talon, Raptor, and Hawk’s Nest
Price: ?????
Why You Should Play Here: If it’s a challenge you seek, make a couple of tee times here to challenge yourself more than some of the other courses on this list.
Grayhawk Golf Club offers two championship golf courses, Raptor and Talon, and a 9-hole short course, Hawk’s Nest. With two pro shops, a full-service restaurant and bar, and two practice areas, Grayhawk has something for everyone.
The Raptor course is known for its challenging layout and breathtaking views. It’s not only one of Scottsdale’s top-ranked golf courses. It has been ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the United States.
The Talon course is a classic design with rolling fairways and water features. Both courses offer traditional golf amenities such as cart paths, a driving range, and practice greens.
What sets Grayhawk Golf Club apart from other golf facilities in Scottsdale is its combination of championship courses, practice areas, and instruction. The two championship courses, Raptor and Talon, offer a unique and challenging golf experience.
The practice areas, including a driving range, chipping green and putting green, provide the opportunity to hone your game. The club also offers a variety of golf instruction programs to improve your skills. Finally, the clubhouse provides a comfortable environment where you can relax before, during, and after your round.
5. Quintero Golf Club
Designer: Rees Jones
Courses on Property: N/A
Price: ???
Why You Should Play Here: For a top-tier golf course, the prices are surprisingly attractive as you can find a deal here, especially if you visit in the off-season. Locals also receive a hefty discount.
Quintero Golf Club in Scottsdale is a premier golf facility that offers a variety of unique features and amenities.
One of the unique features of Quintero Golf Club is its GPS-equipped golf carts. The carts are equipped with a rangefinder, course layout, and a GPS-based yardage system to ensure that players have the most accurate yardage information available. The carts also feature a full-service beverage cart, so players can enjoy beverages while playing the course.
Quintero Golf Club also offers a variety of practice and instructional services. The club has a dedicated practice area with a double-sided driving range, a practice green, and a separate chipping and putting green.
Lastly, Quintero Golf Club has a variety of dining and social options. The club has a restaurant and bar, a grille room, a patio and pool area, and a lounge area. The club also hosts various events throughout the year, such as the Quintero Golf Club Pro-Am, an annual tournament featuring golfers worldwide.
6. Talking Stick Golf Club
Designer: Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
Courses on Property: O’odham (formerly north) and Piipaash (formerly south)
Price: ????
Why You Should Play Here: Walking a desert course is a tall order, but if the weather is agreeable, break out your push cart and enjoy a good walk spoiled on this track.
Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale is one of the most unique golf courses in the area. It is a two-course facility, with two 18-hole championship courses designed by renowned golf course architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
The O’odham course is a links-style course with wide fairways and large greens, while the Piipaash course is a traditional parkland-style course with tight fairways and small greens. Both courses have been rated as four-star golf courses by Golf Digest.
One of the unique features of Talking Stick Golf Club is its panoramic views. The Sonoran Desert, the beautiful McDowell Mountains, and the city of Scottsdale surround the golf course. The views from the golf course make it an enjoyable experience for all players.
Another unique feature is the use of native plants throughout the golf course. Native plants provide a natural habitat for wildlife and help to protect the water supply. They also give the courses a unique look and feel, making them stand out from other courses in the area.
Finally, Talking Stick Golf Club is home to some of the most impressive green complexes in the area. The greens have undulating surfaces and multiple tiers, making them challenging to hit and putt. The greens also feature several bunkers, water hazards, and large mounds, adding to the challenge.
7. The Boulders Golf Club
Designer: Jay Morrish
Courses on Property: North and South
Price: ?????
Why You Should Play Here: it’s not called “The Boulders” for nothing, as the integrated rock formation into the course design reminds us that they were here before us and will be here long after we’re gone.
The Boulders Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, is one of the great golf courses in Scottsdale, a one-of-a-kind golfing experience. As an Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary, the course is uniquely designed to protect and preserve the natural elements of its stunning desert landscape.
One of the unique features of The Boulders Golf Club is its 12th hole. At 209 yards, it’s the longest par 3 in Arizona and is set against a backdrop of enormous granite boulders. These rocks provide an incredible challenge and a stunning view.
One of Arizona’s most picturesque par 5s is the 5th hole, running 565 yards. It’s set along the foothills of the Sonoran Desert, offering breathtaking views and a demanding challenge. If that’s not enough, the 13th hole is a 443-yard dogleg left that requires precision and accuracy.
The Boulders Golf Club is also home to some of the most challenging bunkers in the state. These bunkers are strategically placed throughout the course to offer players a true test of their golfing skills.
8. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Designer: Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc. and Fred Couples
Courses on Property: N/A
Price: ???
Why You Should Play Here: It’s located on Indian land in Maricopa County, which gives you the feeling of standing on hallowed ground far away from the pressures of the Western world.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club offers a different aesthetic and layout than other golf facilities in Scottsdale. The course is located on the edge of the Sonoran Desert, giving golfers a unique desert golf experience with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
This course has hosted several prestigious tournaments, including the Arizona Open, the Symetra Tour, and the PGA Tour Qualifying School. This has allowed golfers to play on the same grounds as some of the best golfers in the world.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club also has a unique water feature rare in desert golf. The course has six lakes and one waterfall, which come into play on several holes. This adds a unique element to the course and allows golfers to experience the beauty of water hazards while in the middle of the Sonoran desert.
9. Sunridge Canyon Golf Club
Designer: Keith Foster
Courses on Property: N/A
Price: ????
Why You Should Play Here: If you get tired of desert and sand, then play here to add some water features to your golf trip. Be sure you have enough golf balls, though.
One of the main features that make Sunridge Canyon Golf Club different from other courses in Scottsdale is the dramatic elevation changes that take place throughout the golf course.
It’s situated on the side of a mountain, with tee boxes and greens at different elevations. This gives golfers an exciting challenge, as they must adjust to the elevation changes to make the right shots.
Another unique feature of Sunridge Canyon Golf Club is its use of natural features. The course is lined with various trees, cacti, and other vegetation, creating a beautiful, natural setting. This also adds to the challenge of the course, as golfers must be careful to avoid hitting these obstacles.
Finally, Sunridge Canyon Golf Club is unique in its use of water hazards. The course has several water hazards, including a lake that comes into play on the 18th hole. This makes for a great finishing hole, as golfers must be careful not to hit their shots into the water to make par.
10. Whirlwind Golf Club
Designer: Gary Panks
Courses on Property: Devil’s Claw and Cattail
Price: ???
Why You Should Play Here: Sick of slow rounds, WGC has a special system already in place that speeds up play for those who want to spend more time golfing and less time chatting on tee boxes.
The course features several distinct characteristics that set it apart from the others in the area. It has several signature holes, including the Par-5 8th hole, which features an elevated tee shot to a split fairway and an island green. The Par 3, 16th hole is also a signature hole, featuring a daunting tee shot over a lake to an elevated green guarded by bunkers.
The Whirlwind Golf Club is one of few courses with a unique timing system. This ensures that each group of players has the same amount of time on each hole. This system helps reduce the time spent on the course, making it more enjoyable for all players.
The course is also known for its challenging design and stunning desert landscape. This includes a unique combination of tight fairways, deep bunkers, and well-protected greens. The course also has several elevation changes and hazards that make the game more difficult and rewarding.
By offering a unique desert landscape, challenging design, signature holes, and a unique timing system, the Whirlwind Golf Club offers a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in Scottsdale, AZ.
11. McDowell Mountain Golf Club
Designer: Randy Heckenkemper
Courses on Property: N/A
Price: ??
Why You Should Play Here: If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, play here multiple times. With a simple change in tee decks and hole placements, it will be a long time before this course becomes mundane.
The McDowell Mountain Golf Club course in Scottsdale is unique in several ways. Firstly, the course is known for its undulating terrain and elevation changes, making it challenging for all skill levels.
The course has several natural water hazards, including a large lake on the back nine. This lake provides a picturesque backdrop for players and a risk-reward element to the game. The course also features several bunkers that have been strategically placed to add difficulty to the game.
Additionally, McDowell Mountain Golf Club has several signature holes that distinguish it from other golf courses in the area. The fourth hole is a par 3 that plays over a ravine and requires a precise shot to make it to the green. The 15th hole is a par 5 that requires two shots over a lake to reach the green. The 18th hole is a par 4 that requires a precise tee shot to make it to the green.
These unique elements make McDowell Mountain Golf Club one of the most enjoyable and challenging courses to play in the Scottsdale area.
12. Kierland Golf Course
Designer: Scott Miller
Courses on Property: Acacia, Mesquite, and Ironwood (9 holes each)
Price: ????
Why You Should Play Here: If 36 holes are too much, but 18 is not enough, this is the perfect club for you, with 27 unique holes that will fill a day no matter what time of year it is.
The Kierland Golf Course offers a unique blend of desert and traditional golfing, making it a great choice for all golf tastes. The course layout is unique because it’s divided into two distinct sections. The front nine is set in the desert, with its arid landscape and wide fairways framed by cacti and boulders, while the back nine offers the classic golf course look with lush green grass and towering trees.
The Kierland Golf Course also features a unique aspect not found on many other courses in the area—a natural lake! It’s nestled in the center of the course, giving golfers a unique challenge as they navigate around its banks.
One of the unique features of the Kierland Golf Course is its use of reclaimed water. The course uses reclaimed water from a nearby wastewater treatment plant to water the course, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly option for golfers.
Additionally, the Kierland Golf Course is known for its natural beauty. The course is surrounded by the McDowell Mountains, creating a stunning backdrop for golfers playing their rounds. The course is also home to various wildlife, such as deer, coyotes, and javelina, making it a must-play for nature lovers.
13. Estrella Golf Course
Designer: Jack Nicklaus II
Courses on Property: N/A
Price: ???
Why You Should Play Here: Many people have played a Jack Nicklaus course, but how many can say they played a Nicklaus II golf course? Get in on this action before Jack’s son’s golf course becomes too famous or private.
The Estrella Golf Course in Scottsdale is unique in several ways.
First, it is located in the foothills of the Sierra Estrella mountain range and is surrounded by spectacular views of the surrounding desert landscape. This gives the course a distinct feel and provides an excellent backdrop for golfers.
Secondly, Estrella is one of the few Scottsdale golf courses with a vast water hazard. The 18th hole has a large lake, providing an additional challenge for golfers.
Thirdly, the course features various terrain, from the rolling hills of the mountain range to more open desert areas. This provides a unique golf experience for both novice and advanced golfers.
Fourth, the course has a variety of elevation changes, from valleys to plateaus. These elevation changes challenge golfers in terms of shot selection and accuracy. These features make Estrella Golf Course stand out from other courses in Scottsdale and provide a unique golfing experience.
14. Starfire Golf Club
Designer: Arnold Palmer
Courses on Property: King, Hawk, Squire (9 holes each)
Price: ?
Why You Should Play Here: If you get a chance to play an Arnie design at this price, you take it, no questions asked.
The Starfire Golf Club Course is home to various holes that are sure to test the skills of any golfer. The course features several par-3 holes, an island green, and a variety of doglegs that make the course both interesting and challenging.
I know I’ve said this before, but this course has some of the best views in Scottsdale. The elevated tee boxes provide stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape and the Phoenix skyline.
It also features various hazards that make it challenging for every level of golfer. The bunkers, water features, and native vegetation are strategically placed to make the course both enjoyable and challenging.
Overall, the Starfire Golf Club Course in Scottsdale is one of the most unique golf courses in the area. Its challenging layout, stunning scenery, and various hazards make it a must-play for golfers of all skill levels.
15. Gainey Ranch Golf Club
Designer: Benz & Poellot
Courses on Property: Arroyo, Lakes, Dunes (9 holes each)
Price: ???
Why You Should Play Here: If you’re from out of town, the stay-and-play packages are your best option. They even have condos for sale, so you never have to leave!
The Gainey Ranch Golf Club Course is a 27-hole facility that is all connected, allowing golfers to play a full 18-holes, just nine, or all 27.
Situated on 230 acres of lush desert landscape, GRGC has been designed to blend in with the area’s natural beauty. To achieve this goal, the course features multiple water hazards, native plants, and strategic bunkering.
The course also features a challenging layout, with various hole lengths and difficulty levels, making it an excellent place for all skill levels to enjoy. For example, the par-3 seventeenth hole is a dramatic island green, making it a signature course hole.
Another unique feature of the Gainey Ranch Golf Club Course is the use of revolutionary Optishot2 technology, which provides golfers with a realistic golf experience with interactive play and shot tracking.
Scottsdale is so popular for golf because of the number of courses packed into one area. It’s easy to play many courses while only staying at one hotel. Scottsdale is also favored for its excellent and predictable weather. While the rest of the country deals with cold weather, Scottsdale usually remains above 75° during the coldest months.
Where Does The PGA Tour Play In Scottsdale?
The PGA Tour plays at TPC Scottsdale when it’s in Scottsdale, AZ. This course has been a staple on tour, and the tournament used to be known as the Phoenix Open. Now it’s called the Waste Management Open and has earned its reputation as the rowdiest stop on the PGA circuit.
Can The Public Play TPC Scottsdale?
Yes, the public can play TPC Scottsdale. This will not be cheap as it’s one of the most famous golf courses in the country, and you will have to plan to make a tee time well in advance. But once you’ve made an effort, you can walk the same fairways that all your favorite PGA stars have, including Tiger Woods.
Conclusion
Scottsdale has been a destination for golf trips since the dawn of time. Well, maybe not that long, but a very long time. Once you’ve been there, you’ll see why, as the weather, course conditions, facilities, and hospitality are hard to find anywhere else in the world.
Many of the best golf courses in the Scottsdale, AZ area are affordable, so there’s no excuse to stay home this winter and freeze your butt off!
Clint is PGA-certified and was a Head Teaching Professional at one of Toronto's busiest golf academies. He was also featured on Canada's National Golf TV program, "Score Golf Canada," twice. He graduated with a degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in California and studied under Callaway's co-founder, Tony Manzoni.
He has a handicap index of 6.2 and spends the winters near Oaxaca, Mexico, where he plays twice a month at the Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. He's written over 100 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. You can connect with Clint atLinkedIn, FB, his website, or Clintcpga@gmail.com.
Best score: 68
Favorite club: Odyssey White Hot Two-Ball Center-Shafted Putter
