The Best Golf Courses in Phoenix and Scottsdale

All three of our founders grew up in Arizona and fell in love with golf at a young age. It's safe to say we've played at quite a few courses around the area. We love to share our experiences with people looking for the best golf this state has to offer, especially visitors trying to fit in a few picturesque rounds while on holiday. These are the 18 best courses we've played in Arizona.

Troon North Golf Club - Scottsdale, AZ

Image credit: troonnorthgolf.com

Troon North Golf Club Troon North Golf stands as the hallmark of the desert golf experience, with two 18-hole golf courses stretching through the natural ravines and foothills of the high Sonoran desert in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak. The challenge, visual sensation and special ambiance of Troon North set the standards by which all others are measured. The immaculately groomed golf courses and exceptional level of customer service create the renowned Troon Golf Experience. Troon North has two 18-hole courses, Pinnacle and Monument. Pinnacle has been named one of the top 100 courses to play in the country.

Boulders Golf Resort - Carefree, AZ

Image credit: bouldersgolf.com

The Boulders Golf Resort features a 6,811 yard, par 72, championship North Course and a 6,726 yard, par 71 championship South Course, both designed by Jay Morrish. The Boulders is world renowned as one of the finest golf resorts in the western United States. The courses are considered the most demanding in the Southwest, and are known for their rugged beauty. Boulders is kept in exceptional shape and offers complimentary range balls. The course offers 36 challenging holes, golf pro shop, fitness center, restaurant, and a residential home development. Boulders has been named the 6th best course in Arizona by Golf Digest.

Grayhawk Golf Club Since opening in 1994, Grayhawk Golf Club has quickly become recognized as a premier player on the southwestern golf scene. Nestled within the natural beauty of the Sonoran desert, Scottsdale's acclaimed Grayhawk Golf Club offers two of the Southwest's most enjoyable and challenging golf experiences: the par-72 Talon course and the par-72 Raptor course. The Talon course, designed by former U.S. Open and PGA winner David Graham and architect Gary Panks, was started in 1993 and opened in 1994. The Raptor course, designed by Tom Fazio, was started in 1994 and opened in 1995, and hosted the Frys.com Open PGA Tour event from 2007-2009.

TPC Scottsdale Woven into the Sonoran Desert with stunning panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains, TPC Scottsdale showcases 36 holes of inspiring golf and upscale amenities that let everyday golfers experience “a day in the life” of a PGA TOUR player. As Arizona’s professional golf headquarters, TPC Scottsdale offers an unparalleled sporting experience. The club boasts two championship courses and 36 professional-level holes – including the world famous Stadium Course, designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf, and the newly-renovated Champions Course, crafted by Randy Heckenkemper.

Legend Trail Whether you’re on a golf vacation, searching for a serious new preferred golf location or just out for a round of golf, Legend Trail Golf Club is a course you shouldn’t pass up. With its wide fairways, new TifEagle ultra dwarf greens, small bunkers and island tees, it’s no wonder Legend Trail has been chosen as one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 courses. The exquisitely manicured course meanders through the Sonoran Desert landscape and features breathtaking, panoramic vistas of some of the area's most well-known landmarks, such as Pinnacle Peak. A round at Legend Trail Golf Club will provide players of all skill levels with numerous diverse and unique shot-making situations.

Eagle Mountain Golf Club - Fountain Hills, AZ

Image credit: eaglemtn.com

Eagle Mountain Scott Miller designed the Eagle Mountain Golf Club - outside Scottsdale among the McDowell Mountains of the Fountain Hills - to weave through shady canyons and around the type of mountain peaks that exist nowhere outside of the Sonora Desert. The Eagle Mountain Golf Club's golf course represents an innovative departure from the target style so common to Sonora Desert golf courses, laid out to incorporate the varied land features. Several spots on the golf courses offer vistas into the parts of that desert that haven't been built over by golf courses, as well as well-known local sites, like Camelback and Red Mountain. Four sets of tees allow golfers to pick distances from 5,065 yards to 6,800 yards on the golf course that favors strategy, but forgives, allowing golfers to decide on shots according to their own skill levels. After a round of golf at the Eagle Mountain Golf Club, head back to The Grille - which sits among the vistas of greater Phoenix, as well as Valley of the Sun's mountains - and kick back in comfort while enjoying full service.

Talking Stick Two uniquely different Arizona golf courses offer many options according to the golfer’s level of playing skill. Located on and owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the North and South courses provide a serene yet challenging day of play. The elegant 26,000 square foot clubhouse offers an award winning golf shop, player's locker rooms, full service dining room, and private dining areas for groups of all sizes. There is a complete practice facility available for all guests.

Whirlwind Golf Club Built into the ancient, native landscape is 36 holes of championship golf designed by renowned architect Gary Panks. A true test of golf, the Cattail and Devil's Claw courses truly are desert golf, evolved. Staffed with talented and devoted professionals, Whirlwind Golf Club has become one of the premier golf facilities in the Southwest. A round at Whirlwind is quiet, peaceful and feels like a destination golf club, yet it is only 11 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Experience for yourself the best golf and dining experience in the south Valley.

Raven Golf Club

Image Credit: ravenphx.com

The Raven Golf Club Phoenix's spectacular championship golf course, array of world-class amenities and unparalleled guest service have earned it recognition among the nation's top daily fee golf properties - including 4.5 stars by Golf Digest, "#5 Golf Course in the State" by Arizona Magazine, and "#1 Guest Service in North America." From its manicured greens and expansive practice facility to its picturesque air conditioned wedding and event pavilion overlooking the 18th hole, Raven Golf Club Phoenix offers a remarkable golf, dining and special events experience in the shadows of South Mountain.

Camelback The JW Marriott Camelback Golf Club offers two 18-hole courses, the Padre and the Ambiente. Nestled in Paradise Valley, the Ambiente Course enjoys stunning mountain backdrops. The golf course changed its name when it underwent a $10 million renovation that completely transformed the design. The makeover included removing the non-native trees that were obstructing the views of Mummy and Camelback Mountains, the McDowells, and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. In place of the trees that were removed, more than 1,400 native Acacia trees were added. The topography was completely rebuilt, shaping the formerly flat golf course with rolling hills and contours. The updaed course is more challenging, but it's still player-friendly enough to accommodate both low and high handicappers.

We-Ko Pa With two award-winning golf courses set in the thriving Sonoran Desert, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club delivers one of the best golf experiences in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area. Scott Miller designed the Cholla Course, while Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw teamed up to create Saguaro. The results have captivated the golf world ever since opening for public play to great acclaim by industry leading publications such as Golf Magazine, Golfweek and Golf Digest. Offering breathtaking views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Mountain, Four Peaks and the Superstitions, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club lies on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation land that will never be commercially developed.

Kierland The Westin Kierland Golf Club provides three 18-hole combinations. Named after indigenous plant life found on the course, Acacia, Ironwood and Mesquite offer three championship-style nines – each with its own flavor and strategy. Emerald green fairways are etched into golden-colored desert grasses, sweeping over constantly changing elevations to flawless greens. More than three hundred bunkers guard the way, along with lakes, dry desert washes and strands of desert trees. The signature TifEagle greens offer up subtle contours that challenge even the best players.

Orange Tree The 18-hole golf course at Orange Tree was designed in 1957 by Johnny Bulla. This tree-lined course offers 6,775 lush yards of tranquil beauty and strategic challenges. Mature vegetation, expansive fairways, and mountain vistas are graced by water on six of the holes, offering an excellent test of golf for players of all skill levels. The course par is 72, with a slope rating of 121 and a course rating of 70.7.

Arizona Biltmore Golf Club

Image Credit: azbiltmoregc.com

Arizona Biltmore Golf Club Opening in 1929, the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club is one of Phoenix's most historic and legendary golf course properties. Nestled in the foothills of Piestewa Peak and just minutes from downtown Phoenix, the Arizona Biltmore's two storied courses, the Adobe and the Links, offer a variety of challenges for golfers of all skill levels. While the Adobe course features a traditional parkland style layout, the Links course balances a mix of desert golf, rolling fairways and five lakes. Both offer tremendous views of mountains and downtown Phoenix, which have attracted U.S. presidents, celebrities, distinguished travelers and millions more.  

The Phoenician Golf Course

Image Credit: thephoenician.com

The Phoenician Experience one of the finest golf courses in the state at the popular Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Phoenician golf resort features a 27-hole USGA Championship facility that combines three nine-hole golf courses with unique landscapes including Canyon, Desert and Oasis. This world-class Phoenician golf resort offers great play and aesthetic beauty that includes indigenous desert views, lush tropical scenery and impressive water features.

McCormick Ranch  McCormick Ranch Golf Club has two outstanding 18-hole golf courses and is similar to what you'd find on the east coast and in the Midwest. These two courses have all of the traditional features: sand, water, mature trees and long drives off the back tees. The Palm Course at the McCormick Ranch features 10 water holes and, as its name suggests, many large palm trees. Number nine on the Palm course was selected as one of "America's Top-18 water holes" by Golf Illustrated magazine. Other recognized awards include one of "America's Best Golf Shops" by Golf Shop Operations, the National Golf Foundation's 'Public Golf Achievement Award' and Meeting and Conventions magazine's "Gold Tee Award." Tournaments include the Arizona Open, Motorola Open, Arizona Amateur Stroke-Play Tournament and many Southwest Section PGA and amateur events.

Stonecreek Golf Club - Phoenix, AZ

Image credit: stonecreekgc.com

Stonecreek Designed by Roy Dye and Gary Grandstaff in 1983 and redesigned in 1987 by Arthur Hills' design team, Stonecreek Golf Club today is one of the older kids on the Scottsdale block of upscale golf courses. As a result, the prices at Stonecreek are usually lower than at newer courses, which can run more than $200 a round. The course at Stonecreek follows the contours of Indian Bend as it winds through Paradise Valley, framed by mountain views to the south and west. This club hosts the LPGA Mitsubishi Pro Am and other local tournaments every year. Trees and water border the fairways of many holes at Stonecreek, so slicers beware. The Bermuda greens are seldom fast, but many have undulations that make them tricky to score on.

Arizona Grande Due to legal challenges over a land swap between the developer and city of Phoenix, it took five years to complete the course that opened to great acclaim in 1989 and sets hard on the edge of South Mountain Park. That is no small matter. In fact, at more than 13,000 acres, it is the largest municipal park in the world and provides a spectacular setting for the course that winds its way through the natural desert preserve with arroyos, craggy rock-covered hills, and dramatic elevation changes. The hike alone is worth the price of admission, but Richardson also offers up some memorable golf holes at Arizona Grand, which plays to par-71 at a manageable 6,336 yards from the back tees. The front nine has a more classic approach, while the back nine offers more of a desert-target feel. It’s not particularly long, but has plenty of strategically placed targets to create challenges.

[powr-form-builder id=a0e404fb_1488583984]