Best golf courses in Scottsdale

Ranked as the best Public Course in Arizona by Golfweek Location: Fort McDowell | Designer: Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,966 yards | Founded: 2006

Why play here? Designed by the acclaimed team of Coore & Crenshaw, the Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is a walking-friendly layout that flows naturally with the desert terrain. Wide corridors, strategic bunkering, and open approaches make it as enjoyable for low handicappers as it is for casual players. With no homes or roads in sight, the course offers pure desert golf surrounded by panoramic views.

Highlight: The par-3 8th hole plays across a dramatic desert wash to a green framed by saguaros and distant mountain peaks, one of the most photographed holes in Arizona.

Key features:

• Walkable design with classic architecture principles
• Seamless routing through the untouched Sonoran Desert
• Generous fairways and strategic green complexes
• Modern clubhouse with full amenities

Bonus fact: Coore & Crenshaw routed the entire course by walking the land, no bulldozers or artificial shaping, resulting in one of the most naturally integrated desert courses in the country.

Ranked as the 4th best Public Course in Arizona by Golfweek Location: Scottsdale | Designer: Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish | Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,261 yards | Founded: 1986

Why play here? Home of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale is one of the most iconic venues in golf. With pristine conditions, risk-reward holes, and its famously rowdy 16th hole, this course delivers both a championship challenge and an unforgettable atmosphere.

Highlight: The par-3 16th, surrounded by grandstands during tournament week, is known as “The Coliseum”, one of the loudest and most electrifying holes in golf.

Key features:

• Host of the largest-attended golf tournament in the world
• Tour-quality conditions and design
• Dramatic closing stretch with water and risk-reward options
• Premier practice facility and clubhouse

Bonus fact: More than 700,000 fans pack into TPC Scottsdale during tournament week, turning the 16th hole into golf’s most famous party.

Ranked the 27th best course in Arizona by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Buckeye | Designer: Tom Lehman & John Fought | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,258 yards | Founded: 2004

Why play here? Nestled at the base of the White Tank Mountains, the Founders Course at Verrado Golf Club blends natural desert beauty with a classic design that rewards both precision and power. Offering panoramic views, generous fairways, and challenging greens, this course is known for being both player-friendly and championship-ready. It’s a great escape from the bustle of the city with a pure-Arizona golf experience.

Highlight: The back nine climbs dramatically into the foothills, providing sweeping vistas and a memorable mix of elevation changes and strategic shot-making.

Key features:

• Designed by PGA Champion Tom Lehman for balance and playability
• Stunning desert-mountain backdrop with city views on clear days
• Wide fairways and fast, true greens perfect for all skill levels
• Full-service clubhouse and excellent on-site dining at The Vic Bar + Kitchen

Bonus fact: The Founders Course is built on the grounds of a former Caterpillar proving ground, where machines once roamed the rugged desert terrain, now home to one of Arizona’s most scenic golf layouts.

Ranked the 28th best course in Arizona by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Maricopa | Designer: Brian Curley, Lee Schmidt & Fred Couples | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,546 yards | Founded: 2002

Why play here? Ak-Chin Southern Dunes offers a true “players’ course” experience, wide open, rugged, and built to challenge even the most skilled golfers. Originally developed as a private club, this championship layout now welcomes the public to enjoy its expansive fairways, strategic bunkering, and pure playing conditions. With no homes lining the course, you’re surrounded by uninterrupted desert and a sense of seclusion rare in Arizona golf.

Highlight: A favourite among college and professional players for its tournament-caliber challenge, the course’s links-style design and native grass roughs demand thoughtful shot placement and a strong all-around game.

Key features:

• Co-designed by golf legend Fred Couples for elite-level play
• Host site for U.S. Open and Arizona Amateur qualifiers
• Rolling dunes, deep bunkers, and Scottish-style contouring
• Excellent practice facility and modern clubhouse with Arroyo Grille

Bonus fact: Owned by the Ak-Chin Indian Community, the course reflects a unique blend of heritage and hospitality, offering an authentic, high-end golf experience just 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix.

Ranked in Golf Digest’s “Top 25 U.S. Resorts” Location: Carefree | Designer: Jay Morrish | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,811 yards | Founded: 1984

Why play here? Carved into a surreal desert landscape of massive granite boulders and towering saguaros, the North Course at Boulders Resort offers one of the most visually stunning rounds in the Southwest. Jay Morrish’s design blends shot-making strategy with unforgettable scenery, making every hole feel like a natural extension of the land.

Highlight: The signature 5th hole plays toward a backdrop of 12-million-year-old rock formations, creating a postcard-worthy view and a memorable challenge.

Key Features:

• Iconic desert setting with massive rock outcroppings
• Thoughtful, target-style design with elevation changes
• On-site luxury resort and spa amenities
• Secluded, tranquil atmosphere

Bonus Fact: The Boulders Resort & Spa has been featured in multiple films and commercials thanks to its dramatic, otherworldly terrain.

Ranked 7th best Public Course in Arizona by Golf Magazine Location: Scottsdale | Designer: Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,039 yards | Founded: 1990

Why play here? The Monument Course at Troon North is desert golf at its finest, dramatic, pristine, and impeccably designed. Set against the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, this Weiskopf-Morrish layout offers a masterful blend of elevation changes, rugged rock formations, and wide fairways. It’s both scenic and strategic, with every hole carved seamlessly into the natural desert terrain.

Highlight: The par-5 3rd hole features the course’s namesake monument—a massive boulder right in the middle of the fairway, adding drama and decision-making off the tee.

Key features:

• Signature desert landscape with granite boulders and cacti
• Precision-required design with risk-reward elements
• Top-tier practice facilities and Troon Golf service
• No surrounding residential development

Bonus fact: Troon North was the original flagship property of Troon Golf, setting the gold standard for high-end daily fee golf around the world.

Ranked as the 10th best Public Course in Arizona by Golfweek Location: Scottsdale | Designer: Gary Panks & David Graham | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,973 yards | Founded: 1994

Why play here? Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, the Talon Course at Grayhawk Golf Club offers a stunning blend of natural beauty and strategic design. It’s a favourite among both locals and visitors for its dramatic elevation changes, canyon carries, and panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains. The layout rewards thoughtful shot-making and provides a memorable round with distinctive holes framed by desert vegetation and rugged arroyos.

Highlight: The par-3 11th hole, “Heaven or Hell,” features a tee shot over a box canyon with no room for error, one of the most photographed holes in the Southwest.

Key features:

• Award-winning desert layout by Panks & Graham
• Stunning views of Pinnacle Peak and the Valley of the Sun
• Demanding forced carries and elevated tee boxes
• Comprehensive practice facilities and a lively clubhouse atmosphere

Bonus fact: The Talon Course has co-hosted the PGA TOUR’s Frys.com Open and the PGA TOUR Champions' Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf.

Ranked as the 11th best public golf course in Arizona by Golfweek Location: Fort McDowell | Designer: Scott Miller | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,225 yards | Founded: 2001

Why play here? Set in the untouched Sonoran Desert, the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa offers a pure, target-style desert golf experience. With no surrounding development, dramatic elevation changes, and natural hazards throughout, it’s both scenic and strategic, ideal for golfers who appreciate precision and tranquility.

Highlight: Elevated tee shots on the back nine reveal sweeping views of the Four Peaks Wilderness and Red Mountain.

Key features:

• True desert golf with uninterrupted natural surroundings
• Challenging target-style layout
• Panoramic mountain and desert views
• Full practice facility and modern clubhouse

Bonus fact: Cholla was named the #1 public course in Arizona by Golfweek the year it opened, and it’s remained a fixture in the top rankings ever since.

Ranked as the 13th best Public Course in Arizona by Golfweek Location: Scottsdale | Designer: Tom Weiskopf | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,009 yards | Founded: 1996

Why play here? The Pinnacle Course at Troon North Golf Club is a desert masterpiece that blends flawlessly with its natural surroundings. Routed through dramatic granite boulders, rugged washes, and towering saguaros, it offers a pure Arizona golf experience. Known for its playability and shot values, the course emphasizes precision over power and rewards smart course management. Elevation changes, wide fairways, and panoramic views of the high Sonoran Desert make every hole memorable.

Highlight: The par-5 3rd hole, set against a backdrop of boulder-strewn ridges, features a downhill tee shot that tempts long hitters but punishes anything off-line with desert trouble.

Key features:

• Signature Weiskopf design emphasizing risk-reward play
• Immaculate course conditioning and true-rolling greens
• Iconic desert vistas and towering rock outcroppings
• Shared amenities with the equally acclaimed Monument Course

Bonus fact: The Pinnacle Course was part of Weiskopf’s 2007 re-routing project that optimised the layout to enhance walkability and preserve natural flow through the landscape.

Ranked as the 19th best Public Course in Arizona by Golfweek Location: Carefree | Designer: Jay Morrish | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,726 yards | Founded: 1992

Why play here? The South Course at Boulders Resort is a stunning desert layout that weaves through dramatic rock formations and pristine wilderness. More rugged and narrow than its sister North Course, it offers a true escape into nature with challenging elevation changes and jaw-dropping scenery at every turn.

Highlight: The par-5 5th hole climbs into a boulder-strewn hillside, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert and distant mountains.

Key features:

• Tighter, more dramatic routing than the North Course
• Towering boulders and natural desert arroyos
• Wildlife sightings including quail, roadrunners, and bobcats
• Full resort amenities with spa, dining, and casita lodging

Bonus fact: The South Course is frequently praised for its serenity, many holes are completely secluded, making it feel like your own private golf sanctuary.

Ranked the 29th best course in Arizona by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Fountain Hills | Designer: Keith Foster | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,823 yards | Founded: 1995

Why play here? Carved into the rugged ridges and canyons of the McDowell Mountains, SunRidge Canyon offers one of the most thrilling and scenic desert golf experiences in Arizona. This target-style course rewards accuracy and imagination, especially during its dramatic final stretch, known as the “Wicked Six.” With elevation changes, natural washes, and panoramic views, it’s a true test of skill and strategy in a spectacular setting.

Highlight: The “Wicked Six”, a notoriously tough closing stretch of holes (13–18) that climbs through canyon walls and challenges players with swirling winds, tight fairways, and demanding approach shots.

Key features:

• One of the most scenic and challenging back nines in Arizona
• Award-winning conditions and exceptional desert integration
• Unique routing with no two holes alike
• Premier amenities including the Wicked Six Bar & Grill and a top-tier short game area

Bonus fact: Despite its relatively short yardage, SunRidge Canyon’s layout and elevation shifts make it play longer and tougher than it appears, earning respect from pros and amateurs alike.

Ranked as the 23rd best Public Course in Arizona by Golfweek Location: Scottsdale | Designer: Randy Heckenkemper (original by Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish) | Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,115 yards | Founded: 2007 (redesigned)

Why play here? The Champions Course at TPC Scottsdale offers a more understated but equally compelling desert golf experience compared to the nearby Stadium Course. With a more natural, flowing design and fewer distractions, it caters to purists looking for a strategic and scenic round. Routed through the McDowell foothills, the course features wide fairways, bold bunkering, and subtle elevation shifts that make for an enjoyable yet challenging round in a classic desert setting.

Highlight: The par-4 18th finishes strong with a dogleg left framed by bunkers and desert landscape, demanding a precise tee shot and an accurate approach to a well-guarded green.

Key features:

• Underrated gem with a natural desert layout
• Walkable design with strong variety in hole lengths
• Excellent practice facilities shared with the Stadium Course
• Generally less crowded and more affordable than its famous counterpart

Bonus fact: The Champions Course was built on the site of the former Desert Course, redesigned in 2007 to offer a fresh alternative with modern strategy and sustainability in mind.

Ranked 42nd best course in Arizona by Top 100 Golf courses Location: Scottsdale | Designer: Tom Fazio | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,151 yards | Founded: 1995

Why play here? The Raptor Course at Grayhawk is a bold Tom Fazio design that blends classic desert golf with tour-level challenge. Wide landing areas give way to well-protected greens, demanding strategic approach shots. Long a favourite on the PGA TOUR, it combines playability with championship-calibre conditions in a stunning Sonoran setting.

Highlight: The par-4 14th is a signature Fazio risk-reward hole—reachable for big hitters but guarded by desert scrub and tricky bunkering.

Key features:

• PGA TOUR-tested layout with generous fairways
• Impeccable conditioning year-round
• Desert views and elevated tee shots
• Modern clubhouse and dining with vibrant energy

Bonus fact: The Raptor Course hosted the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships multiple times, spotlighting future PGA and LPGA stars before they turned pro.

Best time to visit: March to May and October to November are the prime months for golf in Scottsdale. Expect warm (but not scorching) temperatures, clear skies, and courses in top condition after overseeding.

Where to stay: Scottsdale is home to world-class resorts that cater to golfers. Top options include Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (home to TPC Scottsdale), The Westin Kierland Resort, and Boulders Resort & Spa, all offering luxury accommodation options and access to premier golf.

Booking tips:

• Plan ahead and book tee times in advance.
• Consider twilight rounds for better rates and cooler temperatures.

Q: When is the best time of year to play golf in Scottsdale? A: The ideal time to play is during the spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November). These seasons offer cooler, more comfortable temperatures and prime course conditions.

Q: How accessible is Scottsdale? A: Scottsdale is easily accessible with the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) just a 20-minute drive from most Scottsdale-area golf courses.

Q: Can beginners enjoy these courses? A: Yes! While many Scottsdale courses are championship-level, they are also very beginner-friendly, offering multiple tee boxes, practice facilities, and instructional programs. It's a great destination for players of all skill levels.

Q: Are there good golf resorts in Scottsdale? A: Absolutely. Scottsdale is home to some of the best golf resorts around. Some of our favourites are the Boulder’s Resort & Spa and The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

Q: Should I book tee times in advance? A: Yes, especially if you're planning on visiting during peak season. Scottsdale golf is in high demand; to secure your preferred course and time, it’s recommended to book up to 9 months in advance.

Q: Can you rent clubs at Scottsdale golf courses? A: Yes! Most top courses in Scottsdale offer high-quality rental sets from major brands:

• TPC Scottsdale features the latest gear from TaylorMade, Callaway, Cobra, PXG, Mizuno, and Titleist.
• Grayhawk offers full sets of premium PING G430 clubs.
• Troon North provides the newest Callaway models for rent.

Whether you're looking to test yourself with championship conditions or a relaxing with a desert round, Scottsdale has a course that suits your style. These courses represent the best of what the region has to offer, combining beauty, playability, and fantastic golf.