The Top 10 Golf Courses to Play in Arizona

Arizona, also known as the Grand Canyon State, is home to many luxurious, world-renowned golf courses. Golf has been a part of Arizona’s culture since 1919 when Phoenix Country Club, the state’s first golf course, opened. Since then, a lot of things have changed but one thing remains the same: Golfing in the state of Arizona provides breathtaking Sonoran Desert views and unique, memorable experiences!

 

Just like other states, Phoenix and Scottsdale Golf Courses vary in size, shape, and difficulty. They can be prestigious “invite only” facilities or more casual country clubs.

 

With these incredible courses, both seasoned golfers and “never played before” beginners can appreciate the excitement and beauty of Arizona’s fairways and greens.

 

Whisper Rock Golf Club is a 36-hole private facility where membership is attained only through sponsorship or invitation. If you’re one of the lucky 580 members, you’ll enjoy gorgeous desert vistas and an outstanding, traditional golf experience.

 

The Lower Course, which opened in 2001, was designed by PGA Tour player Phil Mickelson and architect Gary Stephenson. This part of the course sits amongst rolling desert terrain and natural washes. The Upper Course opened in 2005 and was designed by Tom Fazio, a talented golf course architect. You’ll enjoy impressive rocky bluffs and amazing mountain views while playing the Upper Course!

 

Both courses are meant to be played together and compliment each other perfectly. To get the most out of your golfing experience at Whisper Rock, enjoy the Upper and Lower Course during the same day.

 

Troon North Golf Club is often called North Scottsdale’s “Crown Jewel.” The two 18-hole golf courses provide a challenging, yet picturesque, day on the greens. Boasting perfectly groomed fairways and wonderful customer service, this club sets high standards that are hard to beat.

 

With recent renovations by the original designer, British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf, both the Monument and Pinnacle courses will leave you wanting to return time and time again. Enjoy one of the most luxurious golfing experiences in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak in the Sonoran Desert at Troon North Golf Club.

 

This Tom Fazio-designed golf course offers stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and the McDowell Mountains. The par-72 course is listed among the best public golf courses in the state by Golfweek and Golf Magazine. The course is also one of only a handful to host a PGA Tour Event. Imagine the feeling you’ll have when you play where “the best of the best” have played!

 

Here, the fairways are generous, and the greens are gorgeous. However, misses usually find the strategically placed bunkers, which challenges even the most seasoned players. You’ll certainly enjoy an exciting game with captivating views when you visit The Raptor!

 

The Boulders Golf Club is a two-course club that offers fantastic desert views with fun challenges. Designed by Jay Morrish, it is considered one of the best golf courses in the western United States. The club offers a total of 26 holes, a golf pro shop, restaurant, fitness center, and more.

 

The North Course is the older of the two courses and offers unparalleled views of Black Mountain. You’ll enjoy extraordinary boulder formations, stunning Arizona sunsets, and beautiful Sonoran Desert terrain. You may even see desert wildlife meandering about. Animals such as coyotes, rabbits, and bobcats are occasionally seen on the course.

 

The South Course provides many of the same experiences of the North Course. This course gives you a chance to get up-close to the natural boulder formations, as several holes are right next to them. During this round, you’ll be able to snap a photo of "Boulder Pile" and "Rosie's Rock,” which are two of the club’s most famous formations.

 

One of the most incredible things about We-Ko-Pa Golf Course is that it is situated on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Land, which is protected land that will never be commercially developed. Therefore, the captivating views of Red Mountain and McDowell Mountains will remain untouched by roads, houses, or commercial buildings.

 

These two award-winning golf courses were designed by Scott Miller, Bill Coore, and Ben Crenshaw. The Cholla and Saguaro courses are meticulously maintained, and both offer a peaceful day on the fairways and greens. The Cholla is recognized as the “quintessential target style desert golf course,” while Saguaro offers more of a traditional golfing experience.

 

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club is located on 320 impressive acres of the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation and was designed by Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt. This daily-fee club offers a laid-back atmosphere with impeccable customer service. In 2016, Golf Magazine rated the course the Fifth Best Course You Can Play in Arizona!

 

This championship-level course offers unmatched playability. They strive to be an exciting, welcoming place where beginners can learn the game of golf and more-experienced players can sharpen their skills. Visiting Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club will be a fascinating experience where you will enjoy exceptional desert scenery!

 

Sewailo, which means “Flower World” in the Pascua Yaqui language was designed by Notah Begay III and Ty Butler. This course is one of the top-rated golf courses in Tucson, Arizona, and blends the natural Sonoran landscape with gleaming streams and lakes. Enjoy over 30,000 plants and native flowers while playing at this Tucson golf course. With five tee boxes located at each hole, Sewailo truly caters to golfers of all experience levels.

 

Even though the course offers five tee boxes, you’ll still want to plan some extra time to warm up at the club’s championship practice facility. Preparing for the challenges ahead will be crucial to your game. You’ll encounter large treacherous bunkers, both left and right doglegs, elevation changes, forced carries, and more. Enjoy a game at one of the “Country's Top 10 Golf Courses” as rated by Golf Advisor.

 

This lush Arizona golf course was designed by golf course architect Rees Jones. Quintero Golf Course is often referred to as the “Purest Golf Experience” in the Southwest and offers some of the most secluded, tranquil fairways around. You’ll get the full desert golfing experience at this course.

 

This semi-private course was designed with some of the world’s most renowned golf courses in mind. Strategically placed bunkers, wide fairways, and water hazards can be found here. Their Bentgrass greens are some of the smoothest in the state. Intense changes in elevation add to the thrill of the course.

 

Visitors have the option to stay at one of the club’s designer-decorated homes while enjoying this incredible course. These gorgeous homes leave no amenities to be desired. What a relaxing way to enjoy the game of golf!

 

This beautiful 18-hole, par-71 championship course opened in February 2015. Even though the course is still somewhat new, Golf Advisor has already named it as one of the Best Golf Courses in the U.S. This unorthodox course was designed by the talented Bill Brownlee and Wendell Pickett and is located on the rolling hills outside of Wickenburg, Arizona.

 

Even the most sophisticated golfers appreciate and enjoy golfing here. You’ll pass through canyons and arroyos while reveling in views of Vulture Peak and Prescott National Forest. This elegant course provides elevation changes, long and short holes, and the occasional wash.

 

Li’l Wick, the club’s 9-hole, par 3 course, offers a more casual golfing experience and even has music playing throughout the course. After your game, enjoy a quick lunch and drink at The Watering Hole.

 

Big Wick offers something for everyone: the seasoned golfer, the newbie, the stylish golfer, the laid-back golfer, and everyone in between.

 

For an ideal desert golfing experience, visit Champions at TPC Scottsdale! Randy Heckenkemper designed the course to flow seamlessly through the magnificent desert terrain, passing between idyllic foothills and natural ravines. Balancing strategy with a flawless course design was the goal when crafting this course.

 

This exceptional course rivals its sister course Stadium in both thrill and playability. You’ll experience the same great panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains, whether playing the Champions or Stadium course.

 

Every Champions’ hole can be played in different ways, which creates a challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels. Strategy is very important when playing here and you must be ready for a few surprises along the way. Enjoy lovely Bermuda fairways, thoroughly groomed greens, and challenging bunkers when visiting the Champions course at TPC Scottsdale.

 

Each golf course listed here boasts amazing features and offers incredible desert views. When you choose one of these ten courses, you can be sure that you will have a riveting and memorable golfing experience. Enjoy a Scottsdale or Phoenix golf course soon!