Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona
Wisconsin is an amazing state for golf, and we are very lucky to have access to so many amazing courses. I’ve also been fortunate enough to play in some amazing places outside of Wisconsin that are famous for golf in my life, including many popular golf-trip locations like Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona. Here you will find some of my favorites in the Valley of the Sun. I look forward to adding to this list and sharing my thoughts here.
1. Quintero Golf Club – Peoria, AZ. A little under an hour northwest of Sky Harbor International Airport is the best public course in the state, and one of the best public courses in the country according to Golf Digest. I could not agree more. Quintero is stunning. It is desert golf at its finest. It starts with a five-minute cart ride to the practice area. From there, its peaceful seclusion that will leave you to focus on the challenge at hand. And it is a course that will challenge you, so come prepared.
2. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro)– Salt River, AZ. Another name you’ll see at the top of most ‘Best of’ lists is the Saguaro course at We-Ko-Pa. Designed by renowned architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, prepare to be at one with nature and the game. There are no houses on the course, just endless views of desert beauty, including hundreds of large Saguaro cacti. With two courses and a casino on the resort, We-Ko-Pa is an excellent option if you’re looking for an all-inclusive place to stay and play.
3. Dinosaur Mountain Golf Course – Gold Canyon, AZ. Another course where you will stand around in awe of your surroundings, Dinosaur Mountain has started to rise up lists for best public courses in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area, and for good reason. The views are spectacular, including the large Dinosaur Mountain in the background, and the course is in pristine condition. Unlike the previous three courses on my list, Dinosaur Mountain works its way through a residential community, but it doesn’t detract from the course itself. The greens are some of the quickest and best I recall playing, so make sure you give them the respect they deserve.
4. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Cholla) – Salt River, AZ. The first of the two courses built at We-Ko-Pa, Cholla is held in similar acclaim. A magnificently beautiful property that typifies great desert golf. Make sure you keep your ball out of that desert stuff, because the course’s namesake – the Cholla – can attack if you get too close. I found Cholla to be a little easier than Saguaro, but certainly didn’t leave disappointed. If you have the opportunity to play both, you can make your own decision which of these stunners is better.
5. Troon North (Pinnacle) – Scottsdale, AZ. You know you’re in an absolute hotbed for amazing golf when this course comes in #5 on my list. Troon North (Pinnacle) was the first upper-echelon course I ever played in Arizona, and clearly I was hooked. Everything I have said about Quintero, We-Ko-Pa, etc., can be said about Troon North. Amazing desert golf, impeccable condition. I have heard that Monument is the better of the two courses, but I had no complaints about Pinnacle. If you have the ability to play with someone that knows the course, that would be helpful on a few holes with blind shots.
6. Raven Golf Club – Phoenix. Raven Golf Club is not what you would expect when playing golf in the desert. In fact, it doesn’t feel like desert golf at all, and that is just fine. Evergreen trees stand in places where you might expect cacti, but it doesn’t diminish from a strong golf course. If you’re looking for a place to improve while in Arizona, Raven is home to prominent golf coach, Martin Chuck. It’s also popular because it’s a mere 15 minutes from the airport. A good first or last round of a trip can be had.
7. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes – Maricopa, AZ. I have played this course a few times, and the last time I was there (early 2023), the conditions just didn’t seem as good. It was also blowing about 40 mph consistently, so maybe I was missing some things. It’s worth the drive – about 30 minutes south of Phoenix – to give it a try. The property itself – housed on the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation – is very impressive, and has a huge range and short-game complex.
8. Lookout Mountain Golf Club – Phoenix. There are some really dramatic, interesting holes at Lookout Mountain, which is about 20 minutes north of the airport in Phoenix. After a rather tame start through some residential areas, you go up and down through the middle of your round, including the signature 10th hole, where you hit from an extremely elevated tee box. While it doesn’t have a lot of the desert vibes you’d expect, it’s a fun course that isn’t going to be quite as pricey as the courses at the top of this list.
9. Camelback Golf Club (Padre) – Scottsdale, AZ. One of two courses at the Marriott Scottsdale Resort, Padre is your prototypical desert resort course. The wide green fairways contrast wonderfully against the backdrop of Camelback Mountain.
10. Longbow Golf Club – Mesa, AZ. Longbow is a visually stunning course that gives you the desert-style you’re expecting in Arizona. Plenty of shots with large cacti will surround you. I’ve only played it once, and it was several years ago, so I’d like to try and get back.
11. Ocotillo Golf Club – Chandler, AZ. One thing that you will find at Ocotillo that might be counter-intuitive when you’re in the desert – water. Lots of it. On most holes you’ll have the opportunity put your ball in the drink. Overall, it’s a fun course that in good shape, just might want to bring an extra dozen balls with you when you go.
12. Papago Golf Club – Phoenix. Papago is a popular spot for golfers traveling to the Valley of the Sun, especially since it’s about 10 minutes from the airport, in the heart of Phoenix. It serves as the home for the Arizona St. golf teams, so you know there’s some good challenge. The course condition left a little to be desired, as it was rough around the edges, but it’s a good option if you’re looking to play on a budget. It has a nice range and practice area, as well.
13. Arizona Grand Golf Course– Phoenix. The one time I played Arizona Grand, it was one of the windiest days I have ever played golf in. That made it tough to get an honest assessment of the property, but certain things stood out. Teeing areas and some of the greens were in rough shape. There were some quirky holes – I hit pitching wedge off the tee of a par-4 on the back – that can be difficult to navigate. The price was very right. I found a great deal on a golf app, and I was more than pleased to get the first round of my trip played there.
14. Orange Tree Resort Golf Course – Scottsdale, AZ. My family and I stayed at the Orange Tree Resort one year, so I decided to give the course a try. It’s definitely not what you think of as desert golf, but it was a good time. The course overall is on the shorter side, which is fine, and has a muni feel to it.
Other courses I still want to play: Grayhawk (Raptor), Wickenburg, Estancia, Troon North (Monument) Camelback (Ambiente)