Best golf courses in Scottsdale

Set in the Sonoran Desert and on land owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Saguaro Course was created with the idea of walking, enhancing the experience of this challenging and scenic layout. Unlike other Arizona golf courses, there are no homes or condos lining these fairways…It is just you and the elements, with giant saguaros in the foreground framed by magnificent mountains in the distance.

Saguro Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 6,966 - Front tees: 5,061
• Par: 71
• Architect: Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw
• Founded: 2006
• Course type: Desert

A unique Scottish-links style course situated far from home in the Sonoran Desert. Tee shots are played to wide rolling fairways, framed by stunning desert landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. With greens guarded by deep bunkers and plenty of run-off areas, your approach play must be precise. The O'odham Course’s wide angular holes make the track a desert oasis for golfers of all skill levels who appreciate a strategic challenge.

O'odham Course

• Length: - Back tees: 7,133 - Front tees: 4,677
• Par: 70
• Architect: Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw
• Founded: 1998
• Course type: Links

Ranked number one in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area by both Golf Digest and Golfweekly in their ‘Best Public Course’ list, and easily one of Arizona's best, this Rees Jones masterpiece fully deserves all of its accolades. With tees ranging from 5,800 to 7,200 yards, generous landing areas and slick, multi-tiered bent grass greens, Quintero is a great test for all golfers.

Quintero Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 7,190 - Front tees: 5,317
• Par: 72
• Architect: Rees Jones & Steve Weisser
• Founded: 2000
• Course type: Desert

Within the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, amid uninhibited 360-degree views of Arizona’s desert expanse, the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes course is ranked in the Top-5 ‘Best Courses to Play in Arizona’ by Golf Monthly. A Fred Couples and Schmidt-Curley designed course with distinct links feel, that has hosted numerous US Open qualifiers, and regional amateur and PGA events. The difficulty of this course lies within the deep, strategically placed bunkers and the multi-tiered greens to provide a challenging round of players of all skill levels.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 7,546 - Front tees: 5,055
• Par: 72
• Architect: Brian Curley, Fred Couples & Lee Schmidt
• Founded: 2002
• Course type: Links

The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale naturally gets all the attention for hosting the Waste Management Phoenix Open, thanks to the famous Par-3 16th known as ‘The Coliseum’. Everyone loves to play where the Pros play, however right across the street is the underrated Champions Course, which is less expensive and very walkable. Both are without a doubt, two of the very best golf courses in Scottsdale!

Stadium Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 7,261 - Front tees: 5,464
• Par: 71
• Architect: Tom Weiskopf , Jay Morrish & Phil Smith
• Founded: 1986
• Course type: Desert

Constructed in 1995, SunRidge Canyon is one of the best value, premier daily-fee golf club offerings available in the area. Designer Keith Foster adopted the ‘less is more’ approach and fully utilized the canvas that Mother Nature provided. Consequently, level lies in fairways will be few and straight, flat putts won’t be found. Enjoy the thrilling string of finishing holes, dubbed the “Wicked Six”, that are among the best golf experiences in Arizona.

SunRidge Canyon course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 7,002 - Front tees: 5,198
• Par: 71
• Architect: Keith Foster
• Founded: 1995
• Course type: Desert

Golf Monthly has ranked the Monument Course as the third 'Best Public Golf Course in Arizona.' This renowned course is celebrated for its striking elevation changes, offering awe-inspiring vistas of the surrounding landscape.

Recent enhancements to the course by the original designer, Tom Weiskopf, a British Open Champion, have elevated the overall golfing experience. Designed in a desert-style layout, the Monument Course spans just over 7000 yards from the tips, with five sets of tee boxes providing varied challenges for golfers of different skill levels.

Monument Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 7,039 - Front tees: 5,084
• Par: 72
• Architect: Tom Weiskopf, Jay Morrish & Phil Smith
• Founded:
• Course type: Desert

Engulfed in natural beauty, surrounded by mountains and views of river valley similar to the Saguaro Course, the Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club offers one of the most natural golfing experiences available in Scottsdale with no signs of any homes or development near the course.

With many elevation changes, this course offers a truly dramatic test of golf that plays through shady arroyos, over desert ridges, and it delivers a great Arizona golf experience in the most natural of desert environments. With the addition of We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort located nearby, this is a great stay & play destination.

Cholla Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 7,225 - Front tees: 5,289
• Par: 72
• Architect: Scott Miller
• Founded: 2001
• Course type: Desert

Considered to be the crown jewel of North Scottsdale, the Pinnacle Course was rated number one in the recent Golf Monthly ‘Best Public Course in Arizona’ rankings. The challenging layout features wide fairways and tight greens, emphasizing the golfer’s accuracy rather than power. Cactus and other desert foliage hug the fairways and large rock formations are scattered throughout the course, offering incredible views.

Pinnacle Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 7,009 - Front tees: 4,831
• Par: 71
• Architect: Tom Weiskopf & Phil Smith
• Founded: 1995
• Course type: Desert

As its name would suggest, this unique resort sits in the Sonoran Desert foothills nestling among massive granite boulder formations. Quite a surreal setting for golf, with both Jay Morrish designed championship courses offering spectacular views. The North, known for its challenging back-9 and is the older of the two, and The South has holes that go right up into the boulder formations. If you are looking for a five-star experience in Arizona, then look no further than the Boulders Resort & Spa as one of the best resorts in Arizona.

North Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 6,959 - Front tees: 4,900
• Par: 72
• Architect: Jay Morrish
• Founded: 1985
• Course type: Desert

Both courses are amongst the top-rated public courses in Arizona with the Tom Fazio-designed Raptor Course having hosted the PGA Tour Frys.com Open from 2007-2009. The Talon Course features in Golf Magazine’s prestigious list of the “Top 100 You Can Play in the U.S.” for daily fee courses. The Raptor Course doesn't solely depend on its length for defence. Instead, it features deep bunkers, undulating fairways, and areas with collected grass, all strategically positioned to capture any errant shots.

Raptor Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 7,221 - Front tees: 5,175
• Par: 72
• Architect: Tom Fazio & Dennis Wise
• Founded: 1995
• Course type: Desert

Another track at Talking Stick Golf Club, the Piipaash Course is considered to be the slightly easier course being slightly shorter. However, treelined fairways and water hazards create a challenge off the tee and approaching its raised greens. The absence of real estate creates a wonderfully natural setting enhancing the mountain views seen from most parts of the course.

Piipaash Course facts

• Length: - Back tees: 6,833 - Front tees: 5,331
• Par: 71
• Architect: Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw
• Founded: 1998
• Course type: