There are many Golf courses around the world, with some strictly open to registered members of elite clubs, while others are open to the public like some of the best golf courses in the Scottsdale AZ area.
Golf is an elite sport played and enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. It has also transcended just sports as its green course has served as a game course and fertile ground for business deals.
The Green Course has not only seen the best of shots but has also seen the best deals brokered, deals that have changed the course of history, business, and events.
Our article 15+ Best Golf Courses In Scottsdale for the Money will explore the best golf courses in Scottsdale az area.
Table of contents
About Golf
Golf is a cross-country sport where players use different clubs to hit a tiny ball into holes on a course from a variety of starting locations, or teeing grounds.
The player with the fewest strokes required to hole his ball wins. It is challenging to pinpoint the beginnings of the game, but current research indicates that the Netherlands and Scotland were the first places where early golf was played.
The game rose from a quite obscure antiquity to global acclaim, particularly in the 20th century. The most popular locations for the early game in Europe are unknown, but in Scotland, shoreline links with their fine turf and inherent dangers are where golf originated.
Play-downs, moorland, and parkland courses didn’t start until much later in the game’s development. Every level of golfer participates, from casual play to widely watched professional competitions on television.
Golf, for all its appeal, is not a game for everyone; it demands a high level of talent that can only be developed through extreme patience and attention.
Where to play Golf in Scottsdale
One of the great desert states is Arizona, which has Scottsdale as its golfing center. On one side, the Tonto National Forest encircles it, while on the other, a multitude of deserts.
Is it any surprise that everyone asks themselves where to play or should I play in Scottsdale and its neighboring areas given the abundance of golf courses and twelve resorts in the greater Scottsdale area?
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15+ Best golf courses in Scottsdale for the money
#1. Kierland Golf Course
Situated in the Sonoran desert, the Troon-managed Kierland Golf Club offers stunning views of the neighboring mountains, including Camelback, Mummy, Pinnacle Peak, and the McDowells.
The 27-hole Championship course of the Kierland Golf Club is situated on one of the bigger resorts. The Ironwood, Mesquite, and Acacia courses are the three nines here.
The park-like landscape of the hills and valleys is breathtaking, with emerald green fairways dotted with golden desert grasses. Elevation changes occur constantly.
The grass moves quickly. All Bermuda greens are maintained in pristine condition. Resort golf is highly recommended, even though it’s not the hardest of Scottsdale’s golf courses, and is excellent for players of all skill levels.
Designer: Scott Miller
Opened for play: 1996
Location: 15636 N Clubgate Dr, Scottsdale
#2. Estrella Golf Course
The golf club of Estrella is located at the heart of the Estrella Mountain Ranch community. Another Troon-managed golf course Estrella continuously gets rated in the top 20 courses to play in Scottsdale.
This course is the first daily fee course designed but no other than Jack Nicklaus II, yes that’s junior to his world-famous father.
Located just outside of Phoenix, the golf course features spectacular views back to the Estrella Mountain range.
The fairways almost overlay the natural surrounding golden desert grasses with its blanket of rolling green. Although the golf course is a public golf course, the service here is first-class, and all players get treated as if they are members of a private golf club.
A popular choice with golfers just playing golf in Scottsdale for the very first time.
Designer: Jack Nicklaus II
Opened for play: 1999
Location: 11800 S Golf Club Dr, Goodyear
#3. TPC Champions Course
Although many golfers favor the Stadium course’s layout, the TPC Champions golf course in Scottsdale is by no means a terrible second. Built on the site of the original Desert course, this 18-hole Championship challenge course was created by Randy Heckenkemper.
Redesigned in 2007 to better blend with the natural landscape and provide a chance to hold players’ attention throughout the entire game. The final four holes on this course are unparalleled, giving even the most skilled players shivers.
Designer: Randy Hecenkemper
Opened for play: 1986
Location: 17020 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale
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#4. Quintero Golf Course
Rees Jones, the renowned golf course architect, created the magnificent Quintero Golf Course out of the desert. Another outstanding golf course was designed by Rees Jones and overseen by Troon Golf.
In classic Rees Jones fashion, there are plenty of landing sites for the straight-hitter off the tee, lulling you into that false sense of security. Errant tee shots will land in the strategically positioned bunkers as a result of their strategic placement.
All players must have nerves and patience to play on the bent-grass greens.
With multiple tee boxes for an alternate golf handicap from the back tee, this course is lengthy enough to challenge even scratch players.
Quintero is known for having some of the best golf course conditions, with playing surfaces that are nothing short of immaculate. Quintero was ranked among the top 40 public golf courses in the United States by Golf Advisor in 2019 and was chosen as the greatest public golf course.
Additionally, it was named 2017’s Best Public golf course by Golf Digest and Golfweek.
As a result, it’s another golf course to add to your list of must-plays whether you’re playing golf in the USA or the Scottsdale area. It offers one of the greatest golfing experiences the region has to offer.
Designer: Rees Jones
Opened for play: 2000
Location: 16752 W, AZ-74, Peoria
#5. We-Ko-Pa Saguaro Golf Course
McDowell has a great selection of golf courses and another of our favorites here are the courses on offer at We Ko Pa golf resort.
The Saguaro golf course is the shorter of the two courses and is designed as walker golf. The greens are situated relatively close to the next tee box making walking here easily possible for the average golfer.
Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore put their heads together to develop this great course layout with wider fairways and plenty of alternative routes into the greens giving every golfer their strategy to getting the job done in their style.
Saguaro has plenty of dry wash area normally in front of guarding the greens along with the odd bunker or two, well around 300 all-in-all. The second hole is just short of 30 yards, so the longer hitter has the opportunity to drive the green.
Those choosing not to use the driver can layout with a short iron in, stay left of the green as the green slopes to the right, and await bunkers.
A great Scottsdale golf course, which for the USA has the unusual option of walking… just for a change.
Designer: Ben Crenshaw
Opened for play: 2006
Location: 18200 WeKoPa Way, Fort McDowell
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#6. The Boulders Golf Club
The Boulders Golf Club in Carefree, Arizona is a semi-private golf club with two golf courses. The 36 holes available here can only be characterized as having been designed by renowned and world-class golf architect Jay Morrish, who also created the North and South golf courses.
The North Course’s older golf course is 6,969 yards long from the back tees, not far from the 7,000-yard barrier. Some claim this is plenty, while others feel it is not close enough.
Northward is surrounded by a stunning natural environment in the Sonoran desert, with Black Mountain providing a stunning backdrop and offering some expansive, amazing views. The golf courses meander around massive stones that are scattered across the town and stunning scenery, as the name implies.
The South Course is even more spectacular than the North and is the favorite viewing option for everyone who has played it, despite not being the original golf course offered here. This area has more of the rock formations, which are breathtaking to see.
You will encounter the iconic “Boulder Pile” and “Rosie’s Rock,” two of the resort’s most striking rock formations, throughout your round on the South Course.Even though it is a lesser course, the South course measures a championship 6,421 yards from the White tees. Some of the holes on the South course are carved out of the rock foundations, offering a unique golfing experience.
Should you wish to do so, you can stay and play here; it is an impressive golf resort with golf in spectacular surroundings and one we can highly recommend.
Designer: Jay Morrish
Opened for play: 1985
Location: 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 2090 Carefree
#7. We-Ko-Pa Cholla Golf Course
The WE-KO-PA Resort has two fantastic championship golf courses, the Saguaro and the Cholla golf course.
The Cholla golf course, a Scott Miller design offers dramatic vistas across the McDowell, Red, Metal, and Verde River Mountains, highlighted by the snow-capped four peaks. This golf course is and is one of the most picturesque desert courses anywhere.
With this in mind, you end up with one of the most pristine golf experiences in the Southwest with no homes or developments planned to spoil the sweeping views. The lack of surrounding land use makes the Cholla golf course a one and the only Sonoran Desert retreat.
Awards come hand-in-hand with this beautiful course and have been awarded every year since its opening back in 2001.
For bucket-list golf, this has to be right up there, when playing here the essential piece of equipment has to be your trusty camera.
Designer: Scott Miller
Opened for play: 2001
Location: 18200 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell
#8. Grayhawk Talon Golf Course
The Raptor and Talon courses at Grayhawk Golf Club are excellent; the latter is our personal favorite. One of the most thrilling and dramatic golf courses in the Southwest is the Grayhawk Talon, which is just under 7,000 yards from the back tees and winds across the Sonoran Desert.
Offering stunning views of the Pheonix/Scottsdale skyline and the McDowell mountains.
The rear nine holes are constructed around a network of profound box canyons dotted with dense stands of Palo Verde, Ironwood, and Mesquite.
The holes appear more tighter than they actually are because of the tee box vantage point. For this reason, the tee’s precision is crucial.
The Talon golf course has hosted the final of the Anderson Consulting World Championships of golf several times and is one of many reasons we chose it.
Designer: Gary Panks
Opened for play: 1981
Location: 8620 E Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale.
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#9. TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course
The TPC Scottsdale Stadium course here is one of the meticulously selected venues by the USPGA Tour, which needs no introduction. Some of the greatest crowds in US Tour golf attend events at the well-liked Waste Management Phoenix Open site.
The Stadium course, designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, was refurbished in 2014 and is most known for its par-3 16th hole.
With spectator stands around it, the USPGA Tour’s sole green can accommodate up to 20,000 spectators who come to see the spectacle unfold over the course of the four days of play.
Designer: Tom Weiskopf
Opened for play: 1986
Location: 17020 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale
#10. Troon North Golf Club
Troon North golf certainly gets our vote here, with 36 Holes of golf on-site in the Pinnacle and Monument golf courses.
The resort is set in the Sonoran Desert and winds its way through natural ravines under the shadows of Pinnacle Peak. Giant granite boulders litter this rugged yet beautiful landscape along with the thousands of varying types of Cacti.
Of the two golf courses on-site the better of the two is generally undisputed with the Pinnacle course coming out on top.
Both courses have immaculately groomed fairways with bentgrass greens, Tom Weiskopf as the original designer has recently made some renovations improving upon and creating two fantastic and challenging layouts.
Troon North has consistently been revered as the crown jewel in Scottsdale golf and long may it continue keeping Scottsdale firmly on the USA golf map.
Troon North combines iconic golf with the visual sensations of spectacular desert landscapes and stands out as Scottsdale’s Number 1.
Designer: Tom Weiskopf
Opened for play: 1995
Location: 10320 E Dynamite Blvd, Scottsdale
Golfing here in Scottsdale is a great challenge and offers so many spectacular choices of golf both scenic and cost-effective golf. Scottsdale is almost a bucket destination all of its own.
#11. McCormick Ranch Golf Club
Open to the public 365 days a year, McCormick Ranch Golf Club features two 18-hole Championship courses – the Palm & the Pine, as well as a Pro Shop, and a restaurant open for breakfast and lunch.
Be sure to come in and try one of our famous McCormick Hot Dogs! Rental clubs are available daily.
#12. Gainey Ranch Golf Club
Offering stunning tranquility in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, our unique 27-hole course provides a wide variety of play, with challenges for players of all skill levels. Up your skills with convenient instruction or league play.
Michael Poellot, the former chief architect for Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Bradford L. Benz, another renowned golf course designer, designed the golf courses at Gainey Ranch. The two architects worked together to create a challenging and enjoyable golf experience showcasing the Sonoran Desert’s natural beauty.
Additionally, we’ve recently completed renovations to bunkers and putting surfaces, enhancing the overall golfing experience on our 27-hole championship course.
They also have dining, where Members enjoy handcrafted cuisine from our talented team of culinarians. We’re foodies at heart, and as such, our menus offer only the finest ingredients and all the most flavorful culinary trends.
Gainey Ranch Golf Club also doubles as an event center, open for weddings and baby showers to anniversary celebrations, corporate events, charity tournaments, and more, we have everything you need to host an unforgettable event.
You can become a member of this club by checking our membership requirements here.
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#13. Legend Trail Golf Club
Designed by Rees Jones, this exquisitely manicured course meanders through the Sonoran Desert.
If you’re looking for a top-notch golf experience, look no further than Legend Trail Golf Club. This stunning course offers wide fairways, strategic bunkers, and elevated tees that challenge and delight golfers of all skill levels.
You’ll be amazed by the scenic views of Black Mountain, Pinnacle Peak, and Lone Mountain as you play on one of the Top 100 golf courses in the country, according to Golf Magazine. This course also boasts 4.5 stars out of five in the Best Places to Play category, and is one of the Top 100 Woman-Friendly Fairways, as rated by Golf For Women magazine.
MoneyInc. also ranks Legend Trail Golf Club as the #6 best course in Scottsdale, AZ. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a spectacular round of golf at Legend Trail Golf Club.
#14. Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club.
Scottsdale Silverado’s par 70, 18-hole championship layout offers a challenging and enjoyable golf experience at an affordable price. Centrally located in Scottsdale, Silverado lures golfers of all skill levels with its undulating terrain, elevated tee boxes, and state-of-the-art clubhouse.
To experience Silverado without playing golf, the Silverado Grille offers a casual American menu that is perfect for dining with friends, family, or co-workers. While relaxing on the patio, enjoy the breathtaking views of the McDowell Mountains and the Four Peaks Mountain range which happens to be the backdrop for our 18th hole.
#15. Orange Tree Golf Course
This tree-lined 6,762-yard, par 72 golf course is characterized by mature vegetation, generous fairways, and mountain vistas graced by water on six holes.
Orange Tree Golf Course stands out as a top choice among Scottsdale’s golf courses for several compelling reasons. Nestled in the heart of Arizona, it offers a blend of challenge and relaxation with its beautifully tree-lined fairways and mountain vistas.
The course’s design is characterized by mature vegetation and generous fairways, complemented by water features on six holes that add to both the beauty and the test of the game. With a USGA-rated course that caters to all skill levels, Orange Tree provides an exceptional golfing experience.
The resort’s amenities, including a luxurious clubhouse and first-class service, ensure a comfortable and enjoyable visit. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Orange Tree Golf Course is a must-play destination for anyone looking for a premier golfing experience in Scottsdale.
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FAQS
There are 200 golf courses and inclusive of those are 12 golf resorts.
Yes, the TPC Stadium Course is used for the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The Pinnacle course at Troon North has consistently been listed as the better course on numerous Top 100 course listings
Generally, the actual better course is the TPC Stadium course which suits the better golfer, across the range of handicaps varieties, the Champions course is more suitable, and therefore, a better all-around golf course.
Conclusion
Where you train can make or mar your playing abilities as a Golf pro. This why it’ important to train in the best courses you can find.
So if you are in Scottsdale Arizona, the golf courses we have listed promise to be the best golf courses in the Scottsdale AZ area.
Reference
- eaglegolftours.com – The Best Golf Courses In Scottsdale
- www.tripadvisor.com – Golf Courses in Scottsdale
- www.britannica.com – Golf
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