Scottsdale Golf Courses

Golf in Scottsdale is paradise in cooler months! What it’s called in our hot summers?* I can only hazard a guess! There are nearly 28 Scottsdale golf courses and clubs to choose from — public, private or public-private partnership play — including resorts.  Pick your course type, location and amenity from this Table from North to South.

Get quick links to the links, local phone numbers and special features of each course. Courses and clubs include resorts and master-planned golf communities. Golf that suits you to a tee is available — for every ability and budget.

I know I am getting better at golf because I am hitting fewer spectators.

Gerald R. Ford

* Some DO like it hot! After the seasonal excitement cools down, the summer ‘Dawn Patrol’ gets the courses all to themselves, often at reduced fees, in exchange for taking the heat.

A Little History of Scottsdale Golf Courses

Did you know golf has been played in Scottsdale for over 100 years? Yep. It started with oiled sand courses. Spoil yourself with serene greens today!

Want to be a Scottsdale Golf History buff? Joan Fudala, local author and historian, penned a golf book. It’s a wonderful swing through the years, with lots of brief history and images of courses, golf greats and other celebs.

Golf is a game of misses, and the winners are those who have the best misses.

Kathy Whitworth, winner of 88 LPGA Tour tournaments

Rugged Desert or Lush Parkland?

Choose from distinctive and many top-rated courses. Take your pick of styles: secluded, rugged north and east Scottsdale. Audubon sanctuaries and demanding desert courses — Or centrally located lush parkland-style courses. 

Swanky, No Frills, or Roughing it

So many options! Practice facilities like driving ranges, putting greens and short game areas. Generous women-friendly fairways. Who knew? Family-friendly clubs and kids’ programs.  Coaching, lessons and rentals. Golf performance centers.  PGA Pros, a fitting facility, and caddie programs.

Pick posh perks like Golfboards, bikes, Segways, and family-friendly golf carts. TurfRiders and bagpipers at sunset — ala the Kierland Golf Club. Upscale restaurants, on-course chef and comfort stations — or casual clubhouses with basic amenities. Your choice!

Big Name Designer Courses

Many of golf’s champions and renowned architects have designed our courses: Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Phil Mickelson. Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. Gary Panks, Dick Turner, and Randy Heckenkemper. Tom Lehman and John Fought. Perry Dye and Nick Faldo. Michael Poellot, architect for Robert Trent Jones Jr.  Johnny Bulla and Desmond Muirhead.  Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw. Jason Straka, Greg Nash and Jeff Harbin.

You too can play on hallowed ground! We all know golfers never die — and I’m not calling anyone the ‘O’ word! You’re stayin’ alive!

The Phoenix Open

Scottsdale is home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament at the TPC Golf Club. For 1 week in early February, it’s one of the biggest-attended golf tournaments anywhere. Locals and visitors swarm here seeking sunshine, championship golf and more.

Scoring tickets to the Coors Light Birds Nest, the Phoenix Open’s ‘Greatest Show on Grass’ for 4 nights of entertainment is an ace for players — and not just of golf — Yee Haw!

Whether you come for the golf, partying, or networking — it all drives revenue to support charities and our economy. The Valley of the Sun has hosted the Phoenix Open since 1932.

Mistakes are part of the game. It’s how well you recover from them, that’s the mark of a great player.

Home Town Rocker, DJ and Golfer, Alice Cooper

Scavenger Hunt Your Endless Choices!

What’ll it be today? How about playing above 600 feet Valley vistas? Or no tee times with 45 holes and wide open fairways? There’s the ‘Best Inexpensive Golf Course’ and ‘Best Late Afternoon Golf Getaway.’ The oldest, most affordable golf in Scottsdale. How about a lighted driving range, with putting and chipping until 9 PM?

Which clubs and courses answer their phones at 6:30 AM to serve you? Silverado, Starfire, and Continental!

Play 16 water holes, open 365 days. Centrally located Gold Standard golf with lush greenery and 9th hole waterfall & waterways. Take a scavenger hunt through this handy table to quickly find your next, best golf outing: Table of Scottsdale Golf Courses, Public and Private, North to South.

Here’s my post on resorts to treat yourself to world-class links. Come for the golf. Stay for the season or forever!