Top 50 Arizona

Arizona’s Diverse Golfing Tapestry

Arizona’s golfing landscape offers a delightful variety.  From championship layouts that have hosted PGA Tour events to hidden gems tucked away in scenic canyons, you’ll discover courses that challenge, inspire, and leave you with lasting memories.  Here’s a glimpse into the diverse tapestry Arizona’s golf scene offers:

• Desert Golf: Arizona is synonymous with desert golf. These courses weave seamlessly through cacti-studded landscapes, demanding strategic shot selection and rewarding precision.
• Mountain Courses: Escape the desert heat and find yourself amidst towering pines and breathtaking vistas. Mountain courses offer a unique golfing experience with cooler temperatures and stunning scenery.
• Resort Courses: Indulge in the ultimate golf getaway at world-class resorts that boast championship courses alongside luxurious accommodations, spas, and fine dining.

Unveiling Arizona’s Golfer’s Paradise: A curated list of the Top 50 Courses for an Unforgettable Golf Getaway

• Forest Highlands (Canyon): A prestigious golf club located in Flagstaff, Arizona, known for its challenging Canyon Course nestled amidst pine forests.
• Estancia: Situated in Scottsdale, Estancia offers a serene desert golf experience with stunning views of Pinnacle Peak and distinctive southwestern architecture.
• Desert Highlands: Another Scottsdale gem, Desert Highlands features a Jack Nicklaus-designed course with dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking desert vistas.
• Whisper Rock (Upper): A private club in Scottsdale, Whisper Rock Upper Course boasts a Tom Fazio design and a challenging layout favored by experienced golfers.
• Whisper Rock (Lower): The companion course to Whisper Rock Upper, Lower offers a more forgiving experience while still maintaining the club’s high standards.
• We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro): Located in Fort McDowell, Arizona, Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa showcases panoramic desert views and immaculate playing conditions.
• Stone Canyon: Situated in Oro Valley near Tucson, Stone Canyon offers a Tom Fazio-designed course with dramatic rock formations and stunning Sonoran Desert scenery.
• Desert Forest: Located in Carefree, Arizona, Desert Forest Golf Club is a classic course designed by Robert “Red” Lawrence, known for its natural desert landscape and strategic challenges.
• Desert Mountain (Chiricahua): Part of the prestigious Desert Mountain community in Scottsdale, Chiricahua Course provides a challenging layout with expansive views of the surrounding mountains.
• Silverleaf: A private club in North Scottsdale, Silverleaf boasts a Tom Weiskopf-designed course set against the backdrop of the McDowell Mountains.
• Desert Mountain (Geronimo): Another gem within Desert Mountain, Geronimo Course offers a unique design by Jack Nicklaus with thrilling elevation changes and panoramic views.
• Desert Mountain (Renegade): Renegade Course at Desert Mountain features a distinctive design by Jack Nicklaus, known for its challenging greens and stunning desert scenery.
• The Rim: Situated in Payson, Arizona, The Rim Golf Club offers a scenic mountain golf experience with lush fairways and challenging terrain.
• Quintero: Located in Peoria, Arizona, Quintero Golf Club boasts a Rees Jones-designed course set amidst the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
• Scottsdale National (Mineshaft): A private club in Scottsdale, Mineshaft Course at Scottsdale National offers a challenging Tom Weiskopf design with rugged desert terrain and pristine conditions.
• Forest Highlands (Meadow): The Meadow Course at Forest Highlands offers a contrast to the Canyon Course, featuring a more parkland-style layout amidst Ponderosa pines.
• Scottsdale National (The Other Course): Another offering from Scottsdale National, The Other Course provides members with a challenging yet enjoyable golf experience.
• Desert Mountain (Outlaw): Outlaw Course at Desert Mountain offers a links-style layout designed by Jack Nicklaus, providing a unique golfing experience in the desert.
• Chaparral Pines: Located in Payson, Arizona, Chaparral Pines Golf Club offers a picturesque mountain golf experience with tall Ponderosa pines and pristine conditions.
• Troon Country Club: Situated in Scottsdale, Troon Country Club features a Tom Weiskopf-designed course with challenging desert terrain and stunning views of Pinnacle Peak.
• Pine Canyon: A private club in Flagstaff, Pine Canyon offers a Jay Morrish-designed course with challenging elevation changes and panoramic mountain views.
• Dove Mountain (Saguaro & Tortolita): Located in Marana, Arizona, Dove Mountain boasts two championship courses, Saguaro and Tortolita, both designed by Jack Nicklaus.
• Talking Stick (O’odham): Situated in Scottsdale, Talking Stick O’odham Course features lush fairways and scenic desert views, offering a memorable golfing experience.
• Verrado (Founder’s): Located in Buckeye, Arizona, Verrado Golf Club Founder’s Course offers a challenging yet playable Tom Lehman-designed layout with panoramic mountain views.
• Ak-Chin Southern Dunes: Situated in Maricopa, Arizona, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club features a links-style layout with large bunkers and undulating fairways.
• SunRidge Canyon: Located in Fountain Hills, Arizona, SunRidge Canyon Golf Club offers a challenging Keith Foster-designed course with dramatic desert landscape and stunning views.
• Troon North (Monument): A Scottsdale favorite, Monument Course at Troon North showcases dramatic desert scenery and a challenging layout designed by Tom Weiskopf.
• Wickenburg Ranch (Big Wick): Located in Wickenburg, Arizona, Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club Big Wick Course offers a playable yet challenging layout with expansive desert views.
• We-Ko-Pa (Cholla): Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club features a Scott Miller-designed layout with stunning desert scenery and challenging yet fair playability.
• Wigwam (Gold): Situated in Litchfield Park, Wigwam Golf Club Gold Course offers a traditional parkland-style layout with lush fairways and mature trees.
• Ventana Canyon (Mountain): Located in Tucson, Ventana Canyon Golf Club Mountain Course offers a challenging Tom Fazio-designed layout with dramatic elevation changes and stunning desert views.
• Mirabel: A private club in Scottsdale, Mirabel Golf Club offers a Tom Fazio-designed course with panoramic desert vistas and strategic challenges.
• Seven Canyons: Situated in Sedona, Seven Canyons Golf Club offers a unique red rock landscape and stunning canyon views, providing a memorable golfing experience.
• Troon North (Pinnacle): Pinnacle Course at Troon North Golf Club is renowned for its rugged desert terrain and challenging playability, designed by Tom Weiskopf.
• TPC Scottsdale (Stadium): Home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale offers a challenging layout with iconic stadium-style seating and thrilling finishing holes.
• La Paloma (Ridge & Canyon): Located in Tucson, La Paloma Country Club offers two distinctive courses, Ridge and Canyon, both providing scenic desert views and challenging playability.
• Apache Stronghold – CLOSED: Formerly located in Globe, Arizona, Apache Stronghold Golf Club featured a challenging desert layout before its closure.
• Desert Mountain (Cochise): Cochise Course at Desert Mountain offers a challenging layout designed by Jack Nicklaus, with dramatic desert terrain and stunning mountain views.
• The Boulders (North): Situated in Carefree, Arizona, The Boulders Resort & Spa North Course offers a unique desert golf experience amidst massive granite boulders and stunning Sonoran Desert scenery.
• The Gallery (North): Located in Marana, Arizona, The Gallery Golf Club North Course offers a challenging desert layout designed by John Fought with stunning mountain views.
• Flagstaff Ranch: Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club offers a scenic mountain golf experience with pine-lined fairways and challenging playability.
• Grayhawk (Raptor): Raptor Course at Grayhawk Golf Club is a favorite among PGA Tour players, featuring a challenging Tom Fazio-designed layout with stunning desert scenery.
• The Gallery (South): The South Course at The Gallery Golf Club in Marana offers a challenging layout with pristine conditions and scenic desert views.
• Laughlin Ranch: Situated in Bullhead City, Arizona, Laughlin Ranch Golf Club features a challenging layout with panoramic views of the Colorado River and surrounding desert landscape.
• Blackstone Country Club: Located in Peoria, Arizona, Blackstone Country Club offers a Jim Engh-designed course with challenging playability and scenic desert views.
• Talking Rock: Located in Prescott, Arizona, Talking Rock Golf Club offers a scenic mountain golf experience with rolling fairways and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
• Ventana Canyon (Canyon): Canyon Course at Ventana Canyon Golf Club offers a challenging layout with narrow fairways and stunning canyon views, designed by Tom Fazio.
• The Boulders (South): South Course at The Boulders Resort & Spa offers a distinctive desert golf experience with massive rock formations and breathtaking Sonoran Desert scenery.
• Grayhawk (Talon): Talon Course at Grayhawk Golf Club offers a challenging layout with strategic bunkering and scenic desert views, designed by Tom Fazio.
• Starr Pass (Rattler & Roadrunner): Located in Tucson, Starr Pass Golf Club offers two distinctive courses, Rattler and Roadrunner, both providing challenging playability and scenic desert views.

Planning Your Arizona Golf Getaway 

Craft Your Dream Itinerary:

• Number of Rounds: Consider how many rounds you’d like to play. Be realistic about your stamina and factor in rest days to soak up the scenery.
• Course Selection: Use our Top 50 list to create a personalized itinerary that blends iconic courses with hidden gems that suit your skill level and budget.
• Accommodation: Research hotels, resorts, or vacation rentals that align with your location preferences and desired amenities. Many resorts offer golf packages that bundle accommodation with green fees.
• Tee Times & Reservations: Popular courses, especially during peak season, fill up quickly. Book your tee times well in advance, particularly if you have your heart set on a specific course or time slot.
• Travel Logistics: Consider flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for the most convenient access to many top courses. Renting a car offers flexibility for exploring different regions.

Beyond the Fairway:

While golf is undoubtedly the star attraction, Arizona offers a wealth of activities to complement your golfing getaway:

• Hiking & Nature Exploration: Embark on a thrilling hike through Sedona’s red rock canyons or explore the majestic beauty of the Grand Canyon National Park.
• Cultural Immersion: Delve into Arizona’s rich history by visiting Native American reservations, Spanish colonial missions, or charming ghost towns.
• Foodie Delights: Savor the unique flavors of Arizona cuisine, from sizzling Sonoran hot dogs to fresh prickly pear margaritas. Explore Scottsdale’s vibrant restaurant scene or sample authentic Mexican fare in Tucson.
• Relaxation & Rejuvenation: Unwind after a challenging round with a spa treatment at your resort or soak up the desert sunshine by the pool.

Arizona Awaits!

With its stunning scenery, world-class courses, and diverse attractions, Arizona promises an unforgettable golf getaway.  Use this comprehensive guide to plan your dream trip, and get ready to tee off on an adventure you’ll never forget.

Have you played any of these gems?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Book your next Golf Getaway and tee off amongst some of the Top 50 Arizona Courses by contacting Golf Getaway at www.GolfGetaway.tv/Contact