Winter is a great time to play golf in Scottsdale. With almost 200 golf courses and over 300 days of sunshine every year, the city has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest golf destinations. Great resorts, fine dining, shopping and the natural beauty of the Sonoran desert offer plenty to do off the course. Here we round up the 10 best places to golf in Scottsdale during your winter stay.
Play around twelve million year old boulders at The Boulders Golf Club, one of the finest golf resorts in the country. — Photo courtesy of The Boulders
There simply isn’t a more spectacular golf venue in the state. Troon North is home to the Pinnacle Course and Monument Course, both maintained in top condition and offering diverse and challenging play. The Monument features British Open-style links, while the Pinnacle is a more traditional desert course with extremely fast greens. Troon North is pricey to play, but a must for serious golf enthusiasts.
Located on the Fort Mcdowell Yavapai Nation, this award-winning course was named one of the 10 best new public golf courses in the world by Sports Illustrated back in 2001. The We-Ko-Pa Saguaro Course is unique in that each green is only a few yards away from the next set of tees. The course is also easier to navigate than Troon North, making for fast, enjoyable play in a scenic desert setting.
Come here for the unique amenities, including air-conditioned golf carts, Segway rentals, and the bagpiper that plays solemnly on the ninth green of the Acacia course in the afternoon. There is no 18-hole course at Kierland, but rather three nine-hole courses—the Ironwood, Acacia and Mesquite—all featuring wide fairways and ample greens.
This newer venue, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, features two courses. The rugged North Course has a par-71 links-style layout with bunkers, while the South Course is flat and perfect for players with high handicaps. One of the biggest draws of this course is the location: enjoy the resort and casino next door, great shopping, and Salt River Flats, the new spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, right across the 101 freeway.
This club is home to two championship golf courses built by architect Tom Fazio: the Talon and the Raptor. Come to play the unique signature hole located at the 174-yard eight hole, a par-3 nicknamed “Aces & Eights.”
We-Ko-Pa is one of Scottsdale's most popular public golf courses. — Photo courtesy of We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
Golfers visiting Scottsdale will want to book a tee time at this famous course, home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The Stadium course at TPC always offers impeccably manicured tournament-level conditions. Although the longer holes can be a challenge for the average golfer, players at all skill levels will enjoy soaking up the service, ambience and history of this iconic Scottsdale venue.
The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain
This four-star rated golf club features a Scott Miller designed course with wide fairways and undulating greens. Come here to experience a classic desert course with dramatic changes in elevation and great views at every turn.
This is one of the highest rated golf, tennis and spa resorts in the country. The Boulders Golf Club is home to two championship-level courses designed by Jay Morrish, situated in the rugged beauty of the high Sonoran desert just north of Scottsdale. Enjoy playing around twelve million year old boulders and soaking up the striking panoramic views.
This eco-sensitive club is located at the foothills of the McDowell Mountains and features some of the best desert play in the city. The 7,072-yard, par-71 course was designed under Audubon International Institute guidelines and features wetlands and cattails, along with native cactus and mesquite landscaping. Players will love the design elements of the course, with play areas built for speed of play and maximum player enjoyment.
The Phoenician Golf Club
When it comes to iconic Scottsdale courses, the Phoenician’s 27-hole golf course represents the best in the city’s long traditions of top-notch resort play. This tranquil and scenic course is grouped into three nines: the Oasis Nine, the Desert Nine, and the Canyon nine.