As a keen golfer, spending time in Scottsdale, Arizona can be one of the most rewarding things to experience. In a 40 mile radius of downtown, there are about 100 golf courses, many of which are thrilling and challenging. This list makes up nine of the golf courses located in Scottsdale that are considered to be the best among those in the United States.
1. Legends Trail Golf Club
Rated as one of the country’s best places to play by Golf Digest, the grounds are beautifully maintained and have a slope rating of 135. The course is more than 6,800 yards long from the championship tees with 4 additional tees on each hole to accommodate lower-skilled golfers.
2. Troon North Golf Club
Consisting of two distinct courses—the Pinnacle and the Monument, the former is about 6,900 yards with elevation changes not normally seen in the desert, and the latter is 7,200 yards from the back. Both are par-72 and were designed by one of the best golf architects in the country.
3. Talking Stick Golf Club
Both courses are long but can be enjoyed by any level of golfer. The north course is similar to others in the desert, having grasslands and bunkers and is 7,100 yards long. The south course is more like eastern courses with trees lining the fairways, and is 300 yards shorter than the north.
4. Ancala Country Club
The target-style layout has aided the club in becoming one of the most prestigious in the country, as well as one of the most unique golf courses in Scottsdale. The course is near 6,900 yards from the back tees, but has 4 additional tees at each hole lending itself to better accessibility for golfers of all skill levels.
5. Desert Highlands Golf Course
The course itself is vast desert, accented by fairways and greenery maintained to perfection. The course is almost 7,100 yards from the back tees with a slope rating of an impressive 151. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, golfers at this course will feel like the legends that played before them.
6. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
Consisting of two 18 hole courses called Cholla and Saguaro, with the former being named by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 10 best new public courses when it opened in 2001, Saguaro is a bit friendlier for walking, with manual push carts provided by the club.
7. TPC Scottsdale
TPC is visually stunning, and was named one of America’s best courses by Golfweek. And Conde Nast named it one of the top 50 golf resort destinations in the world. Greats like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson have all played here.
8. Kierland Golf Club
Made up of three courses with nine holes each, there are surprisingly no saguaro cacti on the property. What truly sets this club apart from others are the air conditioned golf carts, the late afternoon bagpiper, and the ability to forgo a traditional golf cart and use a Segway, golf board, or bike instead.
9. Grayhawk Golf Club
The gathering place of the pros in the 90s, the two 18 hole courses at Grayhawk are both impressive and challenging. The Raptor course has been named one of the best public golf courses in Arizona, and golfers can enjoy stunning views from the Talon course.
All nine of these golf courses are made up of things that make them unique and fun, with specifics that appeal to all golfers. Scottsdale is lucky to be home to so many great places to golf, visitors might have a hard time choosing which courses or clubs to play. And don’t forget, just because they are in the desert doesn’t mean that all courses will be graced with the expected presence of sand and cacti.
