12 Best Golf Courses in Arizona

There’s nothing fairly like enjoying golf within the coronary heart of the Arizona desert, the place the sun-soaked fairways and crimson rock canyons set the stage for some unimaginable golf. From the long-lasting TPC Scottsdale, the place you may tee off on the identical holes the professionals play throughout the Waste Administration Phoenix Open, to the serene oasis of Troon North, which winds via Saguaro-studded terrain, every spherical is a journey via the rugged great thing about the Southwest. Learn extra about one of the best golf programs in Arizona.

Finest Golf Programs in Arizona

1. The Estancia Membership

Scottsdale

Arizona is dwelling to greater than 370 golf programs, with the vast majority of them situated within the Phoenix/Scottsdale space – which is exactly the place you’ll discover among the finest golf programs within the state: The Estancia Club. This personal course, designed by Tom Fazio, exemplifies trendy golf course structure. Count on dramatic elevation adjustments, sprawling rock formations, and immaculate fairways and greens.

2. Forest Highlands Golf Membership: Canyon

Flagstaff

There are two award-winning designs at Forest Highlands Golf Membership – the Canyon Course and the Meadow Course (extra on this one later). The Canyon Course, created in 1986 by the legendary duo of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, is hailed as one of many best within the nation and positively among the many greatest in Arizona. Now, don’t let the yardages, together with a 636-yard par 5, intimidate you. Because of its 7,000-foot elevation, seven units of tees for all ability ranges, and par 3s scattered all through, the Canyon Course guarantees an accessible spherical of golf for everybody.

3. Whisper Rock Golf Membership: Higher Course & Decrease

Scottsdale

Membership at Whisper Rock Golf Membership is restricted to ask solely. So, your odds of enjoying the membership’s two stellar programs are slim. However, that doesn’t imply we are able to’t admire from afar. The Decrease Course was not solely the primary to open but additionally Phil Mickelson’s inaugural design. The Higher Course got here just a few years later. It was crafted by Tom Fazio and is sometimes called “the Pine Valley of the Southwest.” When you’re a golf aficionado, you’ll acknowledge that as excessive reward certainly. That is desert golf at its best, however maintain your wits about you – the prickly cacti lining the fairways are there to remind you to remain sharp on each swing!

4. The Boulders Membership: South

Carefree

It’s no shock that one of many standout options of The South Course at The Boulders Club is, effectively, its boulders! Designed by Jay Morrish, this course weaves via pure boulder formations and desert wildlife, making each spherical really feel such as you’re starring in your personal nature documentary. The course’s geological marvels actually shine on the par-3 seventh gap, the place you’ll tee off subsequent to the long-lasting “Rosie’s Rock,” a colossal boulder majestically balanced atop a smaller stone. And let’s not neglect the aptly named “Boulder Pile” on No. 5, which is strictly as spectacular because it sounds.

5. Scottsdale Nationwide Golf Membership: The Different Course

Scottsdale

At Scottsdale Nationwide Golf Membership, Bob Parsons, founding father of Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), wasn’t simply including one other course; he was crafting a singular expertise. The Other Course, designed by Jackson Kahn and unveiled in 2016, defies conference with its revolutionary structure, that includes six every of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s, none of them consecutive. With sweeping vistas of 4 Peaks and Pinnacle Peak, the course’s 1.5 million cubic yards of reshaped land supply huge fairways that invite huge photographs however demand strategic play. From the par 3 eleventh, “Satan Canine,” honoring Parsons’ navy roots, to the placing par 3 sixteenth with its infinity-edge inexperienced, each gap tells a narrative.

6. TPC Scottsdale: Stadium

Scottsdale

The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale isn’t simply among the finest golf programs in Arizona, but additionally one of the iconic. Showcased yearly throughout the PGA TOUR’s Waste Administration Phoenix Open, most golfers will acknowledge this course. The spotlight of the golf course is the par-3, sixteenth gap that transforms into “The Coliseum” throughout match week. Surrounded by towering grandstands and stuffed with the roars of enthusiastic followers, it’s one of the thrilling and unforgettable settings in all of golf.

7. The Stone Canyon Membership

Oro Valley

Subsequent on our record of one of the best golf programs in Arizona is The Stone Canyon Club, a real hidden gem nestled between Catalina State Park and Tortolita Mountain Park. Notably, it’s the one golf course within the larger Tucson space to be ranked amongst Golf Digests’s High 100 programs. Right here’s why: each gap is fascinating, with lush inexperienced fairways winding via rocky outcroppings and towering Saguaro cacti. Designed by Jay Morrish, Stone Canyon is extensively thought to be certainly one of his best creations, showcasing his distinctive potential to mix difficult play with the pure great thing about the desert.

8. Troon North Golf Membership: Monument

Scottsdale

Troon North boasts two unimaginable award-winning programs, however Monument holds a slight edge over its sister course, Pinnacle. The Monument course is a real feast for the senses, winding via pure ravines and foothills within the shadow of Pinnacle Peak. Large granite boulders are scattered throughout Arizona’s rugged Sonoran Desert, the place Troon North Golf Membership combines iconic golf with the gorgeous visuals of the desert panorama.

9. Pine Canyon

Flagstaff

Jay Morrish’s portfolio of Arizona golf programs is nothing in need of legendary, and Pine Canyon is one other instance of his brilliance. This one is a pleasant twist on the same old desert scene. Overlook the barren panorama and prickly cacti; right here you’ll be greeted with sweeping views of the San Francisco Peaks, majestic Ponderosa pines, and thrilling elevation adjustments. Morrish has additionally woven in some unbelievable water options, from charming ponds to trout-stocked lakes, making Pine Canyon a refreshing and visually fascinating golf expertise.

10. Desert Forest Golf Membership

Carefree

Desert Forest Golf Club epitomizes simplicity, however don’t mistake that for a scarcity of substance. This course is designed to attenuate distractions and maximize your reference to the sport. Right here, strolling the course is not only inspired – it’s important. Every part is in play: there are not any out-of-bounds, no water hazards, and no fairway bunkers. It’s simply you and the unspoiled terrain. The course is famend for its minimalist method, with its design flowing over the land relatively than altering it. Remarkably, nearly no earth was moved in its creation, permitting you to expertise golf in its purest kind.

11. Forest Highlands Golf Membership: Meadow

Flagstaff

Tom Weiskopf’s design of the Meadow Course at Forest Highlands leverages the distinctive terrain and sumptuous mountain views, creating a standard golf expertise that echoes the nice programs from the flip of the century. With ten holes meandering via the central meadow, surrounded by wildflower areas and pristine wetlands, the Meadow Course presents a park-like setting largely free from residential encroachments, enhancing its serene and timeless attraction.

12. Desert Highlands Golf Membership

Scottsdale

Desert Highlands is perhaps only a stone’s throw from Scottsdale, however this personal membership feels a world away from the busy metropolis. Whereas the membership presents a spread of top-notch facilities, its crown jewel is undeniably the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Nestled within the shadow of Pinnacle Peak, Desert Highlands stands out as among the finest golf programs in Arizona, providing an accessible design that caters to golfers of all ability ranges. 

Often Requested Questions Concerning the Finest Golf Programs in Arizona