11 Best Golf Courses in Arizona Open To You Right Now

Arizona is a golfer’s dream, featuring some of the most unique and innovative public courses in the U.S. With stunning landscapes that range from desert vistas to mountain backdrops, these courses offer a variety of challenges and experiences for players of all levels. 

Notable gems like TPC Scottsdale, famous for its lively atmosphere, and Troon North, set against breathtaking desert scenery, exemplify the state’s commitment to exceptional golf. With year-round playable weather, Arizona attracts golf enthusiasts from all over. 

In this overview, we’ll explore the best public courses in the state, highlighting their standout features and what makes each one a must-visit for any golfer.

1. Quintero Golf Club – Phoenix

The Quintero Course is led through the valley of the Arizonian Hieroglyphic Mountains, providing a stunning view as well as a challenging elevation change. The course’s well-manicured bent grass greens provide an incredible golfing experience year-round. 

The 9th hole offers a tee shot that must carry over a lake and onto the green that is perched atop a rock wall. A well-placed drive is crucial, aiming for the right part of the fairway to set up a good angle for the approach shot. Confidence is key!

Opened: 2000
Par: 72
Length: 7249 yards
Designers Include: Rees Jones (2000), Steve Weisser (2000)
Difficulty: Slope 146 / Rating 74.9

2. Saguaro Course – We-Ko-Pa Golf Club

The Saguaro Course consistently ranks among the top public options in Arizona. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, it features classic elements of a desert course while maintaining a traditional and walkable layout. The course offers wide fairways and boasts panoramic views of four surrounding mountains.

Opened: 2006
Par: 71
Length: 6966 yards
Designers Include: Bill Coore (2006), Ben Crenshaw (2006)
Difficulty: Slope 137 / Rating 72.0

3. Monument – Troon North

The Monument Course at Troon North is a true desert course, bordered by cacti, large rocks, and mesquite. Monument was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Hay Morrish, who are famously known for seamlessly blending the natural beauty with the course layout. The course is named after the huge granite boulder that sits on the 3rd hole and is an unforgettable par 5, stretching 556 yards. 

Opened: 1990
Par: 72
Length: 7039 yards
Designers Include: Tom Weiskopf (1990), Jay Morrish (1990), Phil Smith, Tom Weiskopf
Difficulty: Slope 148 / Rating 73.3

4. Pinnacle – Troon North

Similar to its sister course, the Pinnacle at Troon North’s classic desert layout is lined with enormous boulders. Significant elevation changes add variety to the holes and provide stunning vistas throughout the course. 

The signature par-3 16th hole, known as the “Post Card” (paying homage to the infamous “Postage Stamp” at Royal Troon), features a tee shot that requires players to carry water to reach a large, undulating green.

Opened: 1995
Par: 71
Length: 7009 yards
Designers Include: Tom Weiskopf (1995), Phil Smith
Difficulty: Slope 147 / Rating 73.2

5. The Champions Course – TPC Scottsdale

The Champions Course was constructed on the former Desert Course and underwent renovations in 2007. It offers a walkable layout that’s pleasant to navigate when the Arizona heat isn’t too intense. While it’s more forgiving than the Stadium Course, the Champions Course still provides an exciting challenge with incredible views..

Opened: 2008
Par: 71 
Length: 7115 yards
Designers Include: Randy Heckenkemper (2007)
Difficulty: Slope 137 / Rating 73.4

6. The Stadium Course – TPC Scottsdale

The renowned host of the WM Phoenix Open features arguably the most famous stadium hole in golf: the par-3 16th. The course layout also boasts architectural significance, particularly on the back nine, which is filled with risk-and-reward scenarios. 

Tom Weiskopf, who designed the course with Jay Morrish, has overseen renovations which has created this the perfect spot for professional golfers and resort guests.

Opened: 1986
Par: 71
Length: 7261 yards
Designers Include: Tom Weiskopf (2014), Jay Morrish (1986), Tom Weiskopf (1986), Phil Smith (2014)
Difficulty: Slope 142 / Rating 74.7

7. Talon – Grayhawk Golf Club

The Talon Course at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, is renowned for its challenging layout and stunning desert scenery. 

Beware of the box canyons that are ever so present in the back nine. This includes hole 13, aptly coined “Heaven or Hell”, where golfers must carry over one of these box canyons to reach the green.

Opened: 1994
Par: 72
Length: 6973 yards
Designers Include: Gary Panks (1994), David Graham (1994), Gary Stephenson (1994)
Difficulty: Slope 149 / Rating 74.0

8. Raptor – Grayhawk Golf Club

Designed by the renowned Tom Fazio, the Raptor Course has a stunning backdrop of the McDowell Mountains. With rolling greens and various hazards, this course will put any golfer’s skills to the test. 

The 8th hole, nicknamed “Aces & Eights”, demands a tee shot that clears the distance to a spacious double-tiered green, lined at the front by three large, deep bunkers.

Opened: 1995
Par: 72
Length: 7151 yards
Designers Include: Tom Fazio (1995), Tom Fazio (2015), Dennis Wise (1995)
Difficulty: Slope 142 / Rating 74.7

9. Cholla Course – We-Ko-Pa Golf Club

Designed by Scott Miller, it features a mix of dramatic elevation changes and strategically placed bunkers, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Sonoran Desert. It offers a variety of holes that test golfers’ skills, including risk-reward opportunities and tricky greens.

Distance and accuracy is important on hole 8, which stretches 605 yards.

Opened: 2001
Par: 72
Length: 7225 yards
Designers Include: Scott Miller (2001)
Difficulty: Slope 138 / Rating 73.4

10. Papago Golf Course – Phoenix

Papago is one of the best golf values in Arizona, sitting next to Camelback Mountain and downtown Phoenix. A recent $8 million investment has revitalized the course and the impressive Thunderbirds Golf Complex, where both the Arizona State men’s and women’s golf teams train. 

Opened: 1963
Par: 72
Length: 7333 yards
Designers Include: William F. Bell (1963), Billy Fuller (2008), Jack Snyder (1977), Forrest Richardson, Phil Mickelson (2017)
Difficulty: Slope 130 / Rating 75.0

11. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

The Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club sits on the reservation of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. The course is Troon-managed and in 2014 was renovated to become a more player-friendly destination while still maintaining its status as a championship-level course. 

Opened: 2002
Par: 72
Length: 7546 yards
Designers Include: Brian Curley (2002), Fred Couples (2002), Lee E. Schmidt (2002)
Difficulty: Slope 142 / Rating 76.5

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