From the championship desert courses of Scottsdale to hidden gems in Sedona and the White Mountains, this guide covers 131 golf courses, 12 indoor golf venues, and 29 golf shops across Arizona — with Google ratings, insider tips, and seasonal pricing advice.

The Complete Guide to Arizona Golf: Courses, Resorts & Hidden Gems

Arizona is one of the premier golf destinations in the world. With more than 300 days of sunshine, dramatic desert landscapes, and courses designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Tom Weiskopf, the Grand Canyon State offers a golf experience unlike anywhere else. Whether you're a scratch golfer chasing championship layouts or a weekend player looking for a scenic round with friends, this guide covers the best of Arizona golf — from the iconic resort courses of Scottsdale to hidden gems in Sedona, Tucson, and beyond.

SeekZona's directory includes 131 golf courses, 12 indoor golf and simulator venues, and 29 golf shops across the state. Here's how to navigate the best of them.

The Scottsdale Corridor: Arizona's Golf Capital

Scottsdale and the surrounding East Valley communities form the undisputed epicenter of Arizona golf. The combination of world-class resort courses, perfect winter weather, and a vibrant après-golf scene makes this the destination most visiting golfers target first.

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell consistently ranks among the top public courses in the state. With a 4.8-star Google rating from 1,738 reviews, it delivers two distinct experiences — the Cholla Course and the Saguaro Course — both set against the stunning backdrop of the McDowell Mountains. The Saguaro Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is widely considered one of the finest desert golf experiences in the world.

Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale (4.6 stars, 728 reviews) is another must-play, home to the Raptor and Talon courses. Grayhawk hosts the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Golf Championships and offers a golf experience that balances challenge with playability. The Phil's Grill restaurant on-site is a post-round institution.

For the bucket-list experience, Troon North Golf Club (4.4 stars, 483 reviews) delivers two Tom Weiskopf designs — Monument and Pinnacle — carved through boulder-strewn desert terrain with views that make you forget your scorecard.

Course	City	Rating	Reviews	Designer	Why Play It
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club	Fort McDowell	4.8 ★	1,738	Coore/Crenshaw & Hurdzan/Fry	Two top-ranked desert courses
Grayhawk Golf Club	Scottsdale	4.6 ★	728	Tom Fazio & David Graham	NCAA championship venue
Troon North Golf Club	Scottsdale	4.4 ★	483	Tom Weiskopf	Iconic boulder-desert layouts
Kierland Golf Club	Scottsdale	4.4 ★	432	Scott Miller	27 holes of Scottsdale golf
The Phoenician Golf Course	Scottsdale	4.4 ★	375	Homer Flint	Luxury resort course at the base of Camelback
Camelback Golf Club	Scottsdale	4.4 ★	492	Arthur Hills	Two courses in the heart of Scottsdale

Phoenix & The Valley: Great Golf at Every Price Point

The greater Phoenix metro area offers an incredible range of golf, from championship resort courses to affordable municipal tracks that still deliver stunning desert scenery.

Papago Golf Course (4.6 stars, 3,416 reviews) is the crown jewel of Phoenix municipal golf. Nestled between the Papago Buttes with views of Camelback Mountain, this William Bell design offers a championship experience at public course prices. It's the most-reviewed golf course in our entire directory for good reason.

Lookout Mountain Golf Club at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs (4.4 stars, 471 reviews) plays through a dramatic mountain setting in North Phoenix, while Raven Golf Club (4.5 stars, 701 reviews) offers a unique Arizona golf experience with towering pine trees lining the fairways — a stark contrast to the typical desert layout.

For the best value in the Valley, Encanto Golf Course (4.4 stars, 644 reviews) in central Phoenix delivers a classic parkland experience, and Legacy Golf Resort (4.4 stars, 3,859 reviews) in south Phoenix offers resort-quality golf at accessible prices.

Tucson & Southern Arizona: Where Desert Golf Began

Tucson's golf scene predates Scottsdale's by decades, and the courses here offer a different flavor — more rugged, more natural, and often more affordable. The Santa Catalina Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop that rivals anything in the Valley.

Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club (4.7 stars, 475 reviews) features the famous "Island in the Sky" par-3 third hole on the Mountain Course — a tee shot from an elevated tee to a green surrounded by desert, with the Catalina Mountains towering behind. It's one of the most photographed holes in Arizona._

Arizona National Golf Club (4.4 stars, 478 reviews) is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that plays through the foothills of the Santa Catalinas, while Omni Tucson National Resort (4.4 stars, 1,892 reviews) is a historic venue that hosted the PGA Tour's Tucson Open for decades.

Starr Pass Golf Suites (4.4 stars, 628 reviews) offers 27 holes of Arnold Palmer-designed golf with sweeping views of the Tucson valley, and La Paloma Country Club (4.6 stars, 226 reviews) delivers a Jack Nicklaus Signature design in the foothills.

Sedona & Northern Arizona: Golf with Red Rock Views

If you want the most visually stunning round of golf in Arizona — and possibly the country — head north.

Sedona Golf Resort (4.5 stars, 658 reviews) is the course you've seen in every Arizona golf magazine. The signature par-3 10th hole plays downhill toward a green framed by towering red rock formations. It's a course where you'll spend as much time taking photos as hitting shots.

Seven Canyons in Sedona (4.5 stars, 229 reviews) is a Tom Weiskopf design that weaves through red rock canyons and offers an even more dramatic natural setting, though it operates as a semi-private club with limited public access.

Further north, Elephant Rocks Golf Course in Williams (4.6 stars, 322 reviews) offers a completely different Arizona golf experience — pine forests, cool mountain air, and rock formations that give the course its name. It's a perfect stop on the way to or from the Grand Canyon.

In Prescott, StoneRidge Golf Course (4.5 stars, 284 reviews) plays through granite boulders and high desert terrain at 5,000 feet elevation, offering comfortable summer golf when the Valley is scorching.

The Resort Experience: Stay and Play

Arizona's golf resorts combine world-class courses with luxury accommodations, making them ideal for golf trips.

Gold Canyon Golf Resort (4.5 stars, 1,165 reviews) at the base of the Superstition Mountains offers two courses — the Dinosaur Mountain Course is one of the most dramatic layouts in the state, with elevation changes of over 400 feet and views of the Superstitions from every hole.

Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park (4.5 stars, 939 reviews) is a historic property with three courses, including the Gold Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. — one of the oldest championship courses in Arizona.

Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler (4.5 stars, 749 reviews) offers two Gary Panks designs on the Gila River Indian Community, combining desert golf with Native American cultural elements.

Hidden Gems: Under-the-Radar Courses Worth the Drive

Some of the best golf in Arizona flies under the radar. These courses may not have the marketing budgets of the Scottsdale resorts, but they deliver exceptional experiences.

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club in Bullhead City (4.5 stars, 745 reviews) is a stunning desert course along the Colorado River corridor that most Phoenix golfers have never heard of. The value is exceptional.

Pinetop Lakes Golf & Country Club (4.6 stars, 477 reviews) in the White Mountains offers cool summer golf surrounded by ponderosa pines — a world away from the desert courses most people associate with Arizona.

Emerald Canyon Golf Course in Parker (4.6 stars, 194 reviews) plays through a canyon along the Colorado River with elevation changes that rival any mountain course. It's one of the most unique golf experiences in the state.

Desert Lakes Golf Course in Bullhead City (4.5 stars, 285 reviews) and Blackstone Country Club in Peoria (4.6 stars, 289 reviews) round out the hidden gems list — both offering quality golf at prices well below the Scottsdale premium.

Indoor Golf & Simulators: Year-Round Practice

When it's 115 degrees in July or you just want to work on your game, Arizona's indoor golf scene has you covered.

Topgolf Scottsdale (4.5 stars, 4,565 reviews) is the highest-reviewed golf venue in our directory and has become as much a social destination as a golf one. Topgolf Gilbert (4.5 stars, 3,449 reviews) and Topgolf Tucson (4.5 stars, 2,086 reviews) offer the same experience in the East Valley and Southern Arizona.

For a more intimate simulator experience, Club Twirl Golf Lounge in Phoenix leads the pack with a perfect 5.0-star rating from 273 reviews. The Back Nine Golf in Glendale (5.0 stars, 80 reviews) and X-Golf Scottsdale (5.0 stars, 36 reviews) also offer premium simulator experiences with top-tier technology.

PopStroke Glendale (4.4 stars, 1,031 reviews) and PopStroke Scottsdale (4.4 stars, 836 reviews) — Tiger Woods' putting entertainment concept — bring a different twist to indoor golf with elaborate putting courses and full restaurant service.

Browse all indoor golf options on SeekZona's Indoor Golf & Simulators page.

Golf Shops: Gear Up in Arizona

Arizona's golf retail scene is robust, with everything from national chains to locally owned pro shops that know desert golf inside and out. Browse all 29 golf shops in our Golf Shops directory to find custom fitting, equipment trade-ins, and the latest gear.

When to Play: Arizona Golf Seasons

Arizona golf operates on a seasonal pricing model that's important to understand.

Peak Season (January–April): This is when snowbirds flock south and the weather is perfect — 70s and 80s with low humidity. Course conditions are at their best, but so are prices. Expect to pay premium rates at resort courses, and book tee times well in advance, especially during the Waste Management Phoenix Open week in February.

Shoulder Season (October–December, May): Excellent golf weather with significantly lower prices. October and November offer warm days without the peak-season crowds, and May can be a bargain before the summer heat fully arrives.

Summer (June–September): Temperatures regularly exceed 110°F in the Valley, but this is when Arizona golf becomes incredibly affordable. Many courses offer twilight rates starting as early as noon, and a round that costs $200 in February might be $40 in July. Early morning tee times (before 7 AM) are the key to summer golf. Northern Arizona courses in Flagstaff, Prescott, and the White Mountains offer comfortable summer golf at elevation.

Planning Your Arizona Golf Trip

For the best experience, consider these tips from our directory data:

For first-timers: Start with We-Ko-Pa and Grayhawk in Scottsdale for the quintessential Arizona desert golf experience. Add Papago for a great value round with iconic views.

For a Sedona trip: Play Sedona Golf Resort and pair it with a day exploring Red Rock Country. If you can get on Seven Canyons, don't hesitate.

For Tucson: Ventana Canyon is the must-play, with Arizona National and Omni Tucson National as excellent additions._

For summer golf: Head to the White Mountains — Pinetop Lakes and the courses around Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside offer comfortable temperatures and beautiful mountain scenery.

Browse all Arizona golf courses, indoor golf venues, and golf shops on SeekZona's complete golf directory. Whether you're planning a buddy trip, a romantic resort getaway, or just looking for your next weekend round, Arizona has a course waiting for you.