In this guide, we will highlight every best golf course in Arizona in 2024. We arrived at this list after evaluating several courses in the area. So, read on to learn more about these best golf courses.
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Arizona is likely to be desert-lined fairways.
While it is true that Arizona has some of the best desert courses, the dramatic mountain courses on the northern side present a different topography, making the Grand Canyon State so fascinating.
Both styles are well represented when it comes to ranking the best golf courses in Arizona.
List of the Best Golf Courses in Arizona
- The Estancia Club
- Forest Highlands Golf Club: Canyon
- Whisper Rock Golf Club: Upper Course
- Whisper Rock Golf Club: Lower Course
- Scottsdale National Golf Club
- Stone Canyon
- Pine Canyon
- Desert Forest Golf Club
- Forest Highlands Golf Club: Meadow
- Desert Highlands Golf Club
- Silverleaf Club
- Desert Mountain Club: Chiricahua Course
- Desert Mountain Club: Geronimo Course
- Desert Mountain Club: Renegade Course
- Scottsdale National Golf Club: Mineshaft
- The Rim Golf Club
- Quintero Golf Club
- Mirabel Golf Club
- Troon Country Club
- Chaparral Pines
- Wickenburg Ranch: Big Wick
- Desert Mountain Club: Cochise Course
- We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: Saguaro
- Seven Canyons
- Arizona National Golf Club
The Best Golf Courses in Arizona
1. The Estancia Club
- Location: 27998 N 99th Pl, Scottsdale, AZ 85262, USA
- Length: 7,314 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Tom Fazio
- Established: 1995
- Championships Hosted: Women Club Champion. 2023
Since 1996, the Estancia Club has been the best golf course in Arizona for many reasons. Positioned beneath the north slopes of Pinnacle Peak, the golf course has greens wilder than most of the clubs.
2. Forest Highlands Golf Club: Canyon
- Location: 2425 William Palmer, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA
- Length: 7,007
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Weiskopf and Morrish
- Established: 1986
- Championships Hosted: 1996 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and 2006 USGA Mid-Amateur Championship
This is another interesting course at the Forest Highlands. It has a par 4 and three par 5s with over 600 yards.
3. Whisper Rock Golf Club: Upper Course
- Location: 31900 N Old Bridge Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85266, USA
- Length: 7,550 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Tom Fazio
- Established: 2005
- Championships Hosted: PGA Arizona National Club Championship
It is one of the two Whisper courses, which was designed specifically to test low-handicap and PGA Tour top golfers.
4. Whisper Rock Golf Club: Lower Course
- Location: 31900 N Old Bridge Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85266, USA
- Length: 7,359 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Gregg Tryhus and Gary Stephenson
- Established: 2001
- Championships Hosted: Three USGA Championships from 2006
Whisper Rock Golf Club: Lower Course is the best golf course in Arizona because it offers something different than a typical Scottdale desert layout.
5. Scottsdale National Golf Club: The Other Course
- Location: 28265 North Scottsdale National Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85262, USA
- Length: 7,579
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Jackson & Kahn
- Established: 2013
- Championships Hosted: Wild West Invitation Festival, 2021; 2040 U.S. Open
This is the second 18-hole golf course at Scottsdale National. Besides this, it is one of the new exciting, well-designed courses in the area. Unfortunately, it is extremely private, so only a few people have seen it.
6. Stone Canyon
- Location: Oro Valley, AZ 85755, USA
- Length: 7,059 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Jay Morrish
- Established: 2009
- Championships Hosted: The Southern Chapter PGA Match Play Championship, The third edition of ‘The Match’ in November 2020
Found on the slopes of the Tortolita Mountains, Stone Canyon Club is probably the best golf course in Arizona designed by the late Jay Morrish.
7. Pine Canyon
- Location: 1201 E John W Powell Blvd, Flagstaff, Arizona 86005
- Length: 7,272 yards
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Jay Morrish
- Established: 2004
- Championships Hosted: Pacific Coast Amateur Golf Association (PCGA), 2014
This luxurious golf course features a championship-standard golf course with a variety of holes, towering ponderosa pines, tall native grasses, meandering streams, and pristine bonds.
8. Desert Forest Golf Club
- Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85266, USA
- Length: 7,201 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: David Zinkand and Robert “Red” Lawrence
- Established: 1962
- Championships Hosted: The USGA Senior Amateur Championship, 1990; Trans-Mississippi Golf Association’s Four Ball Championship, 2006
Desert Forest Golf Club has the best golf course in Arizona because it is among the first ones ever built.
9. Forest Highlands Golf Club: Meadow
- Location: 2425 William Palmer · Flagstaff AZ 86005
- Length: 7,262 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Tom Weiskopf
- Established: 1999
- Championships Hosted: Three USGA championships: the 2006 U.S. Mid-Amateur (co-host), 2014 U.S. Girls Junior and 2019 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.
This golf course at Forest Highlands is a parkland layout that features wildflowers, tall pines, and scenic wetlands.
10. Desert Highlands Golf Club
- Location: 10040 E Happy Valley Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, USA
- Length: 7,108 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Jack Nicklaus
- Established: 1983
- Championships Hosted: 99th Arizona Amateur Championship, 2023; Will host the 2026 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and the 2029 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball
This golf course hosted the initial two televised Skin games between 1983 and 1984 featuring pro players like Palmer, Nicklaus, and Watson.
11. Silverleaf Club
- Location: 18701 N Silverleaf Dr, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255-7157
- Length: 7,322 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Tom Weiskopf
- Established: 2002
- Championships Hosted: PGA National Club Championship Tournament, 2020; to Host 2024 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship
Just a few miles from the Stadium course at TCP Scottsdale is the beautiful Silverleaf Club. We believe it is the best golf course in Arizona because of its desert layout.
12. Desert Mountain Club: Chiricahua Course
- Location: 42429 N Saguaro Forest Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262, USA
- Length: 7,347 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Jack Nicklaus
- Established: 1999
- Championships Hosted: The 2012 Charles Schwab Cup Championship
It is one of six Jack Nicklaus-designed courses within the Chiricahua ranges, which is elevated from 3,000 to 3,300 feet.
13. Desert Mountain Club: Geronimo Course
- Location: 10333 E Rockaway Hills Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85262-2901
- Length: 7,293 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Jack Nicklaus
- Established: 1989
- Championships Hosted: The Tradition, 1989
It is arguably the best golf course in Arizona because of its visually intimidating seven courses. With its classic target-style layout, the Geronimo course has many forced carries and narrow fairways over deserts and ravines.
14. Desert Mountain Club: Renegade Course
- Location: 38256 N Desert Mountain Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85262, USA
- Length: 7,933 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Lyle Anderson and Jack Nicklaus
- Established: 1987
- Championships Hosted: The 2012 Charles Schwab Cup Championship and from 2014 to 2016
It is one of the most important design courses in the new century with a futuristic look and unique versatility.
15. Scottsdale National Golf Club: Mineshaft
- Location: 28265 North Scottsdale National Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85262, USA
- Length: 7,500 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Jay Morrish and Dick Bailey
- Established: 2003
- Championships Hosted: The third annual PXG College Golf Showcase, 2022
The Mineshaft is one of the three courses at Scottsdale National. After the PXG owner purchased the golf course in 2013, it has undergone improvement around the property.
16. The Rim Golf Club
- Location: 300 S. Clubhouse Road, Payson, Arizona 85541
- Length: 7,193 yards
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish
- Established: 1999
- Championships Hosted: PGA National Club Championship Tournament; 2019 Masters’ Champion; The 2024 WAC Women’s Golf Championship
The Rim Golf Club is just a couple of miles northeast of Scottsdale but it is different from many traditional desert layouts, and that is why we feel it is the best golf course in Arizona.
17. Quintero Golf Club
- Location: 16752 AZ-74, Peoria, AZ 85383, USA
- Length: 7,249 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Rees Jones and Steve Weisser
- Established: 2000
- Championships Hosted: August LPGA Golf Tournament, 2020
Perhaps no other course is considered the best golf course in Arizona when it comes to offering a better experience of the region’s diverse topography.
18. Mirabel Golf Club
- Location: 37100 N Mirabel Club Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262, USA
- Length: 7,147 yards
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Tom Fazio, Beau Welling, Dennis Wise, and Jackson Kahn
- Established: 2001
- Championships Hosted: The Maui Jim Intercollegiate Golf Tournament (NCAA Division 1), 2020
This is another beautifully designed golf course from Tom Fazio. In fact, it has an aesthetically pleasing desert layout with generous fairways.
19. Troon Country Club
- Location: 25000 N Windy Walk Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, USA
- Length: 7,041 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish
- Established
- Championships Hosted: USGA Mid-Amateur Championship in 1990; Ping Pro Scratch from 1985 – 1995; U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, 2023; The 2023 PGA National Club Championship
Troon Country Club was among the first desert courses in the Scottsdale area. The course is relatively playable and lets players run the ball up onto many greens.
20. Chaparral Pines
- Location: 504B Club Dr, Payson, AZ 85541, USA
- Length: 7,019 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: David Graham and Gary Panks
- Established: 1997
- Championships Hosted: 2019 “Black, White, and Yellow Ball” Tournament; Southern Chapter PGA Senior Championship, 2017
Chaparral Pines is about an hour and a half northeast of Phoenix and is a bit tight and demanding, especially with its tall pines and rocky outcroppings guarding many landing areas.
21. Wickenburg Ranch: Big Wick
- Location: 1420 N Country Club Dr, Wickenburg, AZ 85390, USA
- Length: 7,059 yards
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Bill Brownlee and Wendell Pickett
- Established: 2015
- Championships Hosted: The 2022 Arizona Tour Stop
Another beautifully designed golf course designed for manageable summer temperatures is the Wickenburg Ranch: Big Wick.
The good thing about this course is that it offers fantastic views of Prescott National Forest and Vulture Peak.
22. Desert Mountain Club: Cochise Course
- Location: 10333 E Rockaway Hills Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85262-2901
- Length: 7,042 yards
- Par: 72
- Designed by: Jack Nicklaus
- Established: 1988
- Championships Hosted: PGA Tour Champions from 1989 through 2001; Charles Schwab Cup Championship in 2012 and from 2014 through 2016
Jack Niclaus has an interesting history with this course. Not only did he design it but also he won one of the majors on the PGA Tour Championship held on the course between 1989 and 2001.
23. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: Saguaro
- Location: 18200 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264, USA
- Length: 6,966 yards
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
- Established: 2006
- Championships Hosted: The Tour Championship, 2023; 66th Southwest PGA Championship, 2023
If you are looking for typical traits of a desert golf course while still keeping the traditional, walkable feel, then We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: Saguaro is the best golf course in Arizona.
24. Seven Canyons
- Location: 625 Golf Club Way, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
- Length: 6,746 yards
- Par: 70
- Designed by: Tom Weiskopf
- Established: 2003
- Championships Hosted: Tiger Woods PGA Tour Championship each year; TPC Sawgrass to Host 2024 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship
This is another of the best golf course in Arizona with a picturesque desert layout. We were particularly impressed by its views of the surrounding jagged rock faces characterizing the region.
25. Arizona National Golf Club
- Location: 9777 E Sabino Greens Dr, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
- Length: 6,785 yards
- Par: 71
- Designed by: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- Established: 1996
- Championships Hosted: N/A
This golf course has beautiful scenery despite its challenging layout. Besides this, it is generally affordable and open to the public.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Arizona has approximately 370 golf courses with Phoenix and Scottsdale being the most golf-rich cities.
So, when you travel across the state make sure to try out some of its favorite courses like the ones we have listed here.
On top of this, Arizona has two major golf associations: the Junior Golf Association of Arizona and the Arizona Golf Association.
Most days are sunny and dry with cooler evenings. Generally, most cities enjoy warm weather for the most part of the year.
Specifically, the peak season for golfing in Arizona is between January and April. During summer, the average temperature is about 100°F, but it is usually dry, making it uncomfortable to play golf.
Interestingly, some players can still find their way into the golf course during the summer months.
The WM Phoenix Open is one of the biggest golf tournaments in Arizona.
The tournament is home to the largest and most interesting crowds during the game.
It also has the most iconic hole on the PGA Tour, i.e. the famed 16th hole Coliseum. Overall, the WM Phoenix Open has captured the hearts of millions of golf fans across the world.
Final Thoughts
Arizona is one of the top states in the US that is known for having the best golf courses. Many people visit the state to participate in the various tournaments, especially in the warm months.
Actually, there is no shortage of good options when it comes to playing golf in Arizona. For instance, you can play in The Estancia Club, the best golf course in Arizona, or even the two Whisper Rock Golf Clubs.
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