Arizona is one of America’s great states for golfing enthusiasts. Thanks to Arizona’s year-round clear skies and blazing sunshine, it has continuously been a destination for keen golfers from all corners of the globe. The state itself features over 200 distinct courses, that’s 3600 holes, each of which is challenging and interesting in their own ways. Alongside South Carolina, Florida and Indiana, Arizona is a consistent location on the PGA Tour, attracting the world’s greatest golfers to challenge themselves and one another on the state’s best complex courses. The city hosts the LGPA’s Founders Cup and the Phoenix Open, a competitive championship operating since 1932. Check out our list of the top 5 courses and clubs to play when you’re in Phoenix, Arizona.
Troon North
Located in Scottsdale to the east of Phoenix, Troon North features 36-holes of sweeping desert golf. Epitomising the Valley of the Sun, Troon North’s Pinnacle and Monument courses are set beautifully within the burnt yellow desert landscape. The Pinnacle course is located at the base of Pinnacle Peak and features typical desert target golf. Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, the holes are designed to showcase the mesmerising environment but also challenge golfers with an element of British Open influences such as undulating fairways and sloping greens. The Monument course is defined by the vast boulder that dominates the 3rd hole. With tees high above the fairways, golfers are met with stunning vistas at the outset of the holes. Also featuring a short course and other great practice facilities, golfers can practice their game at leisure before embarking on the challenging full 36.
TPC Scottsdale
If you prefer the authenticity of wide bright green fairways with clearly defined roughs and manicured greens that evoke the original Scottish courses, then TPC Scottsdale is a course you must play. The Champions Course and Stadium Course challenge and intrigue golfers with complex features that require clever shots and, perhaps, a few plays through. The whole infrastructure of TPC is of the highest quality - the clubhouse is sociable and contains all the amenities one may need, the golf instruction from the in-house pros is second to none, the practice facilities are state-of-the-art and the courses available are PGA Tour worthy. The Stadium Course is arguably the highlight here. There is a fantastic risk-reward factor to the par-5 15th with a water hazard feature, the drivable par-4 17th and the iconic par-3 16th, which regularly sparks conversation during coverage of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Bragging rights are certainly available for shooting a good birdie on these three holes.
Wickenberg Ranch Golf & Social Club
Designed by Bill Brownlee and Wendell Pickett, the course at Wickenberg Ranch is beautifully manicured and complex, whilst sitting in the breathtaking surroundings of the Prescott National Forest with views up to the looming Vulture Peak. The strength of this course is the variety of holes, which demand careful consideration and a range of shots, that encourage golfers to play a mental as well as a physical game. The elevated tees provide an alluring overview of the fairway ahead, showcasing the course and landscape’s natural beauty. Arguably one of the best courses in the state, Wickenberg Ranch offers five par-3s and five par-5s to keep golfers excited and challenged. With great practice facilities and only a 45-minute drive from Phoenix, this course is not to be missed.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, McDowell
We-Ko-Pa features two courses in a breathtaking, unpopulated desert landscape. With no buildings to spoil many of the uninterrupted views, We-Ko-Pa is often considered one of the most scenic and best golf courses in the state. The Cholla Course was designed by Scott Miller and the second, the Saguaro Course, was designed by duo Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The latter is arguably a more interesting course. The excellently curated course features elevated tees that provide scenic views of the Sonoran Desert and the surrounding mountains.
Grayhawk Golf Club, Scottsdale
Grayhawk Golf Club features 36 holes over two layouts - the Raptor Course and the Talon Course. The Raptor, designed by renowned course designer Tom Fazio, used to host a PGA Tour event and features a challenging layout that should intrigue golfers with complex shots and considerable hazards. Featuring an exciting mix of long and short par-4s and a few outstanding par-5s, the longer holes are as mentally demanding as physically. Raptor culminates in a high risk-reward 18th around a stunning lake water feature. The Talon Course, designed by David Graham and Gary Panks, features a brilliant par-3 with an island green and an appealing, drivable par-4 13th.
For keen amateur and professional golfers, there aren’t many better places in the world to live than Phoenix, Arizona. Find out more about the prime real estate near some of the best golf courses in the world in Arizona with Propeterra. Contact Propeterra today to learn more about investing in your American dream today.
