Forget everything you think you know about the desert. Because golf in Arizona isn’t dry, dull, or unforgiving – it’s spectacular. It’s sun-soaked fairways weaving through red rock canyons. It’s towering saguaros punctuating the horizon. It’s sunshine more than 300 days a year. It’s just plain hard to beat. And with winter rounding the corner, there’s no better time to experience it all for yourself. These are the best golf courses in Arizona.Â
Best Golf Courses in Arizona
1. The Estancia Club
Scottsdale
Arizona is home to more than 370 golf courses, with a heavy concentration in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area – which is precisely where you’ll find one of the state’s finest: The Estancia Club. This private course, designed by Tom Fazio, exemplifies modern golf course architecture. Expect dramatic elevation changes, sprawling rock formations, and immaculate fairways and greens.
2. Forest Highlands Golf Club: Canyon
Flagstaff
There are two award-winning designs at Forest Highlands Golf Club – the Canyon Course and the Meadow Course (more on this one later). The Canyon Course, created in 1986 by the legendary duo Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, is hailed as one of the finest in the country and easily among the best in Arizona. Now, don’t let the yardages, including a 636-yard par 5, intimidate you. Thanks to its 7,000-foot elevation, seven sets of tees, and par 3s scattered throughout, the Canyon Course promises an accessible round of golf for everyone.
3. Whisper Rock Golf Club: Upper Course & Lower
Scottsdale
Membership at Whisper Rock Golf Club is limited to invitation only, so your odds of playing the club’s two stellar courses are slim. But that doesn’t mean we can’t admire from afar. The Lower Course was not only the first to open, but also Phil Mickelson’s inaugural design. The Upper Course, which followed a few years later, was crafted by Tom Fazio and is often referred to as “the Pine Valley of the Southwest.” If you’re a golf aficionado, you’ll recognize that as high praise indeed. This is desert golf at its finest, but keep your wits about you – the prickly cacti lining the fairways are there to remind you to stay sharp on every swing!
4. The Boulders Club: South
Carefree
It’s no surprise that one of the standout features of The South Course at The Boulders Club is, indeed, its boulders! Designed by Jay Morrish, this course winds through natural boulder formations and desert wildlife, making every round feel like you’re starring in your own nature documentary. The course’s geological marvels truly shine at the par-3 7th hole, where you’ll tee off next to the iconic “Rosie’s Rock,” a colossal boulder majestically balanced atop a smaller stone. And let’s not forget the aptly named “Boulder Pile” on No. 5, which is exactly as impressive as it sounds.
5. Scottsdale National Golf Club: The Other Course
Scottsdale
At Scottsdale National Golf Club, Bob Parsons, founder of Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), wasn’t just adding another course; he was crafting a unique experience. The Other Course, designed by Jackson Kahn and unveiled in 2016, defies convention with its innovative layout, featuring six each of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s, none of them consecutive. With sweeping vistas of Four Peaks and Pinnacle Peak, the course’s 1.5 million cubic yards of reshaped land offer massive fairways that invite big shots but demand strategic play. From the par 3 11th, “Devil Dog,” honoring Parsons’ military roots, to the striking par 3 16th with its infinity-edge green, every hole tells a story.
6. TPC Scottsdale: Stadium
Scottsdale
The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale isn’t just one of the best golf courses in Arizona, but also one of the most iconic. Showcased annually during the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, most golfers will recognize this pick. But the highlight of the golf course is the par-3, 16th hole that transforms into “The Coliseum” during tournament week. Surrounded by towering grandstands and filled with the roars of enthusiastic fans, it’s one of the most thrilling and unforgettable settings in all of golf.
7. The Stone Canyon Club
Oro Valley
Next on our list of the best golf courses in Arizona is The Stone Canyon Club, a true hidden gem nestled between Catalina State Park and Tortolita Mountain Park. Notably, it’s the only golf course in the greater Tucson area to be ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 courses. Here’s why: every hole is captivating, with lush green fairways winding through rocky outcroppings and massive saguaro cacti. Designed by Jay Morrish, Stone Canyon is widely regarded as one of his finest creations, showcasing his exceptional ability to blend challenging play with the natural beauty of the desert.
8. Troon North Golf Club: Monument
Scottsdale
Troon North boasts two incredible award-winning courses, but Monument holds a slight edge over its sister course, Pinnacle. The Monument course is a true feast for the senses, winding through natural ravines and foothills in the shadow of Pinnacle Peak. Giant granite boulders are scattered across Arizona’s rugged Sonoran Desert, where Troon North Golf Club combines iconic golf with the stunning visuals of the desert landscape.
9. Pine Canyon
Flagstaff
Jay Morrish’s portfolio of Arizona golf courses is nothing short of legendary, and Pine Canyon is another example of his brilliance. This one is a delightful twist on the usual desert scene. Forget the barren landscape and prickly cacti; here you’ll be greeted with sweeping views of the San Francisco Peaks, majestic Ponderosa pines, and thrilling elevation changes. Morrish has also woven in some fantastic water features, from charming ponds to trout-stocked lakes, making Pine Canyon a refreshing and visually captivating golf experience.
10. Desert Forest Golf Club
Carefree
Desert Forest Golf Club epitomizes simplicity, but don’t mistake that for a lack of substance. This course is designed to minimize distractions and maximize your connection with the game. Here, walking the course is not just encouraged – it’s essential. Everything is in play: there are no out-of-bounds, no water hazards, and no fairway bunkers. It’s just you and the unspoiled terrain. The course is renowned for its minimalist approach, with its design flowing over the land rather than altering it. Remarkably, almost no earth was moved in its creation, allowing you to really experience golf in its purest form.
11. Forest Highlands Golf Club: Meadow
Flagstaff
Tom Weiskopf’s design of the Meadow Course at Forest Highlands leverages the unique terrain and magnificent mountain views, creating a traditional golf experience that echoes the great courses from the turn of the century. With ten holes meandering through the central meadow, surrounded by wildflower areas and pristine wetlands, the Meadow Course offers a park-like setting largely free from residential encroachments, enhancing its serene and timeless appeal.
12. Desert Highlands Golf Club
Scottsdale
Desert Highlands might be just a stone’s throw from Scottsdale, but this private club feels a world away from the busy city. While the club offers a range of top-notch amenities, its crown jewel is undeniably the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course nestled in the shadow of Pinnacle Peak.
