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Arizona’s top golf courses around Phoenix and Scottsdale fuse pure desert golf with mountain vistas, boulder-strewn fairways, and resort polish to create bucket-list experiences year-round. GolfTroop connects you directly to these elite venues with custom golf packages, luxury lodging, and seamless planning for your Phoenix-Scottsdale golf getaway.
Why Arizona golf captivates
Phoenix-Scottsdale golf stands apart with its Sonoran Desert authenticity—no homes crowding fairways, just saguaro cacti, wild javelinas, and endless sun that lets you play 365 days a year. Courses climb into foothills with elevation drops that add carry to every drive, blending strategic challenge with jaw-dropping scenery from Four Peaks to Superstition Mountains. GolfTroop builds your perfect trip, chaining We-Ko-Pa, Troon North, TPC Scottsdale, Boulders, and Quintero into multi-round itineraries with top resorts and insider access.
#1. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Sonoran desert purity
Proudly owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in Fountain Hills, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club delivers true desert golf on its Cholla (Rating: 73.4 - Slope: 138) and Saguaro (Rating: 72.0 - Slope: 137) courses with no houses or buildings in sight. The east-sloping location frames epic views of Four Peaks and Superstition Mountains, immersing you in raw Sonoran wilderness on every hole. Cholla edges out for landscape and guest preference, while Saguaro dominates awards like Golfweek's #1 Arizona public access (2012-2014); the adjacent Fort McDowell Casino adds evening entertainment.
- House-free desert layouts on two courses.
- Four Peaks and Superstition views.
- Golfweek #1 AZ public multiple years.
#2. Troon North Golf Club - boulder-strewn acclaim
Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale ranks among Arizona's elite 36-hole facilities with Pinnacle (Rating 73, Slope 147) and Monument (Rating 72.9, Slope 147) offering rugged desert play, elevation changes, and pristine conditions. The scenic routing snakes through granite boulders amid beautiful homes set safely back, earning spots like Golf Magazine's Top 100 You Can Play (#25 Pinnacle, #58 Monument in 2017) and Golfweek state leaders. Both courses shine for challenging yet fair desert golf that consistently tops Arizona public rankings.
- 36 holes of Pinnacle and Monument excellence.
- Top 100 national rankings from Golf Magazine.
- Granite boulders and elevation thrills.
#3. TPC Scottsdale - champions course drama
At 17020 North Hayden Road in Scottsdale, TPC Scottsdale Champions Course by Randy Heckenkemper delivers ideal desert golf revamped in 2007 amid rugged terrain, natural ravines, and foothills. Balanced for all skill levels with multiple strategic lines per hole, it builds to a quartet of thrilling finishers that leave lasting impressions. Playable yet demanding, this TPC layout rivals its famous sibling in beauty and challenge.
- Revamped desert flow through ravines.
- Strategy for every skill with epic closers.
- TPC pedigree in Scottsdale foothills.
#4. The Boulders - 5-star boulder immersion
The Boulders South Scenic Golf Course in Carefree forms half of this 36-hole semi-private gem north of Scottsdale, weaving secluded tees, boulder formations, and wildlife into true 5-star desert golf. South course climbs into signature boulders like "Rosie's Rock" and "Boulder Pile" with Black Mountain views, outshining North for scenic punch; the on-site Waldorf Astoria Resort & Spa elevates stays. North's bent grass adds polish to the boulder-laden adventure.
- 36 holes amid massive boulder wonders.
- South's iconic "Rosie's Rock" and views.
- Waldorf Astoria resort integration.
#5. Quintero - purest desert test
Quintero Golf Course at 16752 W. State Route 74 in Peoria stretches 7,208 yards from tips as Rees Jones' semi-private challenge with water, bunkers, and elevation amid authentic desert. Dubbed Arizona's "Purest Golf Experience" for its remote location and pristine layout, it earned Golfweek's #37 US residential (2012) and top modern/residential nods. Demanding yet scenic, it tests serious players away from urban buzz.
- Rees Jones' 7,208-yard desert pure.
- Elevation, water, bunkers galore.
- "Purest" remote residential gem.
Quick comparison of top courses
| Course | Location | Rating/Slope (key course) | Designer/Style | Standout Feature | Accolades |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| We-Ko-Pa | Fountain Hills | Cholla 73.4/138; Saguaro 72.0/137 | Desert purity, house-free | Four Peaks views | Golfweek #1 AZ public |
| Troon North | Scottsdale | Pinnacle 73/147; Monument 72.9/147 | Boulder-strewn 36 holes | National top 100 you can play | Golf Mag Top 100 (#25/#58) |
| TPC Scottsdale | Scottsdale | Champions revamp | Ravine/foothill strategy | Thrilling finishing stretch | TPC tour-level balance |
| The Boulders | Carefree | South scenic boulder | Wildlife/boulder immersion | "Rosie's Rock," Waldorf Spa | 5-star desert resort |
| Quintero | Peoria | 7,208 yards tips | Rees Jones elevation test | Purest remote desert | Golfweek top residential |
Phoenix-Scottsdale’s elite golf shines through desert authenticity and award-winning designs, with GolfTroop streamlining your adventure via packages that link these must-plays with luxury stays and flawless logistics. Ready to own Arizona's best fairways? Contact the GolfTroop team today to craft your custom itinerary across We-Ko-Pa, Troon North, TPC Scottsdale, Boulders, and Quintero—your desert golf legend starts now.
