Scottsdale and golf became synonymous nearly 100 years ago as visitors chipped and putted from oiled dirt courses under towering Camelback Mountain. Celebrities like Bing Crosby followed shortly thereafter, paving the way for a golden era that heralded golf gods such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Since then, Scottsdale's golf scene has swung its way into the Golf Hall of Fame with 1, holes and 51 golf courses, and an additional 200 courses sprinkled across its Valley of the Sun neighbors. Few places can match the dramatic setting of golf in the Sonoran Desert, where emerald fairways weave through towering saguaro cacti and ancient granite boulder formations.
Beyond the championship-caliber courses, Scottsdale offers something many golf destinations don't: an unforgettable 19th hole. After the final putt drops, golfers can trade the clubhouse for award-winning restaurants, lively nightlife, luxury resorts, world-class spas, shopping and cultural attractions – all just minutes from the course. With more than 70 hotels and resorts, over 330 days of sunshine each year, and a year-round median temperature of 70 degrees, Scottsdale delivers a golf getaway where the off-course experience is every bit as memorable as the golf itself.
WHERE TO PLAY GOLF IN SCOTTSDALE
Play where the pros play at TPC Scottsdale’s 36 holes including Stadium Course, host of the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open and most famous for its par-3 16th hole. The venue draws international attention, with more than 700,000 annual spectators – the most highly attended tournament on the tour. Meanwhile, TPC Scottsdale Champions Course, across the street, hosts competitive amateur championships, including stops on the US Am Tour - Arizona.
In search of memorable long-distance views of nearby mountains? Both courses at We-Ko-Pa fit the bill. With no homes, roads or businesses to interrupt the scenery, We-Ko-Pa offers a true sense of Sonoran Desert serenity across the Scott Miller-designed Cholla Course and the Coore & Crenshaw-designed Saguaro Course.
Troon North’s Monument and Pinnacle courses — just a short ride away from the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale — continue to set an elite standard for upscale daily-fee golf, while a rock ’n’ roll vibe awaits at the Talon and Raptor courses at Grayhawk Golf Club.
Experience two championship-level, Jay Morrish-designed, 18-hole golf courses surrounded by 12-million-year-old granite formations at The Boulders Golf Club. South Course and North Course are considered some of the most demanding courses in the Southwest and are known for their rugged beauty.
For golfers who enjoy variety, The Westin Kierland Golf Club features three, distinct nine-hole courses that can be combined into a different routing each time they tee off.
Stay and play at the historic JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn and Camelback Golf Club, home to the Ambiente and Padre courses, with sweeping views of Camelback and Mummy mountains.
Take in the unique beauty of the untamed Sonoran Desert without the worry of surprise bunkers or blind hazards during a round at the 18-hole The Phoenician Golf Course, created by architect Phil Smith to provide a natural rhythm and flow.
Try out Arizona’s only 18-hole, par-3 course, The Short Course at Mountain Shadows. Originally designed and built in 1961, the course was a favorite among old Hollywood celebrities and socialites for its seclusion and desert setting.
Just minutes from Old Town Scottsdale, Papago Golf Club pairs a dramatic backdrop of the Papago Buttes with convenience. Since opening in 1963, the course remains a local favorite for its classic layout.
WHERE TO PRACTICE & PERFECT
Playing poorly on a golf trip means frustration, not fun. But a tip from one of Scottsdale’s top-flight teachers, can make anyone king of the course.
Take a private lesson with John Kostis (son of Peter Kostis) at Scottsdale Country Club, Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott of VISION 54 at The Westin Kierland Golf Club, Keith Bennett at McCormick Ranch Golf Club or Donald Crawley at The Boulders Golf Academy.
Have some relaxed fun testing a newly improved swing at Topgolf Scottsdale or enjoy a unique after-dark round at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, one of only 20 lighted courses in the United States.
REJUVENATE AFTER HITTING THE COURSE
When the clubs are packed up for the day, rejuvenate at one of Scottsdale’s award-winning spas, such as the spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. The spa’s Weekend Warrior Massage utilizes mountain arnica and sage to ease inflammation, promote circulation and rejuvenate tired muscles after a long day on the course.
Decompress and relax post-round with a Recovery Deep Tissue Massage at the Sisley-Paris Spa within the Well & Being Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess or indulge in a Muscle Recovery Massage at the Spa at Camelback Inn. Both spas feature extensive wellness amenities, allowing guests to extend their relaxation well beyond the treatment room.
WHERE TO WINE & DINE
With more than 800 restaurants in Scottsdale, the dining options are varied and magnificent.
Superb steaks can be found at Ocean 44, The Capital Grille, J&G Steakhouse, Mastro’s Ocean Club, Dominick’s Steakhouse and Hand Cut. Or indulge in delicious Latin-meets-Southwestern fare and sip on margaritas at The Mission, Toca Madera or La Hacienda.
Conclude the day with a low-key evening and nightcap at Tell Your Friends, Citizen Public House, or JING Scottsdale, or keep the energy going with a night out in Scottsdale’s vibrant downtown nightlife district. Enjoy live music and dancing at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Maya Day + Night and Wasted Grain - just a few after-dark options that will elevate a golf get-away from traditional to unforgettable.
