It’s true: golf can be a complicated, intimidating and nerve-wracking sport, even for experienced golfers. For beginners, it can be downright scary. But fear not – you don’t have to understand every single nuance right away. You’ll learn over time and over many rounds on the course. Until you’re fully confident in your game, opt for courses that cut beginning golfers some slack.
The best courses for beginning golfers have several things in common: wide fairways with generous landing space, fewer bunkers and water hazards between tee and green, plenty of shorter par-3 holes, and flat or gently sloped greens with accessible fronts. Add in a driving range and/or putting and chipping greens for warming up, onsite lessons and a relaxed vibe, and even the greenest golfers will begin feeling more confident in no time.
The Scottsdale area is home to more than 200 golf courses from which to choose. Here are our picks for the region’s top beginner-friendly golf courses.
THE SHORT COURSE AT MOUNTAIN SHADOWS
Bigger is not always better, especially when it comes to finding good golf courses for beginners. That’s why the aptly named Short Course at Mountain Shadows, featuring 18 par 3s that range from 50 yards to 150 yards from the forward tees, is a fun option. The first four holes are a bit narrow, but overall, it’s an easy walk (or ride in a golf cart) and the shorter yardages ease the pressure a good bit (although the greens are no pushovers). There’s even a putting hole – named The Forrest Wager after course architect Forrest Richadson – where all you have to do is putt!
What makes The Short Course beginner friendly:
- 18 Par-3 Holes; 1 bonus hole putting only
- 9-hole play option
- Forward tee option
- Easily walkable; available golf carts
#miniDunes at AK-CHIN SOUTHERN DUNES
Every beginner should get comfortable on the driving range before heading out on the golf course. But what if the course is actually on the driving range? That’s the case with #miniDunes, a six-hole short course located right on the range at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes just south of Scottsdale. With holes that range from 60 to 115 yards and no forced carries, the layout is pure fun, especially for beginners. Each round of golf is unlimited, so you can play six, 12, 18 holes or more for just $25 on Wednesday and $35 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting just before sunset. Even better? Since April 2024, #miniDunes has been lit up for night play!
What makes #miniDunes beginner friendly:
- 6-hole par-3 course
- Limited bunkers; no water hazards
- No forced carries
- Open for night play during summer
- Golf Instruction available
KIERLAND GOLF CLUB
Get ready for your round here on the massive practice putting green on the shaded range or the fun short-game area. Then take on a pairing from among the three nine-hole layouts designed by Scott Miller. He thankfully framed many holes with mounding that often helps direct wayward shots back onto fairways. Entrances to most greens are accessible, and forced carries are few. Definitely try to play the Acacia nine, where you only have to clear some desert landscape off the tee once.
What makes Kierland Golf Club beginner friendly:
- Practice putting green and shaded driving range
- 5 tee options: Black (back) to Red (forward)
- Mounding that directs errant shots back to the fairways
- Accessible fronts on most greens
- Few forced carries
- Golf instruction available
TALKING STICK GOLF CLUB
Hills and uneven lies are challenging even for the most experienced golfers, let alone beginners. You won’t find many of either here on the O’Odham (formerly North) and Piipaash (South) courses that opened in 1998 and are located right behind Talking Stick Resort & Casino. Everything is right out in front of you thanks to the stellar work of talented architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Keep in mind that the Piipaash layout has less crowned greens than its sibling, so you may get comfortable there a bit more quickly.
What makes Talking Stick Golf Club beginner friendly:
- Driving range
- Primarily flat landscape with uneven lies
- Greens feature close-cropped run-up areas (O’odham Course)
- Fewer crowned greens (Piipaash Course)
- Wide fairways
GRASS CLIPPINGS AT ROLLING HILLS
History was made in December 2023 when Grass Clippings, located right next to Papago Park just west of Scottsdale, became the first golf course ever in Arizona to offer night play under the lights. It’s open during the day too, when it plays as a par-59 (with six par 4s and the rest par 3s) and then it becomes all par 3s when the sun goes down. Holes then range from 108 to 200 yards, and with music, a food truck, and an eclectic restaurant, it’s quite the scene for beginning golfers and veterans alike. A cool Toptracer driving range also is available, providing a fun place to work on your game.
What makes Grass Clippings beginner friendly:
- 12 par-3 holes, six par-4 holes
- Driving range with Toptracer technology
- Lighted for night play (9-hole, par-3 course); playable from dusk to 1 a.m.
There you have it – five of our best golf courses for beginners! Just remember, even the top-ranked pro golfers were once where you are – relax and enjoy the game!
