Scottsdale, just east of Phoenix in the heart of Arizona’s Valley of the Sun, is a top destination for golfers. Boasting some of the most exclusive courses in the country, it’s not uncommon to spot a PGA Tour player or two during a round here.
Flip through the slideshow to see the seven of the best golf courses in Scottsdale. Learn where the professionals play. Read the stories behind the legendary holes and the record-breaking scores. Then, experience Scottsdale golf for yourself.
Best Golf Courses in Scottsdale: Silverleaf
The private Silverleaf Club features a par-72 championship golf course that offers both challenge and playability for every skill level. Scenic views abound, with panoramic vistas of Scottsdale’s unique terrain as the backdrop for many holes. Designed by British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf, the course relies on the natural contours of the land, providing players with Weiskopf’s signature balance of risk and reward.
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Best Golf Courses in Scottsdale: Whisper Rock Golf Club
Named Arizona’s top private club when it opened in 2000, membership to the exclusive Whisper Rock is by invitation-only. Twenty of its roughly 300 members are golf professionals, including the club’s Lower Course designer, Phil Mickelson. Nestled within a gated residential community, both the Lower Course and Upper Course offer players the quintessential desert golf experience.
Best Golf Courses in Scottsdale: Grayhawk Golf Club
Grayhawk features two courses: Talon and Raptor. With views of both the mountains and the Phoenix/Scottsdale skyline, Talon is one of the most highly rated daily-fee golf courses in the state of Arizona. What’s more, its Raptor counterpart is listed as one of the “Best Public Golf Courses in Arizona” by GOLF Magazine. The par-72 Raptor offers a level of challenge worthy of any player’s respect.
Grayhawk is also well-known as a PGA Tour host. It was the location for what’s now known as the Safeway Open during the tournament’s first three years – 2007, 2008, 2009. It’s also where Troy Matteson set a PGA Tour record in 2009. Matteson nailed an impressive 61… two days in a row. He received the PGA record for fewest strokes in consecutive rounds.
Best Golf Courses in Scottsdale: Troon North
Troon North prides itself on offering iconic golf with the unique visual sensation of the desert landscape. The club’s 18-hole Monument and Pinnacle courses wind through natural ravines in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak. Named to GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” in 2014, there’s something for every golf connoisseur.
Best Golf Courses in Scottsdale: Estancia
The Estancia Club only allows members and their guests. It doesn’t get much more exclusive than that. Designed by Tom Fazio and open since 1995, Estancia’s 18-hole championship golf course is set on the northern slope of Pinnacle Peak and features bent grass greens and stunning views. It is one of the few clubs in the region to offer an active caddy program to enhance a player’s experience on the course.
Best Golf Courses in Scottsdale: Scottsdale National Golf Club
When Bob Parsons — the founder of GoDaddy.com and creator of the PXG high-end golf club line — bought Scottsdale National, he took its exclusivity to a new level. The majority of the club’s hand-picked members hail from outside the state of Arizona. Players here have access to the notorious “Bad Little Nine,” a par-3 course of nine holes with an average distance of only 108 yards.
Best Golf Courses in Scottsdale: TPC Scottsdale
Golfers who seek to live “a day in the life” of a PGA Tour player will be drawn to the 36 professional-level holes available at TPC Scottsdale. Known as Arizona’s professional golf headquarters, players can choose between the Stadium Course, home to the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open (“The Greatest Show on Grass”), and the recently renovated Champions Course.
The WM Phoenix Open is known for many things. For one, it captures the largest gallery of any tournament in the world and breaks its own attendance record year over year. Since 2012, it has attracted more than a half million people over the course of a week. In 2017, it reached 655,434 patrons. It’s also known for its famous 16th hole, which seats more than 16,000 spectators around the par 3. In the months leading up to the tournament, TPC Scottsdale also offers another once-in-a-lifetime experience: The opportunity for golfers to play with the grand stands up. Players can tee it up where the pros play and picture the crowd roaring from the stands as their ball hits the green.
Scottsdale Is a Premier Golf Destination
These are some of the very best golf courses in Scottsdale. They are a huge draw for snowbirds in the winter and serious golfers year-round. Magnificent scenery, a vibrant culinary culture and a reputation for excellent spas all contribute to the appeal of Scottsdale. But its abundance of exclusive courses make the city a true destination for golf enthusiasts.