12 Greatest Golf Programs in Arizona

Neglect every thing you assume you understand concerning the desert. As a result of golf in Arizona isn’t dry, boring, or unforgiving – it’s spectacular. It’s sun-soaked fairways weaving by means of pink rock canyons. It’s towering saguaros punctuating the horizon. It’s sunshine greater than 300 days a yr. It’s simply plain arduous to beat. And with winter rounding the nook, there’s no higher time to expertise all of it for your self. These are the most effective golf programs in Arizona. 

Greatest Golf Programs in Arizona

1. The Estancia Membership

Scottsdale

Arizona is house to greater than 370 golf programs, with a heavy focus within the Phoenix/Scottsdale space – which is exactly the place you’ll discover one of many state’s best: The Estancia Membership. This non-public course, designed by Tom Fazio, exemplifies fashionable golf course structure. Count on dramatic elevation adjustments, sprawling rock formations, and immaculate fairways and greens.

2. Forest Highlands Golf Membership: Canyon

Flagstaff

There are two award-winning designs at Forest Highlands Golf Membership – the Canyon Course and the Meadow Course (extra on this one later). The Canyon Course, created in 1986 by the legendary duo Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, is hailed as one of many best within the nation and simply among the many finest in Arizona. Now, don’t let the yardages, together with a 636-yard par 5, intimidate you. Due to its 7,000-foot elevation, seven units of tees, and par 3s scattered all through, the Canyon Course guarantees an accessible spherical of golf for everybody.

3. Whisper Rock Golf Membership: Higher Course & Decrease

Scottsdale

Membership at Whisper Rock Golf Membership is proscribed to invitation solely, so your odds of enjoying the membership’s two stellar programs are slim. However that doesn’t imply we are able to’t admire from afar. The Decrease Course was not solely the primary to open, but in addition Phil Mickelson’s inaugural design. The Higher Course, which adopted a couple of years later, was crafted by Tom Fazio and is sometimes called “the Pine Valley of the Southwest.” In the event you’re a golf aficionado, you’ll acknowledge that as excessive reward certainly. That is desert golf at its best, however preserve your wits about you – the prickly cacti lining the fairways are there to remind you to remain sharp on each swing!

4. The Boulders Membership: South

Carefree

It’s no shock that one of many standout options of The South Course at The Boulders Membership is, certainly, its boulders! Designed by Jay Morrish, this course winds by means of pure boulder formations and desert wildlife, making each spherical really feel such as you’re starring in your personal nature documentary. The course’s geological marvels actually shine on the par-3 seventh gap, the place you’ll tee off subsequent to the long-lasting “Rosie’s Rock,” a colossal boulder majestically balanced atop a smaller stone. And let’s not overlook the aptly named “Boulder Pile” on No. 5, which is precisely as spectacular because it sounds.

5. Scottsdale Nationwide Golf Membership: The Different Course

Scottsdale

At Scottsdale Nationwide Golf Membership, Bob Parsons, founding father of Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), wasn’t simply including one other course; he was crafting a singular expertise. The Different Course, designed by Jackson Kahn and unveiled in 2016, defies conference with its modern format, that includes six every of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s, none of them consecutive. With sweeping vistas of 4 Peaks and Pinnacle Peak, the course’s 1.5 million cubic yards of reshaped land provide large fairways that invite huge pictures however demand strategic play. From the par 3 eleventh, “Satan Canine,” honoring Parsons’ army roots, to the putting par 3 sixteenth with its infinity-edge inexperienced, each gap tells a narrative.

6. TPC Scottsdale: Stadium

Scottsdale

The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale isn’t simply probably the greatest golf programs in Arizona, but in addition one of the vital iconic. Showcased yearly in the course of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Administration Phoenix Open, most golfers will acknowledge this decide. However the spotlight of the golf course is the par-3, sixteenth gap that transforms into “The Coliseum” throughout match week. Surrounded by towering grandstands and crammed with the roars of enthusiastic followers, it’s one of the vital thrilling and unforgettable settings in all of golf.

7. The Stone Canyon Membership

Oro Valley

Subsequent on our record of the most effective golf programs in Arizona is The Stone Canyon Membership, a real hidden gem nestled between Catalina State Park and Tortolita Mountain Park. Notably, it’s the one golf course within the larger Tucson space to be ranked amongst Golf Digest’s Prime 100 programs. Right here’s why: each gap is fascinating, with lush inexperienced fairways winding by means of rocky outcroppings and large saguaro cacti. Designed by Jay Morrish, Stone Canyon is extensively considered considered one of his best creations, showcasing his distinctive capacity to mix difficult play with the pure great thing about the desert.

8. Troon North Golf Membership: Monument

Scottsdale

Troon North boasts two unbelievable award-winning programs, however Monument holds a slight edge over its sister course, Pinnacle. The Monument course is a real feast for the senses, winding by means of pure ravines and foothills within the shadow of Pinnacle Peak. Big granite boulders are scattered throughout Arizona’s rugged Sonoran Desert, the place Troon North Golf Membership combines iconic golf with the beautiful visuals of the desert panorama.

9. Pine Canyon

Flagstaff

Jay Morrish’s portfolio of Arizona golf programs is nothing in need of legendary, and Pine Canyon is one other instance of his brilliance. This one is a pleasant twist on the same old desert scene. Neglect the barren panorama and prickly cacti; right here you’ll be greeted with sweeping views of the San Francisco Peaks, majestic Ponderosa pines, and thrilling elevation adjustments. Morrish has additionally woven in some implausible water options, from charming ponds to trout-stocked lakes, making Pine Canyon a refreshing and visually fascinating golf expertise.

10. Desert Forest Golf Membership

Carefree

Desert Forest Golf Membership epitomizes simplicity, however don’t mistake that for a scarcity of substance. This course is designed to reduce distractions and maximize your reference to the sport. Right here, strolling the course is not only inspired – it’s important. All the pieces is in play: there aren’t any out-of-bounds, no water hazards, and no fairway bunkers. It’s simply you and the unspoiled terrain. The course is famend for its minimalist method, with its design flowing over the land moderately than altering it. Remarkably, nearly no earth was moved in its creation, permitting you to essentially expertise golf in its purest type.

11. Forest Highlands Golf Membership: Meadow

Flagstaff

Tom Weiskopf’s design of the Meadow Course at Forest Highlands leverages the distinctive terrain and luxurious mountain views, creating a conventional golf expertise that echoes the nice programs from the flip of the century. With ten holes meandering by means of the central meadow, surrounded by wildflower areas and pristine wetlands, the Meadow Course provides a park-like setting largely free from residential encroachments, enhancing its serene and timeless enchantment.

12. Desert Highlands Golf Membership

Scottsdale

Desert Highlands is likely to be only a stone’s throw from Scottsdale, however this non-public membership feels a world away from the busy metropolis. Whereas the membership provides a spread of top-notch facilities, its crown jewel is undeniably the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course nestled within the shadow of Pinnacle Peak.

Incessantly Requested Questions In regards to the Greatest Golf Programs in Arizona