Contents
- The 10 Best Arizona Golf Courses Ranked in Order
- 1. Forest Highland Golf | The Meadows
- 2. Superstition Mountain Club | Lost Gold
- 3. The Rim Golf Club | Rim
- 4. Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club
- 5. Quintero Golf Club
- 6. We Ko Pa Golf Club| Cholla
- 7. We Ko Pa Golf Club | Saguaro
- 8. The Lodge at Ventana Canyon | Canyon
- 9. TPC of Scottsdale | Stadium
- 10. Troon North Golf Course | Pinnacle Course
- Other Notable Courses in Arizona
Picturesque mountain backdrops and loads of indigenous cacti, add to the experience of playing the different style courses on offer.
Besides the scenic views, the courses will test every level of golfer, but also cater to the fun element.
Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish featured designs are prominent throughout Arizona.
The 10 Best Arizona Golf Courses Ranked in Order
Ranking golf courses is always subjective, and The 10 best golf courses in Arizona, proved to be another challenge, due to the quality courses available.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
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- Forest Highland Golf Club | The Meadows
- Superstition Mountain Club | Lost Gold
- The Rim Golf Club | Rim
- Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club
- Quintero Golf Club
- We Ko Pa Golf Club | Cholla
- We Ko Pa Golf Club | Saguaro
- The Lodge At Ventana Canyon | Canyon
- TPC of Scottsdale | Stadium
- Troon North Golf Course | Pinnacle Course
1. Forest Highland Golf | The Meadows
- Site Link
- Location: Flagstaff, Arizona.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,726 meters off the Tips and 5,538 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – No defined signature hole could be established, but the 383-meter par 4 9th hole will take some beating. It is stroke 1 on the card and plays to a bunker-protected green.
The Meadows is one of the 2 18 hole layouts at Forest Highland and deemed to be the more scenic. The open and flatter terrain offers an enjoyable but testing course.
The smaller greens and large bodies of water, keep all golfers honest.
2. Superstition Mountain Club | Lost Gold
- Site Link
- Location: Apache Junction, Arizona.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,719 meters off the Tips and 5,463 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 427-meter par 4 18th is the signature hole and is a very scenic and great hole to complete your round. A wide landing area off the tee narrows alongside a pond towards the green. Your shot-making ability is ultimately tested to make par.
A shot-makers course running through the saguaro cacti and rocky desert terrain, with spectacular mountain backdrops.
Very walkable and has gentle elevation changes and wide fairways.
A course for all skill levels.
3. The Rim Golf Club | Rim
- Location: Payson, Arizona.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,575 meters off the Tips and 5,371 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The downhill 531-meter par 5 13th is the signature hole and named “Spirit Hollow”. A tempting 2nd shot for the long hitters to the green is on offer, but the large boulder-protected back of the green can create problems.
A long hitters delight as some of the par 4s are over 410-meters long. The vanilla-scented Ponderosa pine throng the fairways and rocky outcrops with the Mogollon Rim in the background.
Phil Mickelson purchased the course in 2014.
- Site Link
- Location: Wickenburg, Arizona.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,452 meters off the Tips and 5,250 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 225-meter par 3 13th is the signature hole and aptly named “Big Water”. It is surrounded by water and requires distance control from the tee into the green.
It is one of 6 par 3s on the layout.
Situated in the heart of the Sonoran Desert terrain, Big Wick as it is commonly known, looks natural and blends into the outstanding features and surrounds. Vulture Peak sits in the back round with Prescott National Forest ever-present.
The elevated tees and greens supply a full range of challenges to all and expect a few 3 putts on the massive greens.
5. Quintero Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Peoria, Arizona.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,626 meters off the Tips and 5,308 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
7 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 194-meter downhill par 3 9th hole is the signature hole, which requires carry over water and is bunkered on the right. A magnificent view from the tee.
It is closely rivaled by the par 3 6th.
This course is known for its huge elevation changes that require precise shots and placement during the round. The par 3s are exceptional and the course is strategically bunkered throughout.
Still, a course for all skill levels and the views make up for any disappointing golf.
6. We Ko Pa Golf Club| Cholla
- Site Link
- Location: Salt River, Arizona.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,604 meters off the Tips and 5,589 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 395-meter downhill par 4 18th is the signature hole and is both challenging and picturesque.
Finish with a par and take in the stunning views on offer, will only make you return to this layout.
The 36-hole facility with the Cholla and Saguaro offering very different challenges and vistas is a “must play”.
The Sonoran Desert and its variety of cacti have been incorporated into the Cholla to create a natural flow of holes within the washes.
Target-style golf is required and no housing developments or road noise disturb you as you take on this layout.
7. We Ko Pa Golf Club | Saguaro
- Site Link
- Location: Salt River, Arizona.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,367 meters off the Tips and 5,289 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 492-meter par 5 14th hole is the signature hole and plays uphill to a split fairway.
A real risk and reward hole for the adventurous golfer.
The Saguaro course weaves through the cacti that dominate this site and is rated as one of the top desert courses. Interestingly the front 9 is played clockwise, while the back 9 counter-clockwise.
The sheer variety of par 3s, 4s, and 5s tests the skill level of even the accomplished golfer, but played off the forward tees offers an enjoyable outing for all skill levels.
The prevailing south-westerly wind blows across or from the side over the complete course.
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8. The Lodge at Ventana Canyon | Canyon
- Site Link
- Location: Tucson, Arizona.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,233 meters off the Tips and 5,282 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 367-meter par 4 3rd-hole is the signature hole on the course. It plays downhill and requires a precise 2nd shot to a green that runs away from you.
Par here is an achievement.
The natural beauty as the course winds down the Esperero Canyon amongst the arroyos can be a distraction during the round. This challenging, but fair desert layout, with wide fairways allows all skill levels to enjoy the round.
Whaleback Rock is another feature.
9. TPC of Scottsdale | Stadium
- Site Link
- Location: Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,637 meters off the Tips and 5,529 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 148-meter par 3 16th hole is the signature hole and deemed to be “the noisiest par 3 worldwide” when the tour players visit.
The stadium atmosphere where up to 20,000 patrons await the perfect fluke hole in one, can be experienced by any golfer playing the course, sans the crowd.
Arizona offers many target-style desert courses with vast waste and desert terrain, but TPC Scottsdale is different.
The back nine closing holes are extremely challenging, and feature risk and reward holes in abundance.
A drivable par 4, an island green par 5, and a stunning par 3 keep the adrenaline pumping, even for the pros when they play the course on the PGA Tour.
A “must play” track if given the opportunity.
10. Troon North Golf Course | Pinnacle Course
- Site Link
- Location: Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,421 meters off the Tips and 5,281 off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 516-meter par 5 3rd hole is the signature hole and from the tee looks intimidating. An accurate drive is required to avoid the natural desert vegetation, strewn with rocks. The Monument rock features on this hole.
Another challenging but very enjoyable round awaits anyone who plays. It is a typical target-style desert layout, that requires accuracy and precision to score well.
Natural wash complemented by man-made hazards meanders through the course.
2 drivable par 4s add to the excitement during the round.
Other Notable Courses in Arizona
1. Blackstone Country Club | Blackstone
- Site Link
- Location: Peoria, Arizona.
PLAYER RATING
This par 72 features golf holes that will create unforgettable memories irrespective of the result of your round.
All levels of golf skills will enjoy this layout and scenery.
2. The Boulders Resort Golf Club | South
- Site Link
- Location: Carefree, Arizona.
PLAYER RATING
Set in the foothills of the Sonoran Desert, this facility has 2 18-hole championship golf courses.
A feature is the untouched natural plant life that adds to the experience.
3. FireRock Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Fountain Hills, Arizona.
PLAYER RATING
Undulating greens, rolling fairways, and a course crafted out of the beautiful natural desert terrain make this world-class par 72 facility worth a visit.
Final Thoughts
Any golfer that enjoys playing a variety of desert-style target golf or traditional- style courses cannot miss an opportunity to play the magnificent layouts, with stunning scenery, set in Arizona.
Your golf score may even take a back-seat to the awesome experience that this region offers to all skill levels.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
