COVID changed many people’s lives, if not everyone. Forced remote schooling and work for the vast majority, including me and my family. This remote life opened up the option to rent an Airbnb in our former residing state, Arizona, during January and February, 2021. My family and I enjoyed the desert temperatures and sunshine. We took advantage of local hiking and outdoor activities, including swimming in the backyard pool. For myself, I was excited to get out to my favorite golf courses as well as experience some new ones. In this blog post, I will provide my Arizona golf trip review ranking the golf courses.
Check out more photos of my Arizona golf trip, as well as the countdown, on my Instagram @golfwisely. Now, onto the Arizona golf course top 10.
10 – Golf Club at Johnson Ranch
Golf Club at Johnson Ranch – San Tan Valley, AZ
A cozy public golf course located in the southeast valley, the Golf Club at Johnson Ranch delivers on “desert golf”. The 18-hole course is broken up into the Mountain and Valley sides. These are appropriately named. The Mountain side is nestled up to small mountains on the eastern edge of the San Tan Mountain Regional Park.
The golf course tips out at 7100+ yards offering five tee box options. The rates at Johnson Ranch are on the inexpensive side bringing in all types of golfers. The downside of the rates are a regularly packed course through most of the peak season. The course conditions are average categorizing them as “rough around the edges”. Go to Johnson Ranch with patience and a good attitude – and you will have a good day.
9 – Trilogy at Power Ranch
Trilogy at Power Ranch – Gilbert, AZ
Trilogy Golf Club is a semi-private golf course located in the Power Ranch community in Gilbert, AZ . The course is in the southeast portion of the valley making it a good golf option for the growing suburb. Members at Trilogy have access to blocks of tee times but the majority are available to the public. Trilogy offers a “resort style” design with most fairways offering generous bounces to the middle. The course weaves through a housing development making several holes feel very similar. Trilogy plays at 6900+ yards from the tips with a rating of 71.5/130. The pro shop attendant claimed the greens were the golf course’s defense. I found them to be sizable but not unfair and in good shape during my January round. Trilogy should be on your list when seeking a casual afternoon round with friends.
8 – Papago Golf Club
Papago Golf Club – Phoenix, AZ
Papago Golf Club is a public city course nestled in the center of the Phoenix metro area making it accessible to all. The golf course carries a ton of history and golf heritage in the valley starting with its architect, William Francis Bell (the same of Torrey Pines). The golf holes take full advantage of the surrounding beauty of the Papago Buttes. The cost to play Papago varies drastically based on resident status and holding a “city card”. Out-of-state visitors are hit hard with green fees. Playing as the home course of ASU’s Sun Devils, the course brings a youthful vibe. Lots of walkers (unusual for AZ) and a vibrant, lively driving range.
On a Friday evening, I found the driving range to be 2-4 people deep waiting to sling balls up towards the reddish butte backdrop. The golf course is par 72 playing 7,333 from the tips and will give you all you can handle for a true test of golf. Playing conditions are fair with a lot of hard pan clay/desert on the outer edges of the rough. On the flip side, the greens were in stunning condition when I played. For me, it is a ritual to play Papago whenever I visit Arizona. Good vibes, walking welcomed and amazing scenery = enjoyable golf round.
7 – Whirlwind (Devils’ Claw) Golf Club
Whirlwind Golf Club – Chandler, AZ
Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, AZ offers 36 holes of desert golf. I played Devil’s Claw on my trip. Whirlwind offers some membership, but tee times are available with minimal restrictions. Golfers will find a typical AZ resort-style golf course with wavy fairways, propped up greens and amazing conditions. Whirlwind is further down my list of AZ courses because it lacks the “wow” factor of surrounding southwest landscape. Both courses are par 72 measuring over 7,000 yards. The tilted and rolling fairways add more distance to drives making the course play shorter than what is printed.
Whirlwind is part of Troon Golf which comes with certain expectations, both from golfers and the host. Clubhouse, restaurant, practice areas and courses are in fantastic shape all of which round out the “winter rate” value.
6 – Gold Canyon Golf Resort (Desert Mountain & Sidewinder)
Golf Canyon Golf Resort – Gold Canyon, AZ
Gold Canyon Golf Resort hosts 2 golf courses; Dinosaur Mountain and Sidewinder. In the east valley, Gold Canyon is nestled under the Superstition Mountains bringing stunning views throughout the round. I found these golf courses to be one of the most picturesque on my trip. Dinosaur Mountain receives the most press due to it weaving around the mountain base and several elevated tees and greens. The courses fell on my list to number six because of inconsistencies in playability. The inconsistencies start with the greens. Some greens were as small a backyard patio and others as large as playground. While not a complaint, it did factor into my ranking.
Both Gold Canyon golf courses are a par 72 stretching over 7,000 yards. On a banking holiday, the golf course was bustling with a combination of locals and snow birds. The vibe was positive and included a retro clubhouse with nice pro shop gear. My recommendation is to take a trip east on your next AZ visit to spend the day at Gold Canyon.
5 – Las Sendas Golf Club
Las Sendas Golf Club – Mesa, AZ
Las Sendas Golf Club is a challenging course located in Mesa, AZ. Designer Robert Trent Jones Jr took full advantage of the rocky, desert terrain weaving golf holes through it. At a touch over 7,000 yards, a golfer would think the course is “score-able”, but the starter told us it plays about 300 yards longer with the elevated greens. The rating and slope from the back tees come in at 73.4/145 respectively. I did not have my “A” game this day and found the condensed fairways and difficult green complexes a challenge all day.
I was a guest at Las Sendas, so I did not have my normal camera, however, the views of the reddish mountains were stunning. There were several points on the course where you felt the need to soak it all in. Las Sendas boasts as one of the top 10 courses in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale area and I would have a hard time arguing with that statement.
4 – The Boulders Golf Club
The Boulders Golf Club – Carefree, AZ
The Boulders is part of Troon Golf with two golf courses; North and South. As a semi-private club, The Boulders swaps which course is available to the public and members each day. Located in the north valley in Carefree, AZ, The Boulders course brings a unique beauty from its rock formations and mountainous backdrops. The golf course is a challenging narrow landing areas and dense desert collecting minor mis-hits. This type of design is typical for the top courses in Arizona and guests should expect to be presented with difficult shots. The Boulders is a course with impeccable conditions from tee to green.
The facilities, staff, amenities and course are all above par resulting in a firm ranking at number four on my list. The prices are “dynamic” with the highest rates coming during peak months, i.e. February, March. Regardless, I suggest investing in a round at The Boulders to enjoy a true AZ golf experience.
3 – Grayhawk Golf Club (Raptor)
Grayhawk Golf Club – Scottsdale, AZ
Grayhawk Golf Club is a familiar name in the Arizona golf community. During my trip, I played the Tom Fazio design, Raptor course. Impeccable conditioning, top notch hospitality and amazing facilities. The golf course is well-manicured and delivers on a challenge for all skill levels. At over 7,100 yards from the tip, the Fazio design will punish players suffering from inaccuracy. Any accuracy issues will be exploited around the green where deep bunkers and runoffs with tightly cut grass await. The most noticeable design element of the Raptor course were the multi-tier greens. Couple that with the fastest greens I played during my trip and you can expect a great golf challenge.
Grayhawk will stress the wallet and is one of the most expensive courses in the Phoenix valley, however, the course and hospitality go to great lengths (with every detail) to make it “worth it” during your visit. Based on conditions and facilities alone, Raptor could have been my top course played, but in my opinion, there is more to it than that.
2 – Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club – Maricopa, AZ
Southern Dunes was a surprise for me. Different people have recommended it for my trip and I am happy I listened. Located in Maricopa, AZ, Southern Dunes sits on Ak-Chin community land with great sandy soil. Playing the golf course gave me major Sand Valley vibes, however, the strategic bunkering was a big standout for Southern Dunes. The course stretches out to 7,546 yards from the tips with a 76.4/142 rating and slope! I played a more modest tee, but found the tee shots quite challenging. The fairway bunkering and golf hole architecture plays tricks on your eyes. I loved how your position off the tee would weigh into success on the hole. The green complexes were phenomenal with bunkers cut right into the edge of the undulating greens.
Pricing at Southern Dunes was quite reasonable for January in AZ. My guess is they have difficulty pulling snow birds south from the Scottsdale area. For my money, this course was an incredible value. As far as vibe, it was quite laid back. I do wish, however, walking the course was more encouraged. The site is condensed enough to make it more than manageable. But that topic is for a different blog post. In summary, Southern Dunes is (almost) top of my list. Southern Dunes is a great golf course, a fun challenge and incredible conditions.
1 – We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saquaro)
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club – Fort McDowell, AZ
We-Ko-Pa Saquaro might be the most obvious number one course, but I loved this place. Home to two 18-hole golf courses; Saquaro and Cholla. I only played Saquaro during my visit architected by the team of Coore & Crenshaw. The Saquaro was designed to be enjoyed on foot with the green to next tee box incredibly close throughout the round. I was teamed up with a group of great guys from CO (shout out to Ironbridge!). The weather was spectacular and we played into dusk. The golf holes are intended to challenge you from tee to green, but there are options on every hole to score well.
The golf course was in great shape with dense desert surrounding each hole. The beauty of the surrounding mountains was elevated with a recent snow storm leaving white caps on them. The other noticeable feature was a lack of housing surrounding the golf course. Arizona golf courses can feel closed in when they weave through housing developments, but We-Ko-Pa was different and improved the golf experience. The tips played less than 7,200 yards at a rating right at 72.0. I could go on about Saquaro, but I will finish with a strong endorsement – this is a must visit for every golfer in the AZ area. Do not skip on We-Ko-Pa.
Conclusion
Golf is the same no matter where it is played. Or is it? There is a case to be made that Arizona Golf provides a unique experience all its own. The landscape and weather is tough to replicate elsewhere in the world. I hope this Arizona golf trip review provided valuable insight on where to invest your time and money during your next trip to the southwest!
