There are few places in America I consider to be underrated golf destinations. Scottsdale, Arizona is one of them. A massive suburb of Phoenix, it spans 184.5 square miles and is home to 51 golf courses and 70 hotels and resorts. What isn’t here is what most people would consider a truly iconic golf resort on caliber with Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes or Pinehurst. But there are some extremely standout places that golfers commonly have on their bucket lists. And over the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to play several.
Even in November, the temperature reached 90 degrees during some of my rounds – locals told me it was unseasonably warm. Either way, it was nice to be out on these fairways.
The first course I visited was Grayhawk Golf Club, which opened in 1994. I played both of its courses years ago and remember liking them. This go-round, I negotiated the Raptors course, which seems to be the epitome of a resort-style desert course. It’s in incredible condition, the rough and fairways frame each hole well. The large and smooth greens don’t roll too much and yet they’re fair. The bunkers come into play but they’re not overly penal. And it all makes for a fun course to play. The fairway landing areas are also very wide for the most part, which makes driving with confidence a piece of cake. There are several tee boxes to choose from also, and they can change the experience for each skill level. In fact, I played two different sets of teas throughout the day just to see, and thought both sets were very fair – something that’s not as typical as you might assume. The facility is also outstanding and the service is over the top friendly. I love the way music pipes in via speakers near the first tee. And if you’re lucky enough to play here late in the day, you will most likely see an amazing sunset.
My next stop, Troon North’s Monument course, was probably slightly more difficult but still a really good resort layout that’s fun to play. It’s a little more penal around the edges, so shots missing the fairway here can easily find some trouble. The course is highlighted by a hole bearing a large boulder in the middle of the fairway. The fast greens were in fantastic condition. If you keep the ball in the fairway here, you’re going to score fairly well or at least have the opportunity to. There’s also a lot more elevation change on this course than others in the area, and because of the fact that it sits high up at around 2,500 feet at some points, the greens are bentgrass. It’s one of the few courses in the area to have that feature. The fairways have a lot of undulation and the fairway bunkers can be sneaky if you’re not paying attention. There are a lot of hole varieties here, too – a great mixture and variety that keeps you thinking from start through finish. Honestly, with the Pinnacle Peak rock outcroppings surrounding the course, I felt as if I was on the set of the movie Cars. It’s just a really cool look.
TPC Scottsdale
Scott Kramer
The 36-hole, resort and daily-fee TPC Scottsdale is of course where every golf fan wants to play. Its Stadium Course is home to the annual and lively PGA Tour Wasted, er, Waste Management Phoenix Open where the par-3 16th hole is completely enveloped by grandstands full of inebriated, enthusiastic fans who have a good and loud time. The front nine is actually kind of relatively mundane compared to the back nine, but still a fun challenge. It winds through housing developments and along the backside of the gorgeous Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel. But the course gradually gets interesting in a hurry with a great mixture of hole types – with doglegs, elevation changes, water hazards, reachable par-fours, and of course the renowned 16th. The greens were fast when I played but not crazy; fairways were perfect; and the rough was in near tournament condition with long, thick grass that pretty much swallowed any errant shots. Even with all that mentioned, everyone in our group considered the backside the easier of the two nines.
The local municipal course – located close to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport — Papago Golf Club is another really good choice to play on a trip. It’s a great combination of desert surroundings as rough, and contrasting bright green fairways. The greens are generously sized and roll true. If you miss the fairway, it can be tough hitting off the sand with rocks around you amid pebbles, cactus and snakes. Papago was a pleasant surprise for me, and locals rave about it. I thought it was super friendly; straight shots are rewarded. And despite being a city course, it’s kind of pricey to play especially during the peak season. You can expect nearly $200 green fees, at times. And trust me on this: Try Lou’s French Dip sandwich at Grubb’s restaurant after your round.
Next I played The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale’s newly renovated North Course that’s consistently considered one of the Southwest’s best golf resorts. The greens were recently restored to their original shape and size, and then resurfaced. They now mirror the green surfaces on its sister South Course. The new turf – an ultra-dwarf hybrid grass — does not require overseeding that’s common throughout town this time of year. All of the tee boxes were also renovated. I had no reference, as this was the first I’ve played it. The course is known for its rugged beauty and desert panoramas, and it did not disappoint. The course meanders its way up and down, with fantastic scenery all around. Plus I found the people working there to be extremely friendly and engaging. This wasn’t the toughest course in town, but definitely one of the most enjoyable.
We-Ko-Pa Cholla
Scott Kramer
My final course stop was We-Ko-Pa Golf Course’s Cholla Course that I’d heard so much about. It’s been around for 25 years now near the McDowell Mountains, adjacent to the property’s casino and highly regarded Saguaro Course. There are plenty of “up or down” holes here, too, amid native waterways. The course is known for being as enjoyable and challenging to play for higher handicaps as it is for scratch players. There’s plenty of holes with lush, bright green fairways flanked by brown desert surroundings and cacti. With some wide fairway landing areas, it’s a playable course that you’ll probably score well on.
Where to stay in town? Depends on your budget, of course. One great place is the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. I’ve now stayed here three times and still can’t get over just how friendly and down to earth everyone is. I’m not even sure how they remember your name, but it seems like every staffer knows who you are. The fitness room is outstanding, the restaurant proof is terrific, the beds are super comfortable, and every room seems to have a unique flair to it that just makes it feel like a home away from home. If you want accommodations more in the middle of everything, The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a large hotel that’s super nice. It very much reminds me of a mega-hotel in Hawaii, with a lot of indoor-outdoor space. It’s bustling with guests, and is replete with a beautiful pool, spa, restaurants, etc. The food I ate there was really solid, too.
Locals tell me that MLB’s spring training kind of takes over the entire area from mid-February through the end of March, when of course the weather is ideal. But right now, if you’re seeking a last-minute golf trip, I highly recommend Scottsdale. Nice temperatures, outstanding food, friendly people, and of course underrated golf.
