What Are the Worst Golf Courses in Each State? (Arizona)
Next up in the worst golf courses uh in each state is Arizona. I’m going to skip Alaska unless you really want me to do it, but Arizona is a golf paradise, but not every course here is a hole in one. Let’s talk about three of the worst rated spots in the state. First up, Papago Golf Club in Phoenix. Great views and a famous pass, but golfers complain about slow play, patchy fairways, and the price tag doesn’t match the product. Next is Awati Country Club or a golf club. It’s new ownership. Once charming, but is now plagued by bare fairways, muddy patches, and tired bonkers. That’s right next to me here. Locals say it feels more like survival golf than desert golf. Then there’s Cave Creek Golf Course. It’s cheap and accessible, but you’ll be battling long rounds, rough spots, and some of the slowest greens in the valley. So, while Arizona is has legendary tracks like True North and Wikop, these three maybe save them for a practice round. Which course do you think is the worst nar?
Arizona is home to some incredible golf—Scottsdale, Tucson, Sedona, and desert gems all over—but like anywhere, not every course is a winner. Based on reviews from golfers, course conditioning, layout quality, and overall value, here are three of the worst-rated traditional golf courses in Arizona:
1. Papago Golf Club (Phoenix) – historically inconsistent
– Once a local favorite, Papago has struggled with conditioning and pace-of-play issues over the years.
– Despite hosting big events in the past, many golfers report thin fairways, patchy greens, and overcrowding.
– The city-run setup means maintenance varies—some days solid, others downright frustrating.
2. Ahwatukee Country Club (Phoenix area) – tired and outdated
– A once-charming layout that has fallen into disrepair.
– Players complain of barren fairways, slow greens, and neglected bunkers.
– The design itself is flat and repetitive, offering little of the desert golf experience Arizona is known for.
3. Cave Creek Golf Course (Phoenix – city muni) – value, but at a cost
– Popular because it’s cheap and accessible, but often slammed with tee times.
– Conditions are usually rough: bare patches, muddy spots, and extremely slow rounds.
– For many locals, it’s seen as a “grinder course”—good for practice, but not for an enjoyable round.
Note: These aren’t unplayable—they still serve a purpose for budget-friendly golf or beginners. But compared to Arizona’s elite tracks (like Troon North, We-Ko-Pa, or Grayhawk), they land at the bottom of rankings for conditioning, playability, and value.
Here’s a look at what recent reviews (2024–2025) say about those three courses you asked about. Some confirming the complaints, others showing improvements. You decide if they still deserve “worst in Arizona” status.
1. Papago Golf Club (Phoenix)
What people say lately:
– On GolfPass, several recent reviews praise its views, layout, and “excellent layout and scenery.” Some say greens and fairways are well-kept.
But there are also plenty of complaints:
– Pace of play is a common gripe (slow rounds).
GolfPass
– Some say the value doesn’t match the price—especially for non-locals. They feel you’re paying a premium for the location and name rather than excellence.
Reddit
– Conditions aren’t uniformly good—some reports of thin grass, rough spots, tee boxes needing repair.
GolfPass
Conclusion:
Papago seems to have mixed reviews. It is not unanimously “bad”—many like it and feel it’s good, especially for what it offers. But the weaknesses (pace, price, inconsistent condition) do hurt its reputation. It’s perhaps not in the bottom tier anymore, but it might be sliding if expectations remain high.
2. Ahwatukee Country Club (Ahwatukee Golf Club)
What people say lately:
GolfPass shows an average rating around 3.1 / 5 based on ~2,000+ reviews. Key negatives are in “conditions,” “pace,” and “amenities.”
Several reviews complain about muddy or dirt fairways, problems with wetness, poor bunker condition, slow play, and general decline.
GolfPass
On the flip side, there has been mention of new ownership (since ~2023) and efforts to improve. Some reviews note improvements in condition and service.
Wanderlog
Conclusion:
Ahwatukee is still suffering from a lot of the issues you’d expect in a “bad” course (poor conditions, pace, value). There are signs of recovery, so whether it is among the “worst” depends on how much weight you put on those improvements versus poor recent rounds. Right now, it’s definitely in a lower tier.
3. Cave Creek Golf Course (Phoenix, City Muni)
What people say lately:
Some recent reviews are surprisingly positive. Golfers say the course has made repairs, conditions have improved especially on greens and sand traps. The layout is still liked.
That said, there are continuing complaints:
– Pace of play is often poor—rounds take longer than expected.
GolfPass
– Some spots of the course are rough, especially off fairways. Amenity/service issues crop up.
GolfPass
– But its pricing/value gets praise from many. People tend to say: “for what you pay, you get a decent experience.”
GolfPass
Conclusion:
Cave Creek is somewhere in the middle. It’s not pristine or perfect, but for a public muni course, many feel it’s acceptable especially given the cost. It probably doesn’t deserve to be in the absolute worst list, but some rounds definitely disappoint.
Bottom line
Based on recent reviews:
– Ahwatukee Country Club still seems to be a strong candidate for “one of the worse” due to consistent negative feedback about conditions, pace, and value.
– Papago has mixed reviews: many positives, but recurring complaints keep it from being a “top” course for many.
– Cave Creek, while imperfect, has enough positive feedback and value that it might be above the worst-tier in many people’s books.
