On the wider map of golf destinations in the United States, Scottsdale sits alongside places like Pinehurst and the Wisconsin’s Sand Valley as a region where travelers can stack multiple high-caliber rounds with minimal driving. The Phoenix–Scottsdale area has become one of the country’s most reliable winter golf bases, anchored by TPC Scottsdale and the WM Phoenix Open each February, when the stadium atmosphere around the 16th hole turns a tour stop into a full-on event. For most visitors, the sweet spot for weather and course conditions in this part of the country runs from November through April, when cool mornings and dry, clear afternoons make it easy to play 18 without fighting the heat. Summer brings slower tee sheets, deep resort deals, and early-morning or even nighttime rounds for those willing to plan around triple-digit temperatures.
Golfers building a broader Scottsdale trip have no shortage of things to do in between tee times. There are destination-worthy restaurants to eat at, golf-themed Airbnbs to stay in, and desert hikes to take.
To move from the big picture to the specifics of a single hole, though, the best insight comes from people who see these shots played every day. Matador reached out to course insiders for the expert perspective: Mike Friend, director of sales, PGA, at Troon North Golf Club and Eagle Mountain Golf Club; David Benham, director of golf club operations at the Boulders Resort and Spa Scottsdale; Eric Dettman, head golf professional at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club; Daryl K. Crawford, general manager at Papago Golf Club; and Travis McCutchen, assistant general manager and director of golf at Grayhawk Golf Club.
Their answers highlight the holes they consider most defining at home — and the ones elsewhere that still have the power to impress them.
Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
Mike Friend, director of sales, PGA, at Troon North Golf Club & Eagle Mountain Golf Club
Photo: Troon North Golf Club
Most iconic hole at Troon North: No. 15 on our Monument course is not just a beautiful hole, it is a drivable par-4 – which is one of Tom Weiskopf’s signatures in his course designs, like TPC Scottsdale No. 17. It creates a fun risk/reward for the player. No. 16 is also amazing, as it is a par-3 with over 100 feet elevation change and a view facing west looking over the whole Valley of the Sun.
Most iconic hole elsewhere: My other most iconic hole is No. 9 at Quintero Golf Club, an amazing par-3 with a large elevation drop and small pond/waterfall stream. Also has a nice rock wall face.
David Benham, director of golf club operations at Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale
Photo: Boulders Resort and Spa Scottsdale
Most iconic hole at the Boulders: Hole No. 5 on the Boulders South Course is carved from the desert and characterized by a dramatic rock outcropping which shelters the green. The hole plays right up to the backdrop of a dazzling spectacle called the Boulder Pile — a massive group of rocks dotted with giant saguaro cacti. The par-five hole is challenging as the fairway narrows towards the green and there is super lush desert landscaping that adds to the eye-popping setting.
Most iconic hole elsewhere: Hole No. 11 at Seven Canyons in Sedona, Arizona. There is a deep sand bunker to the left that protects the green. Also, the red rocks in the backdrop are awe-inspiring like the sand-colored rocks at the Boulders.
Eric Dettman, head golf professional at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
Photo: We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
Most iconic holes at We-Ko-Pa: Cholla Course, Hole No. 17 (par-5, 578 yards). Plays west to east, so in the late afternoon, you have the setting sun behind you lighting up the mountains in front of you. It’s the perfect opportunity to soak in the natural beauty that surrounds you on the elevated tee shot, creating that Arizona desert golf magic.
Also Saguaro Course, Hole No. 14 (par-5, 538 yards). It has a split fairway off the tee that allows you to play aggressively or conservatively. The elevated green complex makes attacking the pin a real risk/reward situation.
Most iconic holes elsewhere: Troon North Golf Club’s Monument Course, Hole No. 3 — one of the most iconic holes in Scottsdale golf. Also TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, Hole No. 16 — arguably one of the most famous (or infamous) golf holes in the world.
Daryl K. Crawford, general manager at Papago Golf Club
Photo: Papago Golf Club
Most iconic hole at Papago: No. 9 (538 yards, par-5). You have to squeeze your tee shot between large bunkers, guarding both the right and left side of the fairway. A long drive can catch the downslope, leaving you with a hybrid or mid-iron to the green. To go for it, you’ll have to play over an expansive penalty area to a smallish target. The backdrop highlights the Lou Grubb Clubhouse and Papago Buttes.
Most iconic hole elsewhere: Forest Highlands Golf Club Canyon Course No. 9 (425 yards, par-4). An incredibly scenic and very difficult hole. Penalty area left off the tee, and fairway bunkers both right and left. A massive Ponderosa Pine sits in the middle of the fairway. After (hopefully) finding the fairway with your tee shot, you’re now faced with a daunting second shot that must carry a water feature to reach this massive green, that is shared with the 18th hole.
Travis McCutchen, assistant general manager/director of golf at Grayhawk Golf Club
Photo: Grayhawk Golf Club
Most iconic hole at Grayhawk: Grayhawk Golf Club’s most iconic hole is No. 17 on the Talon course, named Devil’s Drink and popular for its stunning island green. A true oasis in the desert; golfers are excited at the challenge of water as a fairway and a green depth of just 32. At 126 yards off the championship tee, Talon No. 17 is a test of the short game with high risk, high reward.
Most iconic hole elsewhere: Though desert golf is our favorite view, it’s impossible not to admire the picturesque cliffs of the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, especially hole No. 7 with the panoramic Pacific Ocean backdrop. 
