THE WEEKLY

Who says you need four hours to enjoy a great round?

From sunrise tee times to breakfast burritos, I’ve rounded up the best Nine & Dine experiences across Phoenix. Find your next course, grab a friend, and book your morning.

Skins, Nassau, Wolf, and 30+ golf games, all in one app.

Track live leaderboards, manage multiple games at once, automatically calculate winnings, and settle up through Venmo.

No spreadsheets. No scorecard confusion. Just more competition, side bets, and bragging rights.

Here’s an unpopular opinion.

You don’t need 18 holes to have a great day on the golf course.

Sometimes, nine holes, a breakfast burrito, and two hours with good company beat spending half your Saturday waiting on the group ahead.

And with nearly 200 golf courses across Greater Phoenix, there’s really no excuse to play the same rotation every weekend.

I’ve always believed that the best part of golf isn’t necessarily the scorecard. It’s the conversations, the competition, and everything that happens around the game.

That’s the idea behind 9 & Dine.

Play nine holes early. Grab breakfast. Get on with your day.

I’ve pulled together 30 public golf options across the valley, including three courses that already advertise golf-and-breakfast packages.

If you want a morning that feels like a golf getaway without leaving Chandler, start here.

Ocotillo features 27 holes, lush fairways, palm trees, and enough water to make you reconsider pulling driver on certain holes.

The best part? You don’t have to commit to all 18.

The club advertises a dedicated Nine & Dine reservation option that pairs golf with breakfast.

After your round, head to Tillo’s Kitchen & Patio, overlooking the course.

CHECK OCOTILLO NINE & DINE TEE TIMES

I think we underestimate how much golf can fit into a normal weekday.

Stonecreek, near Paradise Valley Mall, makes a strong case for changing that.

The layout offers plenty of variety, with undulating greens, mature trees, and enough trouble to keep your attention for nine holes.

More importantly, it has a dedicated Nine & Dine booking option.

Finish your round, head into Up The Creek, and enjoy breakfast before tackling the rest of your day.

CHECK STONECREEK NINE & DINE TEE TIMES

Old-school golf still has its place.

San Marcos brings historic Chandler golf into the conversation with mature trees, a traditional layout, and an atmosphere that feels different from the typical desert course.

Its Back 9 & Breakfast option is available on weekdays and weekends.

After nine, head to Grill 60 for breakfast before exploring downtown Chandler.

Sometimes, the simplest golf experiences are the most enjoyable.

BOOK SAN MARCOS BACK 9 & BREAKFAST

Not every course below sells a breakfast package, and some championship layouts require you to arrange nine-hole play directly.

But each deserves a spot on your morning-golf radar.

Stonecreek: My featured pick for combining a convenient location, a challenging nine, and breakfast.

Encanto 9: Classic municipal golf near downtown, with skyline views and affordable green fees. Grab breakfast at nearby Encanto Tavern.

Aguila 9: Nine par-3 holes framed by South Mountain. Excellent for dialing in your scoring clubs, with The Nest on property.

Scottsdale CC: The new Snake layout offers 12 holes in under 90 minutes, typically priced at $18–$30. Grab coffee at The Robin’s Nest. Book The Snake.

Continental: A convenient executive course near Old Town. Perfect when accuracy matters more than distance.

McDowell Mountain: A full-length desert challenge with spectacular mountain views and Rossa Kitchen & Patio for post-round dining.

Grass Clippings Rolling Hills: Executive golf with views of the Papago Buttes, plus Glenrosa for food and drinks, an excellent setting for a golf meetup.

Ken McDonald: Traditional municipal golf with a laid-back atmosphere. Check the golf shop for nine-hole options.

Papago: Just across the Tempe border in Phoenix. Championship golf followed by breakfast or brunch at Lou’s

Dobson Ranch: A classic municipal course with mature trees and The Ranch Restaurant. One of my favorite types of local golf experiences.

Augusta Ranch: An executive layout ideal for sharpening wedges without sacrificing your entire morning.

Las Sendas: Challenging desert golf with elevated views. Follow it with breakfast or brunch at The Patio when available.

Ocotillo: My featured choice for nine holes followed by breakfast at Tillo’s.

San Marcos: The historic option, complete with its Back 9 & Breakfast experience.

Bear Creek: A shorter executive layout with nine-hole rates and Bear’s Den for breakfast.

Greenfield Lakes: Short, approachable golf where the scoring clubs get a proper workout. Four Silos is a nearby breakfast stop.

Kokopelli: A traditional course with water hazards and an on-site grill offering breakfast.

Western Skies: An accessible neighborhood course with Mulligans Bar & Grill for the post-round conversation.

Bellair Golf Park: A modern executive golf experience with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Golf Ranch Glendale: Nine holes plus a technology-enabled driving range. A convenient way to combine practice and play.

Futures Course at The 500 Club: A dedicated nine-hole layout for golfers who want an enjoyable, efficient walking round.

Peoria Pines: A shorter par-63 course with an on-site restaurant. An easy addition to your local rotation.

Westbrook Village: Two traditional courses, Lakes and Vistas, with public booking opportunities. Confirm access before heading out.

Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia: Championship desert golf for the mornings when you want a more demanding test.

Sun Village: An 18-hole par-3 course where you can book just nine holes. Great for competitive wedge practice.

Coyote Lakes: An approachable public layout followed by breakfast at Coyote Cafe, served until 11 am

Arizona Traditions: Traditional golf in a relaxed setting with AZT Grill for your post-round meal.

Palm Valley: Multiple layouts and a nine-hole option, plus Fairway Grille for breakfast.

Junior National Golf Club: Formerly Tres Rios, this public facility is focused on accessible golf for every generation.

Golf Club of Estrella: A scenic Nicklaus Design layout with beautiful desert views. Player’s Grill & Patio opens its kitchen at 8 am on weekends and 9 am on weekdays.

Here’s what I’d love to see more of in Arizona golf.

Less talking about finding time to play.

More actually playing.

You don’t need the perfect foursome, a free Saturday, or four uninterrupted hours.

You need a tee time and someone who enjoys the game as much as you do.

So here’s the challenge: Book one morning round this week.

Make it nine holes. Make it competitive. Put breakfast on the line if you need a little motivation.

Just make it happen.

Reply to this email with your favorite back nine and breakfast spot.

Looking for a place to play? Open Local Loop, then see what’s happening with The Cactus Club.

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Join The Cactus Club at Encanto 18 for another afternoon of two-person best ball, skins, closest-to-the-pin prizes, and post-round hang.

Claim your spot before we’re sold out.

Blades Golf Lounge is offering your first session free. Test Foresight Falcon tech, dial in your game, and experience indoor golf like never before.

READ: Stories worth your time
EXPLORE: Plan your round
PLAY: See golf experiences
BELONG: Explore membership