This week, I’ll share my favorite golf courses in Arizona.

Arizona Golf Courses You Need To Play

Living in Arizona for over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of teeing it up at some of the state's finest courses.

From breathtaking desert landscapes to championship-level challenges, Arizona golf is an experience every golfer should savor. In this newsletter, I’ll review my top public and private clubs in the Grand Canyon State, each with unique appeal and challenge.

Public Courses

5. Grayhawk Golf Club (Raptor Course)

Grayhawk’s Raptor Course, designed by Tom Fazio, is one of Scottsdale’s premier public golf destinations. The layout is tournament-tested, having hosted numerous PGA Tour events. It challenges golfers with strategically placed bunkers, fast greens, and a combination of long and short holes.

The desert scenery is spectacular, and the course is always in excellent condition. With wide fairways and desert surrounds, it’s a beautiful place to play, but the fast greens and numerous hazards demand sharp skills. The Raptor Course offers a thrilling golf experience that combines aesthetic appeal with a challenging course design.

• City: Scottsdale

• Course Difficulty: Challenging

• Number of rounds: Over 25

• Favorite Hole: The 18th – a dramatic downhill par 5.

• Why You Should Play: It’s a great skill test with a tournament-quality layout, stunning views, and a lively clubhouse atmosphere.

• Rating: ★★★★★

4. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro Course)

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, featuring the Cholla and Saguaro courses, is a pure desert golf experience without any real estate development to distract from the natural beauty. Both courses are meticulously maintained and offer challenging, scenic layouts with spectacular views of the Sonoran Desert.

Saguaro, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is more strategic, while Cholla is longer and more challenging off the tee. Wide fairways, desert vistas, and the absence of homes make We-Ko-Pa a peaceful escape for golfers seeking a genuinely authentic Arizona golf experience.

• City: Fort McDowell

• Course Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

• Number of rounds: 11-25

• Favorite Hole: The 15th on Saguaro – a very long par 3.

• Why You Should Play: This course offers a pure desert golf experience with no distractions, just incredible views and top-tier conditions.

• Rating: ★★★★★

3. Las Sendas Golf Club