Everyone’s chasing Scottsdale tee times. I’m not.
I ranked Arizona’s Final Four cities based on sub-$100 rounds, and one of them ran through the bracket. If you’re still paying $200 to play, you’re doing it wrong. Here’s where the smart golfers are booking instead.
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Final Four of Arizona
Arizona’s best golf cities under $100
Everyone’s chasing Scottsdale. Meanwhile, the best golf in Arizona is hiding in plain sight… for half the price. Last week I dropped the Elite 8.
This week, I cut it down to four cities.
And here’s the part that might offend a few people:
“If you’re still defaulting to Scottsdale, you’re overpaying.”
This is the Final Four for players who actually care about:
value
competition
and walking off 18 feeling like it was worth it
Tucson
Tucson doesn’t get the hype.
Which is exactly why it’s dangerous.
Winner:
This is the kind of course that reminds you golf doesn’t need a resort logo to be good. Elevation changes. Real shot variety. Zero fluff.
The rest of the roster:
Silverbell Golf Course — walkable, cheap, pure golf
Randolph Dell Urich — tight, punishing, no excuses
Arizona National Golf Club — catch the right rate, and it’s a steal
My take: Tucson is the 12-seed that ruins someone’s bracket every year.
Mesa
Mesa is the team that doesn’t have a McDonald’s All-American…
But somehow wins 25 games.
Winner:
If you’re a low index, this is where your ball striking gets exposed. Wide enough to swing, but not wide enough to get lazy.
The rest of the roster:
Dobson Ranch — best “get better” environment in the Valley
Kokopelli Golf Club — reliable, affordable, always there
Superstition Springs — conditions are way better than the price
My take: Mesa might not win headlines, but it wins rounds.
Phoenix
This is where it gets unfair.
Phoenix municipal golf is the biggest cheat code in Arizona.
Winner:
If you haven’t played Papago recently, you’re behind. Period. Layout, conditions, views… this is a $150 experience wearing a $70 price tag.
The rest of the roster:
Encanto Golf Course — old-school, walkable, historic
Aguila Golf Course — best value tee time in the city
Raven Golf Club — tree-lined, completely different vibe
My take: You could play Phoenix Munis all summer and never feel like you settled.
Chandler / Gilbert
Yeah, I combined them.
And yeah… they ran through the bracket.
Winner:
This is the round where someone in your group says,
“Wait… this was under $100?”
Water everywhere. Clean conditions. Straight-up fun.
The rest of the roster:
Springfield Golf Resort — perfect twilight loop
Bear Creek Golf Complex — 36 holes, unlimited reps
San Marcos Golf Course — historic, tree-lined, different feel
My take: Best combo of aesthetics and value in Arizona. No debate.
If I gave you $100 and one tee time this weekend…
“Where are you playing?”
Reply, and I’ll send you one course you’re still sleeping on.
Want more Arizona golf stories you won’t find anywhere else?
BIG GAME 6 is here. $300 pot rolls over, pressure gets real.
9 holes, walking only, gross skins, random partners. No handicaps, no excuses. If you think you’ve got game, this is where it shows.
April 10 at Encanto. Spots are limited.
Events
Three days. 54 holes. Moon Valley hosts Arizona’s top women amateurs: championship or flighted play. Register by April 23, field capped at 60. Let’s see who shows up. (more)
News
Desert Mountain Club, host of the 11th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, is looking for volunteers from May 13-17. (more)
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