The real history of Phoenix golf lives on public fairways.

From Encanto’s 1935 roots to Papago’s desert legacy and Aguila’s championship test, these courses built the Valley’s golf culture. If you call yourself a Phoenix golfer, this is required reading.

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A couple of weeks ago, I qualified for the 9th AGA Championships.

The place where I won my first JGAA tournament.

The Championships will be hosted at Aguila, where I shot my first competitive college round in the 60s. Next month, we’re going to see a very different version of me. That’s the thing about muni golf in Phoenix…

Phoenix City Golf Card isn’t just a discount. It’s access to the courses that quietly built the Valley’s golf culture. Here’s the real history behind each one, and why every serious local should be rotating them.

The city’s front porch since 1935

Encanto is the soul of Phoenix golf. Built in 1935 as part of Encanto Park, it’s one of the oldest public courses in Arizona. Before Phoenix was tech offices and rooftop bars, Encanto was where families picnicked, kids learned the game, and locals found their rhythm.

The original design was created by William P. Bell, one of the architects behind many classic Western courses. The layout is walkable, forgiving, and honest. You can score here, but you still have to think. Downtown Phoenix peeks over the trees like it’s watching you.

The 9-hole track next door is where many locals first fell in love with the game: quick loops, short-game reps, happy hour therapy.

The modern championship muni

Aguila sits at the base of South Mountain, and it’s the closest thing Phoenix has to a true championship muni. Designed by Gary Panks, it was built to prove public golf can be serious without being snobby.

Water comes into play on multiple holes. The greens have teeth. The skyline frames your mistakes. It’s a course that demands your full attention for 18 holes.

Desert classic with real history

Papago opened in 1963 and sits inside Papago Park, surrounded by red buttes that look like they belong on a postcard. This isn’t just a pretty course. It hosts real championships and serves as ASU Golf's home course.

Papago is where desert golf feels cinematic. Wind, elevation, and visuals all mess with your depth perception. It’s public golf that doesn’t apologize for being great.

The comeback story

This course used to be Maryvale, a classic city track that opened in 1961. For decades, it served West Phoenix as one of the most accessible places to play.

Then it went through a full rebirth through a partnership with Grand Canyon University. The redesign modernized everything: greens, bunkers, practice facilities, clubhouse, without erasing the fact that this is still public golf.

It’s now one of the best practice facilities in the city.

The people’s parkland track

Cave Creek doesn’t get the hype Papago gets, but locals know. Tree-lined fairways. Rolling terrain. A parkland feel that’s different from most desert tracks.

You can play this course a hundred times and still find new ways to mess it up. That’s good design. It rewards familiarity without getting boring.

This is the course you bring friends to when you want everyone to have fun without feeling judged by the layout.

Where rounds begin

Palo Verde doesn’t pretend to be a championship test. That’s the point.

This is where beginners get comfortable and regulars groove fundamentals with shorter holes, a straightforward design, and no intimidation…. just golf.

If you’ve ever said, “I should play more,” this is where that thought should turn into a tee time.

These courses weren’t built for exclusivity. They were built so Phoenix could grow the game of golf.

Phoenix City Card isn’t about saving a few bucks. It’s about making it easier to build reps, routines, and relationships with courses that actually give back to the community.

Only 5 spots left‼️

This isn’t a random game. This is playing Phoenix’s most historic course with people who care about the game, care about getting better, and care about the culture we’re building around golf in Arizona.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to stop talking about playing muni golf and actually do it, this is it.

What you missed last week:

Training Camp

This isn’t a random game.

This is playing Phoenix’s most historic course with people who care about the game, care about getting better, and care about the culture we’re building around golf in this city.

Use community code: TCCGAME.

1–3 minutes. One lucky member wins a $250 gift card every month.

Might as well be you.