Scottsdale is one of those golf destinations where the landscape does almost as much of the talking as the golf itself. Set against the Sonoran Desert, the city is surrounded by giant saguaro, rugged mountains, enormous granite formations, and wide stretches of desert which make the courses feel completely detached from the cities and resorts surrounding them.
Yet, unlike many desert destinations, Scottsdale does not ask golfers to choose between serious golf and a good holiday.
The city and surrounding area are packed with championship courses, luxury resorts, restaurants, bars, spas, and outdoor activities. Golf only became a major part of Scottsdale's identity during the second half of the twentieth century, but the arrival of TPC Scottsdale in 1986, and the growth of the WM Phoenix Open, has helped transform the area into one of America's most famous golf destinations.
Playing Golf at TPC Scottsdale
(TPC Scottsdale)
The best way to experience Scottsdale is to explore several different areas rather than build the entire trip around one resort. TPC Scottsdale is the obvious starting point, particularly for first-time visitors. The Stadium Course was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish specifically to host professional golf and has been home to the WM Phoenix Open since the late 1980s. Its famous 16th hole, enclosed by grandstands during tournament week, has become one of the most recognisable holes in golf and arguably the closest thing the sport has to a stadium. Away from the tournament, it is considerably quieter, but there is still something special about playing the same fairways as the PGA Tour. In addition, the neighbouring Champions Course offers a slightly more accessible alternative and is a worthwhile second round for golfers who want an authentic TPC experience.
What Other Courses Should You Play Around Scottsdale?
(We-Ko-Pa)
The real magic of Scottsdale begins when you leave TPC behind. East of the city, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club offers two of the finest public courses in Arizona, and maybe even the country. The lack of houses and roads makes the experience feel more like rustic and genuine desert golf rather than manicured resort golf. Scott Miller's Cholla Course is a dramatic desert test, with elevated tees, exposed ridges, and huge mountain views. While the Coore and Crenshaw-designed Saguaro Course plays slightly more traditional and strategic, with unique approach shots, and deceiving green complexes.
In addition, North Scottsdale provides another collection of spectacular layouts, with Troon North's Monument and Pinnacle courses winding through natural ravines and enormous granite boulders. Nearby, Grayhawk offers another beautiful and worthwhile 36 hole resort. Lastly, another good option is the Boulders Resort, just outside Scottsdale in Carefree. Similar to Troon North, the fairways and greens of Boulders are squeezed in between enormous granite formations and dramatic cliffs.
(Grayhawk)
The variety that Scottsdale offers is truly one of its greatest strengths. You can play a famous PGA Tour venue one day, untouched desert courses the next, and courses routed through giant boulders and cliffs the day after.
Where Should You Stay in Scottsdale?
Where to stay depends largely on what you want the trip to feel like. Golfers looking to maximise their time around TPC Scottsdale should consider the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which places the Stadium Course nearby while offering multiple restaurants, pools, and a large spa.
Further north, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North provides a quieter base close to Troon North as well as the other surrounding desert courses. Additionally, Boulders Resort & Spa offers something even more distinctive, with accommodation, golf, and spa facilities surrounded by the granite formations which define the property.
Alternatively, staying around Old Town Scottsdale changes the character of the trip entirely. Hotels such as Hotel Valley Ho place visitors within walking distance of restaurants, galleries, shops, and nightlife, all while still leaving the major courses within an easy drive away. For groups who care as much about the evenings as they do the morning tee times, this is often the better option.
What Else Can You Do in Scottsdale?
Life away from the golf course is one of the reasons Scottsdale works so well for groups with different interests. Old Town is packed with restaurants, cocktail bars, galleries, shops, and is particularly lively once the sun goes down. The dining scene is as diverse as it is incredible, making it easy to build a different evening around every night of the trip.
The desert itself should also be explored. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve covers more than 30,000 acres and offers hundreds of miles of trails. Additionally, Camelback Mountain and Pinnacle Peak provide more challenging hikes with spectacular views.
For something a little more relaxed, the Desert Botanical Garden offers an easy and enjoyable way to experience the Sonoran landscape. Although the courses in and around Scottsdale offer stunning views of the surrounding desert, exploring the Sonoran Desert by itself is an absolute must while in Scottsdale.
When Should You Visit Scottsdale?
Timing matters enormously in Scottsdale. Winter and early spring provide the classic conditions, with November through April offering warm days and cool evenings. January through March is also peak season, however, that means higher green fees and more expensive accommodation.
The WM Phoenix Open in February brings another surge of visitors and turns TPC Scottsdale into one of the loudest venues in professional golf. Therefore, March, April, and November can offer a better balance between weather, value, and availability. With that being said, summer offers a completely different proposition. With temperatures regularly approaching or exceeding forty degrees Celsius, this is where the biggest savings can be found, if you can brave the heat. Early morning and twilight rounds can be remarkably cheap, and early birds are usually rewarded with cooler temperatures and near-empty tee sheets. The veteran desert golf approach is to play early, spend the afternoon beside the pool, and either return to the course for a second round or make your way to Old Town once temperatures begin to fall.
Getting to Scottsdale is Easy
Getting to Scottsdale is convenient and straightforward. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport sits close to the city and provides extensive domestic and international connections. A rental car is strongly recommended, particularly for golfers planning to play We-Ko-Pa, Troon North, Boulders, or Grayhawk, as the courses are spread across a sizable area.
How Long Should You Stay?
For most visitors, four or five days provides enough time to experience the best of the region without turning the holiday into a succession of exhausting tee times. A good itinerary might combine TPC Scottsdale with We-Ko-Pa and Troon North, while leaving a few afternoons free for the pool, spa, hiking, or exploring Old Town. Trying to play every possible round is tempting, but doing so misses the parts of what makes Scottsdale special.
What Makes Scottsdale a Great Destination?
(Troon North)
Scottsdale is ultimately a destination where the golf feels inseparable from everything surrounding it. The spectacle of TPC Scottsdale is completely different from the isolation of We-Ko-Pa, while Troon North and Boulders demonstrate just how dramatically the desert can shape a golf course. Once the clubs are put away, the experience changes once again, with mountain hikes, luxury spas, excellent food, and lively bars replacing the fairways. This variety of courses, experiences, and pristine weather is what makes Scottsdale such a compelling holiday destination. It is not simply a place where you can play loads of good golf in good weather, but rather, a destination where the golf, landscape, cuisine, nightlife, and resort culture all work together to create an ultimate holiday destination whether you play golf or not.
If you would like to know more and potentially secure your golf trip to Scottsdale, our travel partners Golfbreaks have many incredible packages that you can see here, while golfers based in North America should visit their USA site by clicking here.
