There are about 200 golf courses in the greater Phoenix area. As far as the top golf courses are concerned, you'll usually see the same courses named over and again.
If I had to pick just a handful of public golf courses that I would recommend, here are my picks. These aren't necessarily the exclusive, expensive, see-a-celebrity courses--they are just fun and challenging and beautiful.
Note: Prices ranges shown are for the November/December period. Prices will be higher in the winter, and lower in the summer. Call to inquire about course maintenance schedule, especially in November.
1. Troon North Golf Club
$150-$200Located in Scottsdale. There are two courses, Monument and Pinnacle. Play Monument if you can.
2. Gold Canyon Golf Club
$100-$150Out in Gold Canyon, Arizona, near Apache Junction. Dinosaur Mountain is the course you'll want to play, especially if you are a bit tired of flat desert courses. Sidewinder isn't nearly as special.
3. Superstition Springs Golf Club
$100-$130A challenging course measuring over 7,000 yards from the back tee with a 130 slope rating. Superstition Springs is a PGA Tour qualifying site.
4. Golf Club at Eagle Mountain
$100-$150Located in Fountain Hills, and very close to Scottsdale. The McDowell Mountains is the setting here.
5. We-Ko-Pa
$100-$150Two courses, the Cholla and the Saguaro. I haven't played the Saguaro which opens in December 2006. It is located east of Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. It's nice not to see houses lining the fairways.
7. Ocotillo Country Club
$100-$150Located in Chandler. 27 holes of Troon Golf. If you don't like water holes, don't play Ocotillo. For example, on the Blue Nine, water is in play on every single hole. Bring extra golf balls.
