Arizona’s Best Golf Courses

Whisper Rock Lower was Phil Mickelson’s first design and remains one of the purest private desert tests in the state. The routing uses native landforms and huge Sonoran views to create strategic angles and memorable risk/reward shots. It is known for pristine conditioning and a serious-golf atmosphere.

Notable: Consistently featured among Arizona’s top private courses by Golf Digest and Top100GolfCourses.

Desert Forest is a true original and is widely recognized as the first desert-style golf course in Arizona. The layout was built with minimal earthmoving and still plays firm, strategic, and subtle compared with modern target-style designs. Its classic architecture makes it one of the most historically important clubs in the Southwest.

Notable: Golf Digest’s 2025–26 Arizona ranking cites Desert Forest as a foundational in-state classic.

Set around Pinnacle Peak, Estancia blends dramatic elevation with a polished, high-end Fazio design style. The course combines tour-caliber challenge with spectacular desert-and-mountain framing on nearly every hole. It is one of Scottsdale’s benchmark private golf experiences.

Notable: Regularly listed in Arizona private-course rankings by Golf Digest and Golfweek.

At roughly 7,000 feet elevation, Canyon offers a completely different Arizona golf experience with pines, cooler air, and mountain movement. The routing is strong from start to finish, with demanding approaches and thoughtful green complexes. It is one of the state’s top high-country private clubs.

Notable: Frequently ranked among Arizona’s top private courses by Golfweek and Top100GolfCourses.

Silverleaf is known for dramatic mountain-side golf and luxury-club execution in DC Ranch. The Weiskopf design asks for disciplined tee-ball placement and quality distance control into elevated greens. The setting and clubhouse experience put it firmly in Arizona’s elite private tier.

Notable: Regularly included in Arizona best-course lists; Top100GolfCourses highlights it as a premier Scottsdale private venue.

Saguaro is one of the most walkable and natural-feeling desert courses in the state, with minimal earthmoving and classic strategic options. The course flows across untouched land with huge vistas and no homes in sight. It plays firm and fun while still testing ball-striking under desert winds.

Notable: Golf Digest 2025–26 Best in Arizona list (ranked #20 in state); widely honored by Golfweek and Links Magazine.

Pinnacle is a modern Scottsdale desert classic with framed fairways, granite boulder backdrops, and premium conditioning year-round. Strategic driving lines and demanding second shots make this a favorite for traveling low-handicaps and bucket-list groups. The visuals are pure Sonoran postcard golf.

Notable: Routinely appears on Arizona best public-course lists, including Golfweek statewide rankings.

Quintero delivers big-elevation desert golf with dramatic tee shots, quiet surroundings, and a true destination feel. The Rees Jones design offers wide landing visuals but demands precision into tiered greens. It is repeatedly praised for conditioning and unforgettable mountain-hole settings.

Notable: Golf Digest’s Arizona Best in State list (2025–26 rank #16); previously cited as “Best Public Course” by Golf Digest/Golfweek.

Home of the WM Phoenix Open, the Stadium Course lets public players experience one of pro golf’s most recognizable venues. The design balances heroic carries with strategic bunkering and a famous risk/reward finish. Playing the par-3 16th amphitheater is a true Arizona golf rite of passage.

Notable: Annual PGA TOUR host site for the WM Phoenix Open.

Raptor combines tour-caliber structure with playable width and excellent pace for public play. Deep bunkering, large greens, and firm desert turf reward confident shot planning from the tee. It is one of Scottsdale’s most respected daily-fee experiences and a frequent buddy-trip anchor course.

Notable: Grayhawk notes Raptor is listed among Arizona’s top public courses by Golfweek and Golf Magazine; hosted PGA TOUR events (Frys.com Open era).