Every state in the U.S. has options for golfers. From Delaware to Mississippi, if you want to find a golf course, you can. However, certain states are true standouts for golf enthusiasts, which is certainly the case with Arizona.
Arizona’s year-round heat and natural beauty have made it one of the top destinations for golfers in the country. In Golf Magazine’s 2015 comprehensive rankings of the country’s states based on their “golfiness,” Arizona came in at #2, just behind Florida. Massive PGA events like the Waste Management Open helped Arizona’s case, but great golf can be found across the state. Let’s explore some of the towns and cities in Arizona that stand out most to golf enthusiasts.
Phoenix
Arizona’s biggest city is naturally one of the top places golfers will want to check out. More than 200 courses in Phoenix and its surrounding areas offer different scenery and styles. If you want to play a traditional course, the Wigwam Golf Club has 54 holes in a scenic setting. For something more authentically Arizona, Boulders Golf Club has a desert location, although it doesn’t impact the quality of the greens!
Scottsdale
Scottsdale is known as one of the best cities in America for golf. Many professional golfers live in Scottsdale due to the proximity to the excellent courses it provides. Scottsdale is famously the site of the Waste Management Open, the most heavily attended PGA event. This is played at TPC Scottsdale, one of the state’s top public courses. Another standout is the Troon North course, which has two 18-hole courses in the desert.
Mesa
Mesa offers golfers year-round perfect weather and courses with mountainous backdrops. That is a combination that is hard to beat, and when you add some of the best courses in the state, you get an ideal golfing destination. Las Sendas Golf Course is widely considered one of the best in Arizona and was designed by famed architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. Dobson Ranch Golf Course is a public 18-hole championship course that offers an excellent golfing experience.
Tucson
Tucson is an Arizona city that has been a staple of the golf scene for decades. It hosts an annual PGA Tour event, the Cologuard Classic, which is played at the Omni Tucson National every March. It is a big city with many options to explore, including standouts like El Conquistador, where mountains and cacti provide a beautiful setting for two courses and 36 holes of golf.
Peoria
Peoria is a Phoenix suburb that provides the perfect destination for anyone seeking to hit the links. This thriving city has many top-quality courses that can challenge golfers of any experience level. Quintero Golf and Country Club is a standout public course designed by famed architect Rees Jones. It has a lush green setting and is perfectly maintained. Blackstone Country Club offers golfers a course surrounded by the Sonoran desert, a fun and challenging experience.
Chandler
Located in southeast Phoenix, you’ll find the busy city of Chandler, a must-see for golfers. If you’re in Chandler, check out the San Marcos Golf Course, a historic 18-hole course that was the first in Arizona to feature grass fairways. Bear Creek Golf Complex offers two courses, including the 71-par Bear Course, which will provide a challenge even for experienced golfers.
Glendale
Glendale is a city just northwest of Phoenix, and the West Valley is a major hotspot for golf lovers. Glendale has an array of high-quality courses with several renowned spots. Estrella Golf Club is a Nicklaus Design golf course with incredible mountain views and a unique golfing experience. Hillcrest Golf Club is a course that has hosted Senior PGA and LPGA events. It also hosts the John Jacobs golf school which is the largest in the nation.
