Scottsdale, AZ
Desert golf at its finest — championship layouts carved through saguaro-studded Sonoran terrain
200+
$100-250
February
73°F
Where to Play
Top Tier
Bucket-list desert tracks that host PGA Tour events and rank among the best public courses in the country
TPC Scottsdale — Stadium Course
ResortHome of the WM Phoenix Open and the legendary par-3 16th hole coliseum
Troon North — Monument Course
PublicTom Weiskopf design weaving through granite boulders with sweeping McDowell Mountain views
We-Ko-Pa — Saguaro Course
PublicCoore & Crenshaw minimalist masterpiece on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation land — no homes, pure desert
Ole Reliables
Consistently excellent courses that deliver a great round without the premium price tag
Grayhawk — Raptor Course
PublicTom Fazio design with immaculate conditioning and a legendary post-round scene at Phil's Grill
TPC Scottsdale — Champions Course
ResortThe Stadium's quieter sibling — same resort quality with friendlier green fees and less crowds
Troon North — Pinnacle Course
PublicSlightly gentler than Monument with wider fairways and equally stunning desert panoramas
Hidden Gems
Under-the-radar plays that locals love — quality golf at value prices
Papago Golf Course
PublicPhoenix muni with red-rock butte backdrops — where local scratch players sharpen their games
We-Ko-Pa — Cholla Course
PublicScott Miller design with dramatic elevation changes and cactus-lined corridors at half the Saguaro hype
Lookout Mountain Golf Club
ResortTucked inside the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs with mountain-framed holes and surprisingly affordable twilight rates
Neighborhoods
Old Town Scottsdale
$$$Walkable arts district with gallery-lined streets, rooftop bars, and late-night energy
Kierland
$$$Upscale open-air shopping and dining with a polished, modern feel
Arcadia
$$$Tree-lined residential streets with a thriving brunch and coffee scene
North Scottsdale
$$$$Sprawling desert luxury with resort properties and wide-open mountain views
Where to Eat
Fat Ox
$$$Wagyu beef cheek gnocchi and handmade pastas in a sleek Old Town setting
Uchi
$$$James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole's nontraditional sushi with daily omakase
Barrio Queen
$$Centuries-old recipes from Mexico including cochinta pibil and tableside guacamole
Olive & Ivy
$$$Waterfront patio on the Scottsdale Waterfront with seasonal craft cocktails
Mastro's City Hall
$$$$Power-dining steakhouse with live music, towering seafood towers, and a scene
Post-Round Pints
Goldwater Brewing Co.
West Coast IPAs and craft lagersArtisanal Scottsdale brewery since 2014 with a strong local following and rotating taps
OHSO Brewery + Distillery
Eclectic ales and house spiritsDog-friendly patio, in-house distillery, and a massive beer selection spanning every style
Pinnacle Brewing Co.
European-leaning craftScottsdale Airpark newcomer specializing in Belgian and German styles with a modern taproom
What Else to Do
Camelback Mountain — Echo Canyon Trail
Iconic 2,704-foot scramble with panoramic valley views — go at sunrise to beat the heat and the crowds
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
Float over the Sonoran Desert at dawn with champagne toast upon landing — surreal views of saguaro forests
Lower Salt River Kayaking
Paddle through Tonto National Forest with wild horse sightings and bald eagles overhead
Scottsdale Arts District Gallery Walk
Thursday evening gallery walks through dozens of contemporary and Western art galleries in the Marshall Way district
Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale
Rooftop relaxation pool, desert-inspired treatments, and a tequila bar — the perfect post-round recovery
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