Best 20 Golf Resorts in Arizona (2025 Guide)

Arizona is one of the best golf destinations in the country, and it isn’t close. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, dramatic desert scenery, and championship courses designed by names like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Pete Dye, the state draws golfers from every corner of the world. If you’re planning a golf trip and want to stay somewhere that treats the game as seriously as you do, this guide to the best golf resorts in Arizona will help you narrow down your options fast.

Below, we cover 20 golf resorts in Arizona spanning Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, and the surrounding desert. You’ll learn what each property offers, which courses are attached to it, and who each resort is best suited for, whether you’re traveling solo, with a golf buddy group, or bringing the whole family along for a warm-weather escape.

Why Arizona Is a Top Golf Destination

Arizona’s desert climate makes it one of the few places in the U.S. where you can play golf comfortably in January while much of the country is buried in snow. The Sonoran Desert terrain also gives course architects a unique canvas, with saguaro cacti, red rock formations, and mountain backdrops that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

In addition to the scenery, Arizona has invested heavily in golf tourism infrastructure. Scottsdale alone has more than 200 courses within its metro area, and Tucson isn’t far behind. As a result, the state consistently ranks among the top golf destinations in North America, alongside places like Pebble Beach and Myrtle Beach, but with a distinctly desert flavor.

Best Time of Year to Golf in Arizona

Peak season runs from October through April, when daytime temperatures sit comfortably in the 70s and 80s. Summer months (June through August) bring extreme heat, often above 100 degrees, but resorts drop their green fees dramatically during this stretch, so it can be a smart budget play if you don’t mind teeing off at sunrise.

How We Chose These Golf Resorts in Arizona

We evaluated properties based on course quality and design pedigree, on-site or nearby golf access, resort amenities (spa, dining, pools), guest reviews, and overall value. We also made sure to include a mix of price points, from ultra-luxury five-star resorts to more moderately priced options that still deliver excellent golf.

The Best 20 Golf Resorts in Arizona

1. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is home to the TPC Scottsdale courses, including the Stadium Course that hosts the WM Phoenix Open every year. This is arguably the most famous golf resort in the state, thanks to the raucous 16th hole stadium at TPC. The resort itself offers a massive pool complex, multiple restaurants, and a full-service spa, making it a great choice for golfers traveling with non-golfing family members.

2. The Boulders Resort & Spa

Tucked into the granite boulder formations of Carefree, this resort features two Jay Morrish-designed courses, North and South, both carved directly into the desert landscape. The setting is genuinely unlike anything else in Arizona, with massive rock outcroppings framing nearly every hole. The Boulders also has a well-regarded spa and casita-style accommodations that lean more secluded and romantic than some of the bigger Scottsdale properties.

3. We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center

Located on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation near Fountain Hills, We-Ko-Pa is paired with the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, which has two Scott Miller-designed courses (Cholla and Saguaro) that are consistently ranked among the best in the state. Unlike many desert courses, We-Ko-Pa’s layouts avoid excessive housing development, giving golfers uninterrupted views of the McDowell Mountains.

4. JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

This historic property, open since 1936, combines old-school Arizona charm with two 18-hole courses, the Padre and the Indian Bend. It’s a favorite for golfers who also want a strong spa program, since the Spa at Camelback Inn is one of the most decorated in the Southwest. The adobe-style architecture and mountain views give it a classic Southwest feel that newer resorts can’t replicate.

5. The Phoenician

Sitting at the base of Camelback Mountain, The Phoenician offers a nine-hole executive course on-site plus access to nearby championship layouts through resort partnerships. What sets The Phoenician apart is its overall luxury factor, with terraced pools, a cactus garden, and multiple award-winning restaurants. Golfers who want a resort that feels equally impressive off the course will appreciate this one.

6. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

Perched in North Scottsdale, this resort sits adjacent to Troon North Golf Club, home to the Monument and Pinnacle courses, two of the most photographed desert-target golf layouts in the country. The Four Seasons brand ensures top-tier service, and the resort’s elevated location provides sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains and the valley below.

7. Talking Stick Resort

Talking Stick Resort, owned and operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, sits next to Talking Stick Golf Club’s two courses (North and South), both designed by Coore and Crenshaw. This resort blends a Las Vegas-style casino atmosphere with genuinely excellent golf, making it a good pick for groups that want nightlife options in addition to tee times.

8. Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch

Known almost as much for its lazy river and water park as its golf, this resort offers access to the Gainey Ranch Golf Club’s 27 holes. It’s an excellent choice for golfers bringing kids or a spouse who’d rather spend the day at the pool, since the on-site water features rival many dedicated family resorts.

9. The Wigwam

Located in Litchfield Park west of Phoenix, The Wigwam has been a golf destination since 1929 and features three courses: Gold, Red, and Blue. The Gold Course, redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is the standout, often appearing on lists of Arizona’s top public-access courses. The resort itself has a slower, more relaxed pace than the busier Scottsdale corridor, which appeals to golfers looking to escape crowds.

10. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

Set against South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona Grand is an all-suite resort with easy access to several nearby municipal and semi-private courses, plus its own on-site water park, Oasis. It’s a strong value pick for golfers who want a resort experience without the price tag of the top Scottsdale properties.

11. Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

This Chandler resort sits on the Gila River Indian Community and is paired with the Whirlwind Golf Club, featuring two courses (Devil’s Claw and Cattail) designed by Gary Panks and Bill Phillips. The resort’s Native American-inspired architecture and the adjacent Rawhide Western town add cultural texture that you won’t find at a typical golf resort.

12. Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Kierland Golf Club offers 27 holes across its Ironwood, Mesquite, and Acacia nines, all accessible to guests of the adjoining Westin resort. The resort also connects directly to Kierland Commons, an outdoor shopping and dining district, giving non-golfers plenty to do while you’re out on the course.

13. Omni Tucson National Resort

Omni Tucson National has hosted PGA Tour events in the past and remains one of the top golf resorts in Arizona for serious players. The Catalina Course is the tournament-caliber layout, known for its demanding closing stretch. Tucson’s slightly cooler, higher-elevation climate compared to Phoenix also makes it a nice alternative for summer golf trips.

14. JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

Starr Pass sits in the Tucson Mountains and offers 27 holes across three nines designed in part by Arnold Palmer’s design team. The Sonoran Nine, in particular, is known for its scenic elevation changes and desert wildlife sightings. The resort’s spa and multiple pools make it easy to fill a full day even after an early tee time.

15. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

Ventana Canyon offers two Tom Fazio-designed courses, Mountain and Canyon, both built directly into the Santa Catalina Mountains foothills. The par-3 3rd hole on the Mountain Course, which requires a tee shot over a canyon to a green backed by a waterfall, is one of the most photographed holes in the state. This resort is a must for golfers who prioritize dramatic course design over anything else.

16. Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort

El Conquistador offers 45 holes across its Conquistador, Cañada, and Pusch Ridge nines, making it one of the largest golf operations attached to a single resort in the Tucson area. It’s a great fit for groups who want variety, since you can play a different combination of nines every day of a multi-day stay without repeating a hole.

17. Sedona Golf Resort

Sedona Golf Resort’s 18-hole course, designed by Gary Panks, winds through the red rock formations that make this region famous, with the 10th hole widely considered one of the most scenic in American golf. The resort itself is smaller and more boutique than the big Scottsdale properties, which fits Sedona’s overall low-key, wellness-focused vibe.

18. Enchantment Resort

While Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon doesn’t have an on-site course, it partners with nearby Sedona golf clubs and remains one of the top-rated luxury resorts in Northern Arizona. Golfers who want to pair a round with hiking, a renowned spa (Mii amo), and red rock views often choose Enchantment as their home base for a Sedona golf trip.

19. The Legacy Golf Resort

Built on the site of the old Karsten Golf Course in south Phoenix, The Legacy Golf Resort offers an 18-hole layout with views of South Mountain and downtown Phoenix in the distance. It’s a smaller, more intimate property that tends to be more affordable than the big-name Scottsdale resorts while still delivering a quality course.

20. Mountain Shadows Resort

Mountain Shadows in Paradise Valley features a fun nine-hole executive course right on property, set beneath Camelback Mountain. It’s a great choice for golfers who want a quick, walkable round without committing to a full 18-hole day, plus the resort’s modern design and rooftop bar give it a different feel from the more traditional Southwest-style resorts on this list.

Comparing Public, Semi-Private, and Resort Golf in Arizona

Most of the courses attached to these resorts are semi-private, meaning hotel guests get priority tee times and sometimes discounted rates compared to outside visitors. However, several, like TPC Scottsdale and Sedona Golf Resort, are open to the public year-round regardless of where you’re staying.

If you’re mainly chasing the lowest possible green fees, municipal courses in Phoenix and Tucson can be significantly cheaper. But if you want the full experience, meaning guaranteed tee times, on-site practice facilities, and the ability to walk from your room to the first tee, staying at one of these golf resorts in Arizona is worth the premium.

Planning Your Arizona Golf Trip

Choosing the Right Base: Scottsdale vs. Phoenix vs. Tucson

Scottsdale has the highest concentration of top-tier resorts and the most nightlife, but it also carries the highest price tags, especially in peak season (January through March). Phoenix offers similar golf quality at a slightly lower cost, while Tucson tends to be the most budget-friendly of the three, with a slower pace and slightly cooler temperatures thanks to its higher elevation.

Getting Around

Arizona golf resorts are spread out across a large metro area, so having your own transportation makes it much easier to hop between courses, restaurants, and attractions. If you’re flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor, booking through a car rental company in Arizona ahead of time will save you both money and hassle once you land.

Budgeting for Your Trip

Green fees at top resort courses in Scottsdale can run anywhere from $150 to $300 per round in peak season, dropping to under $75 in the summer heat. Add in resort fees, cart rentals, and dining, and a multi-day golf trip for a foursome can easily run into the thousands. Booking golf packages directly through the resort often bundles rounds, breakfast, and sometimes spa credits at a better combined rate than booking each piece separately.

Bringing Non-Golfers

Several resorts on this list, including the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch and Arizona Grand Resort, are built around water parks and family amenities, which makes them a smart pick if you’re traveling with a mixed group. If you’re weighing other family-focused options for a broader vacation, it’s worth comparing against destinations like our guide to the best family resorts in Orlando, since some families split trips between a golf-focused stay in Arizona and a theme-park stay elsewhere.

Considering a Permanent Move for the Golf Lifestyle

Plenty of golfers who visit Arizona end up considering a permanent or seasonal move to the state, largely because of the year-round golf access. If that’s on your radar, our guide to the best home builders in Arizona is a useful next step for understanding what building near a golf community actually involves.

What Makes an Arizona Golf Resort Truly Great

The best golf resorts in Arizona share a few common traits beyond just having a good course attached. Course conditioning matters a lot in the desert climate, since heat stress can wear down fairways and greens faster than in cooler regions, so top resorts invest heavily in agronomy and overseeding programs each fall. Practice facilities matter too. The strongest properties on this list offer full-length driving ranges, short game areas, and on-staff instructors, not just a small chipping green tacked onto the parking lot.

Service level is another differentiator. At resorts like The Phoenician, Four Seasons Troon North, and Loews Ventana Canyon, the golf experience is treated as an extension of the overall five-star service, with forecaddies, bag valet, and personalized club fitting available. In contrast, more value-oriented resorts like The Legacy or Arizona Grand focus on giving you solid, well-maintained golf at a fraction of the cost, which is exactly what many golf trip groups are actually looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Resorts in Arizona

What is the best time of year to visit golf resorts in Arizona?

October through April offers the most comfortable temperatures for golf, generally ranging from the mid-60s to mid-80s. Summer months bring extreme heat but also the lowest green fees and hotel rates of the year.

Which golf resort in Arizona has the most famous course?

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is home to TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, host of the WM Phoenix Open and widely considered the most famous course in the state due to its massive tournament crowds and the iconic 16th hole.

Are Arizona golf resorts good for non-golfers too?

Yes. Resorts like the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch, Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, and The Phoenician all offer extensive pool complexes, spas, and dining that make them enjoyable for guests who aren’t playing golf.

How much does it cost to stay at a golf resort in Arizona?

Nightly rates vary widely, from around $150-$250 at value-oriented properties like The Legacy Golf Resort to $500 or more per night at luxury options like The Phoenician or Four Seasons Troon North, especially during peak season from January through March.

Is Scottsdale or Tucson better for a golf trip?

Scottsdale has more resorts, courses, and nightlife but comes at a higher price. Tucson offers slightly cooler temperatures, a more relaxed pace, and generally lower rates, making it a strong choice for golfers who prioritize value and scenery over bustle.

Final Thoughts

Arizona earns its reputation as one of the top golf destinations in the world through sheer volume of quality options, and these 20 golf resorts in Arizona represent the best combination of course design, amenities, and overall experience the state has to offer. Whether you gravitate toward the tournament pedigree of TPC Scottsdale, the dramatic canyon holes at Loews Ventana Canyon, or the red rock backdrop of Sedona Golf Resort, there’s a resort on this list built for your specific style of trip. Book early during peak season, pack sunscreen even in winter, and get ready for some of the most memorable rounds of golf you’ll ever play.