Best golf courses near Glendale, AZ

Raven Golf Club Phoenix is a Gary Panks and David Graham design that plays among stands of pine trees, giving it a unique setting in an area dominated by traditional desert layouts. Though most holes are relatively straight, the prominent contouring in the fairways and variety of bunkering prevents the course from getting monotonous. Vistas of the surrounding rugged mountains and Phoenix skyline are present throughout, which paired with the serene setting make this a fantastic public option in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.

One of three 18-hole layouts at Wigwam Golf Club, the Red course is a playable Robert “Red” Lawrence design with towering pine and eucalyptus trees lining the fairways. The course features one of the toughest closing stretches in the area, starting on the par-4 15th. The long par-4 16th plays to an elevated green, while the par-3 17th tips out at 250 yards. The par-5 finisher plays over 590 yards from the tips, making it a true three-shotter.

Papago is one of the best values in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, offering incredible views of the nearby Camelback Mountains and downtown Phoenix. A recent $8 million investment into the course and the impressive Thunderbirds Golf Complex, where the Arizona State men's and women's golf teams train, have reengerized this municipal course that hosted the 1971 U.S. Amateur Public Links. The four-acre short game area boasts one of the most impressive collegiate practice facilities in the country with three acres of rough and fairway to mimic a variety of lies and a six-acre hitting area with 21 target greens and a number of fairway bunkers.

Phoenix Country Club is one of the best private courses in the Scottsdale area. Read our course reviews here

Just a few miles south of the Phoenix airport, The Legacy Golf Club is a par-71 layout that features five par 3s. The course is situated on a former 7,500-acre ranch, and two original grain silos, built in 1902, remain in the 18th fairway. According to the course, the silos were at one time the tallest manmade structures in Maricopa County. The course plays over rolling terrain and features many of desert golf’s signature characteristics: sand lining the fairways, a few forced carries and scenic mountain views.

The Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed Gold Course is the standout among the three courses at the Wigwam—and it's ranked in the top 25 of public courses in the state. The Gold Course was renovated in 2015 and plays plenty long at 7,345 yards from the back tees, with narrow fairways and strategically positioned bunkers along with small greens—making it a stout tournament host.

Phil Smith redesigned an existing 27-hole facility at The Phoenician into a new, ultra-playable 18-hole course that winds through the Sonoran Desert. The par-71 Phoenician can play as short as 4,594 yards or as long as more than 6,518 yards. The back nine winds through the mountainside, providing some dramatic views.

As the name suggests, the Faldo Course at Wildfire was designed by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo. Set on just over 6,800 yards, it plays relatively open, with ample landing areas off the tee and into greens, although there are some 140 bunkers strategically placed throughout.

Situated just northwest of Scottsdale in the foothills of the Thunderbird Mountains, The 500 Club is a player-friendly Brian Whitcomb design that plays over rolling terrain. Though there are elevation changes on a few holes, much of the course is relatively flat, with subtle movement in the fairways. The course often hosts a pre-qualifier for the WM Phoenix Open.