Best golf courses near Glendale, AZ

The Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed Gold Course is the standout among 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.

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.

William “Billy” Bell—designer of Torrey Pines and a slew of other notable California courses—delivered the original layout at Maryvale Golf Course, which is now Grand Canyon University Golf Course. A recent John Fought redesign added new tee boxes, extended fairways and enhanced bunkers to recapture the nostalgic beauty of the historic course. Now owned and operated by the City of Phoenix, the course is a traditional parkland layout with contoured fairways and strategically placed bunkers.

Renovated in 2013, this beautifully conditioned desert course was made more playable for different skill levels, but at 7,221 yardspresents a stout challenge for advanced players. Carve out some extra time for the first-class practice facilities, including an updated short-game area. Proximity to downtown Scottsdale makes Camelback a convenient choice for many visitors, and the JW Marriott is one of the best hotels in the Scottsdale area.

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.

There are 27 holes at this Scottsdale resort that hosted the USGA’s 1997 Women’s State Team Championship. All three nines play along rolling terrain with dramatic elevation changes and picturesque views of the surrounding resort.