THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PLANNING A SCOTTSDALE GOLF TRIP (2026)
WHY SCOTTSDALE?
Scottsdale is one of the best golf destinations in the United States, and for good reason.
You're getting 300+ days of sunshine per year, stunning desert mountain views, and some of the most well-maintained courses in the country. The area has over 200 golf courses within a 30-mile radius, ranging from budget-friendly municipal tracks to premium resort courses where PGA Tour pros play.
But here's what most people don't realize: Scottsdale isn't just about golf. After your round, you're 10 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale (great restaurants and nightlife), 30 minutes from hiking trails, and surrounded by breweries, spas, and entertainment options.
Whether you're planning a buddies trip, bachelor party, or corporate outing, Scottsdale delivers. You get championship golf, great weather, and plenty to do beyond the course.
WHEN TO VISIT SCOTTSDALE
Best Overall: February - April
This is peak season for a reason. Temperatures are perfect (65-85°F), courses are in pristine condition, and everything is green from winter rains. You'll pay premium prices, but the experience is worth it.
Budget Option: May - September (Summer)
It's hot. Like, really hot (100-115°F). But if you can handle morning tee times (6-8 AM starts), you'll save 50-70% on both golf and hotels. Courses are still well-maintained, and you'll have the place mostly to yourself.
Pro tip: If you're going in summer, stay hydrated and bring extra towels. The heat is intense but manageable if you're prepared.
Shoulder Season: October - November
Great weather (70-90°F), courses are excellent, and prices are 20-30% lower than peak season. This is the sweet spot if you want good value without suffering through summer heat.
Avoid: December - January
Still good weather (50-70°F), but you're competing with snowbirds and holiday travelers. Prices spike, courses are crowded, and tee times are harder to secure.
My recommendation: March or October. You get great weather, reasonable prices, and excellent course conditions.
THE BEST COURSES TO PLAY
Scottsdale has 200+ courses. Here are the ones worth your time and money.
Premium Tier ($200-400/round)
Troon North Golf Club (Monument & Pinnacle)
Two championship courses with dramatic desert landscapes and McDowell Mountain views. Pinnacle is tougher (slope 147), Monument is more forgiving (slope 141). Both are stunning.
These courses are bucket-list worthy. If you're splurging on one premium round, make it Troon North.
TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course)
Home of the WM Phoenix Open. You're playing where the pros play, including the famous 16th hole (the rowdiest hole in golf). It's expensive ($300-500 depending on season) but worth it if you want the PGA Tour experience.
Fair warning: The course is harder than it looks on TV. Bring your A-game.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro & Cholla)
Built on Native American reservation land, so there are no houses—just pure desert golf. Both courses are phenomenal. Saguaro is slightly more playable, Cholla is longer and more challenging.
20 minutes from central Scottsdale but worth the drive.
Mid-Tier ($100-200/round)
Grayhawk Golf Club (Raptor & Talon)
Raptor hosts the PGA Champions Tour and is the more famous course. Talon is slightly easier but equally well-maintained. Both offer excellent conditions year-round and are more affordable than TPC or Troon North.
This is where most groups land—great quality without the premium price tag.
Talking Stick Golf Club (North & South)
Two fantastic courses on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation. The North Course hosted LPGA events. Wide fairways, fast greens, and excellent conditions.
Great for groups with varying skill levels.
Quintero Golf Club
Hidden gem about 30 minutes north of Scottsdale in Peoria. Rees Jones design with stunning views and elevation changes. Less crowded than the big-name courses and better value.
If you want quality without the resort price tag, play here.
Budget-Friendly ($50-100/round)
Papago Golf Course
Phoenix municipal course with rolling terrain and mountain views. Nothing fancy, but solid layout and well-maintained for the price.
Perfect if you want to squeeze in an extra round without breaking the bank.
Raven Golf Club
Two courses (Phoenix and South Mountain). Great design, excellent conditions, and affordable. These punch above their price point.
For a complete ranking with slope ratings and yardage, check out my Top 5 Scottsdale Courses breakdown.
WHERE TO STAY
Your hotel choice depends on budget and priorities.
Resort Option (Luxury Experience)
The Phoenician - Five-star resort with on-site golf, multiple pools, spa, and fine dining. You're paying $400-600/night, but everything is on-site.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess - Massive resort with TPC Scottsdale on property. Great for groups who want everything in one place.
Best for: Groups who want the full resort experience and don't mind paying for it.
Mid-Range Option (Best Value)
Stay in Old Town Scottsdale - Book a hotel or Airbnb in Old Town and drive 10-20 minutes to courses. You'll save $100-200/night and have better access to restaurants and nightlife.
Hotels like Hotel Valley Ho, Andaz Scottsdale, or Hyatt Regency Scottsdale offer nice accommodations without resort pricing.
Best for: Groups who want to explore Scottsdale beyond golf.
Budget Option
North Scottsdale chain hotels - Hampton Inn, Courtyard Marriott, Holiday Inn. Clean, comfortable, $100-150/night. You're closer to courses like Troon North and We-Ko-Pa.
Best for: Groups prioritizing golf over luxury accommodations.
My recommendation: Stay in Old Town. You're central to everything, nightlife is walkable, and you're 15 minutes from most courses.
SAMPLE 4-DAY ITINERARY
Here's what a well-planned Scottsdale trip looks like.
Day 1: Arrival
Morning: Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (20 min from Scottsdale)
Afternoon: Check into hotel, grab lunch in Old Town
Evening: Explore Old Town Scottsdale, dinner at [restaurant recommendation]
Optional: Hit a driving range to shake off travel rust
Day 2: Championship Golf
7:30 AM: Tee time at Grayhawk (Raptor Course)
12:00 PM: Lunch at clubhouse
Afternoon: Pool time or explore Scottsdale
Evening: Dinner and drinks in Old Town
Day 3: Bucket List Course
7:00 AM: Tee time at Troon North (Pinnacle Course)
12:00 PM: Lunch
Afternoon: Brewery tour or hiking Camelback Mountain
Evening: Dinner at upscale Scottsdale restaurant
Day 4: Bonus Round or Departure
Option A: Morning tee time at Talking Stick, then fly home
Option B: Skip golf, explore Phoenix (Desert Botanical Garden, Old Town shopping), afternoon flight
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Here's what a 4-day Scottsdale trip actually costs for a group of 8 golfers.
Per Person Costs
Golf (3 rounds):
Budget: $200-300 ($70-100/round)
Mid-range: $400-500 ($130-170/round)
Premium: $700-900 ($230-300/round)
Hotel (3 nights):
Budget: $300-450 (chain hotel, double occupancy)
Mid-range: $500-700 (Old Town hotel or nice Airbnb)
Premium: $900-1,200 (resort)
Food & Drinks:
Budget: $200-300
Mid-range: $400-500
Splurge: $600-800
Transportation:
Rental car: $150-200 (split between group)
Uber/Lyft: $100-150
Activities (optional):
Brewery tours, hiking, spa: $50-200
Total Per Person
Budget trip: $850-1,200
Mid-range trip: $1,450-1,900
Premium trip: $2,450-3,100
For 8 golfers splitting costs, a solid mid-range Scottsdale trip runs about $1,600-1,800 per person for 4 days.
BEYOND GOLF: WHAT ELSE TO DO
Scottsdale isn't just about golf. Here's what to do between rounds.
Old Town Scottsdale - Restaurants, bars, art galleries, shopping. The nightlife scene is solid (think Nashville but desert vibes).
Hiking - Camelback Mountain (challenging) or Pinnacle Peak (easier). Morning hikes before your afternoon tee time work great.
Brewery Scene - Arizona Wilderness Brewing, Goldwater Brewing, Huss Brewing. All within 15 minutes of Old Town.
Spa Day - If someone in your group doesn't golf, Scottsdale has world-class spas.
Spring Training - If you're visiting in March, catch a Cactus League baseball game.
PRO TIPS (THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE MY FIRST SCOTTSDALE TRIP)
1. Book tee times 60-90 days out
Prime tee times (7-9 AM) at top courses fill up fast, especially in February-April. Don't wait until 2 weeks before your trip.
2. Bring sunscreen and chapstick
The desert sun is brutal. You'll burn in 20 minutes without SPF 50+. Your lips will crack without chapstick.
3. Stay hydrated
Drink 2x more water than you think you need. The dry heat is deceptive. Bring a cooler with water/Gatorade for the course.
4. Rent a car
Uber/Lyft adds up fast with a group of 8. Rent 2 SUVs and split the cost. You'll save money and have more flexibility.
5. Don't overbook golf
Two rounds per day sounds great until you're exhausted by Day 3. Stick to 1 round per day, maybe 2 on one day if you're feeling ambitious.
6. Negotiate group rates
If you're booking 16+ tee times (8 golfers playing 2 courses), call courses directly and ask for group rates. You can save 10-20%.
7. Check resort fees
Some Scottsdale resorts charge $30-50/night resort fees on top of the room rate. Factor this into your budget.
8. Eat breakfast before your round
Scottsdale courses have food/beverage at the turn, but it's expensive ($15-20 for a sandwich). Eat a big breakfast at your hotel and just grab drinks on the course.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR SCOTTSDALE TRIP
You have three options:
Option 1: DIY (Do It Yourself)
Pros: Full control, potentially save money Cons: 10-15 hours of research, coordinating 8 people, risk of missing details
If you go this route:
Book hotels first (group rates if possible)
Reserve tee times 60-90 days out
Make restaurant reservations 2-4 weeks ahead
Create a shared Google Doc with all confirmations
Option 2: Pre-Packaged Services
Sites like Golf Zoo offer fixed-date packages with set courses. Cheap and easy, but you're locked into their dates and course selections.
Pros: Low cost, minimal effort Cons: No flexibility, generic experience, self-coordination still required
Option 3: Full-Service Trip Planning
This is what we do at Fairway Concierge. We handle everything: course research, tee time booking, hotel coordination, restaurant reservations, and deliver a complete 9-page itinerary.
Pros: Completely hands-off, custom to your group, professional execution Cons: Costs more than DIY ($500-1,000 depending on service level)
Learn more about our Scottsdale trip planning services
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
Playing too many rounds - Don't jam 4 rounds into 3 days. You'll burn out.
Ignoring summer heat - If you're going June-August, book 6-7 AM tee times. Afternoon golf is miserable.
Skipping course variety - Don't play 3 parkland courses or 3 desert courses. Mix it up.
Not planning transportation - Factor in 15-30 minute drives between courses and hotel.
Overlooking Old Town - Don't stay in North Scottsdale with nothing nearby. Old Town has the best food/nightlife scene.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Scottsdale is one of the best golf destinations in the country. You're getting world-class courses, perfect weather (most of the year), and a city with plenty to do beyond golf.
The key is planning ahead—booking tee times early, choosing the right courses for your group's skill level, and balancing golf with downtime.
Whether you're doing it yourself or hiring someone to handle the logistics, Scottsdale delivers every time.
Ready to plan your Scottsdale trip? Get in touch or check out our trip planning packages.
