As excitement builds for the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, one of the most vibrant events on the PGA Tour, Scottsdale will welcome golf enthusiasts from around the world this February 5–11. While the main action unfolds at the iconic TPC Scottsdale, the surrounding area is also renowned for its plethora of outstanding golf courses in the heart of the desert.
Whether you're looking to warm up before attending the Open or hoping to unwind with a leisurely round, these five Arizona golf courses each offer a unique golfing experience for both amateurs and aficionados alike.
1. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Spanning over 320 acres, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes (pictured above) offers a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. It’s a haven where the outside world fades away, allowing the game of golf to take center stage. Designed by Fred Couples and Schmidt-Curley, this golf course embraces the breathtaking, unrestricted vistas of Arizona’s magnificent desert landscapes. In the spirit of the world’s most prestigious courses, Ak-Chin recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and proudly holds esteemed recognition, including a coveted spot on Golfweek’s Top 100 Resort Courses list. www.akchinsoutherndunes.com
2. Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale
Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale stands as a semi-private country club catering to members, resort guests and daily fee players. With two championship-level golf courses designed by Jay Morrish, The Boulders is renowned for its awe-inspiring surroundings and rugged allure, earning a reputation as one of the most challenging in the Southwest. Spanning an enchanting Sonoran Desert landscape, both the North and South Courses have garnered prestigious accolades, including Golf Magazine’s Platinum Medal for being among the Top 10 U.S. Courses and recognition in Golfweek’s Best Courses list. www.theboulders.com
3. The Phoenician Golf Club
The Phoenician Golf Club at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale presents an 18-hole course with five sets of player-friendly tees, spanning from 4,418 yards at the forward tees to 6,501 yards at the championship tees. The course showcases new greens, tees and fairways, boasting a landscape design that highlights the distinctive beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Honored as North America’s Leading Golf Resort by the World Travel Awards, The Phoenician has also secured a place among Golf Digest’s Top 75 Golf Resorts in America. www.golfthephoenician.com
4. The Westin Kierland Golf Club
Enhanced by the vast and striking allure of the Scottsdale desert, the Scott Miller-designed Westin Kierland Golf Club encompasses 27 holes arranged into three distinctive nines. Each set of nine holes possesses its own unique character and strategic elements, providing an equally enjoyable and challenging experience. Nestled in a resort destination, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is enveloped by mountain views and expansive panoramas that showcase Pinnacle Peak and The McDowells. www.kierlandgolf.com
5. Troon North Golf Club
Known as the crown jewel of Scottsdale golf, Troon North Golf Club comprises two 18-hole courses, the Monument and Pinnacle, which gracefully wrap around the northern slopes of landmark Pinnacle Peak. Giant granite boulders lie strewn across the rugged landscape of the High Sonoran Desert, where Troon North Golf Club combines the visual sensation of desert landscape with challenging golf and a special ambiance to provide a standard that is unmatched in Arizona. Both the Monument and Pinnacle courses consistently rank at the top of every golfer’s must-play list. www.troonnorthgolf.com
For more information, visit www.TroonGolfAZ.com.
Photos courtesy Troon Golf
