North Scottsdale is one of the premier golf destinations in North America. With more than 200 courses in the greater Phoenix metro area and dozens concentrated in the northern corridors of Scottsdale, the region draws serious golfers from around the world seeking world-class design, perfect year-round conditions, and iconic desert scenery. Whether you are chasing a bucket-list tee time or planning a full golf vacation, these are the best golf courses in North Scottsdale.
Consistently ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the United States, Troon North is the gold standard of desert golf in North Scottsdale. The club features two championship courses — the Monument Course and the Pinnacle Course — both designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. Set against the backdrop of Pinnacle Peak, every hole rewards strategic play with spectacular views. The Monument Course is the more celebrated of the two, featuring a green built around a massive boulder that has become an enduring symbol of Sonoran Desert golf. Serious golfers put Troon North at the top of their North Scottsdale itinerary without question.
The TPC Scottsdale campus is home to the most attended professional golf event in the world, the Waste Management Phoenix Open, held each February on the Stadium Course. Playing this course is a pilgrimage — the famous 16th hole, surrounded by a temporary stadium that draws tens of thousands of fans during tournament week, is one of the most distinctive holes in the sport. The Champions Course offers a more relaxed and scenic option for everyday play. Both courses are well-maintained year-round and offer full resort amenities through the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch.
Grayhawk Golf Club is a public facility that consistently punches above its weight, offering two distinct championship experiences: Talon and Raptor. Raptor, designed by Tom Fazio, is the more dramatic of the two, cutting through pristine desert terrain with elevation changes and sweeping views toward the McDowell Mountains. Talon, designed by David Graham and Gary Panks, is more parkland in character but no less challenging. Grayhawk has hosted PGA, Champions Tour, and Nationwide Tour events and is one of the most accessible top-tier courses in the region.
Nestled in one of Scottsdale’s premier residential communities, Gainey Ranch Golf Club offers three distinct nine-hole loops — the Dunes, Lakes, and Arroyo nines — that can be combined to create 18-hole layouts with dramatically different characters. Designed by Benz and Poellot, the course features lush bermuda fairways, multiple water features, and impeccably groomed greens. The club has an intimate residential feel that contrasts with the expansive desert layouts to the north, making it a favorite for guests at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch.
Located on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation just east of North Scottsdale, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is home to two of the most geologically dramatic golf courses in Arizona. Cholla, designed by Scott Miller, and Saguaro, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, wind through untouched Sonoran Desert with virtually no real estate development in the views. Saguaro has earned widespread praise for its strategic design and natural beauty. For golfers who want an authentic desert experience, We-Ko-Pa is unmatched.
North Scottsdale golf courses are best played from October through April when temperatures are ideal. Summer months bring extreme heat, and early morning tee times are essential from June through August. Cart paths-only rules may apply during monsoon season. Most courses require advance booking, particularly on weekends, and resort packages often include preferred tee times at multiple properties.
Scottsdale Luxury Insider features verified listings for Troon North Golf Club, TPC Scottsdale, Grayhawk Golf Club, Gainey Ranch Golf Club, and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club. Pair your golf trip with a stay at one of our recommended luxury resorts for the complete Scottsdale experience.