When it comes to premier golf destinations, few locations can match Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to the year-round warm weather and scant rainfall, the natural backdrop is postcard-worthy. Scottsdale golfers are able to enjoy some of the world’s most stunning desert scenery.
The city also has more than a century of experience in hosting some of the highest-level professional golf events, headlined by the annual Waste Management Open. It all adds up to make Scottsdale a golf haven unlike any other.
However, despite Scottsdale being a golfer’s paradise, dream-come-true golf trips to the Valley of the Sun don’t just happen. They require meticulous attention to detail at every step of the way. That’s where we come in.
Keep reading as we break down every last detail of planning the ultimate Scottsdale golf trip!
Book a Premier Place to Stay
When you’re planning a golf trip to Scottsdale, one of the first things you need to do is find a premier place to stay. You need to find a place that makes your golfing experience more enjoyable—one that doesn’t have untimely commutes that interfere with your schedule.
HÓZHÓ Scottsdale has a portfolio of luxury vacation rentals that are visited often each year by avid golfers. Here are a few of the best premier places to stay in Scottsdale, Arizona, when planning a golf trip.
1. HÓZHÓ Residence on Sweetwater
The HÓZHÓ Residence on Sweetwater features 8 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms and sleeps 20 comfortably. When you’re not warming up for your tee time on the putting green, you can enjoy the many other amenities this home has to offer.
For time outdoors there’s a resort style pool, outdoor kitchen and lounging area. To beat the heat after a long day on the golf course, enjoy sporting events on 3 flatscreens in the living area or get competitive with a game of pool.
2. HÓZHÓ East Estate at Lone Mountain
For a larger group, the HÓZHÓ East Estate at Lone Mountain features 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and sleeps 23 guests between the main house and a secondary guest house.
Take the party from indoors to outdoors easily with folding glass doors that create a seamless living space. Relax in the outdoor seating area or slide into the pool to beat the Scottsdale sun.
3. HÓZHÓ Estate on the Course
Looking for a place right next to a golf course, literally? The HÓZHÓ Estate on the Course has over 7000 square feet, 10 bedrooms, and 7.5 bathrooms, and it sits only a few feet away from the Orange Tree Golf Course for your everyday entertainment.
Looking for even more outdoor activities? Sounds great! You can play tennis, pickleball, or basketball without leaving the property. When you’re ready to relax, you can sit by the pool, watch a movie, or play one of the board games we provide in one of our larger entertainment rooms.
Transportation Options
The next step in planning your golf trip is finding the best ways to travel. Make sure you know your options:
Getting to and from Scottsdale
If you’re flying in, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has easy access to rental cars, taxis, and rideshare services.
When your Scottsdale trip comes to an end, be sure to keep an eye on Sky Harbor’s Flight Status page for updates on delayed, canceled, and diverted flights.
Getting Around Scottsdale
Rental Cars
For getting around, a rental car is your best way to go for a Scottsdale golf trip.
It is simply more convenient than other transportation options for traveling with your golf equipment. However, it may be more expensive, especially because many locations around Scottsdale are pay-to park, including the golf courses.
Rideshare
Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are also options, but be sure you request a ride big enough—and early enough—so you can track down your driver, load your equipment, and get to the golf course on time.
Public Transportation
Another option is public transportation. The trolley system in Scottsdale wraps around downtown and connects to multiple valley Metro bus lines, which could offer a great means of transportation for exploring downtown Scottsdale
However, there are better options for traveling to golf courses during your Scottsdale golf trip.
HÓZHÓ Scottsdale Luxury Concierge Services
The best option for traveling, especially when you stay at one of HÓZHÓ’s luxury rental properties, is the Luxury Concierge Services that guests have access to.
Transportation can be arranged and completely planned and managed without any worry. Plus, the transportation easily aligns with your tee times, helping you get to the fairways early to hang at the clubhouse or take a few swings at the driving range.
Finding Scottsdale Golf Courses
Even for the most ambitious golfer, there is simply no way to play every course that Scottsdale has to offer. The city itself has over 50 golf courses, with that number expanding to over 200 when considering the course offerings in the greater Phoenix area.
As such, it is important to rank your primary decision factors when exploring courses in the area. Perhaps you want a course with a difficulty level close to your handicap, or maybe it’s more about scenery for you. Scottsdale courses are famous for a number of signature holes, such as Hole 11 at the Talon Course of the Grayhawk Golf Club. With the teeing area that abuts a steep cliff and a swinging bridge to access the back Talon tees, it is one of those holes that a golfer will never forget!
For many, a golf trip to Scottsdale is all about teeing off on one of their bucket-list courses, many of which have hosted some of the most iconic PGA professionals of all time. A few of the most world-renowned greens include:
TPC Scottsdale
Home to the Waste Management Open – dubbed “The Greatest Show on Grass” – TPC Scottsdale is arguably the top course attraction in the city. It features two championship courses: the world-famous Stadium Course and the breathtaking Champions Course.
In the heart of the rugged Sonoran Desert and surrounded by the scenic McDowell Mountains, this is one of the premier golf courses in the world.
Troon North Golf Club
Labeled “the crown jewel of Scottsdale golf,” the Troon North is yet another must-visit course in the area. Stretching through natural ravines and foothills in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak, it offers one of the most awe-inspiring backdrops in all of golf. The challenge of the course, the visual sensation, and the one-of-a-kind ambience create a truly unforgettable experience when golfing Troon North.
Grayhawk Golf Club
The Raptor and Talon courses within the Grayhawk Golf Club are two of the best daily fee public courses in all of Scottsdale. With top-notch golf and unforgettable lifestyle experiences, Grayhawk perfectly blends the lines between premier golf and everyday accessibility. For college sports fans, Grayhawk serves as the venue for both the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Golf Championships.
While these are just a few of the dozens of amazing courses in the area, any of the three would serve as a great venue around which to build your Scottsdale golf trip.
For more golf courses to consider, check out 21 Scottsdale Golf Courses You Have to Play
Dining and Entertainment
There is a seemingly endless list of upscale dining experiences in Scottsdale. The area is replete with some of the finest hand-crafted food in the nation.
With that said, it is worthwhile to search beforehand for Scottsdale restaurants near the courses you want to play to save you time and indecision when in Scottsdale. For example, The Capital Grille is one of the most highly-rated steakhouses in the area, and it is just a few minutes’ walk from TPC Scottsdale.
In addition to golf, Scottsdale is a leading destination for bachelor parties, thanks to its vibrant nightlife. There are bars, clubs, live music, and casinos to suit the fancy of travelers of all tastes. Maya Day and Nightclub are two locations, in particular, that keep the party going all night long.
As far as entertainment not associated with golf, the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and Penske Racing Museum are a few popular tourist attractions that may be worth building into your itinerary.
For additional things to do, check out our Scottsdale Visitors Guide.
Creating an Itinerary
It is inadvisable to “go with the flow” during a Scottsdale golf trip. Time will get away from you, and you will simply miss out on too much.
Therefore, while nobody wants to feel like they are in the military when vacationing, it really is a good idea to have a firm itinerary.
When planning your stay, the itinerary should be built around golf. This is the reason for your trip, and if you accomplish nothing else, you want to say you got to play golf.
Try to get your golf scheduled as early in the trip as possible. If you have any bucket-list courses you want to try, prioritize them over others. This protects you in the event that something unexpected arises, such as an illness or inclement weather. Scheduling your golf early gives you greater flexibility to reschedule later, should you need to do so.
It is also important to give yourself time to do some other activities. While Scottsdale is known for golf, there are plenty of other entertainment and cultural attractions in the area. Water is also a must. Golfers who come during the non-peak season love to get their golf in early in the morning and spend the rest of the day in the pool. This is yet another reason why choosing a luxury vacation rental is a great idea, as all of HÓZHÓ’s stunning properties come with backyard pools, lazy rivers, swim-up bars, and/or water slides, to save travelers time from having to locate and fight traffic to access public water.
Booking Tee Times
There is no way around it: getting a desirable tee time–or a tee time at all–can be difficult at some of Scottsdale’s more premier courses. Aside from visiting during the hot summer months, there are a few tips that can help you get your slot:
- Plan in advance – Check the course’s website and try to book a tee time as early as possible.
- Check the course booking policy – Don’t be taken by surprise by any special considerations (dress code, payment options, party size) that may delay your tee time.
- Become a member or frequent golfer – If you travel to Scottsdale frequently enough to warrant the fees, this can give you the inside track to better tee times at some courses.
HÓZHÓ Scottsdale guests have the opportunity to utilize concierge services that will assist in creating golf packages and booking tee times.
Final Tips and Reminders
Confirm Reservations
Before you head to the airport, don’t forget to check and reconfirm all reservations. It would be a terrible thing to miss your tee time because you had trouble checking in to your lodging.
Casual Business Attire
Make sure that you have plenty of business casual attire to get you onto the course and into upscale eateries. Even though inclement weather is not common in Scottsdale, pack at least a light cardigan to keep you comfortable if you have a breezy morning tee time.
Golf Essentials
Check and double-check that you have all of your golf essentials. Many golfers have shot the best rounds of their life in the beautiful desert climate, and you don’t want an unfamiliar pair of gloves to cause you to come up one stroke short of your own personal record.
Plan for Downtime
Although playing golf is enjoyable, it can also be tiring. When you’re planning your itinerary, make sure you set up some downtime for everyone. Take some time to enjoy the amenities at the rental home and sit by the pool.
Seasonal Considerations
The big question many travelers have when planning a Scottsdale golf trip is when to do it. The answer lies in what type of golf experience you prefer.
Peak Season
Peak season is from November through April. The weather in Scottsdale is absolutely beautiful compared to most locations in the U.S., and there is no shortage of people heading to the desert to golf during these months.
This demand will result in higher green fees and difficulty getting a tee time. However, if you value perfect golf weather, a more bustling environment, and an increased likelihood of catching a PGA pro on the greens, this is the time to go.
Slower Season
The slow season runs from June through August. High triple digit temperatures are the norm during this period, and only the most ardent golf enthusiasts will want to be on the links in the afternoon heat. With that said, demand is significantly lower during these months, with prices and availability being much more favorable for the budget-conscious. If you are willing to get up for the earliest tee time, this season is the best chance to knock out multiple bucket-list courses in the same trip.
When it comes to weather, the main consideration is the sun. Plenty of sunscreen and water are keys to playing your best golf in Scottsdale. There is some wind in the spring as warmer temperatures blow in. This can definitely have an effect off the tee. Monsoon season is from June through September. If you have the bad luck of being in town when any of the area’s 10 inches of annual rainfall strikes, it will probably be during one of these months.
Prepare Right for the Ultimate Scottsdale Golf Trip
Thanks to its gorgeous scenery, warm weather, and rich golf history, Scottsdale is one of the world’s premier destinations for golf vacations. However, it is essential to plan accordingly to make the most of your time on the greens.
Research your ideal courses, book a vacation rental property in advance, craft an itinerary, and prepare to have the time of your life in this one-of-a-kind golfing paradise!