North Scottsdale has become one of the biggest golf destinations in the country for a reason. There are some amazing places to play in the area including PGA Tour venues. There are also more relaxed public courses (great for beginners) and private clubs with mountain views in every direction. The area has something for every level of player. There’s also a lot to enjoy about testing out each desert golf course Arizona’s golf capital has to offer.
Many of the best golf courses in North Scottsdale sit within 15 to 20 minutes of Elite Retreat. This makes it easy to play multiple courses during the same stay without spending boring hours in the car. Some are built for low handicappers chasing a challenge. Others are far more forgiving for newer golfers who just want great scenery and a memorable day on the course.
This guide breaks down the best golf courses in North Scottsdale by course style and distance from our estate. We also cover green fees and what makes each course stand out. For a broader look at planning a Scottsdale golf getaway, readers can also explore the full golf trip planner guide.
Championship Courses (Advanced Players)
Golfers looking for a real test will find no shortage of options in North Scottsdale. The best championship golf courses in the area provide players with a chance to really test their abilities.
Troon North Golf Club — Monument Course
Troon North is often the first course mentioned in any conversation about the best golf courses in Scottsdale AZ. The Monument Course is a big reason why. The layout winds through massive granite boulders and classic Sonoran Desert terrain. It feels isolated in places though it sits close to some of North Scottsdale’s top resorts and estates.
The signature hole is the par-3 3rd. The Monument hole gives the whole course its name. Giant rock formations frame the green and create one of the most photographed shots in Arizona golf.
Skill level: Advanced
Typical green fees: Around $200–$500+ depending on season
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Approximately 15 minutes
TPC Scottsdale — Stadium Course
The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale is known around the world as the home of the WM Phoenix Open. You’ll probably be playing outside tournament week! Yet it still carries that big-event atmosphere. Players get to walk the same fairways used by PGA Tour professionals, including the famous par-3 16th hole.
The back nine becomes very demanding on this course. Water hazards and exposed approach shots make it one of the toughest public championship golf experiences in the area.
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Typical green fees: Around $200–$400+
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Around 20 minutes
Grayhawk Golf Club — Raptor Course
Grayhawk’s Raptor Course offers a slightly different style of desert golf. The fairways feel greener and more forgiving. The challenge increases around the greens. Designed by Tom Fazio, the course has hosted professional and collegiate events for years.
The par-4 18th is one of the standout finishing holes in Scottsdale. Water runs alongside the fairway and creates pressure right through the final approach shot.
Skill level: Advanced
Typical green fees: Around $180–$350
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: About 20 minutes
Estancia Club
Estancia is one of the most exclusive golf experiences in North Scottsdale. This is another Tom Fazio-designed course. It blends into the desert landscape rather than overpowering it. Fairways lay naturally between rock formations and elevation changes and give the course a quieter and more refined feel than some of the larger resort layouts.
The downhill par-3 11th is often considered the signature hole thanks to its mountain backdrop and dramatic elevation drop. Conditions are typically immaculate year-round.
Skill level: Advanced
Typical guest fees: Private club access only
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Roughly 15–20 minutes
Desert Highlands Golf Club
Desert Highlands helped define luxury desert golf in Scottsdale when it opened in the 1980s. It still feels like one of the best golf courses Scottsdale AZ has to offer today. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course was recently restored and updated to improve greens and bunkers plus overall playability while keeping the original character intact.
Skill level: Advanced
Typical guest fees: Private club access only
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Around 20 minutes
Great Desert Courses (Intermediate)
Desert golf courses also cater to the intermediate players You don’t have to be the next Rory McIlroy to enjoy the local courses.
Grayhawk Golf Club — Talon Course
The Talon Course at Grayhawk has a slightly friendlier feel than the tougher Raptor Course close by. Fairways are wider in places and the layout gives players more room to recover after a missed shot.
The Talon course is a strong option for mid-handicap golfers who still want a premium Scottsdale golf experience.
Skill level: Intermediate
Typical green fees: Around $160–$300
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: About 20 minutes
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club — Saguaro Course
The Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa feels more open than many traditional desert golf layouts. The We-Ko-Pa offering comprises two stunning and award-winning courses. Every hole feels quiet and isolated in the desert landscape.
Conditions are usually excellent all through the season. The rolling fairways create a different style of desert golf compared to some of the tighter Scottsdale courses.
Skill level: Intermediate
Typical green fees: Around $180–$350
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Roughly 30 minutes
Eagle Mountain Golf Club
Eagle Mountain is known for elevation changes and panoramic views across the Valley (also visible from the Pavillion). The course climbs through rocky desert terrain. Several tee shots play downhill toward wide fairways below.
The finishing stretch is especially memorable. We recommend late afternoon rounds. They often come with some of the best sunset views anywhere near North Scottsdale.
Skill level: Intermediate
Typical green fees: Around $120–$250
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Around 25 minutes
The Boulders — South Course
The South Course at The Boulders provides some classic Arizona scenery. Massive rock formations sit beside fairways and greens throughout the round, giving the course a more rugged desert feel than some of the polished resort layouts nearby.
It rewards steady golf more than aggressive play. Players who stay patient and avoid the desert waste areas usually score well here.
The par-5 5th is stunning. The green is just beneath a rock outcropping that has been dubbed ‘the Boulder Pile’.
Skill level: Intermediate
Typical green fees: Around $170–$325
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: About 15 minutes
Beginner-Friendly & Fun Courses
Scottsdale is not only for low handicappers and serious golf trips. Several courses around North Scottsdale are ideal for newer players and those who just play casually on vacation. Beginner golf in Scottsdale is very much welcomed at these venues.
Papago Golf Club
Papago offers wide fairways and a more forgiving layout than many desert golf courses in Arizona. It still has impressive scenery. Beginners are less likely to lose a dozen balls during the round. The practice facilities are also excellent for players working on their game.
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Typical green fees: Around $50-80
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: About 30 minutes
Lookout Mountain Golf Club
Lookout Mountain mixes resort golf with scenic mountain views and a very relaxed pace of play. Elevation changes keep things interesting and can be a challenge for some. But the course remains approachable for newer golfers and casual groups.
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Typical green fees: Dynamic pricing
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Around 35 minutes
Orange Tree Golf Club
Orange Tree is one of the easier traditional-style courses in the Scottsdale area. The layout is straightforward and generally less intimidating than tighter desert tracks filled with cactus and rock.
Skill level: Beginner-friendly
Typical green fees: Around $100-150
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Around 20 minutes
McCormick Ranch Golf Club
McCormick Ranch is popular with vacation golfers because it feels welcoming from the first tee onward. Water hazards appear throughout the round yet landing areas are generous enough for beginners to keep the ball in play and enjoy the experience.
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Typical green fees: Variable
Drive time from Elite Retreat AZ: Around 25 minutes
| Course | Skill Level | Course Type | Typical Green Fees* | Drive From Elite Retreat AZ |
| Troon North — Monument | ⭐⭐⭐ | Championship desert golf | ~$200–$500+ | ~15 mins |
| TPC Scottsdale — Stadium Course | ⭐⭐⭐ | PGA Tour championship course | ~$200–$400+ | ~20 mins |
| Grayhawk — Raptor | ⭐⭐⭐ | Championship desert course | ~$180–$350 | ~20 mins |
| Estancia Club | ⭐⭐⭐ | Private luxury club | Private access only | ~15–20 mins |
| Desert Highlands | ⭐⭐⭐ | Private championship course | Private access only | ~20 mins |
| Grayhawk — Talon | ⭐⭐ | Resort/desert golf | ~$160–$300 | ~20 mins |
| We-Ko-Pa — Saguaro | ⭐⭐ | Scenic desert golf | ~$180–$350 | ~30 mins |
| Eagle Mountain | ⭐⭐ | Mountain/desert golf | ~$120–$250 | ~25 mins |
| The Boulders — South | ⭐⭐ | Desert resort golf | ~$170–$325 | ~15 mins |
| Papago Golf Club | ⭐ | Public golf course | ~$50-$80 | ~30 mins |
| Lookout Mountain | ⭐ | Resort golf | ~Variable | ~35 mins |
| Orange Tree Golf Club | ⭐ | Traditional-style course | ~$100-$150 | ~20 mins |
| McCormick Ranch | ⭐ | Resort/public golf | ~Variable | ~25 mins |
Pro Tips: Booking Tee Times from Your Estate
Scottsdale’s most popular courses can fill up quickly. This is especially true between January and April when golf season is at its peak. If you’re planning to play Troon North, TPC Scottsdale, Grayhawk, or We-Ko-Pa, it’s worth booking tee times several weeks in advance whenever possible.
Many golfers use platforms such as GolfNow and TeeOff to compare availability across different courses. These sites can also be useful for finding discounted rounds during quieter periods. Twilight tee times often offer some of the best value. Afternoon rates can be significantly lower than morning rounds while still providing plenty of daylight during much of the year.
Visitors traveling without their own clubs don’t need to worry. Many Scottsdale courses offer premium rental sets. This includes quality PXG clubs at select locations. This can be a convenient option for guests who want to avoid airline baggage fees or simply travel lighter.
When booking tee times in Scottsdale, it’s also worth considering drive times between courses. One of the advantages of staying in North Scottsdale is the ability to reach several beautiful and top-ranked courses within a matter of minutes.
Concierge assistance can help simplify the process further. Local expertise can often secure a smoother experience than booking everything independently.
Stay Minutes from Scottsdale’s Best Courses
Elite Retreat AZ provides a luxury estate near golf courses in Scottsdale’s golf corridor. Troon North and The Boulders are around 15 minutes away. Grayhawk, TPC Scottsdale, and Desert Highlands can all be reached in about 20 minutes.
It is also easy to find a golf simulator or spend time on the private putting greens a short distance from Elite Retreat. Explore the ideal base for exploring some of Arizona’s most celebrated courses.