Scottsdale, Arizona stays warm for most of the year, with temperatures still nearing 30 degrees even as the rest of the world turns cold toward the end of the year. The Phoenix Open, the PGA Tour event, is played at TPC Scottsdale, but the surrounding area holds a wide range of other courses and places to stay. A trip to the area in November set out to tick another item off the golf bucket list.
TPC Scottsdale
TPC Scottsdale is the headline act of the area. The PGA Tour's Phoenix Open is normally played there in late January or early February, and the course is home to the famous par-three 16th hole often seen in video games and social media clips. The clubhouse and pro shop carry a sense of prestige and history from the moment visitors arrive.
The front nine is described as decent rather than remarkable, with courses in Europe available at a fraction of the cost offering similar quality. The back nine changes that impression, with signature holes including the reverse-camber 12th, the drivable par-four 17th and the approach at the 15th. The 16th hole remains the main draw. During the November visit, the stadium around the hole was still partly under construction, though most of the stands were already up, adding to its atmosphere.
The Boulders Club
The Boulders Club, along with Troon North, best captures the character of the Arizona desert, with large boulders scattered across the course. There is a north and a south course at the club; only the south course was played on this trip, and its layout and natural surroundings stood out.
The par-three 7th hole is a must-play, with tee shots hit next to a giant boulder known as Rosie's Rock, which sits beside the hotel. The best photograph of the trip came at the 5th hole, where a formation of boulders frames the green like a stadium.
Troon North Golf Club
Troon North Golf Club rivals The Boulders Club for the best course of the trip. It shares the same desert landmarks, but its fairways, greens and tee boxes were in near-perfect condition. The clubhouse serves as a hub for the pro shop, club hire and bar while overlooking play.
The back nine held two favourite holes, combining fun, challenge and scenery. Troon North has two courses, Pinnacle and Monument; the Monument course was played on this visit. Its 16th hole, known as the postcard hole for its views, is a steep downhill par three requiring a shot over rugged Scottsdale terrain to a large green. The hole before it is a drivable par four played over rocks, with the green surrounded by rock formations.
Papago Golf Club
Papago Golf Club is in excellent condition but more open, with more forgiving terrain than the other clubs on the trip. The food and service in the clubhouse stood out, with staff described as warm and helpful throughout the round.
Warming up involves hitting balls toward a distant mountain. The opening hole is a par five with a green guarded by a slope that can send shots into the water. The first par three on the back nine requires a shot over water, and the 18th hole finishes with a fairway leading to an approach near the clubhouse. The on-site Thunderbirds Golf Complex, where the Arizona State University men's and women's golf teams train, is not part of the round but is a striking facility. The course itself has dirt areas off the fairways where extra cart paths are due to be added, though it remains well kept and playable.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, whose name means four peaks, has two courses: Cholla, which opened in 2001, and Saguaro, which opened six years later. The Cholla course was played on this trip, with the clubhouse and facilities kept in pristine condition.
The course sits on wide open land that gives the impression the layout occupies only a fraction of the property. Split fairways, riverbeds and large cacti give it a distinctly Arizona feel. The 8th hole is the course's signature and its number one handicap hole, featuring sharp elevation changes, several hazards and a demanding green. The 18th hole finishes with a split fairway leading to a raised green protected by water on the right and bunkers on the other side, while the drivable par-four 15th offers a classic risk-reward test.
Where to Stay
The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North sits among cacti and rocky mountains. Its swimming pool, restaurant and finished rooms stood out, with the restaurant, Proof, offering strong breakfast and dinner options. After a late arrival at around 1am following a long day of travel, staff still prepared a double cheeseburger for room service.
The Boulders Resort & Spa sits in a similarly striking setting to its namesake golf course. Its pool and jacuzzi sit just behind the main hotel and bars, with a short trail leading up to a boulder-top lookout over the surrounding scenery. The rooms were arranged like small studio apartments with strong air conditioning, and the resort is a five to ten minute drive from town.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, just minutes from TPC Scottsdale, was the largest of the three hotels stayed in during the trip, though only one night was spent there due to a packed schedule. Christmas decorations were already being put up during the November stay. The hotel has a bar area next to an in-house shop and a pool area, with rooms on the smaller side compared with the other resorts but a far larger total room count.