Cheap Golf in Scottsdale: 10 Affordable Courses Under $100

Scottsdale golf has a reputation for $300+ green fees, and the top courses earn it. But you don't have to spend $300 to play good golf here. With the right timing and course selection, you can play well-maintained desert courses for $18-$90 -- and some of them are genuinely better than courses charging three times the price.

This guide covers the best courses under $100, the timing strategies that cut green fees in half, and the rounds that deliver the most golf for the least money.

How to Save on Scottsdale Golf

Knowing when and how to book saves you hundreds per round. Here are the strategies that work.

Play Twilight and Super Twilight

Twilight golf in Scottsdale saves 30-50% off morning rates. Super twilight (starting 3-4 PM in summer, 1-2 PM in winter) cuts prices even more. You'll get 9-18 holes depending on the season, and the late afternoon desert light makes for the best visual conditions of the day.

Use Summer to Your Advantage

The real secret to cheap Scottsdale golf: summer. From June through September, when temps clear 105, green fees drop 60-80%. A $200 winter round often falls to $40-$60. Book a 6-7 AM tee time, finish before peak heat, and pocket the savings.

Book Through Discount Sites

GolfNow, TeeOff, and Supreme Golf offer an extra 10-30% off already-reduced rates. Many Scottsdale courses use these platforms to fill tee sheets, creating last-minute deals that bring premium courses into budget range. Set alerts for your target courses.

Go Weekday

Weekday rounds cost 20-40% less than weekends. If your schedule allows it, Tuesday through Thursday hits the sweet spot: lower prices, faster pace, and better conditions than Monday (which takes the hit from weekend wear).

Grab a Resident Card

Many municipal and semi-private courses offer resident discount cards -- not just Scottsdale, often the whole Phoenix metro qualifies. Annual fees of $20-$50 yield $5-$15 savings per round. Pays for itself in 3-5 rounds.

Top 10 Affordable Courses in Scottsdale Under $100

1.

Price Range: $28-$79 (summer twilight to winter peak)

The best municipal course in the Phoenix area, period. The redesigned William F. Bell layout features dramatic elevation changes and red rock buttes that make you forget you're playing a city course. Winter weekday mornings run $60-$70. Summer twilight dips to $28.

ASU's golf team practices here. That tells you something about the quality.

Best Value: Summer mornings (6:30 AM) for $35-$45, or winter twilight at $45-$50.

2.

Price Range: $25-$75

Locals know this one. Visitors don't. The Arthur Jack Snyder design has mature landscaping, strategic bunkering, and real desert golf character at prices that seem too low for what you get. Summer twilight drops to $25.

Best Value: Summer weekday mornings ($30-$35) or winter twilight ($40-$50) for sunset golf at half the morning price.

3. Coronado Golf Course

Price Range: $24-$65

A classic muni with a lighted driving range that punches above its weight in conditioning. Straightforward layout that works for every skill level. The practice amenities add value beyond the round itself. Peak winter rates stay under $65. Summer twilight: $24.

Best Value: Use the lighted range for evening practice, then book summer super twilight at $24-$28.

4.

Price Range: $35-$85

Arnold Palmer and Billy Casper designed it. That pedigree usually commands higher prices. The Hawks and Eagles nines have water features, strategic bunkering, and well-protected greens that test your short game. Summer rates ($35-$45) make this a standout.

Best Value: Summer weekday play ($35-$40) gets you Palmer-designed golf at a fraction of winter's $80+ rates.

5.

Price Range: $45-$95

Two 18-hole courses -- Pine and Palm -- sitting in Scottsdale's upscale McCormick Ranch neighborhood. Lake-studded layouts give you parkland-style golf that's rare in the desert. Despite the prestigious address, rates stay reasonable outside peak season.

Best Value: Spring and fall shoulder seasons ($50-$65) for ideal weather and pricing. Summer twilight ($45) for resort-quality golf at budget prices.

6.

Price Range: $30-$75

Don't confuse this with expensive Paradise Valley resorts. This is a well-conditioned muni with mountain views, desert landscaping, and reliable year-round conditions. Winter peak tops out at $75. Summer drops to $30-$35.

Best Value: Fall and spring weekday mornings ($40-$50) combine comfortable temps with off-peak pricing.

7.

Price Range: $50-$100

At the top of our budget range, Gainey Ranch gives you country club atmosphere and strong conditioning. Three nine-hole layouts (Arroyo, Dunes, Lakes) offer variety, and the practice facility is one of Scottsdale's best. Summer brings this experience into affordable range at $50-$60.

Best Value: Summer early mornings ($50-$55) for the course at half-price. Winter twilight occasionally sneaks under $100.

8.

Price Range: $28-$80

A solid neighborhood course with conditioning and playability that surprises first-time visitors. Silverado won't make national top-10 lists, but it delivers consistent, enjoyable golf that keeps locals coming back. Summer rates ($28-$35) make it a go-to for budget players.

Best Value: Year-round twilight rates ($28-$45 depending on season).

9.

Price Range: $40-$95

Recently renovated with improved conditions and modern amenities, Orange Tree sits between municipal and resort-quality golf. Palmer-designed, with mature trees (rare in the desert), water hazards, and strategic holes that reward thought over power.

Best Value: Summer stay-and-play packages that combine lodging and golf, or summer twilight at $40.

10. (North Course)

Price Range: $55-$99

Technically in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, but it's a 10-minute drive from central Scottsdale. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed it -- the same architects behind Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley. Minimalist, strategic golf that rewards thinking over power.

This is the best-designed course on this list. Summer rates ($55-$65) bring a nationally-ranked layout within budget range.

Best Value: Summer weekday play ($55-$60). Winter twilight occasionally reaches $99.

Price Comparison Table

Prices based on 2026 published rates; subject to change. Twilight typically 30-50% off peak rates.

Locals Know, Visitors Don't

Best-Kept Secrets

Continental Golf Club flies under the radar. Conditioning and design quality match courses charging twice as much. Locals treat it like their personal course.

Papago Golf Club gets plenty of play but visitors overlook it because it's a muni. Their loss -- it's one of the best layouts in the Phoenix metro area.

Paradise Valley Golf Course benefits from name confusion. Visitors book expensive Paradise Valley resorts while this muni offers mountain views and solid golf at a fraction of the cost.

What to Skip

Premium courses during peak season. TPC Scottsdale, Troon North, and We-Ko-Pa rarely drop below $200 in winter. Unless budget isn't a concern, you'll get more golf for your money at the courses listed above.

Last-minute weekend winter bookings. Peak season weekend rates jump 50-100% at even affordable courses. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for better rates and preferred times.

"Hot deals" without tee times listed. Be wary of deeply discounted rates that don't specify when you play. They sometimes mean 11 AM in August when it's 110 -- technically a deal, practically unplayable.

Monthly Strategy Guide

Peak Season (January-March)

Focus on weekday twilight at municipal courses. Target Papago, Continental, and Paradise Valley for $40-$55 rounds.

Shoulder Season (April-May, October-November)

The sweet spot for affordable Scottsdale golf. Temperatures moderate while prices drop. Target McCormick Ranch, Starfire, and Orange Tree for $50-$70 rounds.

Summer (June-September)

Everything becomes affordable. Early morning tee times (6-7:30 AM) at any course on this list stay under $60, often under $40. This is when you can play Gainey Ranch and Talking Stick North for budget prices.

Early Winter (December)

Rates start climbing but haven't hit peak. Book twilight rounds at premium courses on this list before holiday visitors arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest golf course in Scottsdale?

Coronado Golf Course at $24 for summer twilight. Continental ($25) and Papago ($28) are close behind.

Can you golf in Scottsdale for under $50?

Yes. Summer rates at most municipal and semi-private courses range from $24-$45. Even in winter, twilight rates at Papago, Continental, and Paradise Valley stay under $50.

When is the cheapest time to golf in Scottsdale?

Summer (June-September), 60-80% below winter peak. Within summer, super twilight (3-5 PM) gives you the deepest discounts, though you may not finish 18 before dark.

Are Scottsdale municipal courses any good?

Papago ranks among Arizona's best public courses at any price. Continental, Paradise Valley, and Coronado all offer conditions and layouts that compete with courses charging twice as much.

Do you need to be a Scottsdale resident for cheap rates?

No. The rates listed here are available to everyone. Resident cards offer additional discounts -- some cover the whole Phoenix metro area, not just Scottsdale.

What's the best way to book affordable tee times?

GolfNow, TeeOff, or Supreme Golf to compare rates. Book 1-2 weeks out for best selection, or check for last-minute hot deals 24-48 hours before your target date.

Start Playing for Less

The courses on this list prove you can play excellent desert golf for $24-$99 per round. You don't have to sacrifice quality -- you just have to know when and where to book.

Summer visitors unlock the best values, with strong courses dropping to $30-$60. Winter golfers can still save through twilight rates, weekday play, and undervalued munis.

Start with Papago and Continental for the best value-to-quality ratio. Then explore the rest based on your schedule and budget. Check current rates at , , and .

Want to go bigger? Our guide to the covers premium options, and the helps you build the full itinerary.