TPC Scottsdale: Stadium & Champions Course Guide (2026)

You know the 16th hole. The par-3 where 20,000 people scream at you during the WM Phoenix Open every February. But TPC Scottsdale is two full courses and a year-round operation, not just one week of chaos.

This guide covers both the Stadium and Champions courses -- green fees, the holes that matter, booking strategy, and why locals think you should play Champions more than once. If you only have time for one course, I'll help you pick.

Located at 17020 Hayden Road in North Scottsdale, TPC has hosted professional golf's loudest tournament since 1987. Two courses, Tour-level conditioning, and the kind of maintenance budget that keeps greens rolling 11+ on the Stimpmeter from December through April.

The Stadium Course: Where the Tour Plays

Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed this 7,261-yard par-71 layout specifically for tournament golf. Massive spectator mounds. Wide-open viewing areas. The kind of infrastructure that transforms an already great course into a sporting event venue every February.

But you're not here for tournament week. You're here to play it.

The Stadium Course plays fast in season -- overseeded ryegrass gives you tight lies and true rolls on fairways that look like green carpet. Greens run firm at 11+ Stimpmeter, which punishes lazy lag putts and rewards committed lines. Play the tees that match your game. Five options from 5,035 to 7,261 yards, and the desert penalty areas collect plenty of balls from every handicap.

The 16th Hole: Golf's Loudest Par 3

There's no hole in golf like it. During tournament week, this 163-yard par 3 becomes the "Coliseum" -- stadium seating, 20,000 fans, and an atmosphere that's part Super Bowl, part college football game. Players get cheered for great shots and mercilessly heckled for bad ones.

When you play it on a regular Tuesday? Different experience entirely. A beautiful, strategic par 3 over a desert waste area to a well-protected green. Pin position changes everything. The surrounding mounds give you a taste of the amphitheater feel even without the crowds.

Stand on that tee box. Take the photo. Then make your swing.

Signature Holes Worth Knowing

Hole 3 (Par 5): Your first real birdie chance. Reachable in two if you avoid the water guarding the left approach. Don't get greedy early.

Hole 11 (Par 4): One of the toughest on the course. Tight drive, demanding approach to an elevated green. Par is a good score here.

Hole 15 (Par 4): The "Canary in the Coal Mine" with an island green that has wrecked tournament rounds for decades. You'll see why when you're standing over that approach shot with water everywhere.

Hole 18 (Par 4): Reachable, with water running down the entire left side. Tempting to go for it. Just know the penalty for missing left is a re-tee feeling.

What Makes It Special

Saguaro cacti, boulder outcroppings, and McDowell Mountain views frame most holes without feeling like decoration. This is genuine Sonoran Desert, not a landscaping project. The routing uses elevation changes naturally -- you'll gain and lose 50+ feet across the round.

Course conditioning stays at PGA Tour standards year-round. That's not marketing. The same turf team that preps for the WM Phoenix Open maintains the course every other week of the year.

The Champions Course: The Better-Kept Secret

The Stadium Course gets all the attention. Most visiting golfers don't even know Champions exists. That's a mistake.

Randy Heckenkemper designed this 7,070-yard par-72 layout with a completely different feel -- mature trees, parkland routing, strategic water on multiple holes. Where Stadium is desert target golf, Champions rewards shot-shaping and course management.

Four Reasons to Play Champions

Faster rounds. No name recognition means less demand. You'll often get out in 4:15 instead of 4:45.

Same conditioning. TPC maintains both courses with the same crew, same equipment, same attention. The greens on Champions roll just as pure.

Different challenge. Tree-lined fairways demand accuracy off the tee. You can't just bomb it and find it in the desert like on Stadium. This course makes you think.

$100-200 less per round. Same TPC quality. Lower price tag. That's money you can spend on another round somewhere else.

Who Should Play Champions?

• Golfers who've already played Stadium and want something different
• Groups that value pace of play over bragging rights
• Players who prefer parkland-style layouts to desert golf
• Anyone building a multi-day trip and needs to manage the budget
• Repeat visitors who already have the 16th hole photo

Stadium vs. Champions: Quick Comparison

Green Fees and How to Save

TPC Scottsdale runs dynamic pricing. What you pay depends on the season, day of week, and tee time. Here's the breakdown.

Peak Season (January-March)

This is when everyone wants to play. Stadium Course rates hit $250-400+ for prime morning tee times. Champions runs $100-200 less during the same window.

One thing to know: during the WM Phoenix Open week (first full week of February), both courses close to public play for about 10 days. Don't book a trip around that week expecting to play.

Shoulder Season (November-December, April)

Rates drop hard outside peak months. Stadium fees land around $150-250. Champions drops to $100-175. Weather is still great -- November highs average 75 degrees, and April sits around 85.

Summer (May-October)

This is where smart golfers find real value. Temperatures clear 100 degrees regularly, but the courses stay in excellent shape because Bermuda turf loves heat. Twilight rates can drop to $50-100 on Champions and $100-175 on Stadium.

Book a 5:30 AM tee time. You'll finish before 10 AM and pay half what January visitors spend.

When to Visit (Honest Advice)

February-March: Best Conditions, Highest Prices

Daytime temps in the 70s. Clear skies. Greens at peak speed. You'll also pay peak rates and share the course with more groups. Skip tournament week unless you're going as a spectator.

May-September: Best Value, Real Heat

Not for everyone. But sunrise tee times starting at 5:30 AM are genuinely pleasant, and you'll play courses in strong shape for 50-70% less than peak rates. Bermuda turf thrives in desert heat -- the courses don't suffer in summer.

November and April: The Sweet Spot

Comfortable temperatures (70s-80s), moderate pricing, good availability. If I could only visit once, I'd pick late November. Great weather, lower rates, and fewer crowds than peak season.

Watch for Overseeding

Both courses overseed with ryegrass in late September/early October. During that 2-3 week window, conditions dip while new grass establishes. Ask about the overseeding schedule before booking fall rounds.

What to Know Before You Go

Walking

Cart-path-only in most areas. Walking is allowed but not practical -- Arizona heat plus elevation changes across both courses makes it a tough ask. Carts come with GPS systems showing yardages and pace-of-play tracking.

Dress Code

Standard golf attire. Collared shirts required (mock necks work). No denim, no cargo shorts. Golf shoes mandatory -- soft spikes or spikeless both fine. Remove hats in the clubhouse.

Pace of Play

Expect 4.5-5 hours during busy times. TPC monitors pace with rangers who will ask slow groups to let faster players through. Champions typically plays 15-20 minutes faster than Stadium.

Practice Facilities

Show up early. The practice area here is one of the best in the Valley:

• Full driving range with quality practice balls
• Short game area with bunkers
• Putting greens that match on-course speed
• Chipping green

This is where Tour pros warm up during WM Phoenix Open week. The conditions match.

Forecaddies

Available for groups on the Stadium Course. Not required, but worth it if you want local knowledge on green contours and wind patterns. A good forecaddie saves you 2-3 shots on a course you've never played.

Tournament Week: The 16th Hole Experience

The WM Phoenix Open is worth attending at least once. The 16th hole transforms into the loudest venue in golf -- fans arrive hours early, the atmosphere has zero reverence for golf's traditional quiet, and the player reactions are genuine entertainment.

What to know:

• Tournament week: first full week of February (2026)
• 16th hole grandstand tickets sell out fast -- buy early
• General admission gets you access to the full course
• Arrive by 8 AM for prime viewing spots
• Don't miss the action at 15 green and 18 tee either

Playing after the tournament: One of the best experiences available. Within a few weeks post-tournament, you can stand on the 16th tee with grandstand remnants still visible. Same tee box. Same green. Just you and your playing partners instead of 20,000 strangers.

Facilities

Clubhouse and Dining

Full-service restaurant and bar with American classics and Southwestern touches. The outdoor patio has direct desert views -- pick it over indoor seating from November through April. Private locker rooms with showers available.

Golf Shop

Carries premium equipment from Titleist, FootJoy, and Peter Millar alongside TPC Scottsdale-branded merchandise. Good souvenir selection if you want something beyond the standard logo ball.

How to Book

• Phone: (480) 585-4334
• Website: tpc.com/scottsdale
• Address: 17020 Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
• Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM (seasonal variations)

Booking timeline:

• Peak season (Jan-March): 30-60 days out for best selection
• Shoulder season: 7-30 days works fine
• Summer: Last-minute often available
• Tournament week: Courses closed to public play

Where to Stay Nearby

TPC sits in North Scottsdale with solid lodging options within 15 minutes.

Resorts:

• (5 miles) -- two on-site championship courses
• The Phoenician (10 miles) -- top-tier resort experience
• Westin Kierland Resort (6 miles) -- family-friendly with golf

Hotels:

• Hampton Inn Scottsdale North (3 miles)
• Courtyard Scottsdale North (4 miles)
• Hyatt Place Scottsdale (5 miles)

Rentals: North Scottsdale has strong VRBO and Airbnb inventory. Best option for groups splitting a multi-day golf trip.

Build Your Trip Around TPC

Playing TPC Scottsdale? Add one or two of these to round out your trip.

Top-tier courses nearby:

• (8 miles) -- Monument and Pinnacle courses, the best pure desert golf in Scottsdale
• (15 miles) -- Cholla and Saguaro, consistently ranked among Arizona's best
• (5 miles) -- Talon and Raptor in excellent condition

Value plays:

• Kierland Golf Club (6 miles) -- three nines offering variety
• (10 miles) -- solid desert course, better prices
• Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club (12 miles) -- good golf without the premium

For the full list, check our rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Stadium Course?

From the right tees, it's playable for mid-to-high handicappers. Course rating is 73.8 / slope 137 from the tips, but the white tees (6,132 yards) offer a fair test for bogey golfers. Play the tees that match your game -- ego picks cost strokes in the desert.

Can I walk the Stadium Course?

Technically yes. Practically, no. The heat, distance, and elevation changes make it brutal. If you insist on walking, book early morning in winter.

Which course should I play?

First visit? Stadium. The 16th hole alone is worth the premium. Repeat visit or budget-conscious? Champions. Same quality, lower price, better pace. Playing multiple days? Do both.

When are rates cheapest?

Summer twilight. May through September, after 2 PM. You can play Stadium for $100-175 and Champions for $50-100. November and April shoulder season is the next-best value window.

Can I visit the 16th hole without playing?

Not during regular play -- you need a tee time to access the course. You can see it from the clubhouse area. During tournament week, general admission tickets get you full access.

What's the dress code?

Collared shirts, no denim, golf shoes required. Standard golf club rules. No tank tops, t-shirts, or athletic wear.

How early should I arrive?

At least 30 minutes before your tee time. During peak season, give yourself 45 minutes for check-in, cart pickup, and warm-up.

The Bottom Line

TPC Scottsdale is two courses, not one hole. Stadium delivers the PGA Tour atmosphere and the 16th hole photo for your wall. Champions delivers better golf at a lower price. Play both if you can.

The key to getting your money's worth: timing. Book 30-60 days out during peak season, target November or late March for the best value-to-conditions ratio, and don't overlook summer rates that drop Stadium below $175. Take the photo on the 16th tee. Then focus on your game.

Ready to Book?

Visit tpc.com/scottsdale or call (480) 585-4334 to reserve your tee time.

More Scottsdale Golf

• -- Desert golf at its finest with Monument and Pinnacle courses
• -- Two championship layouts in North Scottsdale
• -- Award-winning Cholla and Saguaro courses
• -- Our complete rankings and reviews
• -- Everything you need for a multi-day trip

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