IMPORTANT: If you're searching for Scottsdale Country Club Golf Course, you're looking for what's now officially called Starfire Golf Club. The course was renamed in 2018, though the surrounding residential community retains the Scottsdale Country Club name.
This historic public golf facility stands as Scottsdale's oldest course, welcoming golfers since December 1953. What began as Sundown Golf Course evolved into a premier Arnold Palmer-designed layout that combines championship golf with accessible pricing and a central Scottsdale location.
Why the Name Changed: From Sundown to Scottsdale Country Club to Starfire
Understanding this course's identity requires knowing its history. In 1953, Sundown Golf Course opened as Scottsdale's first golf facility—back when the area was still outside city limits. After Scottsdale annexed the area in the 1950s, it became known as Scottsdale Country Club Golf Course, serving the surrounding guard-gated residential community.
In 1988, Arnold Palmer (working with Ed Seay and Robert Walker) completely redesigned the facility, adding "The King" nine holes and transforming the original nines into a proper championship test. Three decades later, the 2018 renovations brought another evolution: a new 300-yard driving range, the reconfiguration of the Squire nine into the "Mulligan 9" executive course, and the official rebranding to Starfire Golf Club.
The $24 million sale to Swing First Golf in 2024 ensures this historic property continues serving public golfers while honoring its seven-decade legacy.
Pros
- Arnold Palmer pedigree and design quality
- Scottsdale's oldest course with historic significance (1953)
- 27 holes provide variety and options
- Mature trees create parkland feel rare in desert golf
- 300-yard driving range for proper warm-up
- Public access without country club pricing
- Multiple tee options accommodate all skill levels
Cons
- Name confusion with Scottsdale Country Club community
- Peak season pricing can reach $150+ per round
- Not a true desert course experience (fewer cacti, more trees)
- Specific hours may vary seasonally
Arnold Palmer's Scottsdale Legacy
Arnold Palmer's 1988 redesign transformed ordinary municipal golf into something memorable. The King course plays to par 70 with multiple tee options accommodating everyone from 4,467 yards (forward tees) to 6,106 yards (Palmer tees). Bermuda grass fairways and greens provide excellent playing surfaces year-round, while mature eucalyptus, pine, and cottonwood trees frame holes—a rarity in desert golf.
The course rating ranges from 61.2 to 68.8 depending on tee selection, with slope ratings between 102 and 124. This thoughtful design means a 20-handicapper faces an appropriate challenge from the middle tees (slope 110), while scratch golfers testing the Palmer tees encounter a slope of 124.
Course Layout: The King and The Mulligan
The King (18 Holes, Par 70)
This is the main attraction—Palmer's championship design featuring:
- Palmer Tees: 6,106 yards, 68.8/124 rating/slope
- Regular Tees: 5,630 yards, 66.9/114 (men)
- Middle Tees: 5,084 yards, 64.4/110 (men)
- Forward Tees: 4,467 yards, 61.2/102 (men)
Hole lengths range from a wedge-friendly 80-yard par 3 to a legitimate 504-yard par 5 that demands three solid shots to reach the green.
The Mulligan 9 (9 Holes, Par 28)
Reconfigured in 2018 from the old Squire nine, this executive course offers:
- Distance: 1,660 yards
- Slope: 93
- Ideal for: Beginners, quick rounds, practice, junior golf
Green Fees and Booking
Starfire operates as a public daily fee course with dynamic pricing based on season and demand:
Weekday Rates (Monday-Thursday): $49-$129 Weekend Rates (Friday-Sunday): $59-$159
Winter and spring (January through April) command premium pricing as Scottsdale's peak golf season draws visitors from cold-weather states. Summer presents the value opportunity—you'll pay closer to the lower end of the range, though you'll tee off early to beat the heat.
Practice Facilities and Amenities
Driving Range and Short Game
The 300-yard driving range opened in 2018 as part of major renovations. Unlike many Scottsdale courses where range balls land on rock and dirt, Starfire's range features grass landing areas. A putting green allows you to dial in speed before teeing off.
Starfire Grille
The on-site restaurant serves breakfast and lunch with seasonal happy hour specials. Arriving 30-45 minutes early for a pre-round meal is common practice among regulars.