Chandler and Gilbert sit southeast of Scottsdale in what locals call the Southeast Valley -- a stretch of fast-growing suburbs that happens to contain an LPGA tournament venue, a Ted Robinson water-feature masterpiece, and some of the best-value daily fee golf in the Phoenix metro.
These two cities fly under the golf tourist radar, which is exactly why they're worth your attention. Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass hosts the LPGA Ford Championship on the same Cattail Course you can play any day of the week. Ocotillo Golf Club packs 27 holes and more water than most Arizona golfers see in a year. And courses like Kokopelli and Western Skies deliver solid 18-hole rounds for $35-79 -- prices that Scottsdale hasn't seen since the 1990s.
Quick Reference: Chandler & Gilbert Golf Courses
| Course | Type | Green Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public 36-hole | $161 - $291 | Championship golf, LPGA venue, resort packages | |
| Ocotillo Golf Club | Public 27-hole | $89 - $179 | Water holes, Ted Robinson design, variety |
| San Marcos Golf Resort | Public 18-hole | $55 - $79 | Historic course, walkable, resort connection |
| Kokopelli Golf Club | Public 18-hole | $35 - $79 | Value golf, well-maintained, Gilbert locals |
| Western Skies Golf Club | Public 18-hole | $25 - $60 | Budget rounds, mountain views, memberships |
| Seville Golf & CC | Private 18-hole | Members only | Gary Panks design, full country club |
Why Chandler and Gilbert for Golf?
No Tourist Markup
Scottsdale courses price for the destination golfer -- the visitor who flies in for a long weekend and expects to pay $200+ per round. Chandler and Gilbert courses price for the resident who plays 50 times a year. You benefit from that gap. A comparable championship experience at Kokopelli runs $35-79 versus $150+ at a similar-caliber Scottsdale daily fee course.
The Wild Horse Pass Ecosystem
Wild Horse Pass isn't just a golf club -- it's a full resort destination on Gila River Indian Community land. The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass offers AAA Four-Diamond accommodations, Aji Spa, and the award-winning Kai restaurant (one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Arizona). Stay at the resort, play 36 holes of Whirlwind golf at 30% off, hit the casino, and shop at Phoenix Premium Outlets with 90+ stores -- all without leaving a 5-mile radius.
Emerging Tech Corridor Base Camp
Chandler's Price Road Corridor is home to Intel, Microchip Technology, and TSMC, earning the city its "Silicon Desert" nickname. If you're visiting for business, these courses sit 10-15 minutes from the major tech campuses. A morning round at Kokopelli or Western Skies before a 1 PM meeting is entirely doable. Gilbert's downtown Heritage District adds craft breweries, restaurants, and nightlife that round out a business trip nicely.
Featured Course: Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass
is the headline course for the entire Southeast Valley. Two championship 18-hole layouts sit on 500 acres of Gila River Indian Community land, with 250 acres of maintained turf and 250 acres of preserved Sonoran Desert. Both courses have been consistently ranked among Golf Digest's "Best You Can Play in Arizona."
The Details:
- Holes: 36 (Cattail Course + Devil's Claw Course)
- Par: 72 (both courses)
- Cattail Yardage: 5,282 - 7,334 yards
- Devil's Claw Yardage: 5,540 - 7,029 yards
- Designer: Gary Panks (2000)
- Green Fees: $161 - $291 (dynamic pricing)
- Address: 5692 W North Loop Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226
- Phone: (480) 940-1500
The Cattail Course (LPGA Tournament Venue)
The Cattail Course hosts the LPGA Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass every March -- the 2026 edition runs March 26-29. The same fairways where Hyo Joo Kim won a dramatic playoff in 2025 are open for public play the rest of the year. Native cottonwood, mesquite, saguaro, and palo verde trees line a layout that rewards accuracy over raw distance.
The 18th hole is one of Arizona's most photographed finishers: a par-4 with the Sierra Estrella Mountains filling the backdrop. It's the kind of closing hole that makes you want to play 18 more.
The Devil's Claw Course
Slightly shorter at 7,029 yards from the tips but no less challenging, Devil's Claw offers its own character with native desert vegetation framing every hole. Hole 7 is a standout par-3 that plays 130-200 yards depending on tee selection, with multiple bunkers protecting the green and desert scrub punishing anything off line.
Stay-and-Play Value
Sheraton Grand guests receive 30% off green fees, complimentary shuttle service every 20 minutes (7 AM - 11 PM), VIP amenities, and dining credits. That 30% discount drops a $250 peak-season round to $175 -- competitive with mid-tier Scottsdale courses, but on a facility that hosts professional tournaments.
Insider tip: At just 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Whirlwind is the smartest first-round option if you're arriving on a morning flight. Land, grab your clubs, and be on the first tee without the 45-minute drive north to Scottsdale. Play 18, check into the Sheraton, and save the Scottsdale courses for days when you want to explore that corridor.
Other Chandler & Gilbert Courses Worth Playing
Ocotillo Golf Club (Chandler)
Ted Robinson designed Ocotillo's 27 holes around a system of lakes that use more water per acre than almost any other Arizona course. The result looks nothing like typical desert golf -- lush, green fairways bordered by shimmering water features on nearly every hole. Three nine-hole loops (Blue, Gold, and White) play in rotating 18-hole combinations, giving you three distinct course experiences. The Oasis-Sky combination rates hardest at 72.2/133 from the back tees.
Golf Digest awarded Ocotillo a 4.5-star "Best Places to Play" rating, and it remains one of Chandler's most popular courses for both residents and visitors.
- Holes: 27 (three 9-hole combinations)
- Par: 72 (all combinations)
- Yardage: 5,128 - 7,016 yards (varies by combination)
- Green Fees: $89 - $179
- Address: 3751 S Clubhouse Dr, Chandler, AZ 85248
- Phone: (480) 917-6660
Insider tip: The nine-hole rotation means you'll play a different 18 each visit if you come back. Most locals have a favorite combination -- ask the starter which loop is playing best that day. Also, the Holiday Inn next door has views of the fairways and occasionally packages that include tee times.
San Marcos Golf Resort (Chandler)
One of Arizona's historic courses, San Marcos has been part of the Chandler landscape for decades, attached to the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort. The flat, walkable 6,640-yard layout won't overwhelm you with difficulty, but the mature trees, established turf, and classic routing make it a satisfying round. At $55-79, it's a reliable mid-range option that won't burn through your golf budget.
- Par: 72 | Yardage: up to 6,640 yards
- Green Fees: $55 - $79
- Address: 100 N Dakota St, Chandler, AZ 85225
- Phone: (480) 963-3358
Insider tip: San Marcos plays fast -- the flat layout and lack of forced carries mean rounds finish in under 4 hours even with a full tee sheet. Pair it with lunch in downtown Chandler, which has added several solid restaurants along Arizona Avenue in recent years.
Kokopelli Golf Club (Gilbert)
Kokopelli delivers the rare combination of daily fee prices with a private club atmosphere. The 6,716-yard par-72 layout in Gilbert is well-maintained year-round, with fairway conditions that surprise visitors expecting muni-quality turf at these price points. The club's emphasis on service -- bag drop, clean carts, attentive staff -- makes it feel like you're paying twice what the rate sheet says.
- Par: 72 | Yardage: up to 6,716 yards
- Green Fees: $35 - $79 ($35-69 weekdays, $39-79 weekends)
- Address: 1800 W Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233
- Phone: (480) 926-3589
Insider tip: At $35 weekday rates, Kokopelli is arguably the best value in the entire East Valley for a legitimate 18-hole championship experience. The price jumps on weekends, but even $79 is a steal compared to what this level of conditioning costs elsewhere. Gilbert's Heritage District is 10 minutes away for post-round food and drinks.
Western Skies Golf Club (Gilbert)
Views of the Superstition Mountains make Western Skies stand out from Gilbert's flat suburban landscape. Brian Whitcomb's 1992 design plays nearly 6,800 yards from the tips and offers a $69.95/month Performance Program membership that includes unlimited range balls, merchandise discounts, and cart-fee-only rounds after twilight. For frequent players, the math makes this the cheapest per-round cost in the Southeast Valley.
- Par: 72 | Yardage: up to 6,800 yards
- Green Fees: $25 - $60
- Address: 1245 E Warner Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296
- Phone: (480) 545-8542
Insider tip: The Performance Program pays for itself in 3-4 rounds if you're staying in the area for a month or more. Snowbirds and extended-stay business travelers should seriously consider it -- unlimited range time alone is worth the monthly fee during peak season.
Seville Golf & Country Club (Gilbert)
Seville is the Southeast Valley's top private club, a Gary Panks-designed 7,080-yard layout managed by Invited (formerly ClubCorp). This is members-only territory -- no public tee times available. If you know a member or are considering relocating to the Gilbert area, Seville offers full golf, sport club, and social membership tiers. The course features Bermuda grass fairways and greens with mountain views throughout.
- Par: 72 | Yardage: up to 7,080 yards
- Green Fees: Members only
- Address: 6683 S Clubhouse Dr, Gilbert, AZ 85298
- Phone: (480) 722-8100
Getting to Chandler & Gilbert from Scottsdale
Both cities connect to Scottsdale via the Loop 101 and Loop 202 freeway system.
| From | To Chandler (Downtown) | To Gilbert (Heritage District) | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Scottsdale | 30 minutes | 30 minutes | Loop 101 South |
| North Scottsdale | 40 minutes | 40 minutes | Loop 101 South to Loop 202 |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | I-10 East / Loop 202 |
| 15 minutes | 10 minutes | US-60 South / Loop 202 | |
| Tempe / ASU | 15 minutes | 20 minutes | Loop 101 South or I-10 East |
Wild Horse Pass sits just off I-10 south of Chandler, making it the closest championship course to the airport. Ocotillo is centrally located in Chandler near the Loop 202 and Price Road intersection.
Best Time to Play Golf in Chandler & Gilbert
Peak Season (January - April)
The LPGA Ford Championship at Whirlwind (late March) marks the highlight of the season. Weather sits in the 70s and 80s, course conditions peak, and rates reach their highest. Whirlwind and Ocotillo require advance booking during this window.
Shoulder Season (October - December, May)
The smartest time to visit. October through November brings temperatures back into the comfortable 80s-90s after summer, and prices drop 20-30% from peak. May is still playable with early starts and begins transitioning to summer rates.
Summer (June - September)
Triple-digit heat drives rates down 40-50% across all courses. Whirlwind drops below $160, Kokopelli falls to $35, and Western Skies can be as low as $25. First tee times (6:00-6:30 AM) let you finish before the worst of the heat. Hydration isn't optional -- it's survival.
Building a Chandler/Gilbert Golf Itinerary
Budget Trip (Under $100/day for golf)
- Day 1: Western Skies ($25-60) morning, downtown Gilbert Heritage District evening
- Day 2: Kokopelli ($35-79) morning, Chandler Fashion Center shopping afternoon
- Day 3: San Marcos ($55-79) morning, downtown Chandler restaurants evening
Premium Trip
- Day 1: Whirlwind Cattail Course ($161-291) with resort check-in at Sheraton Grand
- Day 2: Whirlwind Devil's Claw Course (30% off with stay), Aji Spa afternoon, Kai restaurant dinner
- Day 3: Ocotillo ($89-179) morning, Phoenix Premium Outlets or casino evening
Golf + Business
- Morning: Kokopelli or Western Skies (done by 10:30 AM, 15 minutes to Price Road)
- Afternoon: Meetings at Intel/Microchip/TSMC corridor
- Evening: Gilbert Heritage District breweries or Chandler dining
Internal Links: More Scottsdale-Area Golf
- Compare with to see how Chandler stacks up against the flagship destination.
- Looking for deals? Our includes East Valley options.
- Planning a multi-day trip? The covers the full metro area.
- Want the resort experience? See our -- Wild Horse Pass is a top contender.
- Nearby Mesa has its own scene. Check our for the East Valley neighbor.
- Explore east of Gilbert for dramatic Superstition Mountain layouts.
- For courses closer to downtown Phoenix, see our .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course in Chandler?
Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass is the clear top pick. It hosts the LPGA Ford Championship, both courses rank among Golf Digest's "Best You Can Play in Arizona," and the resort connection through Sheraton Grand adds stay-and-play packages. For a different experience, Ocotillo Golf Club offers 27 water-rich holes designed by Ted Robinson with a Golf Digest 4.5-star rating.
Are there affordable golf courses in Gilbert, AZ?
Yes. Kokopelli Golf Club offers weekday rates starting at $35 for a well-conditioned championship 18, and Western Skies Golf Club starts at $25. Western Skies' $69.95/month Performance Program drops per-round costs even further for frequent players. Both courses maintain conditions that outperform their price point.
How far is Chandler from Scottsdale for golf?
Downtown Chandler is about 30 minutes from central Scottsdale via the Loop 101. Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass is only 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, making it closer to the airport than most Scottsdale courses. Many golfers play Chandler courses as day trips from a Scottsdale base, or stay at Wild Horse Pass and drive north to Scottsdale courses.
Can I play the LPGA Ford Championship course?
Yes. The LPGA Ford Championship is held on Whirlwind's Cattail Course every March (March 26-29 in 2026), but the course is open for public play the rest of the year. Green fees range from $161-291 with dynamic pricing. Sheraton Grand resort guests save 30%.
Is Wild Horse Pass worth the drive from Scottsdale?
For golf quality, absolutely. Whirlwind's two courses compete with any public access facility in the state, and the Wild Horse Pass ecosystem -- casino, outlet shopping, Kai restaurant, Aji Spa -- gives non-golfers in your group more to do than most Scottsdale resorts. The drive is 30-40 minutes from central Scottsdale, but only 20 minutes from the airport.
What's the difference between Chandler and Gilbert golf?
Chandler has the premium courses -- Whirlwind (LPGA venue, $161-291) and Ocotillo (27 holes, $89-179). Gilbert offers better value with Kokopelli ($35-79) and Western Skies ($25-60). Seville is Gilbert's private option for members. Most golfers play courses in both cities during the same trip since they're only 10-15 minutes apart.
