The pitch is simple: wake up, walk to the first tee, play 18, and never touch your car keys. Scottsdale has nine resorts where the golf course is on-site or next door, and the right choice saves you an hour of driving per day while bundling rooms and rounds at a discount.
But not all golf resorts are created equal. Some sell you a $800/night room with a mediocre course you'd skip if it weren't attached to the hotel. Others pair legitimately excellent golf with resort amenities that justify the price. The difference matters when you're dropping $3,000-$5,000 on a four-night stay.
Here's the honest breakdown -- which resorts have courses worth playing on their own merits, which ones are convenient but unremarkable, and where the stay-and-play math actually works.
Quick Comparison
| Resort | Course(s) | Holes | Peak Room Rate | Peak Golf Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPC Stadium + Champions | 36 | $600-$800/night | $339-$579 | PGA Tour venue, groups | |
| South Course (North is private) | 18 public | $700-$900/night | $159-$329 | Desert scenery, couples | |
| 3 nines (Ironwood, Acacia, Mesquite) | 27 | $500-$700/night | $100-$250 | Families, flexibility | |
| Padre + Ambiente | 36 | $700-$1,000/night | $100-$275 | Historic luxury | |
| Adobe + Links | 36 | $600-$900/night | $100-$200 | Architecture, classic elegance | |
| 3 nines (Oasis, Desert, Canyon) | 27 | $800-$1,200/night | $150-$300 | High-end luxury | |
| 1 course | 18 | $300-$400/night | $80-$150 | Budget stay-and-play | |
| The Short Course (par 3) | 18 (par 3) | $600-$800/night | Included | Modern luxury, casual golf | |
| 3 nines (Dunes, Arroyo, Lakes) | 27 | Varies by hotel | $100-$200 | Central location, variety |
1. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess + TPC Scottsdale
The draw: On-site access to , home of the WM Phoenix Open and the most famous golf hole in Arizona.
The Fairmont is the default choice for serious golfers visiting Scottsdale, and for good reason. You're playing the Stadium Course -- the same par-3 16th where pros face 20,000 screaming fans every February. The Champions Course next door plays comparably tough at lower rates and is honestly a better pure design.
The resort itself spreads across 65 acres of Spanish Colonial architecture. 649 rooms, six pools, seven restaurants, and a spa that pulls from desert plant traditions. Rooms feel traditional luxury -- not ultra-modern, not dated, just solidly nice with recent updates.
The golf reality: The Stadium Course commands $339-$579 in peak season. The Champions Course runs $150-$300. Both maintain PGA Tour conditioning standards from December through March. Summer rates on the Stadium drop to $99-$159, making it the best time to play TPC if you can handle the heat.
Stay-and-play value: Princess packages typically bundle one round per night on either course, with breakfast and resort credits. The math works best for 3-4 night stays during shoulder season (November, late March-April) when room rates drop 30-40% but course conditions stay excellent.
Eat here: Toro Latin Restaurant (upscale Mexican, mezcal list worth exploring), Bourbon Steak (Michael Mina's steakhouse -- the duck fat fries are the move), or the PROOF American Canteen for something casual by the pool.
2. Boulders Resort + Boulders Golf Club
The draw: Golf through 12-million-year-old granite boulder formations at , 30 minutes north of central Scottsdale in Carefree.
The Boulders is the resort for golfers who care more about the visual experience than playing TPC. Jay Morrish routed the South Course around and between massive granite boulders, creating holes that feel prehistoric. The par-3 5th plays through a gap between house-sized formations to a hidden green -- you aim at the sky between the rocks and trust your club selection.
Adobe-style casitas with wood-burning fireplaces, private patios, and pueblo architecture that disappears into the desert landscape. It feels remote, even though Cave Creek and Harold's Corral (roadhouse, cold beer since 1935) are 10 minutes away.
The golf reality: Only the South Course is available to resort guests (and the public). The North Course is members-only. The 2022 TifEagle Bermuda green renovation significantly improved putting surfaces. Green fees run $159-$329 with dynamic pricing -- afternoon rates save $50-$80.
Stay-and-play value: Unlimited golf packages on the South Course make multi-round stays cost-effective. If you're playing twice or more, the per-round cost drops well below booking individually. Rooms run $400-$500 in summer, $700-$900 in peak season.
Eat here: Palo Verde at the resort does elevated Southwestern dining with patio views of the boulders. For post-round drinks, drive to Cave Creek -- Horny Toad (ribs since 1974) and Tonto Bar & Grill (Southwestern cuisine) are both 10 minutes south.
3. Westin Kierland Resort + Kierland Golf Club
The draw: Three nine-hole courses at give you three different 18-hole combinations, plus a resort water park that keeps non-golfers happy.
Kierland is the family golf resort. The 900-foot lazy river, water slides, and tubing hill give kids (and non-golfing spouses) something to do while you play 18. The three nines -- Ironwood, Acacia, and Mesquite -- let you play a different combination each day without repeating a round.
Rooms are modern Westin with Heavenly Beds and contemporary desert styling. The resort feels newer and more polished than traditional Southwestern properties, which either appeals to you or doesn't.
The golf reality: Scott Miller's three nines play differently enough to justify multi-day stays. Ironwood-Mesquite is the championship combo at 7,042 yards. Acacia-Mesquite suits higher handicaps. The Mesquite 9 has water on six of nine holes. Green fees run $100-$250 with resort guest discounts of 20-30%.
Stay-and-play value: One round per night is standard in packages. Additional rounds at discounted guest rates. The per-round cost for guests drops below $150 even in peak season, which is strong value for a resort course. Rooms from $250-$350 summer, $500-$700 peak.
The Phil Mickelson-designed short game area is legitimately one of the best practice facilities in Scottsdale -- arrive 45 minutes early.
Eat here: Deseo (Latin-inspired, solid dinner), or Nellie Cashman's Monday Club Cafe for casual breakfast before your round. The Scottsdale Quarter shopping center across the street has 20+ restaurant options for dinner.
4. JW Marriott Camelback Inn + Camelback Golf Club
The draw: Two courses at flanked by views of Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain, attached to one of Scottsdale's most historic luxury resorts.
The Camelback Inn opened in 1936, and it still carries that old-Arizona luxury feel. Adobe casitas spread across the property with private patios, mountain views, and a sense of space that modern high-rise resorts can't replicate. If you want the classic Scottsdale experience -- mountains, desert, quiet luxury -- this is it.
The golf reality: The Padre Course is the headliner. Red Lawrence's original routing, updated by Arthur Hills, runs tree-lined fairways with water on seven holes. It hosts Arizona amateur championships because the design tests every skill without being gimmicky. The Ambiente Course got a full 2018 redesign that added desert elements -- it plays firmer and faster but is still maturing.
Peak-season green fees run $100-$275. Conditioning on the Padre peaks December-March when the resort invests in tournament-level maintenance.
Stay-and-play value: Packages bundle rounds on both courses with breakfast and sometimes spa credits. Rooms run $350-$450 summer, $700-$1,000+ peak. The Padre Course alone justifies the golf portion -- it's an underrated course that flies under the TPC/Troon North radar.
Eat here: Lincoln at the resort is a proper fine-dining experience -- worth the reservation. Rita's Kitchen does casual Southwestern for lunch. The Camelback Mountain trailheads are nearby if you want a post-round hike.
5. Arizona Biltmore + Biltmore Golf Club
The draw: Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced architecture at a resort that opened in 1929, with two recently renovated golf courses at .
The Biltmore is technically in Phoenix, not Scottsdale, but it sits minutes from the border and 15-20 minutes from North Scottsdale courses. The appeal is architectural -- the Wright-inspired geometric block exterior, the grand lobby, the sense of history that modern resorts can't manufacture. Eight pools, seven restaurants, and grounds worth walking even if you're not a golf person.
The golf reality: The Adobe Course plays shorter and tighter with tree-lined fairways -- unusual for Arizona golf. The Links Course opens up with more desert terrain and aggressive bunkering. Both courses underwent significant renovation in recent years, with new greens and bunker complexes that elevated them from tired resort tracks to legitimate golf experiences. Green fees run $100-$200.
Stay-and-play value: One round per night packages are standard. Rooms from $300-$400 summer, $600-$900 peak. The golf quality is solid but not destination-level -- you're paying for the resort history and architecture more than the courses. Good for golfers who want a round or two at the resort and plan to drive to premium courses (Troon North, TPC) on other days.
Eat here: Wright's at the resort channels the Art Deco aesthetic with a New American menu. Frank & Albert's does casual all-day dining. The bar is worth a visit for the cocktail program and the architecture alone.
6. The Phoenician + Phoenician Golf Club
The draw: Three nine-hole courses redesigned by Phil Mickelson at , sitting at the base of Camelback Mountain in one of Scottsdale's most luxurious resorts.
The Phoenician targets high-end travelers. Nine pools (including one with mother-of-pearl tile), an award-winning spa, and eight dining options -- this is the resort for people who want golf as part of a larger luxury experience, not the sole focus of the trip.
The golf reality: Mickelson's redesign of the three nines (Oasis, Desert, Canyon) added legitimate challenge while keeping the courses resort-playable. Wide fairways contrast with tight green complexes that demand touch. The Desert-Canyon combination plays hardest. Conditioning is strong year-round, as the resort invests in maintaining the courses as part of the luxury brand.
Peak-season green fees run $150-$300. Unlimited golf packages make multi-round stays economical.
Stay-and-play value: The room rates are the highest on this list ($400-$500 summer, $800-$1,200+ peak), so the stay-and-play math only works if you value the non-golf amenities enough to justify the premium. The golf alone doesn't warrant the price difference over a Westin Kierland or Camelback Inn stay. But if your trip includes spa time, fine dining, and the pool scene as much as golf, The Phoenician delivers.
Eat here: Il Terrazzo (Italian, al fresco dining overlooking Camelback Mountain), Mowry & Cotton (American with creative cocktails), or the Thirsty Camel for poolside casual.
7. Orange Tree Golf Resort
The draw: Stay-and-play golf at honest prices. is the budget option on this list, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else.
The single 18-hole Johnny Bulla-designed course runs through mature trees -- a parkland layout that contrasts with every other course in Scottsdale. The rooms are clean and functional without luxury pretensions. The pool, restaurant, and bar cover the basics. If you're coming to play golf four days straight and only need a place to sleep, shower, and eat breakfast, Orange Tree is the smart financial choice.
The golf reality: The tree-lined parkland course challenges mid-handicappers with a routing that rewards accuracy over distance. Don't expect Troon North conditioning, but the turf is maintained year-round and the layout holds up. Green fees run $80-$150.
Stay-and-play value: Best on this list, by a wide margin. Rooms from $150-$200 summer, $300-$400 peak. Daily golf included in most packages. The savings over premium resorts ($200-$400/night less) can fund two rounds at TPC or Troon North. Orange Tree as a base with day trips to premium courses is the budget-conscious golfer's best strategy.
Eat here: The on-site restaurant handles breakfast and basic dinner. For better options, you're in North Scottsdale with easy access to the Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter restaurant clusters.
8. Mountain Shadows Resort + The Short Course
The draw: A modern luxury resort with an 18-hole par-3 course at -- not a traditional golf resort, but a unique option for golfers who want evening nine-hole rounds under the lights.
Mountain Shadows reopened in 2017 as a contemporary resort with floor-to-ceiling windows, infinity pool views of Camelback Mountain, and a design language that feels more Palm Springs than traditional Southwest. The Short Course, designed by Forrest Richardson, is an 18-hole par-3 layout with holes ranging from 90 to 140 yards that plays beautifully under lights.
The golf reality: This isn't a championship golf resort. The Short Course is fun, well-maintained, and perfect for a casual round, short game practice, or a post-dinner nine. It's included for resort guests. If you want serious golf, you'll drive to off-property courses. Mountain Shadows works best as a luxury base where The Short Course supplements your daily rounds elsewhere.
Stay-and-play value: Rooms run $300-$400 summer, $600-$800 peak. The Short Course is complimentary for guests. The resort's location at the base of Camelback Mountain puts you 20 minutes from TPC and 25 from Grayhawk. Use Mountain Shadows as your home base and the par-3 as your evening wind-down.
Eat here: Hearth '61 is the resort's signature restaurant -- wood-fired cuisine in a modern setting with Camelback views. Rusty Spur Saloon in Old Town (10-minute drive) is the most fun you'll have at a bar in Scottsdale.
9. Hyatt Regency Scottsdale + Gainey Ranch Golf Club
The draw: 27 holes across three distinct nines at , paired with the Hyatt Regency's central Scottsdale location and water-park-style pool complex.
Gainey Ranch sits in central Scottsdale, putting you 15-20 minutes from both Old Town nightlife and North Scottsdale courses. The three nines -- Dunes, Arroyo, and Lakes -- were designed by different architects, giving each a distinct character. The Lakes nine has water on most holes, which is unusual for Arizona. The Dunes plays firmer and faster with less water. The Arroyo splits the difference.
The golf reality: Gainey Ranch is a solid course that hosts regular tournaments, but it's not a destination track. You'll enjoy it as your "home" round and drive to Troon North or TPC for the premium experience. Green fees run $100-$200 depending on season and which nine-hole combination you play.
Stay-and-play value: The Hyatt Regency offers preferred tee times and packages. The location advantage -- central to everything -- adds practical value that more remote resorts lack. Rooms are competitive with other mid-tier resort options in Scottsdale.
Eat here: Alto at the Hyatt does Mediterranean with a patio overlooking the grounds. SWB (Southwest Bistro) handles casual. The real benefit is proximity to Old Town dining -- Citizen Public House, FnB, and Herb Box are all a short drive away.
How to Choose Your Resort
You Care About the Golf First
Fairmont Princess (TPC Scottsdale). The courses justify the trip independent of the resort. The Stadium Course is the most famous public course in Arizona, and the Champions Course is underrated. If the primary purpose of your trip is golf, and you want to minimize driving to off-property courses, this is the call.
You Want the Visual Experience
Boulders Resort. No other resort course in Arizona looks like the Boulders South Course. The granite formations create a setting that photographs better than any course on this list. The resort matches the landscape -- casitas, fireplaces, desert views. The trade-off is that you only have one 18-hole course available (North is private).
You're Traveling with Family
Westin Kierland. The adventure water park, three nines for mix-and-match golf, and modern amenities make it the most family-friendly option. Kids are entertained while you play. The three-nine format lets you squeeze in a quick nine when time is tight.
You Want Maximum Value
Orange Tree. Save $200-$400/night on rooms, play the on-site course daily, and use the savings to book premium off-property rounds. A four-night Orange Tree stay costs roughly the same as a two-night Fairmont Princess stay. The golf isn't as impressive, but the budget math is compelling.
You Want Luxury Beyond Golf
The Phoenician. The highest-end option on this list, with spa, pool, and dining that compete with any luxury resort in the Southwest. The golf is good but secondary to the overall resort experience. Best for trips where golf is one activity among several.
Playing Off-Property: Worth the Drive
Staying at a golf resort doesn't limit you to on-site courses. Scottsdale's best daily-fee courses operate independently, and most are 20-40 minutes from any resort on this list.
The must-plays that aren't attached to resorts:
- -- 20 min from most resorts. Two Tom Weiskopf courses, best desert golf in Scottsdale. $100-$325.
- -- 30 min northeast. Coore & Crenshaw and Scott Miller designs, no houses. $69-$309.
- -- 15-25 min from most resorts. Tom Fazio's Raptor and the underrated Talon. $130-$300.
- -- 20 min from Old Town. Coore & Crenshaw links-style at half the price of Troon North. $80-$200.
Booking Tips
Compare packages vs. separate bookings. Not every stay-and-play package saves money. Some bundle rooms and golf at rack rate with no discount. Calculate total cost both ways before committing.
Shoulder season is the sweet spot. November and late March deliver 70-75°F weather, excellent course conditions, and 30-40% lower room rates than January-February peak. The golf experience is nearly identical.
Book TPC stays 6-12 months ahead for February. WM Phoenix Open week sells out the Fairmont Princess and surrounding properties far in advance. If you want to attend the tournament, book immediately.
Ask about replay rates. Some resorts offer discounted second rounds on the same day or consecutive days. Boulders, Kierland, and Camelback all have replay policies worth asking about.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best golf resort in Scottsdale for a first visit?
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Access to TPC Scottsdale gives you the most famous course experience in Arizona, and the resort's six pools, seven restaurants, and spa keep the trip balanced. It's the safest all-around choice for first-timers.
Do resort guests get priority tee times?
Yes, at most properties. Resort guests typically book 60-90 days in advance versus 7-14 days for public players. During peak season (January-March), this advantage matters -- popular morning times fill up quickly.
Can non-resort-guests play these courses?
Most resort courses welcome public play. TPC Scottsdale, Boulders, Kierland, Camelback, Arizona Biltmore, Phoenician, Orange Tree, and Gainey Ranch all accept public tee times. Pricing for non-guests is typically 10-20% higher than resort guest rates.
Are golf packages refundable?
Policies vary. Most resorts require 30-72 hours cancellation notice for individual reservations. Group bookings have stricter terms. Book refundable rates when possible and consider trip insurance for peak-season bookings made months ahead.
How far are these resorts from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport?
All resorts on this list are 20-40 minutes from PHX. The closest are Arizona Biltmore and Camelback Inn (20-25 min). The farthest is Boulders Resort in Carefree (40-45 min). TPC/Fairmont Princess runs about 30 minutes in normal traffic.
Related Guides
- -- full rankings including off-property courses
- -- logistics, timing, itineraries
- -- public access rankings
- -- rounds under $100
