What makes a golf course earn Golf Digest's #1 ranking in Arizona for 15 consecutive years? At The Estancia Club in North Scottsdale, Tom Fazio's 1996 masterpiece beneath Pinnacle Peak combines championship golf with some of the Sonoran Desert's most dramatic natural beauty.
Currently ranked #70 on Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Courses in America and recognized by Golfweek as the second-best residential course in the country, this 7,314-yard championship layout attracts serious golfers willing to wait 3-5 years for the privilege of membership. It's the crown jewel among Scottsdale's private clubs.
Tom Fazio's Desert Masterpiece
Tom Fazio selected a remarkable 150-acre canvas for his first Scottsdale course, situated on a high desert plateau directly beneath the north slope of Pinnacle Peak. The routing takes full advantage of the dramatic topography, with the front nine rimming the mountain's base through handcrafted fairways flanked by natural boulder outcrops and towering saguaro cacti.
The back nine ascends to higher ground, with holes 12-16 providing the course's most demanding stretch. From these elevated tees, players enjoy 30-40 mile panoramic views stretching across the Valley of the Sun.
Pros
- Golf Digest's #1 ranked course in Arizona for 15 consecutive years
- Tom Fazio's first Scottsdale design with dramatic Pinnacle Peak setting
- Bent grass greens maintained to championship standards year-round
- Limited membership (325 cap) ensures exceptional course access
- full family amenities beyond golf
- 640-acre gated community at base of Pinnacle Peak
Cons
- Substantial initiation fee (~$295,000) and annual dues (~$29,225)
- 3-5 year waitlist for membership
- Invitation-only membership requires existing member sponsorship
- Private club—no public play or guest access without member host
- Annual billing (unique among Scottsdale clubs)
Signature Holes
Hole 11: Desert Amphitheater
The course's most photographed hole, the 11th is a 137-yard par 3 set within a dramatic 270-degree amphitheater. Giant boulders ring the green, creating a natural gallery that frames one of the most memorable par 3s in Arizona.
Hole 17: Risk and Reward
This reachable par 5 epitomizes strategic golf design. Longer hitters face the classic risk-reward decision: challenge the natural hazards for a potential eagle, or lay up for a safe birdie opportunity?
Hole 18: Grand Finale
The finishing hole features impressive elevation changes and serves as a worthy conclusion to the round with Pinnacle Peak looming in the background.
Membership Details
| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------| | Golf Initiation | ~$295,000 | | Annual Dues | ~$29,225 (billed annually) | | Social Initiation | $35,000 (residents only) | | Social Dues | ~$9,500/year | | Membership Cap | ~325 golf members | | Waitlist | 3-5 years, 60 applicants |
Note: Prices from real estate sources, not official club data. Contact club for current pricing.
Club Amenities
- Tennis and Pickleball: Competition-quality courts
- Fitness Center: State-of-the-art equipment
- 25-Meter Heated Pool: Year-round swimming
- Private Dining: Multiple venues with Pinnacle Peak views
- Spa and Wellness: Massage and therapeutic services