The Top 5 Value Golf Courses in Phoenix And Scottsdale Arizona Area
Home to over 200 golf courses, the Phoenix / Scottsdale area is a world renowned golf mecca. Consider this; the average weekend golfer could literally spend years golfing new courses before playing the same course twice. While many championship resort courses cater to tourists, this area has no shortage of fabulous courses at reasonable prices. The staff at Birdie Apps has engaged in the task of identifying 5 courses that classify as our “Top 5” in terms of value. These represent the best value golf courses in Scottsdale and Phoenix. The courses below are fun to play for golfers of all levels, and will leave you with enough spending money for that new driver you’ve been eying. In no particular order, here is a brief description of Birdie Apps’ Top 5 value courses, including an image from Birdie Apps’ Free Golf GPS App.
#1: Scottsdale Silverado, Scottsdale, AZ
Located in Central Scottsdale, Silverado has become a local favorite despite the fact the course opened for play just 13 years ago. The word that comes to mind when reviewing Silverado is “versatile”, as it combines a championship caliber layout that is great for both low and high handicappers, tournaments and junior golfers. With many tee boxes elevated, golfers will enjoy panoramic views of beautiful Scottsdale and its surrounding mountain ranges. As with nearly all courses in AZ, prices vary upon the season. During the summer months, rates can be as low as $20 per round, and in the winter the rates remain very reasonable at a range of $35 – $65. Discount cards are available which further bring down the prices. This is one of the best value golf courses in Scottsdale. Read our Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club Review for more info.
Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club Hole #18
#2: Papago Golf Club, Phoenix, AZ
Owned by the City of Phoenix, Papago has long been a favorite for many in the Valley of the Sun and strives to provide the best value golf in Phoenix. This championship course is fairly long at 6,382 yards from the white tees and 7,333 from the back tees, but offers a fair test of golf golfers of all levels will enjoy. With a magnificent desert backdrop, numerous water features and fairway & greenside bunkers, a golfer would be hard pressed to find a course of this caliber at a lower price. In the prime of golf season, golfers can play this course for as low as $35 per round. The full range is of rates is $35 – $65. Phoenix residents will enjoy even further discounts. For a full course review, please read ourPapago Golf Course Review. This is definitely one of the best value golf courses in Phoenix.
Papago Golf Club Hole #1
#3: ASU Karsten, Tempe, AZ
Designed by noted course architect, Pete Dye, many a famous golfer has honed their skills on this fabulous links style desert landscaped course, most notably the great Phil Mickelson. Located adjacent to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, this course is strategically bunkered with mounding fairways, a signature feature in Pete Dye designed courses. The course has received numerous awards, including a 4 ½ star rating by the Golf Digest reading Panel. Golfers will find it nearly impossible to NOT enjoy this masterpiece. Lucky students and faculty of ASU enjoy rates between $22-$33 year round, making it undeniably the best deal in town from their perspective. And for the rest of us, with those competitive rates and strong course action, this ranks as one of the best value golf courses in the Phoenix area.
ASU Karsten Hole #16
#4: Ken McDonald, Tempe, AZ
Ken McDonald is owned by the City of Tempe and perhaps the most actively played course in The Phoenix area. The course proudly is junior golf friendly, as many a great golfer from this area developed their game here. The course, while flat, is quite challenging with numerous water features and greenside bunkers. You’ll find by the time you finish playing that you’ve used every club in your bag, always a great sign of a quality course. Enjoy a great time out with the family at Ken McDonald Golfers can get a bargain with rounds of golf typically going for $45 with the cart included. With Ken McDonald charging less than half of what some of the resort courses in town are charging, it earns a spot as one of our best value golf courses in Phoenix metro.
Ken McDonald Golf Course Hole #8
#5: Starfire Golf Club, Scottsdale, AZ
Located in north central Scottsdale, Starfire consists of three 9 hole layouts (King, Hawk and Squire) designed by Arnold Palmer that intertwine among housing developments. A unique feel to this course compared to some others in the area is that many holes are lined with mature Eucalyptus, Pine and Cottonwood trees. The course also has plenty of great water features and well placed bunkers, making this a very challenging and memorable test of golf. This course layout is comparable to what many championship resort style courses offer, at a fraction of the cost. 18 hole rates range from as low as $25 per round up to $65, depending on the season, placing it high on our list of best value golf courses in Scottsdale.
Starfire Golf Club Hole #7 – Squire Course
Summary
In a sense, the residents of Phoenix and Scottsdale are spoiled with the vast amount of championship caliber golf courses available to be played 365 days a year. If you’re looking for the best value golf courses in Phoenix & Scottsdale then these 5 are definitely worth checking out. Many of these courses are quite affordable, even during the winter when rates are elevated. The courses listed above should certainly be in everybody’s rotation offavorite golf courses regardless of price.
