Phoenix and Scottsdale -- Arizona's Best Golf Courses

Despite the fact that Arizona has quite a reputation as a state of stunning but sandy scenery and grass that is more long and tufty, than pristinely manicured, it is actually home to some of the finest golf courses in the country. Arizona golf is an absolute pleasure when you play at one of these courses -- we look at the top five in the state.

The Silverleaf Club

The Silverleaf Club and Arizona golf course was named Golf Digest's top rated Arizona golf course in the 2005-06 awards, and was among the top 100 residential courses in Golfweek in 2005. It was designed by Tom Weiskopf, and took only three years after opening to gain such great recognition in the golf magazines. Par for the course is 72 at this Arizona golf facility, which is 7,267 yards long

Stonecreek

Named for what is memorable about the Arizona landscape, Stonecreek golf course is slightly shorter than Silverleaf, but only 1 point lower on the par, for a total of 71. Reviews of the course are mixed, with some players building it up to be a Troon status course (more on that in a second!), and some being utterly disappointed by all the hype. It was designed by Arthur Hills and has a longer history than many clubs in the area, hosting Arizona golf players since 1979.

Grayhawk

Grayhawk Arizona golf course may be one if the priciest in the state, but it is consistently one of the highest rated. The earlier tee times are quite inexpensive, but the price rises steeply even a few minutes past the earliest tee times. It ranked in Golfweek's top 100 residential courses in both 2000 and 2002, and among the best public access courses in Arizona for 2005. Players note the challenging Fazio layout, the reasied green complexes and wide fairways as well as the fall off on most sides.

Troon North

The Arizona golf course here was also designed by Tom Weiskopf, like Silverleaf, and is quite challenging, with a par of 72 for a total length of 7070 yards. A swag of awards from 2000 ranging up to 2006 has been won by Troon, and member reviews are glowing.