Best Public Golf Courses in Phoenix
Two researched public golf-course picks in and around Phoenix, with reasons to consider each, actual locations, access guidance and cited sources.
Looking for the best public golf courses in the Phoenix area? Start with Raven Golf Club Phoenix and Papago Golf Club. These two researched selections offer different reasons to consider a round, rather than a claim that one course wins for every golfer. The shortlist includes nearby communities where explicitly identified below.
Compare the Phoenix-area shortlist
| Course | Location | Reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Raven Golf Club Phoenix | Phoenix | Unique pine tree desert setting |
| Papago Golf Club | Phoenix | Improved municipal golf facility |
Plan around the actual location
This Phoenix shortlist is separate from the Scottsdale guide. It emphasizes Phoenix courses, contrasting Raven's pine-tree setting with Papago's municipal history and the private clubs' Phoenix Open connections.
Raven Golf Club Phoenix
Raven Golf Club Phoenix — Phoenix. Located in Phoenix, this course was designed by Gary Panks and David Graham. The layout features stands of pine trees, which distinguishes the site from typical desert-style golf courses found throughout the region.
Our selection focus: unique pine tree desert setting. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Papago Golf Club
Papago Golf Club — Phoenix. Situated in Phoenix, this municipal course underwent a recent $8 million investment to improve the facility. The site includes the Thunderbirds Golf Complex and served as the host venue for the 1971 U.S. Amateur Public Links tournament.
Our selection focus: improved municipal golf facility. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
How we chose these courses
We compared published course descriptions from golf publications and, where linked, official club, municipal and golf-association sources. Selection emphasizes a documented architectural feature, tournament connection, historical interest or a distinctive local option. This is desk research, not a first-person playing review or an exhaustive regional ranking. Directory completeness, paid placement and an invented scoring formula do not determine this shortlist. Course names distinguish individual layouts where relevant; a club's founding date is not automatically its current course's opening date.
What should you check before booking?
- Check the operator's live booking process for the exact layout, date and player count.
- Ask whether resident, hotel, advance-booking or other eligibility rules affect your reservation.
- Confirm total charges, cart or walking rules, rental availability and maintenance notices rather than relying on an old published rate.
Looking for indoor golf near Phoenix?
If weather changes your plans or you want an indoor practice session, explore indoor golf simulators in Phoenix. Compare the listed venues and their simulator equipment, then confirm current hours, pricing and availability with the operator. These are directory listings, not an extension of our outdoor-course rankings.