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A Review of Every Golf Course I’ve Played in Arizona (Part 2)

Dive into the standout features of Arizona’s premier golf courses as I detail their unparalleled experiences and challenges.

Author

Terence Daniels
October 22, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

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My Favorite Course

I covered Arizona's public and private courses in A Review of Every Golf Course I’ve Played in Arizona - Top Public and Private Picks. Still, I’m divided into the top courses in each category today. These courses stand above the rest, consistently delivering an unforgettable golfing experience. Let’s let's Quintero Golf Club (public) and Silverleaf (private).

Best Public Course

#9

For a good reason, Quintero Golf Club is often hailed as one of Arizona’Arizona’s most beautiful and challenging public courses. Designed by the renowned Rees Jones, this desert layout offers a pristine golf experience with some of the state's climatic elevation changes.

The course is carved through the rugged desert mountains, providing stunning vistas on nearly every hole. Quintero's fairways invite long drives, but don’t be donated—the course demands precision and shot placement, especially around the meticulously kept greens, which are both fast and undulating.

Bunkers and hazards are strategically placed, challenging even the most experienced players to think through every shot. Quintero Quintero's desert scenery—from towering saguaros to sweeping mountain views—provides a serene yet intimidating backdrop for a beautiful and challenging round.

The course is always in top condition, with bentgrass greens that roll true and fairways that are meticulously maintained year-round. Whether you’re for a challenging test of golf or want to experience the best desert golf Arizona offers, Quintero delivers a memorable and rewarding round.

Freshman year at GCU

Picture this: it’s my first time playing Quintero, fresh off the GCU campus, still naïve enough to think, “How hard could it be?” Well, “200 yards of brutal reality later, I learned the course doesn’t without your confidence, score, or the number of balls you brought. I spent more time in the desert than I care to remember.

  • City: Peoria

  • Course Difficulty: Challenging

  • Number of Rounds: Over 25 rounds

  • Favorite Hole: The 9th – a stunning par 3 with a dramatic downhill shot over a water hazard framed by breathtaking mountain views.

  • Why You Should Play: Quintero offers an unmatched desert golf experience with world-class design, pristine conditions, and jaw-dropping scenery at every turn.

  • Rating: ★★★★★

Best Private Club

#13

Silverleaf Club is the epitome of luxury golf in Arizona, located within the prestigious DC Ranch community in Scottsdale. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, the 7,322-yard course is carved through the breathtaking McDowell Mountains, offering one of the most exclusive and visually stunning golf experiences in the Southwest.

SilverleSilverleaf's masterfully crafted to challenge golfers of all skill levels. It features dramatic elevation changes, strategic bunkers, and meticulously maintained bentgrass greens. The course weaves seamlessly through the rugged desert terrain, with holes offering panoramic views of the Valley below.

Each shot requires precision, and the course rewards creative shot-making, making it an actual test of skill without overly punishing. The atmosphere at Silverleaf is serene and private, offering members and their guests an uninterrupted golf experience.

The club offers a high level of service, from valet parking to personalized on-course assistance, which adds to its appeal. Off the course, the 50,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse provides world-class amenities, including fine dining, a luxurious spa, and private locker rooms.

Every detail at Silverleaf, from the course design to the member experience, is tailored for those who demand excellence.

Caddie Experience

I caddied in the member/member “The Inv” national” from 2" 11 to 2022, so I know that place like the back of my hand. It’s like a second home—except this home has perfectly manicured fairways and enough sand traps to open a beach resort. I’ve had my fair share of good days, but my lowest round? The 2014 caddie tournament, back tees, and a smooth 68. Top 5 finish, thank you very much!

  • City: Scottsdale

  • Course Difficulty: Challenging

  • Number of Rounds: 11-25

  • Favorite Hole: The 13th – a downhill par 4 that offers an incredible view of the Scottsdale skyline below and requires precision off the tee and into the green.

  • Why You Should Play: Silverleaf offers an unparalleled combination of world-class course design, breathtaking scenery, and luxury service, making it one of Arizona’s most exclusive and unforgettable golf experiences.

  • Rating: ★★★★★

Need To Know

LIV vs PGA Tour

The Showdown is an 18-hole match between PGA Tour loyalists Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, LIVers Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka. It will air on Tuesday, December 17th. This locks the made-for-TV event into an early-week schedule slot right before the holiday break. A six-year deal has been signed, with future events rotating globally. Golf.com

  • Matt McCarty secured his first PGA Tour title at the Black Desert Championship, winning by three shots with a 23-under 261. The Arizona native, promoted from the Korn Ferry Tour after three wins, now heads to the Masters and two more majors. His composed play capped an impressive rise in 2024. PGA Tour

Arizona Courses

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In The Know

Troon Access

Troon has just launched Troon Access, a new membership program replacing the Troon Card. Enjoy unlimited 15% off at 150+ courses (25+ in Arizona) and up to 50% with Access+. Use code AZGOLFERS for 10% off! Plus, get exclusive member events, partner offers, and more. Troon

  • Gather hosted a summit at Cambridge University addressing golf’s challenges. Download the white paper summarizing key insights and proactive steps for the industry industry's Gather

  • Shalimar Golf Club, a 9-hole course that opened in 1961, is under contract to be sold to BB Living, a Scottsdale-based rental home developer. Tempe Tribune

Golf Courses I’ve PlaI'vein Arizona

With over twenty years of experience swinging clubs across the Arizona desert, I’ve discovered some of the state's most unique and hidden gem courses. With five category filters, I’ve compiled a list of over 125 courses and country clubs in Arizona.