Scottsdale Golf Stay and Play Guide
Where to Stay and Play Golf in Scottsdale
Scottsdale is one of the best golf destinations in the United States, but the way golf trips work here is a little different from traditional stay and play resorts. Instead of one resort and one course, most Scottsdale golf trips are built around several of the region’s top courses including Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders. Groups typically stay in one property and play a different course each day. Because of this, most Scottsdale stay and play golf trips combine great lodging with tee times at several of the area's most well-known courses. This guide explains the different ways to build a Scottsdale stay and play golf trip, including resort stays, private vacation homes, and golf estates designed specifically for group golf travel.
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Stay-and-Play Options for Scottsdale Golf Groups
Groups planning a Scottsdale stay and play golf trip typically choose between luxury golf resorts, vacation rental homes, or larger private estates designed specifically for group golf travel.
Luxury Golf Resorts
$400–$900
per person / night
On-site restaurants, bars and golf courses
Spa, pools, and resort amenities
Concierge services for tee times and transportation
Limited private gathering space between rounds
Groups often split across multiple rooms or buildings
Food, drinks, and resort fees add up quickly for larger groups
Vacation Rental Homes
$250–$500
per person / night
3–5 bedroom homes with private pools
Some homes include backyard putting greens or simulator rooms
Many properties located near Old Town Scottsdale
Most homes are designed for general vacation stays rather than dedicated golf travel
Comfortable shared living space for smaller golf groups
Golf features are typically limited to a single green or simulator
Commute daily to golf courses
Private Golf Estate
$300–$600
per person / night, based on a 8–12 person group
Eight-bedroom luxury estate designed for group stays
Private short-game complex with multiple greens, tees and bunkers
Golf simulator lounge and several entertainment spaces
Mountain views and total gated privacy
Minutes from Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders
Understanding Scottsdale’s Golf Geography When Planning Your Stay
Scottsdale’s golf courses are spread across several parts of the Phoenix metro area, and where you stay can affect how easy it is to get to the courses you plan to play. Some neighborhoods sit close to the region’s most famous desert layouts, while others place visitors closer to restaurants, nightlife, and resort districts. Most golf trips tend to center around three primary areas.
North Scottsdale
North Scottsdale is where many of Scottsdale’s best-known desert courses are located. Troon North, Grayhawk, The Boulders, and several other highly regarded layouts sit within a relatively small area north of the city center.
Because so many courses are clustered here, golfers staying in North Scottsdale can often reach multiple courses within a short drive. The area is also quieter than Old Town, with open desert scenery, mountain views, and large properties that work well for group travel.
Typical drive time to Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders: 5–15 minutes
Kierland / Scottsdale Quarter
The Kierland area sits slightly south of North Scottsdale and offers a convenient mix of golf access and walkable dining. The Westin Kierland Golf Club is located here, while Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons provide a large concentration of restaurants, bars, and shopping.
For groups that want good access to courses during the day and lively dining options at night, Kierland can offer a comfortable middle ground between the quieter northern desert and the nightlife of Old Town.
Typical drive time to Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders: 15–25 minutes
Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale is the city’s main entertainment district, known for its restaurants, bars, and nightlife. The area contains many hotels and vacation rentals and is a common choice for bachelor parties or groups focused primarily on the nightlife scene.
However, many of Scottsdale’s top desert golf courses are located farther north. Because of this, many golf groups find it easier to stay closer to the courses and simply take a short Uber ride to Old Town for dinner or nightlife.
Typical drive time to Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders: 30–45 minutes
A Scottsdale Golf Estate Built Around the Game
Some Scottsdale properties are designed specifically with golf trips in mind. One example is Saguaro Point, a private golf estate in North Scottsdale created around the idea that the time between rounds should be just as enjoyable as the golf itself.
Rather than offering only a pool and patio like many vacation rentals, the property centers around a private short game complex built into the desert hillside. The space includes multiple putting greens, teeing areas, and bunkers. Groups can run putting matches, closest to the pin contests, or settle bets that started earlier in the day.
Because many of Scottsdale’s best desert courses sit nearby, including Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders, golfers often return from their rounds and continue the competition at the house.
The rest of the property follows the same group focused mindset. Several indoor and outdoor gathering spaces allow everyone to relax together between rounds. Guests might watch a game, share dinner, or replay the best shots of the day. A golf simulator keeps the competition going into the evening, while the pool and outdoor lounge areas provide space to unwind.
For many groups, the experience becomes less about individual tee times and more about the shared moments in between. Putting matches, friendly wagers, and the stories that grow a little better each time they are told often become the highlight of the trip.
Scottsdale Stay-and-Play Golf Trip FAQs
What does “stay-and-play” mean for a Scottsdale golf trip?
A stay-and-play golf trip usually refers to lodging and golf being planned together. In Scottsdale this can include golf resorts, vacation rental homes, or private estates that serve as a base for playing several nearby courses during the trip.
Is North Scottsdale or Old Town better for a stay-and-play golf trip?
Many golfers choose North Scottsdale because several of the region’s best desert courses are located nearby, including Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders. Old Town Scottsdale is better known for nightlife and restaurants. Some groups stay near the golf and take a short ride into Old Town for dinner or entertainment.
How close are the major Scottsdale golf courses to each other?
Many of Scottsdale’s top public courses are clustered in North Scottsdale. Courses like Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders are often within a 5–15 minute drive of one another, which makes it easy for groups to play multiple rounds during a long weekend trip.
How far are Scottsdale golf courses from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is typically about 25–35 minutes from North Scottsdale depending on traffic. Once golfers arrive in the Scottsdale area, many of the major courses are located within a short drive of each other.
When is the best time of year for a Scottsdale stay-and-play golf trip?
Peak golf season in Scottsdale runs from October through April when temperatures are comfortable and course conditions are excellent. Many groups also visit during late spring or summer when tee times are easier to secure and green fees are significantly lower.
How far in advance should tee times be booked in Scottsdale?
During peak season many of Scottsdale’s most popular courses release tee times 30–90 days in advance. Courses such as Troon North, Grayhawk, and TPC Scottsdale often fill quickly, so many golf groups plan their rounds several weeks before arrival.
How many golfers can stay together for a Scottsdale golf trip?
Many vacation rentals in Scottsdale accommodate 6–10 guests comfortably. Larger homes and golf estates designed specifically for group trips may host 12–20 golfers, allowing the entire group to stay together rather than splitting into multiple hotel rooms.
What else do golfers do during a Scottsdale golf trip?
Many groups mix in activities between rounds such as hiking Camelback Mountain or Pinnacle Peak, exploring the Desert Botanical Garden, or visiting restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale. Some groups also book desert UTV tours or shooting experiences for a full Scottsdale weekend itinerary.
Planning a Scottsdale Stay-and-Play Golf Trip?
If you’re planning a Scottsdale golf trip and want a place designed specifically for golf groups, Saguaro Point offers a private desert estate just minutes from Troon North, Grayhawk, and The Boulders.
Instead of splitting across hotel rooms or standard vacation rentals, golf groups stay together in one property designed around the game, with a private short-game complex, multiple gathering spaces, and easy access to several of Scottsdale’s most popular courses.
Explore the property, amenities, and availability below.
