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Nearby golf courses around Paradise Valley & Scottsdale
A short, editorial look at other well-known golf options near Mountain Shadows — useful if you’re filling out a longer itinerary. This is context, not a ranking.
One of the joys of golfing in this region is that you’re never far from another notable course. We don’t rank courses or claim to have played them all — instead, here are some widely recognized names that frequently come up when golfers plan trips in the Scottsdale and greater Phoenix area. Always confirm access, pricing, and tee times through each course’s official channels, as availability and public-play policies vary.
Well-known names in the area
- TPC Scottsdale — home of the PGA TOUR’s WM Phoenix Open and its famous stadium 16th hole; a marquee championship stop.
- Troon North — a celebrated high-desert golf destination in north Scottsdale, often cited among the area’s best public golf.
- Grayhawk — a popular Scottsdale facility with two well-regarded courses.
- We-Ko-Pa — desert golf on tribal land east of Scottsdale, known for uninterrupted natural scenery.
- Papago Golf Club — a respected municipal course in Phoenix, a value-oriented contrast to the resort courses.
These are larger, full-length courses — a different experience from a par-3 short course. That contrast is the point: many golfers pair a championship round with a relaxed round at a short course like Mountain Shadows to vary the pace of a trip.
How to choose
Think about what each day of your trip is for. If you want a bucket-list test, the big championship courses deliver. If you want a fast, scenic, sociable round — or you’re playing with mixed abilities — a short course is the better fit. Our short course vs full course article walks through the trade-offs.
Related reading
Scottsdale & Paradise Valley golf guide · Planning a Scottsdale golf weekend · Golf near Camelback Mountain