THE LOWDOWN ON HIGH SEASON IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN

HEAT-SEEKING GOLFERS who favor Scottsdale, Ariz., relish the sublime mountain vistas, stately saguaro cacti and perfectly groomed, overseeded fairways. Visiting in high season, however, can induce sticker shock. The whole world wants to tee it up here in prime time — January through April — so golf properties raise their rates accordingly. For courses and hotels genuinely worth traveling to in Greater Phoenix, winter bargains are rarer than winter snowstorms, but there is value if you know where to look. Here’s my take on the best of Scottsdale for those on a budget.

WALLET WATCHERS

PLAY A mere eight miles west of State Farm Stadium — home to the Arizona Cardinals and the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl — sits the venerable Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park. Of the Wigwam’s three courses, the Gold shines brightest. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1965, and most recently renovated in 2015 by Tom Lehman, the Gold stretches to 7,345 yards, par 72. Arizona’s premier parkland test, the Gold glitters with wall-to-wall grass and elevated, well-bunkered greens. In December, the Gold hosts the Patriot All-American Invitational collegiate event, where notable alumni include Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa. December rates start at $90, January at $145.

Scottsdale’s oldest public layout is Starfire GC, which dates to 1953. Known for decades as Scottsdale CC, the facility is pulsing with momentum, following its sale to new owners Swing First Golf in autumn 2024. Currently home to a 6,106-yard, par-70 spread redesigned by Arnold Palmer in 1986 and a nine-hole short course, the club has engaged Forrest Richardson to create a 22,000-square-foot putting green called The Bandana (slated to open in January) followed several months later by the Six Shooter, a reimagination of the short course. Bubba Watson played here in 2021 for a Golf Digest feature, and his sizzling 62 remains the course record. You can take aim at Bubba’s mark for under a Franklin.

Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe boasts an ultra-trendy vibe, on and off the course. Neighbors to the Phoenix Zoo, the 18-hole executive layout delivers desert accents, elevation change, a hilltop bar with live entertainment and a $45 daytime rate. At night, the course morphs into a fully illuminated par-3 funfest, with fees ranging from $75-$125.

Nestled between Camelback and Mummy Mountains, The Short Course at Mountain Shadows rolls out 18 par 3s, all reimagined by Forrest Richardson in 2016. The super-scenic layout soars with imaginatively crafted green complexes, many that mimic classics, such as the “Biarritz” fourth hole and the “Dell” 14th. Rates average just over $100 in high season.

STAY Its name alone — the Hampton Inn Carefree, located on Easy Street — tells you what you need to know about this laid-back value property from Hilton. It’s close to the town of Carefree’s charming shops and restaurants, offers free breakfast and WiFi and starts at $118 in the height of the season — $142 with sofa bed and balcony.

DINE Los Olivos Mexican Patio has been an area mainstay for 70 years. It’s hardly fast-food cheap, but the colorfully festooned entryway and dining rooms set the appropriate tone for authentic south-of-the-border classics. Every entrée except one is $27 or under.

REGULAR JOES

PLAY “Longbow GC is a golf course that’s in the desert, but it’s not a desert golf course,” said its designer, Ken Kavanaugh, of this 7,050-yard, par-71 layout in Mesa. Transition areas bracket many fairways, and they are dotted with native vegetation, sufficiently spaced so that you can find your ball and play a shot from the firm surface. You will also encounter no houses, creative bunkering, views of Red Mountain, the Superstitions and cunningly contoured green complexes. Easily walkable, Longbow was a longtime host to the AJGA PING Heather Farr Classic, where winners included Paula Creamer, Inbee Park and Beau Hossler. Weekdays in high season will set you back $154.

Brian Curley’s creative handiwork is showcased at the tribally owned Ak-Chin Southern Dunes GC. Situated 25 minutes south of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in Maricopa, Curley and consultant Fred Couples crafted a muscular 7,546-yard design that features sprawling bunkers, fescue-framed fairways and nary a weak hole, together with mountain vistas — and no homes to mar the views. Curley’s favorite hole is the 323-yard, par-4 14th, which dishes out four legitimate risk/reward options from the tee. You’ll fork over $162 during the week in mid-January.

Embedded into the North Phoenix Mountains, Lookout Mountain GC is a 1989 Bill Johnston/Forrest Richardson design that Richardson has updated several times since. Situated 15 miles north of downtown Phoenix, the course sits adjacent to the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort. Variety abounds: The first six holes are traditional parkland style, Nos. 7 through 12 comprise a romp through the desert and the final six holes offer a blend of the two. Value abounds, with midweek, mid-morning tee times at $171 in the new year.

STAY I’ve long been partial to the centrally located, amenity-rich The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, including its player-friendly, 27-hole facility. If January prices are beyond your reach — starting from $400/night — another Marriott property two minutes away might be perfect. The AC Hotel by Marriott Scottsdale North offers guests a fitness center, food and beverage lounge, swimming pool and a five-minute walk to the region’s best shopping and dining at Kierland Commons. January rates from $252.

DINE For young adults and the young at heart who are craving a little action — and some mighty tasty grub — DraftKings Sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale will satisfy. Located adjacent to the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course and across the street from the fabled Stadium Course, home of the WM Phoenix Open, DraftKings serves up legalized wagering, gigantic TV screens, an expansive patio and terrific food. Surest bets are the street corn fritters and the tacos, which come with handmade tortillas, Spanish rice, elote, lime, pico de gallo, cabbage and avocado crema.

EXPENSE ACCOUNT SPLURGES

PLAY Ranked among the finest municipal layouts in the country, Papago GC is the home of the Arizona State University golf teams, complete with practice facilities designed by former Sun Devil Phil Mickelson. Located just two miles from the Phoenix Airport, Papago woos with 7,333 undulating yards of par-72 parkland golf bordered by the desert floor and no homes. Views include the reddish-tinged Papago Buttes rock formation and the downtown skyline. January fees run $165-$211.

Drive west from Scottsdale on the fabled Carefree Highway and eventually you’ll reach Quintero GC, a 7,249-yard, par-72 Rees Jones design in Peoria that assaults the senses with dramatic climbs and drops and a pristine desert environment. Memorable mountain encounters and an unforgettable set of vertigo-inducing par 3s complete a compelling tableau. Ranked among the nation’s top 100 public courses, Quintero is well worth the January fees that range from $180-$259.

Credit to We-Ko-Pa GC, a must-play that lists a posted rack rate and sticks to it. Through January 8, fees are $229. For the rest of January, $309 is the number. Yes, this is good value compared to most of the region’s celebrated trophy tracks. Situated just east of Scottsdale on Tribal land in Fort McDowell, We-Ko-Pa’s Scott Miller-designed Cholla and its Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw-crafted Saguaro feature rolling canvases, thorny desert plants bracketing every fairway, dramatic mountain panoramas and no homes in sight.

STAY If money is no object but world-class lodging is, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess checks every box. However, January rack rates range from $600-$900-plus. In the same neighborhood, the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains, offers rates during that same period of $229-$450/night. Located adjacent to the ninth hole at the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course, the hotel provides a resort-style pool and hot tub, executive suite guestrooms with separate living room plus sleeper sofa, a fitness center and the Agave Bar & Grill.

DINE On the edge of Mesa, southeast Scottsdale serves up Casino Arizona, which draws with 100,000 square feet of gaming, entertainment and perhaps the state’s best restaurant value, Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge. For comparison, North Scottsdale’s top-ranked steak emporium asks $70 for its 8 oz. filet. That same steak at Cholla is $52. A 24 oz. porterhouse at the former spot is $110. At Cholla, the portion is 32 oz. and and the price is $74. Got the picture?