Best Golf Courses in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson offers everything that makes Arizona golf special — saguaro-studded Sonoran Desert terrain, mountain-framed fairways, and year-round sunshine — at significantly lower prices than Scottsdale. The city's resort courses in the Santa Catalina and Tortolita mountain foothills deliver dramatic elevation changes and views that rival anything in the state.
Tucson, Arizona · Tom Fazio (1987) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,948 yards
Set in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Ventana Canyon's Mountain Course is a Tom Fazio desert masterpiece with the iconic island tee on the par-3 3rd hole — a shot from a rocky ledge to a green surrounded by saguaro-studded desert. The course offers dramatic elevation changes and mountain views on every hole.
Tucson, Arizona · Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1995) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 6,785 yards
A Robert Trent Jones Jr. design adjacent to the Saguaro National Park, Arizona National delivers desert golf with panoramic mountain views and close encounters with native wildlife. The course features dramatic elevation changes through saguaro-studded Sonoran terrain.
Tucson, Arizona · Tom Lehman & John Fought (2000) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,190 yards
A Tom Lehman and John Fought design in Marana that hosted the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. The South Course plays through pristine high Sonoran Desert terrain with mountain views and championship-caliber conditioning year-round.
Tucson, Arizona · Notah Begay III (2013) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,363 yards
Designed by Notah Begay III on the Pascua Yaqui tribal land, Sewailo (meaning "flower world") features 92 bunkers, 7 lakes, and a dramatic 7,363-yard desert layout. The course connects to Casino del Sol resort, making it a convenient Tucson golf-and-gaming option.
Tucson, Arizona · Bruce Devlin & Robert von Hagge (1962) · 18 holes · Par 73 · 7,262 yards
A historic desert resort course that hosted the PGA Tour's Tucson Open for decades, Tucson National at the Omni resort is one of Arizona's most storied layouts. The mature desert landscape and championship pedigree make it a Tucson golf institution.
Tucson, Arizona · Jack Nicklaus (2006) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,208 yards
Part of the three-course Dove Mountain complex that hosted the WGC-Accenture Match Play, the Saguaro Course is a Jack Nicklaus design at The Ritz-Carlton Marana. The desert layout features wild elevation changes, boulder-strewn terrain, and Tortolita Mountain views.
Tucson, Arizona · Unknown (1997) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 6,601 yards
Built in a former quarry south of Tucson, Quarry Pines offers one of the best public golf values in southern Arizona. The compact layout uses the quarry's dramatic rock walls to frame several memorable holes, creating visual interest that belies its affordable green fees.
Tucson, Arizona · Tom Lehman (2004) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,585 yards
The sister course to the Catalina at Omni Tucson National, the Sonoran Course is a Tom Lehman design that offers a slightly shorter, more strategic desert experience. The layout winds through pristine Sonoran terrain with mountain views and challenging green complexes.
Tucson, Arizona · Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1994) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 6,899 yards
An RTJ Jr. design in the Sabino Canyon area of northeast Tucson, the Raven at Sabino Springs features a target-style desert layout through the Santa Catalina Mountain foothills. The par-71 blends dramatically with the native Sonoran terrain while offering generous fairways and strategic bunker complexes at an accessible daily-fee price point.
Tucson, Arizona · Tom Fazio (1988) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,836 yards
A Tom Fazio resort design at The Lodge at Ventana Canyon in the Catalina Mountain foothills, the Mountain Course is famous for its signature par-3 3rd hole that plays over a desert canyon to a green backed by towering rock formations. The layout through pristine Sonoran Desert features saguaro-lined fairways and stunning mountain scenery.
Tucson, Arizona · Red Lawrence (1959) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,763 yards
A Red Lawrence design in south Tucson, Forty Niner Country Club offers semi-private access to a well-maintained desert course with mountain views and an inviting community atmosphere. The mature layout features strategic water hazards, established desert vegetation, and affordable pricing that has kept it a local favorite for over sixty years.
Public Courses in Tucson
Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Tucson .
Overview
Southern Arizona's second city has quietly built a strong golf market anchored by world-class resort courses at Ventana Canyon, Dove Mountain (Ritz-Carlton), and Tucson National. The proximity to Saguaro National Park adds ecological charm, and the 350+ days of sunshine make Tucson a reliable winter golf escape. Green fees typically run 30-50% below comparable Scottsdale courses.
Best Time to Play
October through April is ideal, with warm sunny days and cool nights. Summer brings extreme heat (100°F+) but dramatic price drops. December through February is peak season with the most comfortable temperatures.
Travel Tips & Getting There
Tucson International Airport (TUS) is 15 minutes from downtown. Most resort courses are in the northwest foothills (Dove Mountain, Ventana Canyon) or north side (Tucson National). Scottsdale is 90 minutes north on I-10 for a combined trip.
Nearest Airport: Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Frequently Asked Questions
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