GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.4
2000 Reviews (2000)
5 Stars
1017
4 Stars
732
3 Stars
166
2 Stars
56
1 Stars
29
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.3
90.6%
Recommend this course
1819 out of 2000 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
53 Reviews (53)
5 Stars
26
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
75.5%
Recommend this course
40 out of 53 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
144 Reviews (144)
5 Stars
80
4 Stars
44
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.7
88.9%
Recommend this course
128 out of 144 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
The Jack Nicklaus-designed layout earns top marks for its challenging, long, and beautiful design that consistently impresses returning players. Friendly and helpful staff, solid pace of play, and strong overall value make this course a rewarding choice.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Desert
Par 72
Length 7139 yards
Slope 137
Rating 73.0

Golf Club of Estrella is the very first golf course on a daily-fee basis to be designed by Jack Nicklaus II in Phoenix, where it makes its home in the master-planned community Estrella, and offers 18 holes of par-72 championship golf over 7,102 unique yards. The many tests of the golf course will impress every level of golfer - though a choice of tee sets ensures no one will get in over his or her head. Desert and wash spaces require golfers to vary their shots while they take in vistas from the fairways shaped to the contour of the land and framed in the Sierra Estrella Mountains.

A round of golf at the Golf Club Estrella kicks off on Morning Star, a par 4 that measures 359 yards from the black tees. If you stick to the black tees, you'll need to conserve your energy for The Arroyo, the 16th hole, a par 5 that measures 605 yards. After that, Evening Star, the 18th hole, will be a relative breeze, at par 4 and just 437 yards from the black teees.

Once the round of golf at the Golf Club of Estrella is over, head back to the Player's Grill Restaurant for American pub fare and Southwestern snacks.

Book a Tee Time at
Golf Club of Estrella
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1999
Fairways TiffDwarf Grass
Greens TiffDwarf Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Jack Nicklaus, Jr. (1999) Phil Smith (1999)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, Discover, MasterCard, American Express
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Collared shirt required, no denim

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.4
2000 Reviews (2000)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 41
Patio Dining 33
19th Hole Specials 16
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 104
Forced Carries 69
Elevation Changes 54
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 74
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 64
Locals 52
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 96
In the 'Burbs 45
Convenient to the City 17

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun course, nice layout, more sand

Golf Club of Estrella is a fun course to play. I really enjoy the layout and will play it more often. Could use more sand in the bunkers - at least the ones I was in.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful, fair, challenging

Dont spend 2-3 times as much in Scottsdale. Play Estrella!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

great course

I enjoyed the course a lot. We had a 2 hour frost delay and the course worked hard to move us around and get us started close to our tee time. The staff was very friendly. Starter got things moving and the marshal kept them moving. The course was laid out nicely with some challenging holes. Tee boxes, greens and fairway were all in great condition. Brand new carts with GPS. I will definitely play here again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 50
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Pick the right tee boxes for you!!!

One of the most picturesque courses we’ve played in the Phoenix area. Lots of great views from each tee.

Fairways and greens are in terrific condition, but the bunkering is pretty severe. We have 9-15 stroke handicaps and were able to access most of the greens, but recognize that if the average golfer doesn’t take a reasonable tee length, they may have difficulty hitting and staying on the greens. Many greens have walls of sand protecting them.

Absolutely loved our afternoon at Estrella. We will return with a full foursome next time.

Mel Miller

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 29
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Desert golf

Beautiful cool AZ day to play Estrella. Nice views and a great pace of play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 244
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 50 Contributor
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Frost Delay

Because of a frost delay, our round was delayed over 1.5 hours. Once on the course, all was in first rate condition--fairways, greens, bunkers and rough areas were all well maintained. Cold temps and the delay led to a rough round for all in out group as the ball distance left for challenging approaches on almost every hole.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 244
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 50 Contributor
Previously Played

Consistently A Quality Golf Destination

Estrella is a distance from anywhere in the Valley, but the quality of the conditions keep players coming back. The layout is a reasonable challenge for all levels of players, and the practice facilities are first rate. Be aware that almost all of the approaches require that you navigate a wash or water hazard of some sort, so you will want to either hit a solid tee shot or layup to get up and down. Shots short of the green will be an unplayable in most instances.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 125
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Extremely slow, left after 9

We had rain the day before and the course was cart path only which means slower rounds, but 2 hours 45 minutes for 9 holes is very slow for a course that spaces out tee times 9-10 minutes. Got to the 10th tee box and left once I saw the group ahead of us waiting, knowing there was zero chance we could get 18 in.

One of the easier courses I've played here. Wide fairways, big flat greens that were good speed, and only a few greenside bunkers on the front 9. The sand in the bunkers looked like mud/clay, my playing partners weren't getting much under the ball when they were getting out. Other reviews mention the sand as their biggest complaint. Tee boxes need to be cut, grass was nearly an inch in spots. Fairways were in good condition, rough was dead rye grass.

Range was grass which was a plus. Carts had GPS but would shut off if you went to a restricted area (we did not try this today). No water bottles provided and the water on the course did not have any cups, so the only way to get water would be to fill up a bottle that you brought. Beverage cart came around once. Carts had club cleaners on them instead of 2 coolers. No menu or number to call to order food at the turn.

Might give the course another chance when it doesn't rain the day before. The course is priced well and not too far outside of town. There's decent scenery with mountains in the distance but it's still a residential community course, although the homes are pushed back a decent distance. Most interesting hole on the front was Hole #5 which was an approach over water, #7 was a decent par 3 with bunkers in front of and behind the green.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 126
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Awesome Golf

Talk about scenic views, this place has tons of them! Wildlife too, like roadrunners and gamble quail. The only down side are the extremely intrusive cart warnings! From approaching a street, to downhill grades to making you back up out of a Restricted Area, I much have heard the cart chiming at least 50 times. Kind of annoying

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Scenic course

First time here and it did not disappoint. Bag drop check in was smooth with friendly staff. Headed to range to hit complimentary balls. After warmup went to first tee and went off on time. Played as a single and hooked up with 3 locals. Scenic holes and just an overall great day with great company. Will be back.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Nearby Courses
Goodyear, Arizona
Public
3.4645808659
801
Buckeye, Arizona
Public
4.1812178863
2922
Avondale, Arizona
Public
3.5246440518
2760
Goodyear, Arizona
Public
4.1242301438
771
Goodyear, Arizona
Public
4.1242301438
771
Goodyear, Arizona
Public
4.1242301438
771
Goodyear, Arizona
Semi-Private
4.8536155203
190
Buckeye, Arizona
Public
4.5243967226
1570
Litchfield Park, Arizona
Resort
4.4733687771
1211
Litchfield Park, Arizona
Resort
4.30088399
1099
Golf Packages
Sunridge Canyon Golf Club

The Fairways of Fountain Hills Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy accommodations at ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection or The Inn at Eagle Mountain and golf at Eagle Mountain Golf Club and SunRidge Canyon Golf Club

The Fairways of Fountain Hills Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy accommodations at ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection or The Inn at Eagle Mountain and golf at Eagle Mountain Golf Club & SunRidge Canyon Golf Club

Phoenix Buddies Trip Adventure Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort and golf at Lookout Mountain Golf Club, Westin Kierland Golf Club, Papago Golf Course, & The Phoenician Golf Club.
PG1.3.jpg

Phoenix Buddies Trip Adventure Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort and golf at Lookout Mountain Golf Club, Westin Kierland Golf Club, Papago Golf Course, & The Phoenician Golf Club.
160-2413 SD Stay & Play 1903x530 v1-72DPI4.jpg

Bet On Great Arizona Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy accommodations at Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino and golf at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account