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Rating Index Rating
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3.9
631 Reviews (631)
5 Stars
169
4 Stars
270
3 Stars
99
2 Stars
61
1 Stars
32
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.7
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.5
Amenities
4.0
78.7%
Recommend this course
480 out of 631 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
15 Reviews (15)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.9
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.4
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
80.0%
Recommend this course
12 out of 15 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.6
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.5
86.4%
Recommend this course
19 out of 22 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Papago's deceptively challenging layout rewards accurate play, with well-maintained fairways, greens, and tee boxes consistently impressing returning golfers. Friendly staff and strong value make this a course worth adding to your regular rotation.

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Style Traditional
Par 72
Length 7380 yards
Slope 130
Rating 75.0

Papago Golf Course is conveniently situated just a few minutes from downtown Phoenix though you would never be able to tell with the peace and seclusion provided by the course's location in Papago Park. The golf course sits at the base of Papago Buttes, past the rugged red rocks you can see Phoenix skyline. The course was designed by William Francis Bell, whom you may know for Torrey Pines in San Diego. The challenging layout features undulating greens framed with strategically placed bunkers and subtle but tricky mounding. Water hazards appear on a few holes as well. It's a tough but straightforward layout that is still playable for a range of skill levels. Since opening in 1963, Papago has hosted numerous events including the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and Phoenix Open Qualifying.

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Papago Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1963
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS No
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

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 College Courses in the U.S. (2020 #23)
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Reviews

3.9
631 Reviews (631)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 19
19th Hole Scenic Views 8
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 73
Undulating Greens 51
Plays Long 50
This course/club is great for:
Locals 67
Advanced Golfers 57
Walkers 56
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 85
Near the Airport 76
Near Local Attractions 37

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great Muni golf course

I’d love another crack at this golf course. I started on the back 9 as they split tee in the summer to get more groups out. I was surprised at the pace. It better then what you see at the munis in Southern CA. The course is a fun challenging layout. They have some long par 3 and it’s a tough finishing stretch. The Papagos are a cool back drop for some holes. They punched the greens when I played, but my playing partners said they’re usually great.

It is a mini golf course so there are a few bare areas but overall solid condition.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Junk bunkers

The greens were bumpy and still shaggy after aeration. The bunkers were crap! A very thin layer of a clay sand mix made them play more like hard pan or a natural area.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times 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 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Totally not worth the money.

Just a local muni course with nicer bunkers. I realize it’s mid July, but I could play Dinosaur mt twice for what it costs and it’s twice the course. Great course for $20, but certainly not for $60

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Unimpressed

I’ve heard a lot about this course but this was my first time playing it. I was not impressed. Way over priced for a municipal course that is in ok condition. There aren’t any cart paths so you feel like you are off roading the whole time. Greens are like a washboard, can’t get a true roll. There are much better courses in the valley for that price. I won’t bother with it again. Disappointing.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Papago

Great public course, GPS on an iPad in every cart. Cooler with ice included. Pretty straight forward course. 3 out 4 par 3’s are over 200 yards from the blues. Definitely will play again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Course Condition is Poor

After reading all the reviews of this course I decided to play it. Unfortunately it didn't come close to expectations. I play over 150 rounds a year and there was so much wrong with the course I don't even have enough time write it, after leaving on hole 9. I wasted enough time finishing the front 9. I would not recommend this course. I am in the industry and I am well aware what a course is worth for 100 bucks.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/25/2020

I feel like you've left the same comment on several courses. Also how is hot weather the courses fault? Strange that is an option to pick...

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Great Conditions, but a little pricey

Excellent course layout especially if you plan on walking. The fairways were in perfect condition and the greens were smooth. This course has been in pristine condition ever since ASU moved their golf team here but the prices have gone up just a little too high.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course, good variety of holes. Pace of play was good. Would golf again

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great course, fun atmosphere!

We had a group of buddies travel to AZ for a golf trip and to watch the WM Open. This was our 2nd course and did not disappoint. Course was in perfect shape and provided incredible views. Staff was above and beyond friendly from the start. Not only was the course a great track, the clubhouse and dining were great. Would recommend and will come back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great place to play 18!

Great course with great amenities! -We will be back soon!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nothing special

After playing some very interesting courses Papago was - blah. Not an easy course, in good shape but pretty wide open - rewards long hitters even if not acurate of the tee. Flattish, no special scenery.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The the value.

Course is in great shape from tee to green. Pace of play was good and the beverage cart was available 4 times in the round.

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
4.0
First Time Playing

Papago ASU home course

We enjoyed this course - it’s good for all abilities. Range has a gorgeous view! Walkable. Uses the desert well.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Just average

Sorry to say I was disappointed in the layout of the golf course. Played ASU many times and it offered much more variety. Off course amenities were good, I just think for the price there are better options out there.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great public course

Beautiful scenery, fairways and overall course conditions (even in the summer) are excellent. Super friendly staff and nice on course restaurant. Would highly recommend!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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