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3.6
617 Reviews (617)
5 Stars
163
4 Stars
264
3 Stars
99
2 Stars
60
1 Stars
31
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.3
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.2
Amenities
3.9
68.9%
Recommend this course
468 out of 617 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
3 Reviews (3)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.5
Layout
4.0
Pace
2.3
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.0
66.7%
Recommend this course
2 out of 3 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
23 Reviews (23)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.5
Layout
4.0
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.4
69.6%
Recommend this course
16 out of 23 reviews
Read Reviews

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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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

3.6
617 Reviews (617)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Dry dry dry

The negative for me it today is that this track is DRY . The greens were rock hard with brown and bald patches and the weird thing is that on some of the greens the pin was placed right on on the bald brown part of the green .... seems like they are just letting it go over summer. Too bad because there are plenty of locals that will play a course that keeps it decent in the summer months. Maybe Ill give it another try in the winter.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Nice course, good fast greens, great staff

The course was is good shape, the greens were quite fast and smooth. The course is moderately difficult. The desert area around the holes could use some maintenance.

Pace of play was good, the cost ($48) on June 14 was fair for the quality and condition of the course.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

AVERAGE

$29 is a special at 3pm during the week according to the course. I'd say baed on how hard the greens were it should probably be a little less. Everyone was pretty friendly but $9 for a sandwich with stale bread and some chips at the turn probably prevents me from coming back. The weather has been pretty cool for this time of year so it's surprising how hard and dry the greens were. You'd like to think with pretty much no cart paths that the cost to maintain this course is pretty cheap and some more $ should be spent on keeping the greens in a lot better shape. I'd hate to see what the green will look like a month from now. At a similar price point Dobson Ranch is a lot better.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 40
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Papago

Played Papago on a Tuesday morning. Pace of play was outstanding. Very little waiting.

Course is in great condition for thistle of year.

Sand traps were mostly dirt.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

BriPat

Not your fault but we played in 25 mph gusts of wind during our round. Course is challenging enough without having to adjust two clubs up and down depending on hole direction. Will play again, but we ask that you turn the wind machine down the next time. ;-)

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 37
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Miami Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Relaxing Atmosphere

FIrst stop on our annual #BuddiesTrip2019. Papago is situated about 10 minutes from the PHX airport, and is the home of Instagram sensation, CartBarnGuys. Papago was recently renovated, due to Arizona State moving there. 10/10 for atmosphere.

We had some time to kill before our round, so we grabbed a bite at the restaurant which overlooks the 1st and 10th tee, as well as the driving range.. Very Cool!

Practice Facilities were very nice. Hitting on the Range with the Camelback mountains in the distance, was a nice change from what we are used too. A little disappointing that we had to pay $14 for a large bucket of range balls.

Front and back 9's start with reachable par 5's (from the blue tees). Nice to have a 3 shot hole to start any round of golf in my opinion. Course overall has a fun layout, with a variety of long and short holes.

It seemed as though most par 5's were reachable in two, but forced your hand with a layup, due to well protected, large greens. Par 4's werent too long, but forced you to make a decision to take the conservative route and have a mid iron in, or be agressive and be punished or rewarded, depending on the outcome.. I love that type of course management. FInally the par 3's seemed to be the teeth of the course, as they were all over 200 yards, except for 1 that I recall.

Greens were fast, but true! Fairways were generous, but if you are off the beaten path, be aware. I would recommend (if your playing mated approve) list and sweep away the rocks around your ball. I destroyed my AW by hitting from the desert.

Big props to the management team for having every 3-4 holes, a full water jug! Arizona is hot, and dry. Its a small, but very noticeable detail.

Will be back

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 244
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 50 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Getting Closer to Prime Time

Papago is a municipal course that ASU has now taken over as its home course for the golf team. Money is being injected to bring this course up to a higher overall level. A new clubhouse, restaurant and pro shop were built on the site, replacing an old, recycled trailer affair. The fairway grasses and greens are in good condition, the bunkers are sandy, but their consistency could use some improvement, and the practice area is quite good. In all respects, the course is on track to being an excellent course; it is not there yet, but is well on its way.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First timmer.

The course condition was okay but for a first time player it was sometimes hard to recognize which way to go for the next hole. Club house was really nice.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Papago

Course was in good shape. Enjoyed being able to walk a course. Greens were true but hard to hold. Sand was fair to good. Course could use a bit more water. Pace was 4.5 hrs. Really nice restaurant.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Just ok for a municipal course

Considering the amount of rain we've had, the grass fairways were fairly barren in many places, the greens need a lot more grass and seeding. The price even with the golf now discount was not a value. The cart paths were almost nonexistent. The course appears to need a lot of grooming and TLC.

On the pluse side, the new clubhouse and dining facility was very nice.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Still One Of My Favorites

I really liked this course last year and it did not disappoint this year either. Excellent condition. The new clubhouse is awesome. It’s nice to have the practice facilities back again too.

Great track, I recommend it to everyone.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun time

Course was in great shape. Played five rounds of golf this trip in Phoenix. This wad my favorite course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Was everything I heard it would be greens much faster then i expected.. can't wait to play it again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

great course

We were looking for a course next to the airport. This was perfect. The course was in excellent condition and the right amount of challenge.

The staff was so friendly and stored our bags, etc. We stayed for lunch while waiting for our Lyft, the meal was very good.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Golf Packages
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The Phoenician Golf Around Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Phoenician Resort and golf at The Phoenician Golf Club, Westin Kierland Golf Club & Papago Golf Course.

The Phoenician Golf Around Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Phoenician Resort and golf at The Phoenician Golf Club, Westin Kierland Golf Club & Papago Golf Course.

Arizona Golf Grind Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale Old Town and golf at the Phoenician Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club, Papago Golf Club, and Eagle Mountain Golf Club.
20-3208_0256.jpg

Arizona Golf Grind Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale Old Town and golf at the Phoenician Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club, Papago Golf Club, and Eagle Mountain Golf Club.
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
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