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Rating Index Rating
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3.7
618 Reviews (618)
5 Stars
164
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
3.3
Amenities
4.0
69.6%
Recommend this course
469 out of 618 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
4 Reviews (4)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
3.7
Layout
4.3
Pace
2.8
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.3
75.0%
Recommend this course
3 out of 4 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
24 Reviews (24)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.5
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.4
70.8%
Recommend this course
17 out of 24 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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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

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Reviews

3.7
618 Reviews (618)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
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
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great value for the money

Other than the 5 hour pace of play, I loved everything about Papago. There was some kind of mini-tour event the day I played, so that might have caused the slow pace. Greens were in great shape but unbelievably fast. New clubhouse is awesome. All staff members were very courteous and friendly. For the money, this course is as good as any I play in the Valley.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fast greens!

Played on a Sunday front nine in under two hours. Back nine little over two. Just short of four hours overall. Bunkers very thin. Greens super fast but true! Hard to get a shot to check. Played lots of bump and runs. Would definitely play again if rate is good.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Great value and great test

After playing 5 or 6 rounds at some of the high end courses around Phoenix that were a bit of a let down, Papago was a lovely surprise. Very good shape, great welcome from staff and a lovely facility. Plan to make this my "home course" while on holiday in Phoenix

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

One slow round

One slow round. Loved the course. Excellent conditions. Some of the best greens I’ve ever put it on. One of the slowest rounds ever. The marshal came by three times and apologize for the slow play of the group two ahead of us. But never did he ask them to pick up and catch up even after being nearly 2 holes behind the group in front of them. Why have a Marshall at all.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 40
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great afternoon at Papago!

Really enjoyed our first round at Papago golf course. Nice range and practice facilities. Excellent municipal track. Conditions were fine overall. Greens were fast and true. Staff were friendly and helpful. We will definitely go back again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Don’t go

Hour and a half to play last 3 holes, $24.00 for 2 vodka sodas at bar will not go back definitely not a $100.00 plus course

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

All golf course staff should be trained here

The course and amenities were solid but the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff was amazing. Every interaction was met with professionalism and concern about how our experience was going. Well done and hope to be back on a warmer day!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course

Was expecting a little more, from what I had heard. It was nice, but only a few holes had the scenery. Greens were hard and fast.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Greens were excellent

A very interesting and well designed course. The full tee sheet and late start from frost delay limited us to 15 holes played. Play backed up. Never saw a marshal. But the setting is great and the course excellent for average golfer playing from shorter tees.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Would like a DO OVER

Greens were very fast, challenging but true! At least 14 holes were. Couldn’t tell you about last 4 because pace of play was so bad. Tee time was well before 2pm and dark at 6:30. Should have been plenty of time. No marshals were ever around and rest of the staff didn’t seem to care.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
2.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nothing Special

I had high expectations based on players who had played it. First off, the front nine took nearly 3 hours. The course is not attractive. The sand traps are some of the worst I have ever played out of -- a thin layer of sand on top of hardpan. The layout is boring. The only positive about this course are the greens. They are smooth and fast, but given all the other negatives about this course, it's just not enough. I will never go back

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

13’s

Lots of undulation on greens depending on pin placement

Running 13 for sure !!

Greens are true so that definitely helps

Great day and 4:15 hours on a Saturday !

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 39
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A real fill good atmosphere

Very nice people in pro shop + great cart guys Marshall, had a real nice time!!! nice course

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Found a steal

Last minute booking was a success!!! Great course layout and Looooong! You will be using Driver all day. Pace of play was perfect as well

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 378
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great place to pay and hang out

While I couldn't quite bring myself to give Papago an overall rating of five stars, let me say that I'm a big fan of Papago. First off, it's not your typical desert golf course. The beauty of the surrounding Papago buttes, views of downtown and flow of the holes on this classic parkland layout is great. The greens with their slope and false fronts always get your attention, and the course is certainly challenging, but not overly difficult.

What really does it for me are all the other things at Papago, especially the new clubhouse and practice facilities. And we're not even talking about the new digs for the Arizona State golf teams. The range here is one of the best in area, and the new clubhouse is among my favorites anywhere. Using an open concept, it's a great place to spend an early evening, watching players come in or simply taking in the regular live entertainment. The food at the grille is terrific as well, and the bar features several local craft beers. I also like the open golf shop concept.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A great course

played a lot of courses including a number in UK and Papago is right up there. Had the feeling of a UK links course - just in the desert. Also very impressive was new clubhouse - completes the package. Love that they have ASU practice facility on site, encouraging to see so many young people on the property - well done Papago and City and ASU.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
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 30
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Summer Golf

Papago is in great shape for being in mid summer. I am beyond excited for their facilities to be done. The driving range will be fantastic when it is done. Playing from the tips is difficult here. Didnt shoot the best round but I will be visiting again soon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
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Golf Packages

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-9.jpg

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.
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.

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.

True Spec Fitting Experience Package

FROM $277 (USD)
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy 4 nights’ accommodations at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 2 rounds of golf at Westin Kierland Golf Club & Troon North - Monument Course, and a custom fitting session at the True Spec world headquarters.
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