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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 10
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

No prior information provided by Golf Now on current construction.

Totally disappointed with the lack of any practice facilities which were shutdown due to the construction and the fact this information was not provided by GolfNow. Basically wait in the parking lot until your tee time. Additionally we never saw the Beverage cart once over 18 holes. Never will play Papago again and will obviously have to check other websites for current course conditions which were not provided by GolfNow.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

great course but construction of new club house and practice range limit off course facilities

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 127
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 63
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Only reason for any negative was clubhouse construction. Course was in great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
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 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pace of play

Pace of play was slow, 4:40 is too long. We kept pace with the group in front of us who was also keeping up with the group in front of them. Rangers need to encourage players to play ready golf. Also, they could do a better job of maintaining the restrooms on the course making sure they are cleaned and have paper towels and toilet paper. Great idea to have an ice and water station located by the restrooms.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course good, pace awful

Tee to green conditions were good, however there is not a Marshall too be found. We waited on every hole to make a tee shot and on every approach shot.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Doing work for a new clubhouse etc Thought crs was in great shape and greens were excellent. For this time of year with baseball training going on prices are always up. Compared to other golf crs. it is reasonably.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 38
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Big change

They have done a lot of good work on the course

Made it a lot more enjoyable go play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Enjoyable course with good variety

We enjoyed being able to walk. Interesting holes. Fariways were terrific an greens good.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Good golf, few amenities now (early 2018)

Clulbhouse and surrounding area was under construction, but the course is in great condition. Played white (old man) tees at 2pm. Finished in 4 hours. Rewards good placement more than distance. You want to avoid grassless areas in the rough.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Trailer House Start

There was no clubhouse just a trailer off to the side while the new clubhouse is being built. Despite that the course was in great shape and the green are fast. Took 2.5hrs to play the front, following local young men playing the tips and spraying the ball while walking only played 9 holes, and finished the back in 1.75hrs with a 4-some. I would only recommend this course on a cheap day despite being a well-kept AZ course.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Loved it.

Great muni and convenient to the airport. We were at the first tee box 45 minutes after the plane landed. Good intro to Phoenix golf. Big deep bunkers....watch ou!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

not worth the money

Course was in only fair condition. Compared to other courses which are much better, this course was far too expensive for what you get. No amenities as they are under construction of a club house.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 161
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
New York Advisor
First Time Playing

Challenging lengthy track with great conditions

Managed to squeeze in a round during a quick visit to the Phoenix Valley. Papago I was told to be the future home course of the ASU Sun Devils. Didn't know anything about Papago prior to my unexpected round. The course conditions were close to immaculate. Teeboxes and fairways were just about perfectly lush. Greens to me were a bit shaggy to consider quick but despite this still rolled true. From the tips the course plays over 7300 yards. Playing from these tee boxes presents many challenges especially the par 3's that play from 230 to over 250 yards. I would have given 5 stars only due to the construction for the new clubhouse was going on. Off course amenities were limited but staff was still super friendly. Definitely a hidden gem course in Phoenix. Extremely good track when locals consider it a muni track.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

heck of a muni

golf course was in great shape...greens held shots, and putts rolled true....par 3s are long and tough

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 54
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Minnesota Advisor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

The little brother of the Arizona big hitters

I played a round of 18 at this course on my way to the airport to head home from a business trip. The staff was accommodating and I appreciated that. I did witness a staff member get involved in a pretty heated phone conversation which went on for about 15 minutes while I waited to check in for my tee time. This also held up a lady who was coming in to buy a patron pass. That was not a great start to my Papago experience. Only 1 thing though, so its hard to totally knock them. The course was well maintained, greens were nice and the views are great. A little more of an active spot in the city but it was fun watching all the helicopters and planes fly over. The clubhouse was not the greatest, especially after playing Grayhawk the day prior. Very small and low cost type environment but that is okay. The driving range was average, backdrop with the mountains was cool though. No restaurant but they do have some small food items in the clubhouse. The course was enjoyable and I am going to try and swing by again in January. It was wonderful to be able to play here and get to the airport in 10 minutes. It is not Troon North or Grayhawk, but this is a very nice course in its own right.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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