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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
628 Reviews (628)
5 Stars
168
4 Stars
269
3 Stars
99
2 Stars
61
1 Stars
31
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.5
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.9
74.7%
Recommend this course
478 out of 628 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.5
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.8
84.6%
Recommend this course
11 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.7
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
81.8%
Recommend this course
18 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

3.8
628 Reviews (628)

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

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Can't go wrong here (except with my incompetence)

Coming from wet and soggy Seattle makes a huge difference. Greens very fast and true. Staff excellent! Wonderful twosome partnered with me. We laughed, cried and cussed all morning. Wonderful experience all the way around. Already recommended to friends. Beautiful course and sweet driving range.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Revenge of The Corporate Yuppies

Great backdrop, terrible pace. A corporate outing forced us to skip the back nine and retread the front nine. I wasn't happy about it especially with the amount of money I paid post-pring training. The staff was ok, and the trailers were post apocalyptic. The food pretty much matched the mobile minis in terms of quality. Very disappointed.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent staff

From the moment we pulled up to the time we left, it was a very enjoyable experience. Will definitely play this course again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

always great

I've played here a lot. The greens were the best I've every seen them. Always challenging. The layout is great and worth playing if you're visiting Phoenix or haven't played here in a while.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Waste of time

The round took over 5.5 hours to play. No one on the staff seemed to care about our complaints of slow play, only saying " that happens some times on Fridays" the course condition was borderline with many bare spots and very hard greens.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Greens were excellent

First 6 holes play very slow, then it opens up. Greens were very smooth. Plenty of length to the course, not much roll due to wonderful, plush fairways. 5th hole always plays longer, take at least 1 extra club on approach!!! Nice range, chipping area, and putting green. Trailer for clubhouse.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great course but over priced.

The course was in great shape, both greens and fairways. The city should build a proper building for the pro shop and restaurant. Right now, they use a couple of large trailers. The quality of this course deserves a better building. The cost is out of site. At $84 it is not affordable for most. This is the only city course that does not give reduced rates with a Phoenix card unless you are a Maricopa resident.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/26/2015

Thank you for your comments. Our golf course superintendent and team are extremely diligent. Also, Papago Golf Course actually does provide preferred rates for City of Phoenix cardholders... the rate is $55/$57 in our high season. We look forward to your next visit!

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Fun Course

I had a great time here. The course was in great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great layout.

Loved the look of the course, challenges even good
golfers. Facility was lacking a nice clubhouse.
Golf pro shop staff not very friendly. Signage on the course was limited making it difficult to get around the course. Many dangerous spots because holes are
too close together. I would play the course again but I was expecting more overall.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Greens

Course is open, good for higher handicapers. Fairways were in great shape and the greens rolled true and were some of the nicest greens I've played although it was difficult to read the breaks.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

BACK AFTER 7 YEAR HIATUS

WALKING TO FIRST TEE I DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE VIEW. THEY HAVE REMOVED HUNDREDS OF TREES. THE TEES AND FAIRWAYS WERE MUCH BETTER THAN THE LAST TIME I PLAYED(2007). THE GREENS WERE GOOD AND FAST. THE BUNKERS ARE NUMEROUS AND ARE WELL KEPT-PLENTY OF SAND SO YOU CAN GET UNDER THE BALL.

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

Slow play

Waited almost every shot
Traps are well placed
Mostly walkers played there

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good foursome!

Played with a nice couple from Calgary and a guy who played on the mini tour and has done some caddying. We had a great round on a gorgeous day. The young guy and I(62) played about 6700 yards. This course is in very good shape as long as you keep the ball in play. There are no level lies and some very challenging holes including a 240 yd par 3 and a 585 yd par 5 from our tees. Fairways and greens were excellent but if you were off a little you were in poor ground with rocks! Booked online for an excellent twilight rate and easily finished before dark. I play to a 6 and shot 37 on the back so life is good! Papago is a very good value and I certainly will book again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Overseeding excellent

When I come to the sunny climates in the winter, I expect a good fairway overseeding. The ball sat up nicely in the fairways. Enjoyable.

I played the blue tees. 6,800 yards. A good early season test.

A little over priced at $84 on a Tuesday.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Course but slow

The course was in excellent shape for the winter with overseed on fairways and greens. The only problem was a bad backup at the par 3 17th. Four groups on the hole late in the day. We barely finished before dark taking more than 4-1/2 hours to complete round. Our plating partners just walked over to Hole 9 and played in from there rather than wait the almost 20 minutes. Also, bunkers on entire course were very inconsistent and mostly chipping out was the only way to extricate the ball.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 74
Handicap 0-4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Nice layout and conditions

Fun course. Long Par threes. Nice mix of holes. Fog was so bad for 9 holes couldn't see ball land. Cleared u on back.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course

I get to play alot of places and this course was great.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

Course rating

Very nice. Staff was friendly. Although they let a 5 somesom out which slowed our play

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 98
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course and mountain views

My husband and I really enjoyed this course. It was in very good condition and challenging enough to keep our interest. Loved the views. We certainly want to play this course again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Good course, but not good enough for the price

This was a nice course, but more expensive than all the others we played. If it were cheaper I would recommend it. Getting around the course was a little difficult as the signs were somewhat lacking and there were no paved cart paths. My opinion is that there are better courses for your money.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
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.

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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