GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.6
621 Reviews (621)
5 Stars
164
4 Stars
266
3 Stars
99
2 Stars
61
1 Stars
31
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.3
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.3
Amenities
3.8
67.9%
Recommend this course
471 out of 621 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
7 Reviews (7)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.3
Layout
4.0
Pace
3.0
Amenities
3.3
StaffFriendliness
4.5
71.4%
Recommend this course
5 out of 7 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
21 Reviews (21)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.7
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.3
76.2%
Recommend this course
16 out of 21 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.

Book a Tee Time at
Papago Golf Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

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)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

3.6
621 Reviews (621)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A Pleasant Surprise....!

As a rule, I avoid municipal courses as they typically are not interesting and tend to suffer from lack of conditioning. However, since ASU took over the course a few years ago, several of my friends have reported that things have changed for the better and I should give it a try. All I can say is I was very pleasantly surprised by what I found and would recommend it to anyone.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 438
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Excellent example of community golf

The city of Phoenix's Papago Golf Course is an exemplary municipal golf facility. It starts with a solid, midcentury-modern golf course in good shape with some terrific scenery, and a legendary Monday skins game that has attracted low-handicap players and pros for more than 30 years. The community's embrace of the place is strong, and the significant markup it is able to achieve in the high season from out-of towners is a testament to the fact that everyone wants to partake of the vibes. A busy local restaurant run out of the clubhouse even brings in dollar from non-golfers. If your travel objectives include getting to know the place you are visiting, you owe it to yourself to play here.

Papago is in the midst of some modifications, with a couple of greens and tees being moved to accommodate the construction of new offices for the Arizona Golf Association (for which Papago is a fitting home). I'm cautiously optimistic that when it's back up and running in Fall 2022, the course will remain as charming as it was when I played it, and keeps the same buzz that I felt while passing through.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First time at Papago

Course was in great condition, greens were fast and true. Nice course in the heart of phoenix.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

First timer here

First timer here, but it won’t be my last! Course was in great condition. Greens were firm and fast. One of the longer courses than I am used to be it was a challenge that I really enjoyed.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 54
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Nice course, but ...

Course layout and conditions were nice. Played the round in 4hrs 15mins. Only issue I had was that a large bucket of balls cost near $17.00 and the course charged me another $8.00-9.00 in fees that I believe I paid for through my Golfnow booking.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Phoenix must play course

Course is in great shape! Your driver better be on point, otherwise it’ll be a long day. Definitely a challenging course. Water stations are a plus, and for those who need other items the beverage carts are there.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 102
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great spot!

Played Papago for the first time since they renovated and it was a treat! The clubhouse and facilities are now top notch! All the staff was amazing as well! The greens were very lush and rolled great which is tough for this time of year in Phoenix. Great spot to play!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 6
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 Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Horrid Shape

The conditions are awful here. Would not advise playing until they get it figured out.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good summer condition!

Greens were quick for what I expected in the middle of summer. Also more play on a Monday AM than I expected. It was a little pricey, but oh well. Course was a good challenge from the blacks.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Nearby Courses
Phoenix, Arizona
Private
0.0
0
Tempe, Arizona
Public/Municipal
3.8208337098
236
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
2.0531275018
403
Scottsdale, Arizona
Resort
4.5987569963
1375
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
3.8405958792
1164
Scottsdale, Arizona
Private
5.0
1
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Resort
4.6074953033
1016
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Private
3.0
2
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
4.2188036196
3851
Tempe, Arizona
Public
3.2317274098
939
Golf Packages
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.

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
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account