Papago Golf Course

The course was in rough shape when we played. It appeared some greens had to be re-sodded. That happens, but at $200 this was way overpriced.

Positive: Great layout featuring hilly terrain, elevations, and tricky greens. Fairways and greens were in great condition. Green speeds were average to slow on the day we played, but they rolled well. Can’t say enough about the friendly and helpful staff. Dead wiry rough at this time of year makes controlling your shot more difficult.

Negative: Played on a Tuesday. Course was jammed and play was really slow. We started as a foursome at 2:00 and were not playing particularly fast, but we still waited on every tee and came in at 6:50. Never saw a ranger. Saw the refreshment cart twice.

Really pretty course. We got behind a really slow group. But overall, glad we played it. :)

I love the layout of this course. Lots of winding fairways up and down the hills of Papago Park. There is a wide variety of holes that offer lots of different looks throughout the round. Plenty of good views of the valley too.

This course gets a lot of play and the conditions were not great. Greens are a pretty beat up in areas and lots of bare areas in the fairways. I understand the conditions being less than attractive, but pace of play was very bad. We were running about a 5.5 hour pace and had to quit due to darkness. I hope they can work on getting people moving faster out there. It really is a fun place to play.

I came to play Popago for the first time yesterday, and was completely disappointed. It took 15 minutes to find a place to hit golf balls on the driving range due to the excessive amount of play. When I did finally get to hit golf balls, I could not find a tuft of grass left to hit off of. The driving range is completely destroyed and is in need of extensive maintenance. There are driving range mats, but they are not being used and the grass is almost nonexistent. Due to a tournament that was on the golf course earlier in the day there were no carts available when I was ready for my tee time and it wasn’t until then that I was told that it would be at least another hour before I could go out. If I would’ve played at 2 o’clock I may have had a chance to finish 18 holes but not if I start out at three or 330. The Cart staff was super friendly, but they are clearly overworked and overwhelmed. The course itself from what I could see Was not very green which is surprising due to all the rain we’ve had in the area. Let’s hope that you don’t make the mistake that I did and book your tee time at this golf course. At least not for this year. Try Silverado golf course just down the road which is completely different by comparison.

Since I’m new to the area, figured this historic course would be worthwhile playing. Unfortunately not…paid almost $200/man via GolfNow. Went to bag drop, unloaded my own clubs, nobody welcomed us. Sat there looking like a dummy. Nobody very friendly. Course layout was good, not great. Historic or not, I felt ripped off, as did my guests.

The course always keeps their greens in good shape. The bunkers were a little fluffy at first but now playing them after the rain they are just right. The redesign really changed the holes for the better. Really a shame that people would put bad reviews about temporary changes or construction about the course. They don't get removed when the course repairs you're complaining about are completed... the course has it's own reputation and paired with the PHX card it's one of the best deals out there and a great walk.

As most of you will notice by looking at reviews, Papago has recently undergone a major renovation and their rating took a significant hit because they remained open and continued to charge full freight for what had essentially become an executive course with all the temporary greens. However, they're back open now and the results are pretty stellar.

The course had gotten a bit shaggy around the edges prior to the renovation but they redid every bunker on the property and changed up the routing a bit to make it a more modern test (while freeing up some room near the clubhouse for new properties). These bunkers are deep and extremely penal, which is what William Bell originally had in mind for the course, and they force you to map your way around the course strategically.

The greens were in very good shape and they should only get better in the coming months. Tee boxes were also in good condition despite some continuing landscaping work around the tee areas.

Ultimately, to me this was a really successful renovation that has taken a golf course that was meant to be a challenge and restored it to its former glory. And the pricing for locals has been made much more affordable. Pace of play, like with most city courses, is still a serious issue but there's incredible value to be had here now.

Cart paths are poorly marked, if at all. Most are dirt paths, hard to tell which way to go. Carts are set to lock up if you go off the wrong way, but since you don't know which way is the right way...it becomes distracting and takes away from the game.

Until this is solved, I wouldn't play here again.

The worst experience I have ever had on a golf course. No cart paths, just dirt everywhere- in your mouth, bags, clothes. Cannot drive on course -Cart Path Only lol, 5 hour round. Torture.
5 hours of filth. Cannot breath on course. Makes u sick

Course will be lovely when they are done. You have to stay on the cart paths and most are dirt. With wide greens we walked a tremendous amount. It slowed down play. They also allow walkers which slowed down play more. Everything was filthy when we were done. Took 4.45 for 18 holes and we were right behind the group in front.

The course did not explain the extreme construction in progress, We understand overseeing this time of year, but there were only 10 holes open and not contiguous.

They have no business selling tee times to people while they're undergoing course renovations. This wasn't a minor inconvenience with regards to a few areas, every single hole had some form of construction activity. They have you play only certain holes, and you play them twice.

Staff were friendly. Course was not.

This course may be beautiful someday but between Papago and Golf Now it is not clearly stated that you will not even play a full 18 holes of golf. You get to play 10 and they throw in there that you can go around twice. There are no cart paths and the GPS will shut down your cart for trying to menouver around the multiple tractors actively digging in the bunkers while you tee off. You are instructed to yell fore so you don't hit one of the 10 yellow shirt employees bravely raking sand around the landing zone. Between the tractors digging and the constant mowing this course is just unsafe and the course manager should be fired for thinking this is okay to do this to not only the workers out there getting nailed by golf balls but the CUSTOMERS that have to deal with EVERY hole under construction. They need to close down and fix the course and stop taking peoples money for a half-assed course. Garbage 🗑

I highly recommend Papago Golf Course because the views of Camelback Mountain as well as the Buttes near the course are spectacular. The golf shop as well as Lou’s Grill are top notch. The course is fun and has many par 4 and 5 holes. You will enjoy it and I highly recommend it.