Home / Courses / USA / Arizona / Scottsdale

Desert/Canyon at Phoenician, The

4.6
1391 Reviews (1391)
1440x350.jpg

This golf course is closed for business. Not true? Let us know.
Looking for other options nearby?

Rating Snapshot

GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.6
1391 Reviews (1391)
5 Stars
793
4 Stars
415
3 Stars
124
2 Stars
42
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.6
Tooltip Information Icon
93.7%
Recommend this course
1242 out of 1391 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
26 Reviews (26)
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.9
100.0%
Recommend this course
26 out of 26 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
68 Reviews (68)
5 Stars
52
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.9
97.1%
Recommend this course
66 out of 68 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Traditional
Par 70
Length 6068 yards
Slope 130
Rating 70.0

Editor's Note: Course closed in 2018. See The Phoenician Golf Club listing.

The Phoenician resort is known for its three unique nines, which offer not three challenging 18-hole combination but also stunning views of the Valley of the Sun. The Desert/Canyon Course is the most requested layout because of its particularly stunning vistas. The Desert Course is known for its dramatic elevation changes that climb up to the Canyon nine situated on the southern slope of Camelback Mountain. The golf course is not long but it proves that holes don't have to be lengthy to provide a good challenge. Golfers will need careful strategy as well as sharp short game skills in order to take on the water hazards and strategically placed bunkers. The par-4 third hole on the Desert nine is particularly tricky thanks to a green that is surrounded on nearly all of its sides.

Tees
Tee Par Length Rating Slope
Championship 70 6068 yards 70.0 130
Phoenician 70 5695 yards 68.0 127
Forward (W) 70 4777 yards 64.0 107
Track Rounds
Scorecard
Scorecard for Desert/Canyon
Metrics:
Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Championship M: 68.2/126 415 505 303 220 443 180 502 120 372 3060 429 180 363 482 393 303 201 132 525 3008 6068
Phoenician M: 66.6/120 W: 73.1/135 390 490 291 200 377 168 481 101 349 2847 408 166 348 466 375 287 188 114 492 2844 5691
Forward M: 62.7/105 W: 68.4/117 375 442 266 161 264 114 436 80 327 2465 363 129 299 406 310 259 98 70 378 2312 4777
Handicap 9 7 13 5 1 11 3 17 15 2 16 10 12 6 14 8 18 4
Par 4 5 4 3 4 3 5 3 4 35 4 3 4 5 4 4 3 3 5 35 70

Course Details

Year Built 1981
Fairways TiffDwarf Grass
Greens TiffEagle Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Jack Snyder (1981) Ted Robinson, Sr. (1996) Ted Robinson, Jr. Forrest Richardson (2010)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS No
Pull-carts No
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Collared shirt and bermuda shorts required. No denim.

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Spa
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.6
1391 Reviews (1391)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 68
Patio Dining 43
19th Hole Scenic Views 32
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 134
Water Hazards 105
Bunkers 95
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 109
A Weekend Splurge 83
Entertaining Clients 79
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 140
At a Resort 125
Near the Airport 46

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Default User Avatar
Jace4890
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
ccoleman17
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
richardpyaro
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Scottsdale course

Always nice to play at Phoenician before flying home. They have only 2 showers, so I had to wait a little to get clean after round.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
diethoa
Played On
Reviews 61
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
u314162025423
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
baegel0
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
u000001800144
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Fairway trouble

The fairways are in really bad shape! I’ve played this course for years and ithe fairways are definitely in need of some serious attention, especially for this price point. I really love this property and I hope they can fix it!

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Featured
Find Out More >>
Default User Avatar
a35sHFg8FClsDWxDBxmm
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Resort Course

I played this course with my father over the weekend. He is from out of town. We have played several courses, including Quintero, Verrado, We Ko Pa etc and while I have golf this course several times and it is one of my favorites. He say his favorite course he has golfed in the valley. It is very friendly resort course with some unique holes and the back 9 has a beautiful view of Phoenix.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u314166697398
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Big32Book
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course, amenities weak

The course was amazing and worth every penny. I do think that the expectations of an enhanced golf experience at a place like the Phoenician is not unreasonable. There was no cart person at all the entire day despite being told there would be one. It might seem small but we were out for a great time and because of the rush to sunset didn’t have the time to stop at the turn. It made a great experience okay in our eyes as there are other courses that are competitive in tjis price range or higher that would not eliminate that add-on.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
u314159838077
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u314162371792
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
markatkinson795
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always top notch!

Loved it and wanna play it 5 more times this week.

Staff is great

Especially Jack and the lady at the food bar!

Thank you.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
kvitale
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Featured
Find Out More >>
Default User Avatar
dsommerv
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
mikemckelvey
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Outstanding course

Small practice facilities, but everything else was was outstanding.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
h2qTWA2eYW4YnVeNAmWx
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
John2961661
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful views

Course was beautiful. Good shots rewarded and bad ones penalized.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Skip0927
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome experience. Very pricey. Got hung up behind group in front of us. Food cart was not great but the course conditions were exceptional

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
goofyfoot40
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
3 4 5 6 7
Business Tools for Golf Course Operators
stars Add a GolfPass ratings badge to your website
rss_feed Get RSS feed with the latest reviews for this course
Nearby Courses
The Phoenician - Canyon/Oasis: #12, #13, #14, #15
View Tee Times
The Phoenician Golf Club
Scottsdale, Arizona
Resort
4.6043034172
1391
Write Review
Mountain Shadows GC: #7
View Tee Times
Mountain Shadows Golf Course
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Resort
4.7061924575
1026
Write Review
Scottsdale Shadows GC
Scottsdale Shadows Golf Club
Scottsdale, Arizona
Private
5.0
1
Write Review
Arizona CC
The Arizona Country Club
Phoenix, Arizona
Private
0.0
0
Write Review
Continental GC
View Tee Times
Continental Golf Course
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
3.8836992189
1198
Write Review
Scottsdale Silverado GC
View Tee Times
Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
4.1967486943
3923
Write Review
Coronado GC: Driving range
View Tee Times
Coronado Golf Course
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
1.7897574124
407
Write Review
Paradise Valley CC
Paradise Valley Country Club
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Private
3.0
2
Write Review
McCormick Ranch GC - Pine: #10
View Tee Times
Palm at McCormick Ranch Golf Club
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
3.0663865901
1869
Write Review
Scottsdale Silverado GC - Silver Pony
View Tee Times
Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club - Silver Pony Course
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
4.1967486943
3923
Write Review
Padre at Camelback: #9
View Tee Times
Camelback Golf Club - Padre Course
Scottsdale, Arizona
Resort
4.5013865653
1221
Write Review
McCormick Ranch GC - Pine: #10
View Tee Times
Pine at McCormick Ranch Golf Club
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
3.3614170384
1637
Write Review
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-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.
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.
Talking Stick - Piipash Cours

Talking Stick Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Talking Stick Resort, Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsdale at Talking Stick, or Staybridge Suites Scottsdale - Talking Stick and golf at Talking Stick Golf Club - Piipash & O'odham courses.
Featured Content
Sterling Grove GCC: #12
Articles
10 best bargain golf courses in Phoenix-Scottsdale
Quintero
Articles
What's new for golfers in Phoenix/Scottsdale
PXG Lightning Driver
Articles
PXG reveals its new PXG Lightning Driver
may-2025-gear-report.jpg
Articles
GolfPass Gear Report: May 2025
Course Layout
Now Reading

  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account

    •
    Search Near Me