Arizona vs Nevada for Golf
Two great American desert golf trips, a four hour drive apart, and a genuine choice. Arizona, centred on Scottsdale and Greater Phoenix, is the deeper, better value golf destination, with more than two hundred courses and a stack of world class desert layouts. Nevada means Las Vegas, where a handful of spectacular, ultra exclusive courses meet the world's best entertainment. Here is the honest head to head, verdict first.
Photograph: TPC Scottsdale, via Google
The verdict
For a pure golf trip, Arizona wins, and it is not especially close. Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale pack more than two hundred courses into easy reach, with deep public access and a roll call of genuinely great desert golf: the WM Phoenix Open Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, Tom Weiskopf's Troon North, the Coore and Crenshaw Saguaro at We Ko Pa and the NCAA host Grayhawk. The value is far better than Las Vegas, the resort and dining scene around Old Town Scottsdale is built for golfers, and you can fill four, five or six rounds without repeating yourself or breaking the bank. It is the complete desert golf destination.
But Nevada has something Arizona cannot match: singular, once in a lifetime exclusivity, wrapped in the world's greatest entertainment city. Las Vegas has far fewer courses, but they include Tom Fazio's Shadow Creek, a man made miracle conjured from flat desert and one of the most exclusive resort rounds on earth, and the Wynn Golf Club right on the Strip. For a short, high end trip that pairs a marquee round or two with shows, dining and nightlife, nothing beats Vegas. Pick Arizona for depth, value and a real golf week; pick Las Vegas for a splurge round and the bright lights.
Head to head
| Arizona (Scottsdale and Phoenix) | Nevada (Las Vegas) | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature courses | TPC Scottsdale (Stadium), Troon North, We Ko Pa (Saguaro), Grayhawk, The Boulders | Shadow Creek, Wynn Golf Club, Cascata, Reflection Bay, Las Vegas Paiute |
| How many courses | More than two hundred across Greater Phoenix, deep public access | Around two dozen in the Las Vegas area, several exclusive or members only |
| Style of golf | Classic target desert golf, fairways framed by saguaro, arroyos and mountains | Lush, heavily engineered desert courses, several built as showpieces |
| Green fees, 2026 | Wide range and better value; marquee rounds premium in winter (indicative; confirm) | Among the dearest in the country; Shadow Creek runs into four figures for guests (indicative; confirm) |
| Off course | Old Town Scottsdale, spa resorts, dining and a relaxed golf town feel | The Strip: shows, casinos, fine dining and the world's best nightlife |
| Best for | A four to six round golf week with depth and value | A short, high end trip pairing a splurge round with entertainment |
| Season | October to May prime, winter dearest, brutal summer heat | October to May prime, winter dearest, brutal summer heat |
Course facts and indicative fee ranges verified June 2026 from course and operator listings; fees vary by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Arizona if
You want a proper golf week with depth, variety and value. Scottsdale and Greater Phoenix give you more than two hundred courses within easy reach, from the championship theatre of TPC Scottsdale and Troon North to the natural beauty of We Ko Pa, plus a relaxed resort town built around the game. It suits groups who want to play four, five or six excellent rounds, eat and stay well, and keep the budget honest, with the golf, not the nightlife, as the main event.
Pick Las Vegas if
You want a short, high end trip that pairs a bucket list round with the world's best entertainment. Las Vegas has fewer courses, but they include the legendary Shadow Creek and the Wynn Golf Club on the Strip, the kind of exclusive, splurge rounds that make a story. It suits travellers happy to play one or two marquee courses, pay top dollar for the privilege, and spend the evenings on shows, dining and the casino floor. Golf as the headline act of a Vegas weekend.
Plan your golf trip
Arizona's depth and value, Las Vegas's exclusive splurge rounds, or a question of which suits your group. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, the resort and the schedule, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Arizona vs Nevada questions
Is Arizona or Nevada better for a golf trip?
For a pure golf trip, Arizona wins. Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale offer more than two hundred courses, deep public access, world class desert design at TPC Scottsdale, Troon North and We Ko Pa, and far better value than Las Vegas. Nevada, meaning Las Vegas, counters with a handful of spectacular, ultra exclusive courses led by Shadow Creek and Wynn, and the unbeatable pairing of golf with entertainment. Choose Arizona for depth and value, Las Vegas for a short, high end golf and nightlife combination.
Is golf cheaper in Scottsdale or Las Vegas?
Scottsdale is markedly better value. With over two hundred courses competing for play, Greater Phoenix offers a wide range of green fees and strong shoulder season and summer deals, even at the marquee desert courses. Las Vegas has far fewer courses and its headline rounds are among the most expensive in the country, with Shadow Creek running into four figures for resort guests. Both peak in price in the winter high season. For value across a multi day trip, Arizona is the clear choice. Always confirm current fees directly before booking.
What are the must play courses in each?
In Arizona, the bucket list runs through TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course, home of the raucous WM Phoenix Open and its stadium 16th, Tom Weiskopf's Troon North, the Coore and Crenshaw Saguaro at We Ko Pa, and Grayhawk, host of the NCAA Championships. In Nevada, it is all about exclusivity: Tom Fazio's Shadow Creek, a man made miracle in the desert, the Wynn Golf Club on the Strip, and resort courses such as Cascata, Reflection Bay and the Las Vegas Paiute layouts. Always confirm access and fees directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in Arizona and Nevada?
Both are desert destinations with the same calendar: the cooler months are prime and the most expensive. The sweet spots are roughly October to May, with the winter high season from January to March the busiest and dearest and the spring and autumn shoulders offering the best balance of weather and value. High summer is brutally hot, often well over a hundred degrees, which brings deep discounts for those willing to play at dawn. Always check the forecast and book early tee times in the warmer months.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Course openings, ranking shake ups and the booking windows that matter. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.