Planning a Golf Trip to Cave Creek and North Scottsdale

A good golf trip comes down to two things: the courses you play during the day and the place your group comes back to at night. The area around Cave Creek and North Scottsdale is strong on both counts, and a private home makes the second part easier than a block of hotel rooms.

Courses close to Cave Creek

You don't have to drive far for a round. Rancho Mañana Golf Club in Cave Creek is open to the public. It's a par 70 course of 6,016 yards, designed by Bill Johnston in 1989 on the grounds of a 1940s dude ranch. The front nine runs through Cave Creek Wash and the back nine circles a large lake. It suits a range of skill levels, which matters when your group includes a few casual players. Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club, also in Cave Creek, is another public option.

Bigger names a short drive south

If your group wants a round or two on well-known courses, North Scottsdale has several that are open to the public. Troon North Golf Club has two Tom Weiskopf designs, Monument and Pinnacle. TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course is home to the WM Phoenix Open, and its Champions Course sits alongside it. Many golfers plan a trip around one bucket list round and fill the other days with something more relaxed.

Plan the trip around the tee times

Book tee times as soon as your dates are set, especially for winter and spring weekends, when the desert draws the most golfers. A common rhythm is one round a day with a rest day in the middle. That keeps the trip enjoyable for everyone, not just the players with the lowest handicaps.

Sort out the rooms early

Saguaro Sanctuary sleeps up to 13 guests across four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with seven beds in total, so most guests will share a room. Settle the room assignments in the group chat before anyone arrives, and the first night goes much more smoothly.

What happens after the round

This is where a private home pays off. Back at the property, the pool and hot tub are the easiest way to recover from a day on the course, and the infrared sauna is there for anyone who wants more. On the rest day, the private pickleball court gives the competitive members of your group something to settle. In the evening, dinner at the outdoor kitchen leads naturally to the firepit, where every round gets replayed one more time. The whole acre belongs to your group, so nobody is keeping their voice down for the room next door.

When your group has narrowed down a few weekends, check them against the open dates on our booking page.