Perhaps no course in the greater Phoenix area provides a better experience of the area's diverse topography. Some holes are framed by mountain ridges, others are out in the Sonoran desert. Still others are edged by manmade irrigation lakes or natural desert washes. Holes like the par-5 eighth and par-4 14th climb up long slopes, while dazzling par 3s at six and 16 plunge dramatically downhill. Quintero, a former private club, is a scenic and playable delight.

This Coore and Crenshaw design incorporates all the typical traits of a desert course while maintaining a traditional, walkable feel—the Saguaro features wide, forgiving fairways and greens situated close to the following tees. Like Bandon Trails, Sand Hills and Friar’s Head, three of Coore’s and Crenshaw’s other acclaimed projects, We-Ko-Pa traces the natural movement of the land and provides 360 degree views of four surrounding mountains: Superstition, McDowell, Mazatzal, and the Four Peaks.

The manageable summer temperatures and high elevation of this par-71 championship golf course allows for guests to experience well-manicured bentgrass greens all year round. The desert track, known as “Big Wick,” is tucked away in North Phoenix and offers fantastic views of Vulture Peak and Prescott National Forest. Additionally, Wickenburg Ranch is home to a laidback nine-hole par-3 course nicknamed “Li’l Wick” with hammocks and rest areas located between holes.

Formerly home to the PGA Tour’s WGC match-play event, the Saguaro and Tortolita nines at Dove Mountain feature guarded greens and small targets. The Saguaro side lines a vast cactus forest, while the Tortolita sneaks through a secluded canyon. A natural stadium-like bowl surrounds the final green of the Tortolita, the perfect setting for matches that come down to the wire.

The famed home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open boasts a top two stadium hole in golf: the par-3 16th. Tiger Woods' hole-in-one in 1997 put it on the map for casual fans, who now flock to Scottsdale during Super Bowl week. The layout has architectural merit, too, with its risk-and-reward-filled back nine. Tom Weiskopf, who designed the course with Jay Morrish, has overseen renovations of the course—making tweaks to please the tour player and resort guest alike.

This esteemed Tom Weiskopf designed pays homage to Open Championship-style golf in the middle of the Scottsdale desert. Set in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak, Troon North weaves through giant granite boulders that often impact shot options. The track is tough yet aesthetically pleasing.

This Coore and Crenshaw design incorporates all the typical traits of a desert course while maintaining a traditional, walkable feel—the Saguaro features wide, forgiving fairways and greens situated close to the following tees. Like Bandon Trails, Sand Hills and Friar’s Head, three of Coore’s and Crenshaw’s other acclaimed projects, We-Ko-Pa traces the natural movement of the land and provides 360 degree views of four surrounding mountains: Superstition, McDowell, Mazatzal, and the Four Peaks.

This esteemed Tom Weiskopf designed pays homage to Open Championship-style golf in the middle of the Scottsdale desert. Set in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak, Troon North weaves through giant granite boulders that often impact shot options. The track is tough yet aesthetically pleasing.

An annual U.S. Open qualifying site and host to several top collegiate tournaments, Ak-Chin is a long and challenging sand-belt style course. The Brian Curley and Fred Couples design sits on a piece of land that was home to the Ak-Chin Indian Community until a 1912 Executive Order removed the reservation. In 2010, the community recovered its sacred base and opened the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club for all to enjoy.

Designed by Jay Morrish, this par-71 layout is known for its natural beauty and intricate layout among the Sonoran Desert foothills. As players navigate boulder formations and elevation changes, they are likely to spot some unique wildlife: bobcats, coyotes and even javelina lurk among the scenic desert terrain.

Designed by two-time major champion David Graham and golf course architect Gary Panks, the Talon is one of two courses at Grayhawk. A challenging layout that plays just shy of 7,000 yards, it also boasts beautiful views of the McDowell Mountains and the Phoenix and Scottsdale skylines.

Featuring picturesque views of the White Tank Mountains, the Founders course is a very playable John Fought and Tom Lehman design. Five sets of tee boxes and generous landing areas coupled with unique rock formations and elevation changes make this course enjoyable for a variety of skill-levels.

Ventana Canyon is a unique facility: Sitting on 600 acres nestled in the Catalina Mountains in northeast Tucson, the private club alternates which course is open to resort guests that day (the other is available only for members). The sprawling but low-profile resort boasts two Tom Fazio designs, the Canyon and Mountain Courses, the latter with its iconic 107-yard par-3 third tucked within steep walls of a mountain canyon.

The older of the two 18-hole courses at the Boulders, the North Course presents stunning views of Black Mountain as it weaves throughout the rugged desert landscape. Also a Jay Morrish design, this track boasts bentgrass greens and several holes that are nestled tightly within ancient rock formations.

Designed by 1996 PGA Tour Player of the Year Tom Lehman, Verrado's Victory Course is located at the foothills of the White Tank Mountains and features beautiful vistas and large undulating greens. The front nine winds through the desert while the back ventures through a more residential area.

Tucked in a canyon 30 minutes northeast of Phoenix's airport, Sunridge Canyon features an intriguing mix of doglegs and carries over ravines. The course is best known for its closing "Wicked 6," which consists of two par 3s, two par 4s and two par 5—which plays generally uphill and into the prevailing wind.

Designed by two-time major champion David Graham and golf course architect Gary Panks, the Talon is one of two courses at Grayhawk. A challenging layout that plays just shy of 7,000 yards, it also boasts beautiful views of the McDowell Mountains and the Phoenix and Scottsdale skylines.

Sewailo differs from most Arizona courses in that it features more of an open, links golf feel with ample forced carries and lots of water and sand to negotiate. It opened in 2013 and was designed by former PGA Tour player and current Golf Channel announcer Notah Begay III. Sewailo features multiple tee options for players of different playing ability.

Papago is one of the best values in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, offering incredible views of the nearby Camelback Mountains and downtown Phoenix. This municipal course is now home to the Thunderbirds Golf Complex, where the Arizona State men’s and women’s golf teams practice, featuring a four-acre short game area; three acres of rough and fairway to mimic a variety of lies and a six-acre hitting area with 21 target greens and a number of fairway bunkers.

Just a few years ago, architect Phil Smith reimagined an existing 27-hole facility into a new par-71 18-hole layout. Winding through the Sonoran Desert, the Phoenician is manageable for players of varying skill level, playing as short as 4,594 yards or as long as more than 6,518 yards. The redesign gave Smith the ability to utilize a varied piece of land in new ways—creating lots of elevation changes and design variety.

The O'odham course (formerly the North Course) is one of two courses at Talking Stick designed by the acclaimed designed team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The layout places a premium on accuracy with fairways and greens strategically surrounded by brush and waste areas, along with a mix of long and shorter holes.

As the name suggests, the Faldo Course at Wildfire was designed by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo. Set on just over 6,800 yards, it plays relatively open, with ample landing areas off the tee and into greens, although there are some 140 bunkers strategically placed throughout.

A Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, the Gold Course is one of three courses at the Wigwam. It was renovated in 2015 and plays plenty long at 7,345 yards from the back tees, with narrow fairways and strategically positioned bunkers along with small greens.

La Paloma features three nines designed by Jack Nicklaus—the Ridge and Canyon are considered the two best. The Canyon boasts a number of forced carries, and the Ridge features a series of elevated tee boxes.

The Champions Course was built on the site of the old Desert Course and was revamped in 2007. A very walkable course when the Arizona heat is not too severe, the Champions course is more forgiving than the Stadium course but also provides some great aesthetics and shot options.

Renovated in 2013, this beautifully conditioned desert course was made more playable for different skill levels but at 7,221 presents a stout challenge for advanced players. Carve out some extra time for the first-class practice facilities, including an updated short-game area. Proximity to downtown Scottsdale makes Camelback a convenient choice for many visitors.