Papago Golf Club — Attraction in Phoenix

Since I moved to Arizona, I have been trying to play as many golf courses as I can. I have been working with Papago Golf Course on their new website, and wanted to see the course first hand. I booked a tee time and headed down there. It is only about 25 minutes from Scottsdale, and near the airport. You never hear the planes, though... which is nice. You do get to see planes coming and going all day, though.

The course starts off with a long par 5 and offers some incredible golf holes along the way. Every hole makes the player think about his or her shot, and play smart golf. The greens are big, too. Speaking of the greens, they are some of the best greens I have seen in the desert yet. I keep hearing locals say the course was renovated... I would consider the renovation a success!

The first time you play here, I suggest playing with someone that has played the course. There are a few holes that offer blind tee shots, and it would be best to play with someone that knows where to aim. They don't really have cart paths, but the carts will shut down if you are too close to the greens or the desert. Just be smart when riding around the course. But playing with someone that has played the course before would help you know where to go.

There are bathrooms and water/ice on the course, but only in one spot. Fun thing is you pass by it on several holes. The pace of play here is just over 4 hours, so make sure to stay hydrated. There are coolers on the cart with water, too. There is also GPS in the carts.

My favorite part of this course is the driving range. Balls are not included with your tee time, but once you grab your range balls, the views of the Papago Mountains while you warm up are irreplaceable. There is a huge putting green and chipping area, as well.

Papago Golf Course is one of the longest courses in the Valley. From the tips it would challenge even the longest hitters. Considering I have only played this course in the middle of the summer, I have been blown away both times I played it. It is a memorable golf experience, and for the price, impossible to beat. I just played the course and can't wait to...

Ahoy, fellow golf enthusiasts! Gather 'round as I recount my somewhat whimsical, slightly befuddling, and entirely wallet-draining adventure at the one and only Papago Golf Club! 🏌️‍♂️

Before I delve into the meat of my experience, let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty of Papago's driving range. Picture this: A lush, verdant expanse, bathed in golden sunlight, with majestic mountains looming on the horizon. It's like Mother Nature herself designed the perfect playground for golf aficionados! ⛳

But, dear reader, do not be fooled by the alluring aesthetics, for there is a nefarious catch – the cost of entry! As I approached the counter to acquire a large bucket of golf balls, my excitement was dashed upon the jagged rocks of sticker shock. $20 for a large bucket, you say? More like highway robbery on the fairway! 😲

To ease the sting of this financial blow, I decided to investigate Papago's green fees, hoping to embark on an actual round of golf. Alas, my dreams were shattered like a fragile golf ball colliding with a 9-iron. The prices were as steep as the surrounding mountains, leaving me to imagine the joy of playing on the hallowed greens from the confines of my budget. 💸

Now, don't get me wrong – the staff at Papago were a delightful bunch. But alas, their jovial spirits could not mend the rift between my wallet and the green fees. 😢

Despite these monetary woes, I did manage to enjoy myself at the driving range, basking in the picturesque scenery and bemoaning the untapped potential of the course that lay just beyond my financial reach. I found solace in the company of fellow golfers, who shared my plight and chuckled at the irony of our predicament. 🤣

In conclusion, Papago Golf Club is a beautiful, laughter-filled oasis, where dreams of golfing grandeur tease you from afar, but are ultimately dashed by the cruel reality of outrageous fees. It is with a heavy heart and a lighter wallet that I bestow upon Papago a modest 4 stars – a testament to its splendor, but also to the barrier that keeps this golfing paradise frustratingly out of reach. ⛰️🏌️‍♀️🚧 Please send money so I...

Well A LOT has changed in 20 years of playing Papagp GC. Back in the day when it was an ACTUAL municipal public course owned and run by the city of Phoenix parks and recs to now a ASU run and operated. First of all it used to be the peoples course where in the winter when most other courses inflated their green fees to $100+ per player Papago was still under $50 per player. Those days long gone! When ASU moved in they forced out the superintendent who took pride in the course condition and made sure no shortcuts were taken. I hadn't played it in many year's and was coming into Phoenix to visit friends and play some golf. Papago was one of the 4 courses on our agenda. We played May 5th 2022 around 12:40. Got there and dropped the bags walked into the golf shop and the attendant checked us in promptly $130.00 to play!!! This is amazing to me knowing that I used to play the same course same time of year for $35.00 before the ASU takeover. Now I understand times change and they have made long overdue improvements, ie. Actual restaurant and clubhouse. The prices at the restaurant are a little high but expected for the convenience, and the food is good and service is wonderful. My issue is that for $130.00 for golf, I got to the putting green and it was PAINTED GREEN, and HARDLY ANY GRASS. It was bumpy and putting was almost impossible to hold a true line. SO DISAPPOINTED in the course and golf staff without blinking an eye taking $130 checking me in not informing golfers the course is not in good shape, the greens ALL 18 OF THEM were like this! That is NOT acceptable. It's disgusting and greedy! But they have to pay for ALL THE ASU "Improvements " I will NOT BE GOING BACK and that breaks my heart. This course has so much history and it has been wiped away to brand it ASU instead. NOT WORTH THE OVERPRICED GREEN FEES!!! Play at your own risk, but there are so many other BETTER course in the greater Phoenix...