Scottsdale is one of the top golf destinations in the U.S. — lots of high‑quality public, resort and private courses set in classic Sonoran Desert scenery. Below are the best courses you should consider, with a short note on what makes each special and a booking tip.

Top public/resort courses (must‑plays)

• Troon North (Monument & Pinnacle) — Classic desert routing through granite boulders; one of Scottsdale’s signature public layouts. (golfdigest.com)
• We‑Ko‑Pa Golf Club (Saguaro & Cholla) — No houses and pure desert golf with dramatic cacti and arroyo features; highly rated among Arizona public courses. (golfdigest.com)
• TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) — Home of the Waste Management/PGA Tour event; famous 16th stadium hole and a fun, tournament‑caliber experience. (golfdigest.com)
• Grayhawk (Raptor & Talon) — Scottsdale favorite with two contrasting championship courses and excellent practice facilities. (golfdigest.com)
• Talking Stick (O’odham & Piipaash) — Coore & Crenshaw design (O’odham) and solid resort value with interesting greens and desert strategy. (clubandcoastgolf.com)

Top private/residential & resort standout courses

• The Estancia Club (Tom Fazio) — Private, mountain‑backdrop Fazio layout often cited among Scottsdale’s best private courses. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Desert Mountain (multiple courses including new “7” par‑3) — Large private community with several distinct courses; a bucket‑list destination for members/guests. (fogolf.com)
• The Boulders (North & South) — Resort courses routed among boulder formations; recent renovations make it a top resort choice. (scottsdalebeat.com)
• Silverleaf & Troon Country Club — Exclusive private/residential courses that rank highly in local and national residential lists. (fogolf.com)

Value and municipal options

• Papago Golf Club — A well‑maintained municipal course and excellent value close to central Scottsdale/Tempe. Good practice facilities and a solid option for casual play. (clubandcoastgolf.com)

When to play and booking tips

• Best season: peak season is roughly November–April (cooler, dry weather) — book tee times well in advance for weekends and popular courses. (clubandcoastgolf.com)
• Green fees: vary widely (twilight and package deals help); check course websites or calling the pro shop for current rates and availability. (clubandcoastgolf.com)
• If you want a bucket‑list “desert golf” experience aim for Troon North, We‑Ko‑Pa, TPC Scottsdale and The Boulders. For a high‑end private/residential feel try Estancia, Silverleaf or Desert Mountain (guest access required). (golfdigest.com)

If you tell me your budget, handicap and whether you want public vs private/resort golf, I can narrow this to a 1–3 day itinerary (best tee times, where to stay, and mix of courses).