Great — here’s a practical, ready-to-use plan to organize a 7‑day golf week in Scottsdale with friends, including when to go, which courses to play, where to stay, booking timeline, budget estimates, transport, daily sample itinerary, and useful tips.
Summary (fast):
- Best time to visit: mid‑November through April (mild weather/peak season). (clubandcoastgolf.com)
- Must-play public/resort courses in Scottsdale: Troon North (Monument & Pinnacle), TPC Scottsdale (Stadium/Champion), We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro/Cholla), Talking Stick (O’odham/We-Ko-Pa), Camelback (Ambiente), Papago. (clubandcoastgolf.com)
- Book tee times early for the top courses (many allow 60–90 days out; TPC during Phoenix Open can be locked up in Feb). Use tee-time brokers or course websites. (scottsdalegolfretreat.com)
- Choose dates and group size
- Aim for a Sunday–Saturday week (arrive Sunday, play Mon–Fri or Mon–Sat) to use weekend tee times and quieter midweek rounds.
- If you want to see the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, schedule around the first week of February (event week is busy and expensive). Otherwise avoid event week for easier bookings and lower rates. (thesun.ie)
- Booking timeline (who does what, when)
- 3–6 months before trip: lock in flights and lodging (simple refund policies if plans change).
- 60–90 days before: book prime tee times at top courses (Troon North, TPC Scottsdale, We‑Ko‑Pa, Talking Stick). Troon North and other top tracks have advance windows and dynamic pricing; forecaddie policies may apply. (scottsdalegolfretreat.com)
- 30–45 days before: finalize rental cars/transport, reserve dinner restaurants and any non‑golf activities (spas, simulators).
- 7–14 days before: confirm tee times and pairings; print/phone screenshots of reservations.
- Where to stay (pick by vibe)
- North Scottsdale / near Troon North / Pinnacle Peak: best for staying close to top desert courses and scenic drives.
- Old Town Scottsdale: best nightlife, restaurants, bars — good if you want evenings out.
- Resort options: many resorts offer “stay-and-play” packages; compare package prices vs booking lodging + tee times yourself. (New boutique Troon North stay‑and‑play property announced; opens early 2026 if you’re planning later.) (troon.com)
- Sample 7‑day golf week itinerary (for a group of 4–6)
Day 0 — Arrival (Sunday)
- Fly in, pick up rental SUV, check in, light warm‑up practice or rooftop simulator (some hotels offer sims/pools). Reserve a group dinner in Old Town.
Day 1 — Troon North (Monument) — premier desert opener
- Morning tee time. Forecaddies sometimes included Thurs–Sat in peak season; plan gratuities. Afternoon: recovery at resort, dinner nearby. (scottsdalegolfretreat.com)
Day 2 — We‑Ko‑Pa (Saguaro or Cholla)
- Pure desert routing with mountain views; great contrast to Troon. Evening: casual barbecue or brewery. (clubandcoastgolf.com)
Day 3 — TPC Scottsdale (Stadium) or Champions
- If not event week, play Stadium or Champions for classic PGA Tour turf and stadium holes. Expect higher green fees. (thesun.ie)
Day 4 — Recovery/Alternative: Talking Stick (Coore/Crenshaw) + spa or desert hike
- Play in morning, relax spa afternoon or short hike at Camelback/Scottsdale trails. (clubandcoastgolf.com)
Day 5 — Camelback Club (Ambiente) or Papago — resort or municipal option
- Good course for scenic views and more affordable rounds; good final big‑round option. (clubandcoastgolf.com)
Day 6 — Flexible day / replay favorite course / Topgolf or rooftop simulator + farewell dinner
Day 7 — Departure (Saturday)
Adjust order by location to minimize driving (group by North Scottsdale vs Old Town vs east Phoenix courses).
- Budget estimates (per person for 7 days, rough)
- Flights: depends on origin.
- Lodging: $100–$400+ per night per person (shared condos or resort rooms; peak season higher).
- Golf green fees: $100–$400 per round at premium courses; many public courses are cheaper. Expect $600–$1,800 for 6–7 rounds. (clubandcoastgolf.com)
- Rental car + gas: $50–$100/day split among players.
- Food/drink, incidentals: $60–$150/day.
- Tip: compare package deals from local golf travel agencies (can save money on multiple rounds). (golfzoo.com)
- Transportation & distances
- Rent a midsize SUV or passenger van for gear and people. Distances are manageable: Troon North, We‑Ko‑Pa, and North Scottsdale resorts are 20–45 minutes apart depending on exact lodging. Allow extra time for morning desert traffic/commuting. Use a GPS app for tee time arrival planning.
- Packing & playing tips (Scottsdale specific)
- Bring sun protection: SPF 30+, wide‑brim hat, sunglasses. Desert sun is strong even in winter.
- Hydration: carry water; drink often — desert air is very dry.
- Golf shoes: many courses prefer soft spikes; confirm course rules.
- Play early: tee times before 10 am avoid heat and typically offer best conditions.
- Pace & caddies: many high-end courses use forecaddies (recommend $40+ per player gratuity if service good). (scottsdalegolfretreat.com)
- Food, nightlife, and non‑golf activities
- Old Town Scottsdale has bars, restaurants, and nightlife for evenings.
- Resorts often have spas and rooftop pools; there are golf simulators, Topgolf, desert hiking (Camelback, Pinnacle Peak), and hot‑air balloon rides.
- Make dinner reservations for larger groups at least 2–3 weeks ahead for peak season. (axios.com)
- How to secure tee times and save money
- Book directly through course websites for full control and to avoid middleman fees (many courses have 60–90 day windows). Troon and course sites have real-time pricing. (scottsdalegolfretreat.com)
- Use reputable tee-time discount sites or local golf travel companies for package savings if you want all rounds bundled. Read fine print for caddie/forecaddie/overseed/aerification schedules. (golfzoo.com)
- Quick booking checklist (actionable)
- Today–90 days out: pick week + confirm group attendees.
- 3–6 months out: book flights + lodging.
- 60–90 days out: reserve tee times at Troon North, TPC, We‑Ko‑Pa, Talking Stick.
- 30–45 days out: reserve rental vehicle, restaurants, and any spa/sim sessions.
- 7–14 days out: confirm tee times, course policies (caddies, cart rules), and packing list.
- Day before: check weather, driving times, and bring printed/phone confirmations.
If you want, I can:
- Create a customized 7‑day itinerary (dates you provide), with exact tee‑time booking windows and a prioritized list of courses based on your group’s budget and handicap levels.
- Compare 3 lodging options (North Scottsdale condo, Old Town Scottsdale hotel, and a resort stay‑and‑play) for a specific week and estimate total cost per person.
Which would you like next — a tailored itinerary for specific dates, or help booking tee times and choosing lodging?