Phoenix, Arizona · Phoenix & Scottsdale
Papago Golf Course
Billy Bell, the Torrey Pines designer, laid it out in 1963 in the desert under the Papago Buttes. It's now the home course of Arizona State's golf teams.
- 18Holes
- 72Par
- 7,068Yards
- PhoenixLocation
- 1963Opened
About Papago Golf Course
Papago is Phoenix's city-owned course in Papago Park, run by Troon, and it sits where Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale meet, under two miles from Sky Harbor. You play it with the red Papago Buttes behind the greens, Camelback Mountain and the downtown skyline off in the distance, and planes climbing out of the airport all day. It's a par 72 that stretches to 7,380 yards from the black tees, with the blues at 6,882 and forward sets down to 5,338, so pick your box honestly. Carts, with GPS, are part of the green fee.
It's open desert golf rather than a tree tunnel: the map survey has trees along only three holes, water near two and about 60 bunkers, with roughly 32 feet between the high and low points. The 2022 work rebuilt every bunker, pulled out more than 10 acres of turf, and moved the 9th green to the edge of the pond, making it a risk-reward par 5. Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data.
William Francis (Billy) Bell, the man behind Torrey Pines, designed it, and it opened in 1963. It hosted the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 1971 and an LPGA Tour event in 2009, and it went through a full renovation in 2008. GOLF Magazine named it one of the 30 Best Municipal Golf Courses in America in 2021. Today it's home to Arizona State's men's and women's teams, whose Thunderbirds Golf Complex, designed by Phil Mickelson, opened in late 2018, the same year the mid-century modern clubhouse with Lou's Bar and Grill arrived. The Arizona Open was played here in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
It's one of 18 courses in Phoenix on Yoink, and the closest alternative is Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, about 2 miles away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.
What it's like to play Papago Golf Course
10 of the 18 holes bend, so position off the tee matters more than length.
Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).
Booking a tee time at Papago Golf Course
Maricopa County residents should get the Phoenix City Card ($60 the first year, $30 to renew, bought at a city course with an Arizona license or other proof of residence): it opens tee times 9 days ahead at discounted rates and works at every Phoenix city course. Public rates can be booked up to 90 days out online or through the golf shop at 602-275-8428. The course says it's very busy on weekends and on many weekdays, and it pairs smaller groups into foursomes, so book early.
How to get a tee time at Papago Golf Course
Yoink
If Papago Golf Course looks full for the day you want, it usually isn't for long: groups drop, rounds get moved and times reopen at all hours.
Yoink checks the sheet for you. Set a watch for the date, window and group size you want, and you'll get a push notification as soon as a spot opens — then book it directly with Papago Golf Course.
- Pick Papago Golf Course in Yoink.
- Choose your day, time window and number of players.
- Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
Golf courses near Papago Golf Course
- Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills · Tempe · 2 mi
- Coronado Golf Course · Scottsdale · 3 mi
- The Phoenician Golf Club · Scottsdale · 3 mi
- Continental Golf Course · Scottsdale · 3 mi
- Estates Course at the Arizona Biltmore · Phoenix · 5 mi
- Arizona Biltmore Golf Club - Estates · Phoenix · 5 mi
- Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club · Scottsdale · 6 mi
- Raven Golf Club — Phoenix · Phoenix · 6 mi
All 142 Phoenix & Scottsdale courses in Arizona · Arizona golf courses
Papago Golf Course FAQ
Where is Papago Golf Course?
Papago Golf Course is in Phoenix, Arizona, in the Phoenix & Scottsdale area — about 2 miles from Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills.
Who designed Papago Golf Course, and when did it open?
Papago Golf Course was designed by William Francis (Billy) Bell, designer of Torrey Pines and opened in 1963.
Is Papago Golf Course open to the public?
Papago Golf Course is municipal (owned by the City of Phoenix, managed by Troon), run by Troon (management).
Can you walk Papago Golf Course?
Carts included in the green fee; GPS on all carts.
How many holes is Papago Golf Course, and what's par?
Papago Golf Course is a championship-length 18: 18 holes, par 72, 7,068 yards.
How do I get a tee time at Papago Golf Course when it's booked up?
Set a watch for Papago Golf Course in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.
What golf courses are near Papago Golf Course?
Nearby options include Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, Coronado Golf Course and The Phoenician Golf Club. Yoink watches 142 courses in the Phoenix & Scottsdale area.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-28. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.
- papagogolfclub.com · official
- thegolfwire.com · media
- papagogolfclub.com · official
- papagogolfclub.com · official
- papagogolfclub.com · official
- papagogolfclub.com · official
- papagogolfclub.com · official
Never miss a tee time at Papago Golf Course
Yoink watches the tee sheet so you don't have to. When a time you want opens up, your phone buzzes — you book direct.