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The Best Luxury Golf Communities in Phoenix, AZ

Golf Communities

Known as the “Valley of the Sun”, Phoenix is a golfing destination like no other. With renowned golf courses and high-profile tournaments, it’s a dream come true for those who love the sport. If you’re a golf enthusiast looking to relocate or invest in golf communities in the Phoenix area, read on for more information.

Why Phoenix, AZ is perfect for golfers

There are over 200 golf courses in Phoenix and the surrounding areas, offering just about every kind of experience imaginable. With amazing topography, an enthusiastic golf community, and fantastic weather year-round, it is one of the best places to enjoy golf in the United States.

Weather

Most areas in Arizona have an arid to semi-arid climate. Phoenix, in particular, is known to have a tropical and subtropical desert climate with dry summers, cool winters, and mostly clear skies year-round. This makes Phoenix one of the best places to buy golf properties, with weather conditions allowing for outdoor recreation for most of the year.

Temperatures typically vary from 45°F to 107°F throughout the year. Average temperatures rarely dip lower than 37°F or go above 112°F.

The hot season usually begins in late May and lasts through to mid to late September with an average daily temperature of 98°F or higher. July is typically the warmest month of the year.

The cool season, on the other hand, lasts from late November to late February with an average daily temperature of 74°F or lower. December is usually the coldest month of the year with an average low of 46°F. January gets the most sunshine with an average high temperature of 65 °F.

Phoenix gets very little rain or snow compared to the national average with occasional light frosts. It’s a popular destination for snowbirds from the Northeast and Canada looking for warmer weather.

Location

Location

Phoenix is located in Central Arizona in the southwestern part of the U.S. As the seat of Maricopa County, the city spans 517.9 square miles and is home to a thriving population of 1.658 million as of 2020. It is located between the cities of Flagstaff to the north and Tucson to the southeast.

Phoenix is also surrounded by the neighboring cities of Tempe, Mesa, and Scottsdale. These cities are nestled in the Salt River Valley, an extensive valley that encompasses over 30,000 square miles. The Salt River courses through the valley and is formed by the confluence of the White and Black rivers in the White Mountains. Greater Phoenix encompasses roughly 2,000 square miles and includes the cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, and Glendale.

Geographical features

Located near the center of the Salt River Valley, Phoenix occupies a broad and almost flat plain, making it well-suited for golf course design. The city sits on the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert, where a landscape strewn with large boulders, cacti, and shrubs creates a magnificent backdrop for golf courses.

Golfing history

Phoenix holds a special place in golf history – the city is home to the first golf course in Arizona. The Phoenix Country Club boasts of having the oldest golf course in the state, which is a nine-hole golf course that dates back to 1900.

The golf course was located on Third Street and Roosevelt. It featured a smaller layout with oil-soaked sand greens. The club was then known as the Country Club of Phoenix and would eventually move to various locations in the city before changing its name.

The country club attracted high-profile guests like former U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater and former Phoenix Thunderbirds Chief Bob Goldwater in the 1920s. Bob Goldwater is widely credited for turning the city into a top golf destination, having served as chairman of the board at the Phoenix Country Club and earning the moniker “the Father of the Phoenix Open”.

The club brought grass greens to its golf course in 1927 as the Salt River Project brought canals and irrigation to the Sun Valley. It hosted the Phoenix Open from 1932 to 1986 before the tournament moved to Scottsdale. Golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Johnny Miller have either participated in or won the tournament over the years.

In short, Phoenix has always had a reputation for world-class golf course design as well as golfing excellence and sportsmanship. This history has helped build a community of avid golfers and golf course designers over the decades.

Lifestyle

The Phoenix lifestyle values leisure and outdoor recreation. Aside from the numerous golf communities in the Phoenix area, visitors will also find a wide selection of luxury resorts, spas, and fitness studios that encourage wellness and physical activity. The city also provides access to hiking trails that command unobstructive views of the skyline and the desert.

Golf events

The Waste Management (WM) Phoenix Open was traditionally held in the city from 1935 before moving to TPC Scottsdale in 1987. As the fifth-oldest golf tournament on the PGA Tour, it attracts droves of golf enthusiasts from late January to early February each year.

City Tour also organizes team-based golf tournaments in Phoenix and other major cities throughout the year. The organization caters to amateur golfers, who can join the tournaments as part of two to three-pair teams.

The best luxury golf course communities in Phoenix, AZ

15 urban villages

The city is made up of 15 urban villages, namely:

  • Alhambra
  • Ahwatukee/Ahwatukee Foothills
  • Encanto
  • Estrella
  • Maryvale
  • Laveen
  • Camelback East
  • Central City
  • Desert Valley
  • Laveen
  • North Gateway
  • North Mountain
  • Paradise Valley
  • South Mountain
  • Rio Vista

Within these villages, buyers and property investors will find golf communities offering prime real estate, first-rate amenities, and of course, golf courses and practice facilities:

Arizona Grand offers a fine selection of single-family homes and townhomes with Spanish Revival-style architecture as well as residential lots. The homes in the community are situated on large lots with mature landscaping, spacious driveways, and plenty of outdoor space.

This prestigious golf community is known for the Arizona Grand Golf Course, which has received awards and recognitions from Golf Digest, The Arizona Public, Corporate Incentive Travel Magazine, Meetings & Conventions, and more. The golf course features a par 71 layout with more than 6,300 yards. It’s also a sight to behold with water highlights and semi-tropical landscaping.

Ahwatukee has an array of single-family golf course properties with Ranch and Mediterranean architecture. Many of the homes in the community have exquisite stone exteriors and spacious driveways. The Ahwatukee Country Club features a John Bulla-designed golf course with a par 72 layout, tree-lined fairways, and mature landscaping.

Arizona Biltmore is nestled at the foothills of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. As one of the most established golf communities in the Phoenix area, it offers a diverse selection of apartments, condos, single-family homes, and townhomes with Ranch, Modern, Contemporary, and Spanish Revival-style architecture. It also has an exclusive selection of luxury properties with panoramic views of the fairways or within close proximity of the golf course.

The Arizona Biltmore Golf Club features two premier golf courses, namely The Links and the Adobe golf courses. It also has a golf shop, underground golf cart storage facility, on-site restaurant, and extended parking.

Fairways at Legacy

Encanto has a diverse housing market with condos, single-family homes, townhomes, and multi-family properties. Prevalent architectural styles include Spanish Revival, Ranch, and Contemporary. The Encanto Golf Course is a historic 18-hole championship golf course built in 1935. It is the third oldest golf course in Arizona. Several condo and apartment buildings offer views of the fairways.

The Fairways at Legacy lies at the base of South Mountain near Phoenix Sky Harbor. The community offers an exclusive selection of single-family homes and townhomes with Contemporary and Spanish Revival-style architecture. These properties offer resort-style living with outdoor pools and patios. Some of the larger homes offer more than 3,000 square feet of living space.

The Legacy Golf Club consistently ranks among the public golf courses in Phoenix. It also has a driving range, short game complex, golf shop, and on-site restaurant and grill that can be reserved for private events.

Pointe Mountainside is a gated community located south of the Lookout Mountain Preserve. As one of the most sought after golf communities in the Phoenix area, it offers estate-style homes with gourmet kitchens, outdoor pools, and heated spas. Residents have access to the Pointe Golf Club on Lookout Mountain, which features wide fairways and dramatic elevations that command breathtaking views of the Phoenix skyline.

Stonecreek offers golf properties with views of the Phoenix Preserve. The Villas at Stonecreek, in particular, has a selection of townhomes and golf lots with stunning mountain views. The Stonecreek Golf Club features an 18-hole championship golf course as well as a practice center and on-site restaurant.

The benefits of living in a golfing community

benefits of living

Golf opportunities. The primary benefit of living in a golf community is the opportunity to play golf in your own time. Golf communities in the Phoenix area provide ready access to golf courses, practice facilities, and golf shops.

With the golf course just a short drive, or in case of golf lots, just a few steps away from your front door, you can play golf at your convenience. It will be easier to book the best tee times as well as purchase the best golf clubs and accessories. Many golf communities also offer golfing programs or academies to help you perfect your skills and improve your game.

High-end amenities. Aside from the recreational facilities mentioned above, golf course communities also offer a wide range of resort-style amenities for rest and relaxation. These typically include glistening pools, poolside lounges, hot tubs, fitness centers, tennis courts, equestrian facilities, restaurants, walking trails, and so much more. Having ready access to these kinds of amenities enables you to live a leisurely lifestyle that encourages physical activity and presents countless opportunities to socialize.

Socials. Many golf communities in the Phoenix area are built around a clubhouse where you can sign up for amateur golf tournaments, fitness classes, and seasonal events. The country club lifestyle offers many opportunities to meet new people, make business contacts, and form meaningful relationships with those who share your interests.

Entertaining friends and family. If you want to host friends and family for the holidays, then living in a golf community is one of the best ways to do it. Aside from a wide range of beautiful homes with plenty of indoor and outdoor space for entertaining, having access to a golf course and other recreational facilities also ensures that your guests will have something fun and exciting to do.

Event planning. Aside from having plenty of outdoor space, living in a golf community also provides access to an elegantly appointed clubhouse with banquet halls, on-site dining, and multipurpose rooms for a variety of events. You’ll have a suitable venue for your next get-together, making event planning easier and more convenient. Whether you’re planning a surprise party or celebrating your wedding anniversary, a golf community will serve as a beautiful setting for your special event.

Breathtaking views. Living in a prime location brings you closer to the beauty and majesty of the desert. There’s a dreamlike quality to living in a golf community in Phoenix with the best properties offering breathtaking golf course and mountain views. The most sought after golf lots command views of the fairways while others offer views of the skyline or the nearby mountains.

Resale value. If you plan on selling your golf course property in the future, there’s a chance that you’ll get good resale value for it. Golf communities are among the most desirable places to live in the Phoenix area due to their exclusivity and their resort-style amenities. Moreover, many of these communities are governed by homeowners associations (HOAs) that take measures to protect the character and visual appeal of the area.

Reach out to Carol Royse if you’re thinking of buying in a Phoenix, AZ Golf Community

With so many real estate choices in the Greater Phoenix area, it’s important to work with local experts who can help you define what you’re looking for in a home. Contact the Carol Royse Luxury Division at 480.797.2724. You can also email them here. The company strives to elevate clients with exceptional experience, having a track record of over $150,000,000 in sales in 2018 alone.

The team is led by Carol Royse, an agent with Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS) Designation and over 33 years of experience. In addition to being a top producing Luxury Realtor at Keller Williams Realty, Royse is a Quilly award winner for best selling books on real estate and has been featured on radio and TV.

As CEO of the Carol Royse Team, she has worked with high net worth home buyers and sellers, including sports figures and entrepreneurs in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler/Gilbert, and the surrounding areas.



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