This is my own personal list of what I consider to be the Top 20 Golf Courses in Tucson. True, there are not as many golf courses in Tucson as there are in the Greater Scottsdale/Phoenix area, but those I’ve listed here make for an extraordinary golf vacation or getaway. Tucson is, I think, one of the United States’ most underrated golf destinations. Some of the golf courses in Tucson rank among the very best in the world. Some are well-kept secrets. All are worth consideration if you're planning an outing.
1. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain
Copyright © 2009 Blair Howard, Licensed to About.com
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, my all-time favorite. The layout is pure Jack Nicklaus, and so it should be, for this is one of the master's finest Signature Golf Courses - 36 incredible desrt holes and a remarkable piece of agronomic engineering. To me it’s both a visual delight and one of the most enjoyable/playable tracts I’ve come across in a long time.
2. Arizona National Golf Course Tucson
Photograph Courtesy of Arizona National Golf Club
Robert Trent Jones Jr. took full advantage of the natural flow of the terrain and designed the course around nine natural springs, intimidating craggy outcrops of rock, shady, mesquite-lined arroyos and some of the most beautiful and spectacular scenery to be found anywhere in the Southwestern USA.
3. Canoa Hills Golf Club
Photograph Courtesy of Canoa Hills Golf Club
The 18-hole Canoa Hills course plays a challenging 6,610 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 70.9 and it has a slope rating of 130. Designed by Dave Bennett, the Canoa Hills golf course opened for play in 1984.
4. Hampton Inn Tucson
Courtesy of Tucson Hampton Inn
I have included the Hampton Inn Tucson in this list because it's such an obvious choice as a place to stay while in the Tucson area. in the The property is located just off I-10 on Grant Road, close to all the area's best courses. It's also close to the convention center, the University of Arizona campus, and a ton of great restaurants. As with all Hampton Inns, you'll find the hotel provides a consistent level of clean, comfortable accommodations.
5. Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort
Photo Courtesy of El Conquistador
The Hilton El Conquistador is the largest golf resort in Southern Arizona offering 45-holes of championship golf on three different courses: The Hilton el Conquistador, The Canada and Pusch Ridge. These three courses, along with its golf academy, cater to golf enthusiasts of all levels of skill.
6. Hilton Tucson Conquistador Course
Courtesy of Hilton El Conquistador
The 18-hole Conquistador Course plays 6,801 yards for a par of 71 with a course rating of 72.7 and a slope of 126. Two par 5's can be reached with two perfectly placed shots giving them real birdie potential.
7. Hilton Tucson Canada Course
Photograph Courtesy of The Hilton Tucson
The 18-hole Canada course plays 6,288 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 69.7 and it has a slope rating of 132 on Bermuda grass. Designed by Greg H. Nash and Jeff D. Hardin, the Canada golf course opened in 1982. Hilton Hotels manages this facility.
8. Hilton Tucson Pusch Ridge Course
Photograph Courtesy of Hilton Tucson Conquistador
The 9-hole Pusch Ridge course plays just short of 3,000 yards for a par-35 with a 65.6 rating and a slope of 110. Designed by Greg H. Nash and Jeff D. Hardin, the Pusch Ridge golf course opened in 1983.
9. Forty Niner Country Club Golf Course
Photograph Courtesy of Forty Niner Country Club
Good course management is the key to a low score at Forty Niner Country Club. Accuracy off the tee and shot placement are more important than distance, especially when confronted by the dogleg holes on the course. The 18-hole Forty Niner course plays 6,630 yards from the tips for a par of 72, a course rating is 71.3 and a slope of 124 on Bermuda grass.
10. Heritage Highlands Golf Course at Marana
Photograph Courtesy of Heritage Highlands
The 18-hole Heritage Highlands course plays 6,904 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.5 and it has a slope rating of 136. Designed by Arthur Hills, the Heritage Highlands golf course opened in 1997.
