Arizona golfers apparently have another reason to brag. A new national analysis of the best golf getaways in America puts three Arizona destinations among the Top 10 — more than any other state — with Sun City, Scottsdale and Tucson all earning spots among the country’s premier places to plan a golf trip.
The 2026 study from Canada Sports Betting analyzed 153 U.S. destinations based on golf access and green fees, accommodation costs and availability, and fall weather. The ranking is designed to measure accessible and affordable golf getaways rather than course prestige, championship history or access to private clubs.
DEEPER DIVE: Ranking Arizona: Top 10 golf courses for 2026
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here
Arizona’s highest-ranked destination is Sun City at No. 4 nationally with a Golf Getaway Score of 73.68 out of 100. Scottsdale comes in at No. 6 with a score of 70.61, while Tucson rounds out Arizona’s impressive showing at No. 8 with a score of 70.20.
For golfers familiar with Scottsdale’s reputation, its Top 10 appearance probably won’t come as a shock.
The study found 41 public or municipal 18-hole golf courses within 20 miles of Scottsdale, giving visitors plenty of options for getting in a round — or three. Scottsdale also boasts the largest median accommodation availability among Arizona’s three Top 10 destinations, with 1,890 properties appearing in the study’s Booking.com searches.
Then there’s the weather.
Across September, October and November, Scottsdale averages a daytime high of nearly 83 degrees and a nighttime low of about 61 degrees, with only 2.54 inches of precipitation. That makes fall in Scottsdale look considerably more inviting when much of the country is starting to put away the clubs for winter.
The tradeoff? Golf in Scottsdale isn’t exactly bargain-bin recreation. The study lists the median estimated 18-hole green fee at $229, while the median standardized five-night stay costs $1,026.50.
Sun City offers even more choices for golfers. Its 49 public or municipal 18-hole courses within 20 miles are the most among any destination in the national Top 10. It also boasts the warmest average daytime temperature among the Top 10 destinations at 86.44 degrees during the fall study period.
Tucson provides Arizona’s more affordable Top 10 option. The Old Pueblo has 21 courses within 20 miles, a median green fee of $95 and a median five-night accommodation price of $743. Its average fall high is 85.51 degrees, with just 2.55 inches of precipitation.
Nationally, Plymouth, Michigan, claims the No. 1 spot with a score of 76.91, followed by Tampa, Florida, at No. 2 and San Antonio, Texas, at No. 3. Sun City is next, followed by Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Lakeland, Tucson, Lemont, Illinois, and Indianapolis.
To compile the rankings, researchers weighted golf access at 35%, green fees at 15%, accommodation prices at 15%, accommodation availability at 15% and fall climate factors at a combined 20%. Each factor was converted to a 0-to-100 score, with U.S. and Canadian destinations evaluated separately.
The results reinforce something Arizona golfers already know: When sunshine, abundant courses and golf-friendly fall weather are part of the equation, the Grand Canyon State is tough to beat.
And with three destinations in the national Top 10, Arizona golfers might not need a getaway at all.
