Best for: Every group's must-play in Scottsdale. The tournament pedigree, the 16th-hole experience (even without the crowds), and the immaculate conditioning make this the headline round.

Insider tip: Play the Stadium Course in the afternoon during peak season. Morning times are the most expensive and crowded. Afternoon rates drop $50-$100 and the light gets spectacular as the sun drops toward the McDowell Mountains. Also: the Champions Course at TPC is a strong course at roughly half the Stadium price — pair them for a same-day double.

Best for: Desert golf purists. This is the definitive Sonoran Desert golf experience — saguaros, boulders, wildlife, and mountain views on every hole. The Monument Course is the more dramatic of Troon North's two courses.

Insider tip: The Monument and Pinnacle courses are both excellent, but the Monument Course has the more iconic individual holes. If you can only play one, play Monument. If you can play both, do the Monday-Wednesday 20% replay deal — play Monument in the morning, Pinnacle in the afternoon. The halfway house between nines has excellent breakfast burritos.

Best for: The slightly more playable companion to the Monument Course. Better for mid-handicappers who want the Troon North experience without the brutality of the Monument's tighter landing areas.

Insider tip: If your group splits between 'bucket list' and 'let's have fun,' send the competitive players to Monument and the recreational players to Pinnacle at the same time. Both tee off from the same clubhouse, so the group stays together for pre-round coffee and post-round drinks.

Best for: Groups who want excellent conditioning with a social post-round scene. Phil's Grill at Grayhawk is one of the best 19th holes in Scottsdale — named for Phil Mickelson who frequents the club.

Insider tip: Phil's Grill is not just a clubhouse restaurant — it's a genuine Scottsdale dining destination. Plan to spend an hour after your round on the patio. The Talon Course at Grayhawk is the more forgiving companion to the Raptor. The summer 'Crazy 8s' pass is the best deal in Arizona golf if you're visiting June-August. Also, Grayhawk hosts 'Golf and Guitars' events in summer — live music on the practice range.

Best for: The cognoscenti's favorite. We-Ko-Pa is where Scottsdale locals send visiting golfers who have 'done' TPC and Troon North. Both courses are spectacular and less crowded than the marquee names.

Insider tip: We-Ko-Pa is the insider's pick for the best 36-hole facility in Arizona. The Saguaro and Cholla courses are both world-class and typically $50-$100 less than TPC Stadium or Troon North Monument. The trade-off is the 30-minute drive from Scottsdale — but the drive through the Fort McDowell reservation is scenic and the lack of housing development around the courses means uninterrupted desert views. Play Saguaro (Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw) in the morning and Cholla (Scott Miller) in the afternoon.

Best for: The 'I've played everything in Scottsdale and want something different' course. Quintero is built through a box canyon in the Hieroglyphic Mountains and feels like golf on Mars. Dramatic, isolated, unforgettable.

Insider tip: The 45-minute drive from Scottsdale discourages some groups, but Quintero is worth the trip. The course is built through a natural box canyon and the elevation changes and rock formations are unlike anything else in the Phoenix metro area. Bring extra balls — the desert rough is harsh and the canyon carry holes are demanding. The course is immaculately maintained despite its remote feel.