Best value private club in AZ

[Wardonation]

I am looking to relocate to AZ. My business allows me to work from home so I can move anywhere. What is the best value currently for a private club in AZ? I am not looking for the cheapest but best value. Thank you as always...

[puttnforthe8]

You probably need to define "value" wrt yourself.  AZ privates are anything but "value".  I'm sure you will get some current info from others.

 

You might want to look at the Semi Private like a Camelback, Boulders, etc. which would provide the most value.   Maybe Tatum Ranch. 

[phillyspecial]

"where can I get in in the next 3-5 years" is prob a better question.  

[vallygolf]

Agree with Puttn.  Hard to quantify value for others.  The highest bang for the buck value clubs will be some of the Invited offerings, and the ones that are mentioned above, as well as a few others that are less expensive but still playable. (Mesa CC, Moon Valley, Alta Mesa etc).  Value to me is in the availability of tee times.  I would happily pay twice the dues most are asking for a true private experience where you dont have to fight for a tee time on your computer at 6am 10 days out.  I value more my time and flexibility than price.  You can get in to 80% of the private clubs in the next 3-5 years no problem.  Most of those will be in the 25-75K initiation range and 800-1500/month.  If you have more specific parameters it would help.

 

**The numbers I gave are the "value" from a money perspective clubs.  If that seems high to you, private in arizona may not be your thing.

Edited November 20, 2024 by vallygolf

[toypor]

5 hours ago, vallygolf said:

Agree with Puttn.  Hard to quantify value for others.  The highest bang for the buck value clubs will be some of the Invited offerings, and the ones that are mentioned above, as well as a few others that are less expensive but still playable. (Mesa CC, Moon Valley, Alta Mesa etc).  Value to me is in the availability of tee times.  I would happily pay twice the dues most are asking for a true private experience where you dont have to fight for a tee time on your computer at 6am 10 days out.  I value more my time and flexibility than price.  You can get in to 80% of the private clubs in the next 3-5 years no problem.  Most of those will be in the 25-75K initiation range and 800-1500/month.  If you have more specific parameters it would help.

 

**The numbers I gave are the "value" from a money perspective clubs.  If that seems high to you, private in arizona may not be your thing.

 

Played Mesa CC last week.  I thought the renovation was excellent.  Green complexes and bunkering greatly improved.  I believe it is in the $50k range.  

[Wardonation]

Oro Valley Country club? Anyone played it, thoughts?

[puttnforthe8]

19 minutes ago, Wardonation said:

Oro Valley Country club? Anyone played it, thoughts?

Been some time - but it is a flat, fairly boring housing community course.  Plus it's Oro Valley.

 

If you are looking even into Tucson - then you might as well then join the Gallery.  Two of the best courses around with excellent everything.  Living in the area is really nice too.

 

 

[Bonneville85308]

2 hours ago, Wardonation said:

Oro Valley Country club? Anyone played it, thoughts?

 

It's an Invited/Clubcorp property so that is going to be the primary driver of the member experience. The main attraction of the course is that it is easily walkable if that is your thing. 

[SilverBullets]

Flagstaff Ranch would have a case

[Shilgy]

On 11/22/2024 at 1:14 PM, SilverBullets said:

Flagstaff Ranch would have a case

If you can only join one club?  It’s a 5-6 month season.  

[Wardonation]

Arrowhead in Glendale? Any good? 

[Bonneville85308]

On 11/29/2024 at 6:30 PM, Wardonation said:

Arrowhead in Glendale? Any good? 

 

Absolutely not. Probably the worst. Arcis-owned club run on a barebones budget, with way too many members for an 18-hole course, and the course itself is pretty forgettable. It's "cheap" but you get what you pay for.

[puttnforthe8]

On 11/29/2024 at 6:30 PM, Wardonation said:

Arrowhead in Glendale? Any good? 

[Schley]

Scratch off Scottsdale that is for sure.  I'd look down in Tuscon perhaps as it isn't as crazy price wise but a drop in quality. Phoenix area club prices are just very high. Wouldn't be terrible to move to Phoenix and play a year of public golf to see what you like and get a feel.

[lxadoz104]

On 11/20/2024 at 8:47 PM, toypor said:

 

Played Mesa CC last week.  I thought the renovation was excellent.  Green complexes and bunkering greatly improved.  I believe it is in the $50k range.  

Definitely worth considering.  Best games in the valley if you want to play in big money games. 
 

Moon Valley CC also has fantastic games (groups) from $20 games to the Investment Game - $15k to join, $800/month (no cart fees).  New owner now so those will be going up. 
 

disclaimer - I’m a MVCC member.  
 

 

[Shilgy]

On 12/1/2024 at 12:27 PM, Bonneville85308 said:

 

Absolutely not. Probably the worst. Arcis-owned club run on a barebones budget, with way too many members for an 18-hole course, and the course itself is pretty forgettable. It's "cheap" but you get what you pay for.

Not that this is really an improvement but they do get to play Legend at Arrowhead as part of their dues as well.

[AZBRONCFAN]

Anyone have any thoughts on Mesa Country Club? 75k to join for equity membership 800 per month. I know they did some remodeling on the course. 

[SilverBullets]

9 hours ago, AZBRONCFAN said:

Anyone have any thoughts on Mesa Country Club? 75k to join for equity membership 800 per month. I know they did some remodeling on the course. 

It was $55k this past summer I believe…..

[AZBRONCFAN]

On 4/12/2025 at 5:22 PM, SilverBullets said:

It was $55k this past summer I believe…..

Dang and it went up 20k in a year. It is 75k or 60k for the part season membership now.  Looks like they finished the clubhouse and whatever they did on the course.

[fore_life]

On 4/14/2025 at 6:50 AM, AZBRONCFAN said:

Dang and it went up 20k in a year. It is 75k or 60k for the part season membership now.  Looks like they finished the clubhouse and whatever they did on the course.

It’s gone up roughly 50-65k in the past 10ish years

[AZBRONCFAN]

Just now, fore_life said:

It’s gone up roughly 50-65k in the past 10ish years

They all have for the most part. They were begging in 2019 and 2020. Even Tatum Ranch is 30 plus now and it was 6 k not long ago.

[SilverBullets]

On 4/15/2025 at 8:46 AM, fore_life said:

It’s gone up roughly 50-65k in the past 10ish years

Right but more the point that it went up $20k in 1 year and the number from last summer was the post reno number. I believe they lost a decent portion of their membership due to the renovation assessments and it resulted in a bunch of memberships being available last year. I think the number was $55k (unless I'm misremembering which is very possible)

[AZBRONCFAN]

I went and checked out Mesa CC. I liked the clubhouse, amenties and course, but I don't think it is anything worth the price they are getting. I can play a lot of golf, even at the expensive courses, and be money ahead. Plus I can keep playing with my normal group. 

[Need4spd]

Hey, y'all! Anyone have an idea of what initiation and dues are for an executive membership (44 and younger) at Moon Valley CC?

 

@lxadoz104

[Mwallace]

On 11/20/2024 at 9:42 AM, Wardonation said:

I am looking to relocate to AZ. My business allows me to work from home so I can move anywhere. What is the best value currently for a private club in AZ? I am not looking for the cheapest but best value. Thank you as always...

Not sure if you found a club to join yet, but I have worked in the private club industry in Flagstaff, AZ for a combined 13 years as an assistant golf pro, membership director and realtor. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you with your search for a club and I bet I can point you in the right direction. 

[Pepperturbo]

Best pvt club value??? LOL  What does that mean? 

 

Decent private clubs are NOT hurting.  And all the pvt clubs I've visited have charter defined guest limitations.  The better the club, the more stringed the charter membership limits.  The idea being, new members need to get to know club members.  

[Qwiklap]

I recently joined Anacala CC in Scottsdale in late April.  It gets dogged on these boards a lot for being narrow, and an Arcis operated club.  But I got a great deal:  $37K initiation (with 4 payments over 2 years at 0% interest), $1250/mo (and I get 10 months of no dues this summer - May - Aug, and the next two June-Aug).  So that is $12K in savings.   Note:  I was paying $1250/mo to be a social member at DC Ranch - no golf.

 

It's not a perfect course, and the conditions are not Augusta-like.  But I find fun, and challenging from the green tees (only 6300 yards).  I love that I can get home in two on 3 of the 4 Par 5s with good shots.  I like that the Par 3s are all 170 to 200 (making you hit longer irons).  It has two short par 4s that can get very hairy if you don't play them right.  It makes me hit all kinds of shots of the tee (Driver, fairway woods, irons).  The greens are tricky with bumps and undulations.  Since I have been playing it has been very firm and fast.  Those that don't like overly-manicured courses will like it - they allow the rye to die, and brown out - and the course gets fast (my drives in the fairways bounce hard and roll forever).  The greens are very firm, and probably 10ish on stimp.  The sand is firm and fun to play from.  And it's walkable - I walk with a motorized pushcart pretty much every round I play when I am not with my kids or a guest.

 

I live in North Scottsdale, and every other local club course is either exorbitantly expensive for what it is (DC Ranch), has to stupid wait list (Pinncacle Peak - 7+ years) - or both (Silverleaf).  For what I paid, I love to get on Ancala, I get to play weekends with my kids, and I even like the food.  

 

So - Ancala gets my vote as the best value club.  If anyone wants to check it out PM me (they have a nice referral program - and they are not full).

 

 

[Qwiklap]

Just adding a quick edit ... 

 

Still liking Ancala -- it is getting brown and crispy, which I am fine with.

 

I am now playing the Gold/Green tees (Players Tee setup) which is 72/136 slope  - which is 6600+ yds.  Still really fund.  My handicap is down to a 9 and I am getting to be a better golfer due to (a) more playing time, and (b) the difficulty of the course.  I played Paradise Valley CC recently and shot well (82) and felt very comfortable because the course seems so wide open (which it is - but even more so after playing Ancala).

 

The Junior Clinic starts on Tuesday and I am hoping for good things for my kids.