The Purest Golf Experience in the Southwest.
Quintero Golf Club is one of the first courses that comes to mind when talking about the best golf course in Arizona. Tucked into the Hieroglyphic Mountains of Peoria, Arizona, the course was carved out of the Sonoran Desert by legendary architect Rees Jones. It is a public championship course, open to everyone, and the setting makes it unlike most other courses in the state.
Quintero has earned top rankings from Golf Digest, GolfWeek Magazine, and Arizona Foothills Magazine. For many golfers, the drive from Scottsdale is well worth it for the experience.
Call (928) 501-1500. Same-week tee times. Arizona resident pricing available.
Designed by Rees Jones: “The Open Doctor”
Rees Jones is one of the most respected names in golf course architecture. His resume includes preparation work for seven U.S. Opens, five PGA Championships, and three Ryder Cups. Quintero is not a renovation or a redesign. It is his original creative vision, built from scratch in the Arizona desert.
The course runs through natural valleys and ridgelines, with elevation changes of nearly 700 feet from the lowest to the highest point. Every hole is surrounded by federally protected land. No homes. No roads. No noise. Just desert, mountains, and golf.
“Hole 15 is one of the great sleeper holes at Quintero.”
— Rees Jones, Course Architect
Course Specifications at a Glance
Everything you need to know about the layout in one place:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Rees Jones (“The Open Doctor”) |
| Holes / Par | 18 holes, Par 72 |
| Yardage (tips) | 7,200+ yards |
| Yardage (forward) | 5,043 yards |
| Tee options per hole | 5 |
| Location | Peoria, AZ (52 min from Phoenix, 1 hr from Scottsdale) |
6 Holes You Will Remember Forever
Quintero’s par 3 collection has been called one of the finest in American golf. But the standout moments are spread across the entire course:
- Hole 6, Par 3, 219 Yards. A dramatic downhill shot with a steep elevation drop from tee to green. The view alone makes this one of the best par 3 holes in the country.
- Hole 8, Par 5, 586 Yards. A true three-shot hole with a deep desert wash, sweeping landscape, and three sculpted bunkers guarding the green. Visually stunning from every angle.
- Hole 9, Par 3, 212 Yards. The signature hole. Tee shot over water to a green above a hand-crafted rock wall. This is the shot you will see on postcards and in magazines.
- Hole 15, Par 4, 379 Yards. The sleeper. Looks straightforward, plays anything but. Rees Jones’s personal favorite at Quintero.
- Hole 16, Par 3, 225 Yards. A downhill gem with artistic bunker work that shows Jones’s craft at its most refined.
- Hole 18, Par 4, 434 Yards. The closer. Elevated green with a cascading waterfall and pond. One of the most memorable finishes at any golf course in Arizona.
Awards and Rankings
Quintero’s list of accolades from national golf publications:
- #1 Best Public Course in Arizona by Golf Digest
- #1 Best Public Course in Arizona by GolfWeek Magazine
- #1 Best Public Course in Arizona by Arizona Foothills Magazine
- #1 in Arizona by Golf Advisor (readers’ choice)
- Top 40 in the United States by Golf Advisor
- Top 100 Modern Course by GolfWeek (every year since 2002)
Third-party platforms back it up. 18Away gave Quintero a 96 out of 100 confidence score based on over 800 golfer reviews. GolfBreaks.com calls it a “must-play” and “best in state” experience.
How Quintero Compares to Other Arizona Golf Courses
Here is how Quintero stacks up against typical championship courses in the Scottsdale corridor:
| Feature | Quintero Golf Club | Typical Scottsdale Course |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Secluded desert mountains, federal land buffer | Resort corridor, homes and roads visible |
| Greens | Bentgrass at elevation | Overseeded Bermuda |
| Designer | Rees Jones (original design) | Varies |
| Peak green fees | $139 to $409 | $189 to $650+ |
| On-site lodging | Yes (casitas on property) | Rarely (hotel nearby) |
| Casino/resort attached | No | Often |
| Elevation change | Nearly 700 feet | Minimal (valley floor) |
| Distractions | None. Pure golf. | Traffic, lobbies, noise |
Arizona’s Premier Winter Golf Destination
Quintero sits at the center of Arizona’s winter golf season. Here is what makes it the ideal winter golf destination:
- Bentgrass greens are at their absolute best from November through April
- Desert air is dry and comfortable, with ideal playing temperatures
- The Hieroglyphic Mountains glow gold in the low winter sun
- On-site casitas let you stay on the property and play multiple rounds
- No hotel shuttles, no highway commute, no Scottsdale traffic
For snowbirds, winter travelers, and golfers escaping frozen cities, a trip to Quintero during peak season is as good as it gets at any golf course in Arizona.
How to Get Here
Quintero is closer than you think:
- From downtown Phoenix: 52 minutes
- From Sky Harbor Airport: 1 hour northwest
- From Scottsdale: 45 minutes
- From Lake Pleasant Marina: 15 minutes
The drive is part of the experience. As you leave the city, the road climbs into the Hieroglyphic Mountains and the landscape shifts from suburban sprawl to open desert. By the time you arrive, you have already left the noise behind.
Golf Lessons with PGA Pro Mark Sutherland
Quintero’s Head Golf Professional, Mark Sutherland, PGA, has over 35 years in the industry and dual certifications in instruction and operations since 2009.
- Private lesson: $125 per hour
- Half-hour lesson: $65
- Playing lesson (9 holes, 2 hours): $225
- Lesson series (6 hours): $600
On-Site Accommodations
- 6 Terrace Casitas: 2 master suites, full kitchen, wine fridge, private patio
- 3 Executive Lofts: 2,500 sq ft with panoramic desert views
- Private Estate: N/A
- Shared amenities: Pool, jacuzzi, BBQ area
After your round, the full-service bar and BBQ menu await. Arizona’s Best of the Valley named it the “Best 19th Hole” for a reason.
Book Your Tee Time
- Tee times available up to 90 days in advance
- Arizona residents get preferred pricing with valid state ID
- Peak season: November 1 through April 30
- Off-season play available May through October at reduced rates
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best golf course in Arizona?
Quintero Golf Club in Peoria, Arizona. Ranked #1 by Golf Digest, GolfWeek Magazine, and Arizona Foothills Magazine. Designed by Rees Jones, 7,200 yards, par 72, multi-level bentgrass greens at nearly 2,700 feet of elevation.
2. Is Quintero public or private?
Public. Originally built as a private club, Quintero opened to public play in 2011. Anyone can book a tee time up to 90 days in advance.
3. How much does it cost to play?
Green fees range from $139 to $409 depending on tee time, season, and residency. Arizona residents get discounted rates with a valid state ID.
4. Where is Quintero located?
Peoria, Arizona. About 52 minutes northwest of downtown Phoenix, one hour from Sky Harbor Airport, and one hour from Scottsdale.
5. Who designed Quintero?
Rees Jones, known as “The Open Doctor.” He has prepared courses for seven U.S. Opens, five PGA Championships, and three Ryder Cups. Quintero is his original desert design.
6. Does Quintero have on-site accommodations?
Yes. Six luxury Terrace Casitas with two master suites each and 3 Executive Lofts.
7. What type of greens does Quintero have?
Multi-level bentgrass. These are the smoothest putting surfaces at any golf course in Arizona. Bentgrass at elevation rolls truer than the overseeded Bermuda found at valley-floor courses.
8. Can I take golf lessons at Quintero?
Yes. Head Golf Professional Mark Sutherland, PGA, offers private lessons starting at $125 per hour and playing lessons at $225 for nine holes.
9. When is the best time to play golf in Arizona?
November through April. Quintero is Arizona’s premier winter golf destination, with perfect conditions and bentgrass greens at their best during these months.
10. How does Quintero compare to Scottsdale golf courses?
Quintero offers secluded mountain golf surrounded by federal land, bentgrass greens at
elevation, Rees Jones design, on-site casitas, and green fees $100+ below typical
Scottsdale championship courses. No other public golf course in Arizona combines all of
these