Tucson is known for its giant saguaros, desert sunsets, and incredible mountain views in every direction, but you can add gorgeous golf courses to its long list of attributes. In fact, there are over 40 of them, featuring emerald green fairways, stunning white sand bunkers, and storied history
Tucson is thought to be the best city in the state for an active lifestyle (via KGUN9 Tucson), so golf lovers hoping for back-to-back rounds are destined to fall in love with its pleasant winter weather and lush greens. Thanks to the convenient Interstate 10 running diagonally from west to south of the city, 18-hole adventures are never far from each other, making them highly accessible no matter where you choose to stay.
The underrated desert city sits around 112 miles south of Phoenix and 69 miles north of the Mexican border. For those flying in, Tucson International Airport is roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown, where the University of Arizona campus creates a spirited atmosphere. Whether you’re a student taking your first golf lesson or a snowbird seeking the perfect place to play in winter, the city is filled with historic courses and well-kept fairways that have been attracting novice and professional golfers for decades.
Tee off at one of Arizona’s most historic golf courses
Although Scottsdale is considered the Golf Capital of Arizona, one Tucson location stands out above the rest as a golf bucket list destination: El Rio Golf Course on West Speedway Boulevard. Open every day, this compact venue remains popular due to its long-standing history. It opened in 1929 amid the stock market crash and was the first grass golf course in Tucson. Later, it became the original site for the PGA Tucson Open, but it remained a country club until 1968, when the City of Tucson opened the course up for the public to enjoy. While El Rio is not the highest rated in town, it’s certainly one for visitors who want to experience playing a Southwest course with notable heritage…