5 Sedona golf courses for your next golf getaway
Sedona in north-central Arizona isn’t a mega-golf destination like its northern neighbors Scottsdale and Phoenix. Instead of hundreds of courses like what these neighbors have, Sedona only has a handful to its name. Nonetheless, these handful of Sedona golf courses attract both beginners and seasoned players to its fairways for a chance to play their carefully designed holes surrounded by dramatic red-rock desert scenery. Plus, Sedona stands at an elevation of 5,000 feet and has year-round mild weather. So, if you’re planning a golf getaway, you can make Sedona your destination and book your tee times at these golf courses.
Oakcreek Country Club: The oldest Sedona golf course
Oakcreek Country Club prides itself on a couple of things. One, it’s the oldest golf course in Sedona. Its front 9 was built in 1968, while its back 9 was opened in 1971. Two, it’s one of the rare golf courses in the US that bears designs by both Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. working as a father-and-son team. Just like any Jones-designed course, Oakcreek has fairways with doglegs lined with trees and with cleverly positioned sand bunkers. The greenery of Oakcreek forms a bright contrast against the red rocks surrounding this Sedona golf course. You’re welcome to play in Oakcreek regardless of your skill level, but if you want to build confidence in your swing, Oakcreek also has a practice range.

Agave Highlands: A Sedona golf course near the Black Hills
When you play in Agave Highlands, it won’t be the iconic red rocks of Sedona that would be surrounding you. Rather, you’d be playing in the shadow of Mingus Mountain and the Black Hills of Arizona. This won’t mean that the scenery is less dramatic. The fairways of this 18-hole, 6,406-yard Sedona golf course are lined with verdant and sometimes flowering shrubbery. These make a striking contrast against the black rock outcroppings around the fairways. The holes of this course can be long and narrow, so you may need to up your driving game. If you want to practice first before you tee off, you can head to the driving range, where you can get pointers from the pros on the staff.
Canyon Mesa: A Sedona golf course for short games
If you want to practice your short games, or if you can only squeeze in enough time for a quick round during your Sedona vacation, you can consider booking your tee time at Canyon Mesa Country Club. Though this Jack Snyder-designed Sedona golf course has 18 holes, these holes have an average length of less than 200 yards. This makes Canyon Mesa an ideal golf course for seniors who can’t make long drives anymore, for junior golfers still honing their skills, and for avid golfers looking for a fast and relaxing game. The traps and the obstacles blocking your way to the green are also pretty easy to overcome if you keep your focus. Then again, keeping your focus in itself can be a challenge because of the distracting red-rock scenery around you.

Sedona Golf Resort showcases Sedona’s red-rock beauty
Sedona Golf Resort frequently lands in lists of the most beautiful golf courses, not just in Arizona, but in the whole country. And it’s easy to see why. This 18-hole, 6,646-yard championship golf course is designed to have fairways winding through Sedona’s red-rock country. While these fairways are lined with trees, nothing else will obstruct your view of those rust-colored sandstone formations. The rolling landscape and the elevated greens certainly add to the drama of the scenery. When you play at Sedona Golf Resort, though, try to keep an eye on your ball as well. The holes may be short and sweet and scenic, but those lies may require some accurate shot-making.
Verde Santa Fe: A Sedona golf course in verdant country
Tucked within the limits of the historic mining town of Jerome is Verde Santa Fe Golf Club. This 18-hole, 6,325-yard Sedona golf course winds through the lush and aptly-named Verde Valley, surrounded by the valley’s natural streams and framed by the Black Hills of Arizona to one side and the Red Rocks of Sedona to the other. Verde Santa Fe has fairly long fairways edged with water traps, so you need to keep your eyes peeled and your shots accurate. Regardless of your skill level, you’re likely to enjoy the challenge this golf course presents. After your game, you can relax at your vacation rental with a glass of locally made Sedona wine or visit the museum that chronicles the copper mining legacy of Jerome.