Golf Clubs

Foothills Golf Club Review (2026): Did the Rebuild Fix the Greens?

Last reviewed: July 14, 2026
Foothills Golf Club Review (2026): Did the Rebuild Fix the Greens?
4
out of 5
★★★★☆
Recommended with a condition check after the 2025 green rebuild and 2026 management change

GCR Score: 4.0 / 5

Verdict: Recommended with a condition check because the 2025 green rebuild and 2026 management change reset an outdated reputation

Best For: Phoenix golfers seeking strategic Weiskopf-Morrish design, South Mountain scenery, and a full practice campus

Avoid If: You need guaranteed tournament turf, dislike management transitions, or expect simulator membership to include outdoor golf

Last Reviewed: July 6, 2026

When I assess Foothills, old reviews create more confusion than the course. Many describe temporary greens before a major 2025 renovation.

The club reopened after rebuilding its putting surfaces and completing overseeding. Landscapes Golf Management then assumed operations during February 2026.

This Foothills Golf Club review therefore needs a reset. The architecture remains compelling, but historical condition complaints should not masquerade as current evidence.

Recent feedback is more encouraging, although not unanimous. I would play after calling about green speed, fairway coverage, and any active projects.

That call matters because management transitions rarely move in a straight line. Good design still needs consistent daily execution.

The reward is a strategic public course below South Mountain. Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish use lakes, bunkers, desert edges, and tempting risk.

This guide covers the rebuild, dynamic rates, simulator plans, facilities, and booking strategy. Browse our other golf club reviews before planning Phoenix golf.

Foothills deserves a fresh inspection, not a permanent sentence based on photographs from before its green rebuild.

Club Overview

Foothills is a public Weiskopf-Morrish course in Phoenix’s Ahwatukee area. It opened in 1988 beneath the South Mountain foothills.

DetailInfo
Club TypePublic daily-fee golf club
LocationPhoenix, Arizona
Opened1988
DesignersTom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish
Course18 holes, par 72, up to 6,968 yards
Course Rating73.2 / 132 from the black tees
Membership TypePublic golf; separate Bunker simulator plans
Initiation FeeNone for public play
Green FeeDynamic; confirm in the live booking engine
Simulator Membership$129-$169 monthly, with minimum term
Best Time to VisitNovember-April; summer dawn for value
Dress CodeStandard golf attire; confirm current details
Reservations RequiredRecommended
Official WebsiteFoothills Golf Club
Phone(480) 460-4653

The scorecard moves from 5,441 to 6,968 yards. Four main tee choices help players manage 65 bunkers and recurring water.

Golf Course Industry confirmed the 2026 management change. Landscapes replaced Troon under a multiyear agreement.

What I Liked

Photo

Image: Foothills Golf Club

The Weiskopf-Morrish routing remains the best reason to revisit Foothills. It creates choices without relying on excessive forced carries.

  • The sixth invites ambition. Strong drivers can challenge a short par four instead of accepting a routine layup.
  • The eighth rewards discipline. Water protects the right side and rear of the downhill par-five green.
  • Thirteen and 14 share a lake. Opposing directions create different wind, angle, and visual demands.
  • The practice campus is extensive. Golfers receive a range, short-game space, bunkers, and two putting greens.
  • The clubhouse has modern utility. The Bunker Lounge supports simulator rounds, fittings, food, and social play.

The green rebuild matters because putting surfaces determine whether this design works. Better turf restores the intended contours and recovery choices.

Recent 2026 community reports include good-condition rounds. They deserve more weight than complaints posted before the October 2025 reopening.

South Mountain also provides a distinctive backdrop. The setting feels connected to Phoenix without becoming another remote resort commute.

What I Didn’t Like

Foothills still carries transition risk. New greens and new management need time before long-term consistency becomes clear.

  • Current feedback remains mixed. Some 2026 players praise recovery, while others still question greens and pace.
  • Public pricing lacks clarity. The club directs golfers to dynamic inventory instead of publishing a simple rack table.
  • Old website language lingers. Troon references can confuse visitors after the 2026 operator change.
  • Summer heat is severe. A bargain afternoon can become physically dangerous rather than enjoyable.
  • The Bunker plan is easy to misunderstand. Monthly membership covers simulator access, not unlimited outdoor rounds.

I would not book from reputation alone, positive or negative. Call the shop and ask direct questions about your date.

Request green speed, cart rules, overseed status, and known projects. A current answer is more useful than a year-old review.

Membership & Fees

Foothills operates outdoor golf primarily through public tee times. No conventional unlimited outdoor membership currently appears on the official site.

Green fees are dynamic and can change with season, time, and demand. Search exact dates before comparing Foothills with nearby courses.

Bunker PlanPriceMinimum
Six-month simulator membership$169 plus tax monthlySix months
Twelve-month simulator membership$129 plus tax monthlyTwelve months
Public simulator bay$50 plus tax hourlyNo membership

The official Bunker page includes one simulator hour daily. It also lists dining, shop, fitting, and event benefits.

Up to three guests can share a public simulator bay. Reservations require 24 hours’ notice for cancellation.

Use this booking order:

  1. Call for a same-week course condition report.
  2. Compare live public rates at several times.
  3. Separate outdoor golf costs from simulator plans.
  4. Choose morning golf during every hot-weather month.

The strongest membership case belongs to frequent simulator users. Occasional outdoor golfers should simply buy public rounds.

Facilities & Amenities

Photo

Image: Foothills Golf Club

Foothills offers more year-round practice and social infrastructure than many public neighborhood courses. The simulator lounge provides useful summer refuge.

  • Golf: 18-hole Weiskopf-Morrish course, four main tees, events, leagues, and outings
  • Practice: Driving range, short-game space, bunker, chipping zones, and two putting greens
  • Simulators: Indoor bays for virtual golf, lessons, fittings, entertainment, and climate-controlled practice
  • Dining: Sunset Grill serves clubhouse food and drinks
  • Lounge: The Bunker combines simulator bookings with food, televised sports, and social seating
  • Golf shop: Check-in, apparel, equipment, accessories, and fitting support
  • Unexpected detail: The indoor membership may be more useful than outdoor golf during Phoenix’s hottest afternoons

Public simulator bookings open 14 days ahead. Bay time costs $50 plus tax hourly, regardless of group size.

Club fittings range from $100 to $350. Confirm whether any fitting fee applies toward an equipment purchase.

Best Time to Visit

November through April gives Foothills the safest weather and strongest turf expectations. Those months also attract Phoenix’s heaviest golf demand.

Book early mornings for pace and predictable conditions. Afternoon savings matter less when darkness threatens a slow round.

Summer golf can be inexpensive but extreme. Select dawn, hydrate before arrival, and leave when heat symptoms appear.

September and October usually involve Arizona overseeding and transition. Ask about closure dates, cart-path-only rules, and reopening maturity.

The 2025 reopening occurred on October 24 after green renovation and overseeding. Future schedules may differ, so never assume that date repeats.

Dress Code & Etiquette

Photo of pro shop staff

Image: Foothills Golf Club

Wear conventional golf clothing and golf or athletic shoes. The current public pages do not present a detailed garment list.

Confirm collar, denim, and footwear requirements before arrival. A direct shop answer avoids relying on outdated third-party directories.

Repair ball marks carefully on the rebuilt greens. Keep carts away from marked turf and obey every seasonal control.

Use appropriate tees and maintain contact with the group ahead. Strategic holes become frustrating when players repeatedly attempt unrealistic carries.

Who Is This Club For?

Foothills suits golfers who value strategic architecture and can verify current conditions before booking.

It also suits Phoenix residents needing indoor practice during dangerous summer heat.

Read our Talking Stick Golf Club review when firmer design credentials matter most. Our Grayhawk Golf Club review covers a more polished premium alternative.

Skip Foothills if one imperfect green would dominate your entire experience. The recovery story still needs a longer record.

People Also Ask: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Foothills Golf Club open to the public?

Yes. Foothills Golf Club is a public daily-fee course in Phoenix’s Ahwatukee area. Golfers can reserve tee times without joining a club. The separate Bunker memberships cover simulator access and related benefits. They are not required for outdoor play and do not include unlimited course rounds.

Who designed Foothills Golf Club?

Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed Foothills Golf Club, which opened in 1988. Their par-72 routing stretches to 6,968 yards and uses 65 bunkers, desert edges, elevation, and lakes. Notable choices appear at the drivable sixth and water-protected eighth holes.

Did Foothills Golf Club replace its greens?

Yes. Foothills completed a substantial green renovation during 2025 and reopened on October 24 after overseeding. Reviews describing temporary greens or severely stressed putting surfaces may predate that work. Current conditions can still vary, so call the golf shop before making a nonrefundable booking.

How much does Foothills Golf Club cost?

Foothills uses dynamic public green fees instead of publishing one dependable 2026 rate table. Prices change by date, time, season, and demand. Search the official booking engine for your exact round. The indoor simulator costs $50 plus tax hourly and can host four total players.

What is the Bunker membership at Foothills?

The Bunker membership is an indoor simulator plan, not a traditional outdoor golf membership. Six-month plans cost $169 plus tax monthly. Twelve-month plans cost $129 plus tax monthly. Benefits include daily simulator time and selected dining, retail, fitting, event, and booking privileges.

When is the best time to play Foothills Golf Club?

November through April usually provides Phoenix’s most comfortable golf weather and strongest turf. Demand and prices can also rise during those months. Summer players should choose dawn because afternoon heat becomes dangerous. Confirm autumn overseeding dates and cart restrictions before booking September or October golf.

Verdict & Score

GCR Score: 4.0 / 5 – Recommended with a condition check

Foothills earns credit for architecture, practice depth, rebuilt greens, and useful indoor facilities. Transition uncertainty and unclear public pricing limit confidence.

Our review methodology gives recent verified changes more weight than stale complaints. It also preserves caution when current feedback conflicts.

Call before booking, then judge the current course yourself. The Weiskopf-Morrish routing deserves that fair second look.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Author Note

I revisit conclusions when a club changes greens, management, or both. Foothills merits new evidence. Learn more on the David Luis author page.

Club Type
Public daily-fee golf club
Membership Type
Public golf with separate indoor simulator memberships
Membership Fee
$129-$169 monthly for simulator membership; no outdoor membership published
Initiation Fee
None for public play
Best Time to Visit
November-April; summer dawn for value
Dress Code
Standard golf attire; confirm current garment details
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Phone
+1 480-460-4653

What We Loved

  • Strategic Weiskopf-Morrish design
  • Rebuilt putting surfaces
  • Extensive practice campus
  • Indoor simulator lounge
  • South Mountain setting

What Could Be Better

  • Current feedback remains mixed
  • Recent operator transition
  • Dynamic public pricing
  • Old website language lingers
  • Simulator plan excludes outdoor golf
David Luis

Club Reviewer & Founder — GreatClubReview.com

13 club reviews written

David Luis has spent more than a decade researching, visiting, and reviewing private and public clubs across the United States. A golfer and club culture enthusiast, he founded GreatClubReview.com to give prospective members and guests an honest, membership-fee-transparent view of what clubs are actually worth. Every review draws on firsthand research, member conversations, and publicly available pricing data — no press packages, no comped access. He has published reviews of more than a dozen golf, country, sports, and private members clubs across North America.