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⭐ GCR Score: 3.8 / 5
Verdict: Worth a Visit — but know what you’re walking into mid-renovation
Best For: Value-conscious Scottsdale golfers who want parkland-style play without resort prices
Avoid If: You prefer to walk the course, or need perfect conditions above all else right now
Last Reviewed: June 28, 2026
I pulled into the McCormick Ranch Golf Club parking lot bracing for the worst. Review scores had been sliding for two years and every forum thread I read warned about dried-out fairways and bunkers with no sand. What I found instead was a 50-year-old layout in the middle of the most significant renovation of its life — and a course with far more going for it than its recent ratings suggest. This McCormick Ranch Golf Club review covers both courses, the Year 50 renovation status, and the one detail most visitors get wrong before they even tee up.
The short version: at $99–$149 per round with mandatory carts included, McCormick Ranch is one of the best public-access values in central Scottsdale. The Palm Course 9th hole alone earns the price of admission. But you need to know which course to book and what renovation phase you’re walking into.
Browse our full golf club reviews if you’re comparing multiple Scottsdale options before you book.
Club Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Club Type | Public, 36-hole facility |
| Location | Scottsdale, Arizona (3 miles from Old Town) |
| Courses | Palm Course (opened 1972) + Pine Course (opened 1974) |
| Designer | Desmond Muirhead |
| Membership Type | Public daily-fee; annual memberships available |
| Green Fees | $59–$149 (cart mandatory and included) |
| Walking | Not permitted — carts mandatory year-round |
| Ranch Pass | $214.92 — 2 free rounds + 25% off all additional rounds (valid through Oct 2026) |
| Annual Membership | $500 (summer only) to $4,550 (7-day, single) |
| Best Time to Visit | October–December or January–April |
| Dress Code | Collared shirt required; no denim |
| Official Website | mccormickranchgolf.com |
| Phone | (480) 948-0260 |
What I Liked
- The Palm Course 9th hole is a genuine American classic. Golf Illustrated named it one of the Top 18 Water Holes in America — and it earns that. This par-4 plays to a fairway surrounded on multiple sides by water. Most golfers arrive having no idea they’re about to play a nationally ranked water hole at a daily-fee price point.
- 36 holes under family ownership since 1979. The Pincus family has owned McCormick Ranch for over 45 years. That’s not a private equity or corporate hotel decision-making structure. Year 50 renovation is being self-funded over multiple years — a different level of commitment than a rebranding exercise.
- The practice facilities are genuinely elite. One of the largest putting greens in the Southwest, a full short-game area with bunkers, and a grass-hitting driving range. The pro shop has been voted a Top 20 Daily Fee Pro Shop in the country by Golf Operations Magazine.
- Traditional parkland golf that doesn’t exist elsewhere in Scottsdale at this price. Every premium course nearby goes desert and target style. McCormick Ranch gives you mature trees, water features, Camelback Mountain views, and fairways that play like a classic American parkland course.
- Value that undercuts every comparable competitor. TPC Scottsdale charges more for its cart fee alone than McCormick Ranch charges for a complete round. Once the renovation back nines are done, that gap will only look more favorable.
What I Didn’t Like
- No walking — period. Carts are mandatory and this policy is buried on every booking platform. Traditionalist golfers who prefer to walk have no option here. It’s a significant drawback that competitors like Papago Golf Club don’t impose.
- The Year 50 renovation is still incomplete. Front nines of both courses were rebuilt (Palm in 2024, Pine by October 2025). The back nines are still pending. Depending on where renovation work stands when you visit, you may encounter transitional conditions on specific holes.
- The driving range closes at 5 PM sharp — and staff will take your range balls mid-session without warning. Multiple reviewers flag this as the single most frustrating policy. Know the clock before you go to the range.
- Dynamic pricing with no published rate sheet. During WM Phoenix Open week in February, some reviewers reported rates jumping to $300 per round — double the normal peak. Book early, compare via GolfNow, and avoid Open week if your budget is fixed.
Membership & Fees
McCormick Ranch skips initiation fees entirely. You pay per round, buy a Ranch Pass, or sign up for an annual membership — no long-term financial commitment to get on the course.
The Ranch Pass ($214.92, valid through October 2026) is the best entry point for visitors planning two rounds. It includes two complimentary green fees (cart fee $39 per round on top), plus 25% off all additional rounds and 3-day advance booking. Important: pick it up in person at the pro shop — it’s not shipped.
Annual memberships start at $500 for summer-only play (May 25–September 7). Full-year options run $3,050 (Monday–Thursday only) to $4,550 (7-day, single). Members pay $27 per cart (vs. $39 for Ranch Pass holders), get 8-day advance booking, 20% merchandise discounts, and complimentary USGA handicap service. No initiation fee, and prorated pricing is available for mid-season joiners.
At $4,550/year for unlimited 7-day play, McCormick Ranch sits firmly in the low-mid tier for Scottsdale annual memberships — strong value compared to semi-private clubs charging $10,000+ in dues.
Facilities & Amenities
- Courses: 36 holes — Palm (Par 72, 7,044 yds, Rating 73.2/Slope 132) and Pine (Par 72, 7,157 yds, Rating 74.3/Slope 132)
- Driving Range: Grass hitting areas; small bucket $17, large $30; closes at 5 PM
- Putting Green: One of the largest in the Southwest
- Short Game Area: Practice chipping area with sand bunkers
- Pro Shop: Top 20 Daily Fee Pro Shop in the US; full equipment, apparel, and 100+ club rental sets
- Restaurant: Breakfast and lunch daily, open to the public; Southwest-American cuisine; patio with Camelback Mountain and lake views
- GPS Carts: All carts GPS-equipped; yardage markers every 25 yards on course
- Events: Group outings from 16 to 600 players; wedding and corporate event facilities
- Instruction: PGA instructors on staff; lessons, clinics, and junior programs available
Best Time to Visit
October through early December is the sweet spot for 2026. Post-renovation conditions are settling, temperatures drop to 65–80°F, and green fees run 20–30% below peak-season rates. You get better conditions at lower prices than the January–April snowbird rush.
January through April brings ideal temperatures (60–80°F) and peak course aesthetics. Prices are highest and weekends book fast — reserve 7+ days out. Avoid WM Phoenix Open week in February unless you’re willing to absorb surge pricing across every course in the Scottsdale corridor.
Summer (June–September) offers the lowest rates of the year ($59–$89). The tradeoff is real: highs exceed 110°F. Tee off at 6 AM if you go in summer — by 10 AM it’s genuinely dangerous. Twilight rounds after 4 PM can be surprisingly comfortable once the sun angle drops.
Dress Code & Etiquette
Collared shirts are required on both courses and in the clubhouse. No denim. Beyond that, McCormick Ranch runs a relaxed standard by Scottsdale norms — no jacket requirements or rigid color restrictions. It’s a public course, and it feels like one.
Pace of play is taken seriously. Marshals actively monitor rounds, especially on weekend mornings. The 4:30 target is enforced. If you’re in a group prone to slow play, stay self-aware.
One thing first-timers consistently miss: arrive 20 minutes early, not 5. The putting green and chipping area fill fast on weekend mornings. The driving range stops selling balls roughly 30 minutes before its 5 PM close — plan your warmup accordingly.
Who Is This Club For?
This club is a good fit if you want traditional parkland-style golf in Arizona without paying resort prices. McCormick Ranch is one of the last remaining public-access courses in Scottsdale playing through mature trees and water features instead of desert rock and saguaro. If that style matters to you — and for many golfers it does — this is your primary option at this price point.
This club is a good fit if you want to play 36 holes on one property. The Palm and Pine offer genuinely different experiences: the Pine runs longer and tighter (narrower fairways, fewer water hazards), while the Palm has the more dramatic individual holes. Playing both in a single day makes for an excellent full round at a fair price.
Skip this one if you prefer walking the course. The mandatory cart rule is real, enforced, and non-negotiable.
Skip this one if course conditions need to be perfect for the price to feel justified. The back nines on both courses are still pending renovation. Check the club’s website for current progress before booking — temporary rerouting may still affect specific holes depending on when you visit.
People Also Ask
Is McCormick Ranch Golf Club public or private?
McCormick Ranch is a fully public 36-hole golf facility in Scottsdale, Arizona. No membership is required to play. Daily tee times are available on both the Palm and Pine courses year-round. Annual memberships and a Ranch Pass are available for local players who want discounted rates and priority booking windows.
How much does it cost to play McCormick Ranch Golf Club?
Green fees range from $59 (summer weekday) to $149 (peak season, January–April), with cart mandatory and included. The Ranch Pass at $214.92 adds a $39 cart fee per round but gives 25% off all additional play. Annual memberships start at $500 for summer-only and $3,050 for weekday year-round play, with no initiation fee.
Which is better — the Palm Course or the Pine Course at McCormick Ranch?
Book the Pine Course for your first round right now. It’s longer (7,157 yards), narrower, and more strategically demanding — which keeps conditions more consistent during the ongoing renovation. The Palm Course has the famous 9th hole, but its back nine is still pending renovation work. Pine is the more reliable experience in 2026.
Can you walk McCormick Ranch Golf Club?
No. Walking is not permitted at McCormick Ranch Golf Club. Carts are mandatory on both courses year-round, and the cart fee is bundled into your daily green fee. This rule is enforced without exception — even for members. If walking is important to your game, Papago Golf Club in Phoenix is the closest public alternative that allows it.
What is the best time of year to play golf at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale?
October through early December is the best value window in 2026. Post-renovation conditions are strongest, temperatures are ideal (65–80°F), and rates run 20–30% below peak pricing. January through April is peak season with the best aesthetics but highest prices and crowds. Summer golf is viable only at sunrise — avoid midday heat above 110°F.
Verdict & Score
GCR Score: 3.8 / 5 — Worth a Visit
McCormick Ranch is a harder recommendation in mid-2026 than it will be in 2027. The Year 50 Revitalization is genuine progress — front nines on both courses have been rebuilt with hybrid Bermuda grass, new bunkers, improved drainage, and new bridges. The back nines are still coming. That gap between the courses right now is real and worth knowing about before you book.
My honest recommendation: play the Pine Course, choose a shoulder-season tee time, and go in with calibrated expectations. At $99–$149 with cart included, you’re getting 36-hole access in central Scottsdale at a price nothing else in the area matches. The Palm Course 9th hole is worth experiencing at least once — a nationally recognized water hole you’d pay resort prices to see anywhere else.
See our review methodology for how we score every club on this site. If conditions need to be perfect, compare to TPC Scottsdale’s Champions Course at a higher price point. If you want solid traditional golf at Scottsdale public prices, McCormick Ranch — post-renovation — delivers.
Last reviewed: June 28, 2026
About the Reviewer
I’ve played public golf in Arizona for over two decades — from city munis in Phoenix to resort layouts that charge five times what McCormick Ranch costs. The best courses aren’t always the most expensive ones. McCormick Ranch sits at the intersection of history, access, and value that keeps me coming back. Not every round is flawless. But the best rounds here remind you why Scottsdale built its golf reputation on courses exactly like this one.
