Top 55+ Golf Communities in Arizona for Active Adults

Arizona remains a top retirement destination due to its year-round warm weather, affordable taxes, and abundance of 55+ communities. The state is also renowned for its world-class golf, leading many active adults to search for the best golf course communities in Arizona.

Though there are both pros and cons to living on a golf course, residents of these communities benefit from the scenic views, peaceful atmosphere, and course memberships often included with residency or heavily discounted. Golfers considering moving to Arizona will find that many 55+ golf communities also include resort-style amenities, low-maintenance lifestyles, and a wide variety of homes.

To help golfers find a community on par with their hopes and expectations, we’ve created a guide to the top golf communities in Arizona for active adults.

Phoenix Area

Sun City

Below $100k – Low $1Ms

The first 55+ community developed by renowned builder Del Webb, Sun City has eight golf courses for residents to enjoy. The massive community boasts 28,257 homes, a world-class selection of resort-style amenities, and a profuse variety of clubs and lifestyle activities. Living in Arizona means residents can enjoy the outdoor amenities in any season thanks to the year-round warm weather.

The eight golf courses include four championship courses and four executive courses, providing a variety of links close to home. Residents looking to practice their strokes will also find a variety of driving ranges, putting greens, and chipping areas. Additionally, there are three privately owned courses in Sun City, including Sun City Country Club, a par-72 championship course with tree-lined fairways, challenging greens, and a clubhouse with dining.

Sun City West

Mid $200ks – High $900ks

Sun City West is an ideal community for active adults looking for easy access to multiple golf courses. This Del Webb community is home to seven golf courses, including four regulation-length courses and three executive courses. The longest of the Sun City West courses is Grandview, an 18-hole championship course with a pro shop and full-service restaurant called The Crooked Putter.

In addition to the golf courses, residents enjoy a staggering array of amenities close to home. Sun City West includes four amenity centers, the largest of which is the R.H. Johnson Center, boasting 118,000 square feet of amenities, including athletic courts, pools, and arts-and-crafts studios. Residents of the community’s 16,900 homes also enjoy over 100 clubs and lifestyle activities for meeting friends and socializing.

The Grand

High $300ks – Low $1Ms

Located 35 miles northwest of Downtown Phoenix, The Grand is a 45+ community with 9,802 single-family, attached, and condominium homes. Residents can explore multiple amenity campuses, including The Sonoran Plaza, with its 9,000-square-foot ballroom, and the Adobe Spa and Fitness Center, with its full-service spa. The community features a bustling lifestyle calendar with opportunities for continued education, athletic activities, and arts and crafts.

For golfers, The Grand offers four golf courses designed by PGA Hall of Famer Billy Casper and Greg Nash. Two of the courses, the Cimarron and Desert Springs, are 18-hole championship courses, while Granite Falls North and Granite Falls South each offer 36 holes of generous fairways and challenging obstacles.

Prescott Area

Talking Rock

Mid $700ks – Mid $2Ms

With sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, the 18-hole championship golf course at Talking Rock embraces its high-desert setting. The private club was designed by award-winning course architect Jay Morrish. Residents also enjoy Silent Moon Park, which includes a 9-hole putting course, barbecue area, and half-mile trail.

Talking Rock consists of 611 luxury single-family homes with plots ranging from two-and-a-half to ten acres. The community’s seclusion makes residents feel as if they live in a private resort, complete with a restaurant, coffee shop, fitness center, and spa. The surrounding Prescott area offers a desirable blend of local conveniences and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Tucson Area

Casas Del Oro Norte

Mid $300ks – Mid $600ks

Casas Del Oro Norte is a golf course community of 130 attached homes within the award-winning Omni Tucson National Resort. The golf resort consists of two championship courses, the Catalina Course and Sonoran Course, and regularly hosts PGA Tour and NCAA events. The courses are open to the public, meaning residents can easily book tee times and enjoy services at the resort’s spa and fitness facilities.

The close-knit community of Casas Del Oro Norte includes homes ranging from 1,580 to 2,970 square feet. They feature two or three bedrooms, two to five bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. The location puts residents 10 miles north of Tucson, one of the best places to retire in Arizona, providing easy access to dining, attractions, botanical gardens, and hiking in the surrounding mountains.

The Highlands at Dove Mountain

Low $300ks – Mid $500ks

Located within the master-planned community of Dove Mountain, The Highlands at Dove Mountain consists of 1,400 single-family homes ranging from 1,100 to 2,600 square feet. Residents enjoy a 29,000-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, restaurant, arts and crafts rooms, and an outdoor resort-style pool. The 55+ community’s vibrant atmosphere is enhanced by a robust lifestyle calendar featuring hobby clubs and events.

The Highlands at Dove Mountain golf course is an 18-hole championship course designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills. The course includes opportunities for high-risk, high-reward shots and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The master-planned community includes two additional courses for golfers to try, The Golf Club at Dove Mountain and The Gallery Golf & Sports Club.

The Preserve at SaddleBrooke

Low $800ks – Mid $1Ms

Golfers searching for a 55+ community in the Tucson Area should consider The Preserve at SaddleBrooke, a golf course community with 375 single-family homes. Residents can access a wide range of amenities in the master-planned community of SaddleBrooke, including The DesertView Performing Arts Complex, with a 478-seat theater, and the MountainView complex, with fitness facilities and dining.

The Preserve at Saddlebrooke is home to two 18-hole championship courses, MountainView Golf Club and The Preserve Golf Club. Both courses offer rolling fairways, challenging bunkers and greens, and panoramic views of the surrounding Santa Catalina Mountains. Golfers can also utilize the on-site practice facilities and pro shops for a well-rounded experience.

Green Valley Area

Canoa Ranch

Low $300ks – Mid $700ks

With 13 amenity centers, 2,500 homes, and a sprawling 18-hole golf course, Canoa Ranch is an ideal 55+ community for golfers interested in the Green Valley area. The Canoa Ranch Golf Club features links with dramatic elevation changes, practice facilities, and a convenient pro shop. The course was designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, an award-winning-architect duo with courses across the world.

Over ten amenity complexes mean residents have access to multiple resort-style pools, fitness centers, ballrooms, athletic courts, and fishing lakes. Residents can enjoy both popular and niche activities, such as arts and crafts clubs, line dancing, and game nights. Canoa Ranch offers single-family, attached, and condominium homes for interested homebuyers seeking a golf course community.

Quail Creek

Mid $300ks – Mid $600ks

Quail Creek is a large golf course community in Green Valley consisting of 4,000 single-family and attached homes. The gated 55+ community includes multiple amenity complexes, including the Creative Arts & Technology Center full of hobby workshops. The fitness hub of Quail Creek is the Anza Athletic Club, which includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, a resort-style pool, a lap pool, 16 pickleball courts, six lighted tennis courts, and four bocce ball courts.

Quail Creek boasts 27 holes of championship golf on links designed by architect Ken Kavanaugh. The course highlights the Sonoran Desert terrain and features challenges for both beginner and experienced players. Between games, golfers can enjoy a meal at The Grill at Quail Creek, shop at the full-stocked pro shop, and practice at the driving range and putting green.

The Villages of Green Valley

Mid $100ks – High $200ks

Residents of The Villages of Green Valley enjoy an abundance of resort-style amenities and easy access to The Country Club of Green Valley, an 18-hole championship golf course winding through the community. The course includes tree-lined greenways and extensive practice facilities. Golfers can also visit Taco Giro, an on-site Mexican grill, and a pro shop stocked with the latest equipment.

The Villages of Green Valley includes 475 single-family and attached homes located about 25 miles south of Tucson. On-site amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center and hobby rooms, as well as outdoor amenities like a resort-style pool and four pickleball courts. Residents of this 55+ community enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with regular social gatherings, including game nights, arts and crafts workshops, and potlucks.

FAQ: 55+ Golf Communities in Arizona

How much do homes cost in Arizona golf communities?

Prices range from below $100k to the mid $2Ms. The Villages of Green Valley starts in the mid $100ks. Mid-range options include Quail Creek (mid $300ks to mid $600ks), The Highlands at Dove Mountain (low $300ks to mid $500ks), and Canoa Ranch (low $300ks to mid $700ks). At the higher end, The Preserve at SaddleBrooke starts in the low $800ks, and Talking Rock reaches the mid $2Ms.

What is the most affordable 55+ golf community in Arizona?

The Villages of Green Valley is the most affordable, with homes starting in the mid $100ks. The community includes 475 homes, a clubhouse, resort-style pool, pickleball courts, and access to The Country Club of Green Valley, an 18-hole championship course. Sun City also offers homes below $100k, making it another budget-friendly option with eight golf courses.

Are there 55+ golf communities near Phoenix?

Yes. Sun City has eight courses and 28,257 homes. Sun City West has seven courses and 16,900 homes. The Grand, located 35 miles northwest of Downtown Phoenix, has four courses designed by PGA Hall of Famer Billy Casper and architect Greg Nash.

Are there 55+ golf communities near Tucson?

Yes. Casas Del Oro Norte is within the Omni Tucson National Resort, which hosts two championship courses used for PGA Tour and NCAA events. The Highlands at Dove Mountain has an 18-hole Arthur Hills–designed course plus access to two additional courses in the master-planned community. The Preserve at SaddleBrooke offers two 18-hole championship courses with Santa Catalina Mountain views.

Are there 55+ golf communities in Green Valley, Arizona?

Yes, Green Valley has three notable options. Canoa Ranch has an 18-hole course designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, plus 13 amenity centers. Quail Creek offers 27 holes of championship golf designed by Ken Kavanaugh. The Villages of Green Valley provides access to The Country Club of Green Valley, an 18-hole course. Prices across these communities range from the mid $100ks to the mid $700ks.

What amenities do Arizona golf communities offer besides golf?

Most Arizona golf communities include clubhouses, fitness centers, resort-style pools, athletic courts (tennis, pickleball, bocce), arts and crafts studios, and organized social activities. Sun City West has four amenity centers, including the 118,000-square-foot R.H. Johnson Center. Canoa Ranch has over ten amenity complexes with pools, fishing lakes, and ballrooms. Many communities also have lifestyle directors, restaurants, spas, and hobby workshops.

Who designed the golf courses in Arizona’s 55+ communities?

Several courses were designed by renowned architects. The Grand’s four courses were designed by PGA Hall of Famer Billy Casper and Greg Nash. Talking Rock’s course is by Jay Morrish. The Highlands at Dove Mountain features an Arthur Hills design. Canoa Ranch’s course is by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley. Quail Creek’s 27 holes are designed by Ken Kavanaugh. These designer pedigrees are a significant draw for serious golfers.

Can you play golf year-round in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona’s warm, dry climate supports year-round golf. The state averages more than 300 days of sunshine annually. While summer temperatures in the Phoenix and Tucson areas can reach triple digits, early morning tee times remain popular. Communities in higher-elevation areas, such as Prescott (Talking Rock), offer cooler summer temperatures. Mild winters are a major draw for golfers relocating from colder states.

Do Arizona golf communities include course memberships?

It varies. Some communities include golf memberships or offer heavily discounted rates as part of residency. Others have separate membership fees or per-round pricing. Privately owned courses within communities like Sun City may have their own fee structures. Always ask about golf access terms when evaluating a community.

What size homes are available in Arizona golf communities?

Homes range from about 1,100 square feet to over 2,970 square feet across Arizona’s golf communities. The Highlands at Dove Mountain offers homes from 1,100 to 2,600 square feet. Casas Del Oro Norte ranges from 1,580 to 2,970 square feet. Talking Rock features larger luxury homes on multi-acre lots. Most communities offer two to three bedrooms, with some providing condominium, attached, and single-family options.

Are Arizona golf communities gated?

Some are. Quail Creek in Green Valley is a gated 55+ community with 4,000 homes. Talking Rock near Prescott is a secluded, private community. Other communities like Sun City and Sun City West are large-scale developments with controlled access but not traditional gating. Whether a community is gated or not, most Arizona golf communities offer a peaceful, residential atmosphere with HOA-maintained grounds.

What should I consider when choosing a golf community in Arizona?

Look beyond the course itself. Consider the number and quality of golf courses, whether memberships are included, the variety of non-golf amenities, home types and price range, community size and atmosphere, and proximity to health care, shopping, and dining. Arizona’s golf communities span a wide range, from large resort-style developments with thousands of homes to intimate luxury communities with a few hundred. A 55places real estate expert can help match your budget and lifestyle to the right community.

Find Your Ideal Golf Community With 55places

Finding a suitable retirement community extends past the golf course. Active adults need to ask themselves the right questions to choose a community that fits their individual needs and preferences. Golfers should try to settle near a course they like, but they should also consider their retirement budget, the types of homes in the community, the amenities included, and whether the overall atmosphere matches their desired lifestyle.

With the help of 55places, active adults can explore golf communities in Arizona and beyond. Our 55+ real estate experts will work to find the ideal fit for retirement in a golf community.