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4.2
37 Reviews (37)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.7
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.8
98.4%
Recommend this course
35 out of 37 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Style Desert
Par 72
Length 7225 yards
Slope 138
Rating 73.4

The Cholla golf course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, open since 2001, receives distinctions: The course, created over 7,225 yards by Scott Miller, made Sports Illustrated's list of the 10 best new public courses when it debuted. Other honors include the 2006-07 Zagat Survey's highest rating in Arizona and Golfweek's No. 2 best Arizona public course in 2006. The golf club sits near Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation's territory, and runs through some of the Sonora Desert that sill remains intact, as yet untouched by the surrounding commercial and residential developments. We-Ko-Pa means "Four Peaks" in the Yavapai language.

A round of golf on the Cholla Course at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club kicks off on a par-4 hole that measures 351 yards from the Tournament tees. Things get crazy long on the 18th hole, a par 5 that plays to 605 yards from the Tournament tees.

A round of golf on the Cholla Course at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club concludes on a relatively short par 4 that measures 432 yards.

Course Details

Year Built 2001
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens TiffDwarf Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Scott Miller (2001)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes
GPS No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Yes
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire, no denim.

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

Reviews

4.2
37 Reviews (37)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 6
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 8
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 181
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Not as fun as Saguaro. More of a challenging course, where you'll have more blind shots off the tee and lose more balls.

PACE: Waited almost every hole, because it's just a tougher course (group ahead looking for lost balls or having a hard time advance out of range).

CONDITIONS: Tee boxes were great. Fairways were excellent. Bunkers splashed wonderfully. Greens were the best I played on my PHX trip.

STAFF: The starter was helpful. The woman at the half-way hoarse said I could only have 1 scoop of ice for my cart cooler... on a 115 degree day (2 scoops were necessary for a full cooler for my drinks). That didn't seem right.

VALUE: Did the 36 hole rate. Worth it!

LAYOUT: Not a fan of blind/hidden tee shots and this course has quite a few. This is a much tougher driving hole than Saguaro. Plus, I didn't think Cholla had the panoramic appeal Saguaro has either.

Definitely play Saguaro... Cholla isn't bad (conditions are just as great as Saguaro), just not as much fun (IMO).

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great course with great scenery.. If you play, there is no water on the course. They gave you 1 bottle of water in your cooler and thankfully the starter gave us an extra. Cart girl came around on our 1st and 9th hole.. conditions otherwise were excellent.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Walked

Just a Great Great Golf Course

This is a beautiful, scenic, aesthetically well designed just outstanding venue. Course conditions were impeccable. Most of the holes would be the signature holes in other places. Top ten golf course I have played.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 102
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

AMAZING!

This course is amazing. The conditions right not are spectacular for summer in AZ. Food at the turn was great as well! I would highly recommend going to check this place out if you are in the area!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 203
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
California Advisor
Top 50 Contributor

Bring Your "A" Game

This track is quite a contrast from the sister Saguaro course. Cholla is shorter but requires more precise shots and club selection. Course knowledge is very helpful here. Both tracks are in very good condition and greens rolled true. All in all, both tracks are well worth the play and expect 2 different playing experiences, both very entertaining.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Previously Played

Great resort course

Course is in great condition. Pace of play was 4 hours which is not too bad. The course layout is fun with great views.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Previously Played

Favorite AZ course

I've played here numerous times. It is actually my favorite Arizona course. The great thing about the course is the diversity of holes. Every hole is like a signature hole. It's great to play a course with no houses .
If you cant make it to Bandon, this is a great alternative. Enjoy

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 171
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 50 Contributor
First Time Playing

Truly Spectacular

From the moment you pull up to the bag drop you know this is going to be special. Everyone we came in contact with at We-Ko-Pa was great to deal with. As for the course, the layout is one of the best I have seen in all of Arizona. And the views, wow the views, my camera couldn’t keep up with all of the scenic shots from the course. The layout itself is fair but challenging in spots. Some holes have some very tight landing areas and the greens were well bunkered. The elevation changes, though not dramatic like other courses in the area, still make you think over the ball. The greens were a tiny bit slow but they were consistent throughout. This is a must play for your buddy trip itineraries in AZ.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great conditions

Tee’d off around 1130 and played in 2.5 hours as a single....did not catch up to anyone until hole 16. Not the most difficult course even though I hit a few tee shots out of bounds. All were poor shots and not due to lack of familiarity as the in-cart GPS made getting around the foreign course Pretty straightforward. Greens were perfect . $38 bucks as a AZ resident was a heck of deal. Overall fun course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Used cart

One of the Best I've Played

I loved We-Ko-Pa. Played 36 holes. Greens were perfect! So were the bunkers and fairways. Hats off to the groundskeepers and course designer here. In addition to pristine conditions the views are breathtaking. Maybe Saguaro has slightly better views. I don't think I could ask much more out of the quality of a course or conditions. Cart staff were friendly, pro shop front staff were OK. GPS on carts, free driving range and practice area. We ate at the clubhouse, the food was awesome but the service was bad / slow. Very expensive for a blue collar guy like me, but I really, really enjoyed it. Got a more reasonable twilight rate for the second 18.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

I’ve Definitely Had Better Experiences

Ok, the layout is great, with breathtaking views. The course condition was also great. But when I’m paying a premium price at a course besides layout and condition I expect service, to be treated like they’re happy that I chose their course, over the many other options.. I’ve been to many courses, in the area where as soon as i pull up right through to when I am leaving I feel like I’ve been treated like a valued guest. I shouldn’t be feeling like it is I who should be gratefully to playing at their facility.
The person at bag drop, did ask how I was, but after that it seemed like she rather be somewhere else. No direction was given and after numerous minutes I tracked down my clubs. The pro shop person definitely gave me the impression that I should be grateful to be there. The only friendly person I encountered was the starter. Rarely saw a marshal, pace of play was terrible for this caliber and cost of course, 4 hours 45 minutes to play 18.
Supposedly we-ko-pa is rated as one of the top places to play, I say this is because of the layout/conditions, not the staff.
Been there done it.
I wouldn’t recommend this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

A great round of golf

Although I didn't play close to my usual round of golf, our foursome represented themselves well. 4 Seniors (60's and 70's) handicaps from 6 to 20.
Staff - As good as I have ever experienced across the board. Friendly and helpful to a fault
Course - Wow, a thinking persons golf course. Every hole unique and a challenge, but fair. As well designed a golf course as I have ever played
Conditions - Greens excellent condition, relatively fast but not unmanageable
Fairways - close cut, perfect
Tee boxes - ditto fairways, clean as a whistle
Negatives - no ball cleaners on the course as they are on each golf cart. Our cart had no water in the ball cleaner. A few bunkers had almost no sand in their low spots.
I'll be back......often

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 146
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
Missouri Advisor
First Time Playing

Played During Waste Management Open Week

Played during 2016 Waste Management Open week- the course was very expensive as all local courses are that week due to the influx of golfers (supply and demand I guess) - that would be my only complaint. The course was fantastic and super fun and in good condition - I would love to come back!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

One of the best I've played

Going into the round, I knew the course would be great. But the pictures do not do it justice.

I spent weeks planning which 2 courses to play in the Phoenix area for my first taste of golf in the area. And choose according to my tastes.

So we played this and Quintero. Quintero was great, but Cholla has 0 bad holes on it. 18 gems.

I've played well over 100 courses all over the world, and this is right up there with the best I've played.

Phenomenal condition (greens slower due to overseed, which was the only downside), incredible layout/design.

I know many prefer Saguaro, which I have not played. But I don't see how it could beat Cholla.

I'll be back to Phoenix to play more golf in the future.

But I emplore any visting the area wondering where to play - play Cholla at WeKoPa, it will not disappoint

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Worst golf ever

visiting the Scottsdale area for 10 days of golf and was told we had to try We-Ko-Pa when we arrive one course was closed for over seeding and they had already shaved the fairway down to nothing on the Cholla course .I was like playing on cement At the pro shop they gave us a 10 dollar discount of the full price , This was a total rip off and I was so disappointed with the conditions They should have never lets us tee off Shame on them for charging this price for the worst round of golf in Scottsdale that week

Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 72
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

need to play here more often

the good news weather perfect for this time of year,courses in very good shape fairways and greens almost perfect first group out have separate ranges for the two courses very friendly staff,bad news G.P.S. is kinda confusing if not used to playing the course lots of blind tee shots due to G.P.S. not giving good information,sand in the bunkers is not the typical "desert"sand kinda the white fluffy stuff have to be able to play a different kind of bunker shot than what is normal for the phoenix desert,beverage cart came around quite often good thing and she was "very friendly and nice" kelly from Cleveland,Oh

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Top Choice

Played this course this last weekend with a group of old friends from the East Coast. We played several other very high profile courses in Scottsdale over the weekend, and all agreed without hesitation that this was our favorite. The tee sheet was full, but in the course of our round we saw only brief glimpses of other groups both ahead and behind us. The course was wonderful both aesthetically and from a golf standpoint. Staff was great to work with. Hope to come back soon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Wisconsin Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Quinessential Desert Golf

I could not make it to We Ko Pa during my fall visit to AZ because the course was closed for overseeding. I was excited when it was in the rotation for my annual buddies trip because I have heard so many good things about it.
Perfect conditions. Carpet like fairways and awesome greens that rolled true and were green. By far the best that we played the entire week during peak season. I know they have an advantage when it comes to watering and they definitely use it.
The course is very playable from the combines tees although shorter hitters may have trouble with some of the forced carries off the tee box. Holes offer a nice variety of doglegs and strategic options and long hitters can blast away on most holes but you must know where to place your tee shots. Great views on the Cholla and I cannot wait to come back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

Great desert golf experience. Scenic, no surrounding developments and wonderful conditions. Fairways are generous but if you miss by much it can be penal. Key to scoring is in the approach—although the greens are large, if missed in regulation or in the wrong spot, scoring is difficult. Greens are undulating and challenging, but very fair. Must play course for the desert experience and challenge.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
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