How far in advance should we book Scottsdale tee times?

Plan to book 60 to 90 days ahead, especially during peak season or for high-demand courses.

What’s the recommended amount of golf per day for a group?

A single 18-hole round each day is perfect, with an optional 9-hole or twilight round if energy allows.

How can our group avoid money issues during the trip?

Set expectations early using a shared budget tracker.

Golf Trip Planning

Mistakes to Avoid on a Scottsdale Golf Trip

Planning a Scottsdale golf trip? Don’t make these common mistakes. Here's how to save money, time, and your group's sanity.

By Ryan at 18Away • July 15, 2025 • 6 min read

Planning a golf trip to Scottsdale should be exciting, not stressful. But after helping hundreds of groups over the years, I’ve seen the same mistakes pop up again and again. From tee-time chaos to picking the wrong neighborhood, here's how to avoid the most common Scottsdale golf trip errors.

Quick Answer: Top Scottsdale Golf Trip Mistakes

Waiting too long to book tee times
Overloading the itinerary with too much golf
Booking the wrong neighborhood or lodging setup
Skipping budget talks before booking
Not accounting for post-round plans (pool, nightlife, recovery)

Want a shortcut? Use our Scottsdale Bachelor Golf Trip Template for a done-for-you 3-day plan that avoids all of this.

What Are the Most Common Scottsdale Golf Trip Mistakes?

1. Booking Tee Times Too Late

Scottsdale’s best public courses fill up 2–3 months out, especially in peak season (Oct–April). If you're trying to book TPC Scottsdale or Troon North within a few weeks of arrival, you’ll either pay sky-high prices or miss out entirely.

Fix it: Use our 3-Day Scottsdale Golf Template or start a Custom Trip Plan to get a customized itinerary for your group.

2. Stacking Too Much Golf in One Day

Yes, Scottsdale has incredible golf, but that doesn’t mean your group wants 36 holes daily. Especially in the sun. Especially with drinks.

Fix it: Plan one 18-hole round per day, then add a second 9-hole or twilight round for the hardcore players. Leave time for pools, rest, or nightlife.

3. Staying Too Far from the Action

If you’re staying north (e.g., Cave Creek, Fountain Hills) to be close to Quintero or Boulders, you’ll spend 40+ minutes driving to dinner or bars. That kills momentum fast.

Fix it: Stay near Old Town or central Scottsdale for walkability, then build one day around a day trip to remote courses like We-Ko-Pa or Quintero.

See our full list of the Best Places to Stay for a Scottsdale Golf Trip.

4. Not Aligning the Budget Early

I’ve seen friendships tested over who booked the $$$ tee time or assumed everyone wanted steak dinners every night. Not fun.

Fix it: Use our Cost Breakdown Guide to figure out if your group is budget, mid-tier, or baller, and build the itinerary accordingly.

5. Skipping Weather + Season Research

Don’t plan your trip in July without knowing it hits 110° by noon. Or arrive in October, assuming all greens are lush, many are mid-overseed.

Fix it: Check our Best Time of Year to Golf in Scottsdale to know exactly what to expect month by month.

Bonus: Overlooking Post-Round Plans

You crushed it on the course, now what? Without planning for pools, happy hour, or group dinners, things fizzle quickly. That’s how you end up scrolling Yelp with 12 guys in golf polos, starving.

Fix it: Drop in 1–2 post-round plans each day.

Check our picks for the Best Places to Eat After Golf in Scottsdale or use the Scottsdale Content Hub for all trip suggestions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I start booking tee times for Scottsdale?
A: Ideally 60–90 days ahead, especially for premium courses in peak season.

Q: What’s a good daily golf pace for groups?
A: One 18-hole round per day with optional 9 or twilight in the afternoon works best.

Q: Should we stay in Old Town Scottsdale?
A: Yes, for nightlife and walkability. Some remote courses are worth a drive, but base near the action.

Q: How do we avoid budget drama?
A: Use a shared budget tool and agree on cost expectations early.

More Scottsdale Golf Trip Guides

Planning a Scottsdale Golf Trip?

Written by Ryan from 18Away, your go-to golf trip planner.

Whether you're celebrating a groom or want an unforgettable weekend, this itinerary makes your Scottsdale bachelor golf trip simple, stress-free, and legendary.