By Sean Colón
When it comes to lifestyle-driven real estate in Arizona, few amenities carry the clout of a top-rated golf course. In the latest 2025 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s largest and most comprehensive business opinion poll, voters revealed their favorite private and public golf courses. These aren’t just leisure spots — they’re powerful selling points that add prestige, community value, and long-term investment potential to nearby properties. For realtors in Arizona, understanding how these golf destinations influence buyer behavior is more than helpful — it’s essential.
Let’s start with the reigning champion: Talking Stick Golf Club. Designed by the acclaimed duo Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, this Scottsdale standout offers two championship-level courses and a stunning newly-renovated clubhouse that accommodates up to 500 guests. For agents selling homes in or near the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Talking Stick isn’t just a golf club — it’s an anchor for community events, weddings, corporate gatherings, and year-round entertainment. This kind of high-profile amenity can help elevate a listing’s value and attract remote workers and second-home buyers seeking resort-style living.
Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club. Photo by Sean Colon
On the private side, Blackstone Country Club at Vistancia once again tops the list, boasting a Jim Engh-designed course reminiscent of classic Irish links, all tucked into the rugged beauty of Peoria’s Northwest Valley. But it’s not just the fairways that attract attention — it’s the lifestyle. With fine dining, lighted tennis courts, lap pools, and luxury cabanas, Blackstone feels more like a five-star resort than a neighborhood golf club. If you're working with high-income buyers or relocation clients who prioritize exclusivity and community amenities, homes within Vistancia’s master-planned development offer serious leverage.
Nestled at the base of the majestic Superstition Mountains in Gold Canyon, Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club offers an unparalleled blend of luxury living and world-class golf. This exclusive, guard-gated community features two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses—the Prospector and Lost Gold—each offering a unique challenge amidst breathtaking desert landscapes. Beyond the fairways, members enjoy a 50,000-square-foot clubhouse, a fully appointed Sports Club, and a vibrant social calendar that fosters a strong sense of community. With custom home sites, elegant estates, and luxury villas, Superstition Mountain is more than a golf club; it's a lifestyle destination that epitomizes Arizona's upscale living.
But what about the middle of the market? Courses like Raven Golf Club – Phoenix and Las Sendas Golf Club play a crucial role in drawing in families and semi-retired buyers who want access to scenic greens without the price tag of private membership. These clubs offer attractive public tee times and often sit near golf-course-adjacent subdivisions that balance affordability with aesthetic appeal. In fact, homes near Raven Golf Club have seen a measurable uptick in value retention, even during seasonal price adjustments.
Here’s what realtors need to know in 2025: Golf is back — not just as a sport, but as a lifestyle signal. In an era where remote work, resort-style amenities, and community integration are more important than ever, proximity to a ranked golf course can shorten time on market, increase buyer engagement, and serve as a differentiator in crowded listing pools. This is especially true in competitive zones like North Scottsdale, Mesa, and the East Valley, where demand for walkable, active-lifestyle communities continues to grow.
As interest rates continue to stabilize and inventory climbs, buyer incentives are more common — but don’t underestimate the emotional pull of a well-manicured fairway. Highlighting proximity to these courses in your listings, offering drone views of nearby greens, and even coordinating golf club tours for out-of-state buyers can all be part of a winning sales strategy.
So whether you’re closing million-dollar deals in Silverleaf or helping families find their dream home near Gold Canyon, remember: in Arizona real estate, "location, location, location" might just mean "links, links, links."
By the way, I help realtors improve their online and social media presence by providing beautiful photos of their listings. That is why I’ve created this FREE HOME PREP LIST for your clients to help your listings look their best. Feel free to share.