Scottsdale, Arizona
Orange Tree is a parkland escape in the heart of Scottsdale that prizes precision and golf's traditional virtues. While not a national bucket-lister, it delights accuracy-minded players and serves up relaxed resort play with a nostalgic twist.
Take a moment on the back nine to spot the few original orange trees still dotting the property—a rare living link to the course’s citrus-grove origins.
Orange Tree Golf Resort is a time capsule of vintage Arizona parkland design, carved from the site of a former citrus grove. The course follows a traditional, compact routing, blending mature trees with straightforward hole corridors that reward smart placement over raw firepower. Strategic golfers enjoy the challenge of shaping shots beneath overhanging branches and working subtle angles into classic, mildly contoured Bermuda greens. While some holes echo the simplicity of midcentury design, the routing and overall scale evoke an era when walking, not driving, was the Scottsdale norm.
Lawrence M. Hughes, alongside Johnny Bulla and Jack Snyder’s 1977 work, delivers vintage parkland strategy, mixing old-school charm with subtle tests for the thinking golfer.
This daunting par 3 stretches to 216 yards from the back tees and forces a pure, confident strike—likely with a long iron or hybrid. Framed by overhanging mature trees and subtle wind, it is a mental and physical hurdle early in the round.
Aim for the heart of the green and don't get greedy with tight pins; a controlled fade can help hold against a back-left miss.
Short or left finds thick surrounds and recovery trouble, while shots long bring bogey and worse quickly into play.
Generally consistent resort-grade Bermuda turf, occasionally uneven after high play or during peak summer.
Variable; can be slow during busy times or weekends.
Relaxed, accessible, classic resort; zero stuffiness and friendly staff.
Standard resort attire—collared shirts and golf slacks/shorts.
Practice wedge shots from tight lies and around mildly contoured greens; the range’s short-game area is excellent after the 2014 update.
Spend time hitting controlled tee shots and shaping approaches—power takes a backseat to placement all day.
Book early to avoid slower pace and maximize cooler morning weather, especially in late spring and summer.
Original course opens, designed by Lawrence M. Hughes and Johnny Bulla
Significant redesign by Jack Snyder refreshes layout
Major practice facility renovation expands and modernizes range/short game
Before it became a golf getaway, the site of Orange Tree was an expanse of farm fields and citrus groves. The transformation created one of the Valley's original parkland classics—right down to a subtle orange blossom fragrance still drifting from legacy trees.
The tree-lined fairways and modest penal roughs reinforce a truth: you can’t overpower this course. Precision off the tee and clever positioning are rewarded far more than brute length, a point of pride among Orange Tree devotees.
A sweeping practice facility overhaul in 2014—longer range, expansive short-game areas—revitalized Orange Tree’s status as a player-friendly resort. Ever since, it’s become a Scottsdale go-to for group outings and laid-back tournament play.
The course sits on the footprint of a real citrus grove, and occasional old orange trees can still be found on property.
A 1977 redesign by Jack Snyder modernized playability but preserved the classic routing.
Orange Tree has earned local recognition for water conservation and course sustainability.
It was once a private club before opening up as a public resort favorite.
PGA Tour-famous, rowdy and thrilling
Dual modern desert tracks, strong practice
Pure desert golf—native land, top conditioning
Iconic boulder formations and scenery
Accessible, convenient, player-friendly
North Scottsdale in the Kierland/Desert Ridge area for easy access to all top resort and public golf options.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Orange Tree Golf Resort is your kind of course, Patty Jewett Golf Course is worth a look because it moves through the round with the same walkable flow.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Burns Park Golf Course has a similarly satisfying rhythm on foot, making it a compelling counterpart to Orange Tree Golf Resort.
Why it matches: If Orange Tree Golf Resort is your kind of course, Linwood Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?