Raven Golf Club Phoenix Review
My Take on Raven Golf Club Phoenix
I played Raven Golf Club Phoenix this morning with the Scottsdale Golf League — 7am tee time, and by the time we finished it was pushing 102 degrees. Welcome to summer golf in Phoenix.
The course was in great shape despite the heat. Grounds crew had watered the greens and fairways early, so conditions were soft and receptive when we teed off. There was a slight wind that played havoc all round — the course was playing long because of it, so club up accordingly if you are heading out on a breezy day.
One thing I always tell people relocating from Minnesota or the Midwest — Raven is one of the very few courses in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area that actually has trees. Real trees. Georgia pines, African sumac, oleander lining every fairway. If you are used to playing in wooded conditions up north and the wide-open desert golf courses feel foreign to you, Raven is your course. It feels like home.
The signature waterfall hole at Raven Golf Club Phoenix — one of the most scenic finishing holes in the Valley.
Course Overview
Raven Golf Club Phoenix, formerly known as the Raven at South Mountain, opened in 1995 and was designed by PGA champion David Graham and Arizona architect Gary Panks. The design philosophy was simple and it shows: bring a traditional, almost Pacific Northwest feel to the desert. The result is a layout unlike anything else in Phoenix.
Where most Phoenix golf courses embrace the open desert landscape — saguaro cacti, sand washes, brown rough — Raven goes the opposite direction. The course is lined with thousands of mature trees, including Georgia pines, African sumac, and oleander, creating a heavily wooded, almost parkland feel. Drive through the entrance gates on Baseline Road and you immediately feel like you have left the desert behind. That alone is worth the green fee.
The Signature Hole: That Waterfall
If you have looked at photos of Raven Golf Club Phoenix, you already know the waterfall. It is the most photographed feature on the course, and for good reason. A stone waterfall cascades between two interconnected ponds that wrap around one of the finishing holes, with a decorative stone bridge crossing the water. The combination of the waterfall sounds, the perfectly manicured green beyond the pond, and the red-blooming oleander shrubs lining the background makes for one of the most visually striking holes in the Phoenix metro area.
I took multiple photos from this spot during my round and I still could not capture how good it actually looks in person. The greens here are immaculate — TiffDwarf putting surfaces that roll true and reward players who can read subtle break.
Bubba Watson Filmed His Famous Hovercraft Video Here
If you have been a golf fan for any length of time, you may remember the viral video from 2013 where PGA Tour star Bubba Watson — then the reigning Masters champion — cruised across the ponds at a Phoenix golf course in a custom hovercraft called the BW1, built for him by Oakley as part of a promotional campaign. That course was Raven Golf Club Phoenix. Specifically, the water hazard where Bubba skimmed his hovercraft is the same waterfall pond you see in my photos.
The video racked up millions of views within days and put Raven Golf Club on the national golf map. Oakley had the hovercraft secretly transported to the course and Watson filmed it here without any public announcement. If you want to see it, watch Bubba’s Hover on YouTube — and then come play the hole yourself.
Course Layout and Design
Raven Golf Club Phoenix plays to 7,078 yards from the tips with a course rating of 73.2 and a slope of 132, making it a legitimate test for low handicappers while remaining approachable from the forward tees. The course offers five sets of tee boxes, so players of all skill levels can enjoy the layout without feeling overwhelmed.
The fairways are generous by Phoenix standards, inviting players to be aggressive off the tee. But David Graham did not design this course to be a pushover. Strategically placed bunkers — many of which have been recently redesigned and improved — punish lazy approach shots, and the multi-tiered greens demand precise iron play. If you miss in the wrong spot, you will be making long, difficult putts with significant elevation change.
The routing takes you through tree-lined corridors that feel completely removed from the surrounding urban Phoenix landscape. Several holes offer views of South Mountain Park, adding to the scenic variety. Water comes into play on key holes, most notably around the waterfall feature, creating risk-reward decisions that make Raven interesting to play repeatedly.
Course Conditions
Conditions at Raven are consistently among the best in Phoenix. The greens are well-maintained and roll fast, the fairways are lush Bermuda, and the rough is thick enough to be meaningful without being unfair. The bunkers have been renovated in recent years, improving drainage and playability. The cart paths are in excellent shape and the overall property is immaculately kept.
Raven takes pride in being one of the top-ranked public courses in Arizona year after year, and the conditions reflect that investment. Staff here take the course seriously, and it shows in every detail from the maintained tee boxes to the fresh-raked bunkers.
The Clubhouse and Amenities
The Raven Golf Club Phoenix clubhouse is an impressive Spanish mission-style building with arched windows, a terracotta tile roof, and a grand staircase entrance. Inside you will find a full pro shop, locker rooms, and The Nest — the course’s outdoor bar and grill area that overlooks the course. It is a great spot to post up after your round. The outdoor seating area has a relaxed atmosphere and the views back toward the course make it easy to extend your afternoon.
The practice facility includes a driving range, putting green, chipping green, and practice bunker. Whether you want to warm up before your round or stay after to work on your game, Raven has everything you need.
Pace of Play and Access
Raven is a public course, open daily from 6:00 AM. Tee times can be booked directly through their website at ravenphx.com or by calling (602) 243-3636. The course is conveniently located on Baseline Road near South Mountain, close to I-10 and just a short drive from Sky Harbor Airport — making it an easy choice if you are flying into Phoenix for business and want to squeeze in a round.
Green fees run in the premium range for Phoenix public golf, which is appropriate given the conditions and course quality. Check the website for current rates and early-bird specials.
Who Should Play Raven Golf Club Phoenix
Raven Golf Club Phoenix is the right call if you want a round that feels like a break from the typical desert golf experience. The wooded, parkland-style layout, pristine conditions, and signature water features make it one of the most memorable public courses in the Phoenix metro area.
It is also a great choice for golfers relocating to the Phoenix area who want to experience what the local golf scene has to offer beyond the obvious resort options. If you are buying a home in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or the South Mountain area and want to know what your golf life looks like here — come play Raven. It will give you a very good answer.
Course at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Raven Golf Club Phoenix |
| Address | 3636 E. Baseline Road, Phoenix, AZ 85042 |
| Phone | (602) 243-3636 |
| Website | ravenphx.com |
| Par | 72 |
| Yardage (tips) | 7,078 yards |
| Rating / Slope | 73.2 / 132 |
| Tee Boxes | 5 sets |
| Greens | TiffDwarf |
| Fairways | Bermuda |
| Designed By | David Graham & Gary Panks |
| Year Opened | 1995 |
| Public / Private | Public |
| Hours | Mon–Sun, 6:00 AM |
Mark Merry is a Scottsdale-based mortgage lender at Granite Bank who plays Phoenix and Scottsdale golf courses weekly. If you are buying a home in the Phoenix area, Mark can help. Call (480) 442-7487 or visit markmerry.com.
NMLS #452552
