Marana: A Golf Oasis in the Desert

From buddies’ trips to bucket-list outings, Marana’s world-class golf scene has every player covered. A golfer’s paradise, indeed.

Desert golf is unique. It’s a test of skills in all facets of the game, and is something that every player should attempt to master. With its four championship-level golf courses providing a golf oasis in the desert, Marana has been called a golfer’s paradise, where players will enjoy rolling greens and fairways lined with iconic saguaro cacti – all of it combined with panoramic views of the desert, mountains, and the endless blue skies for which Southern Arizona is famous.

Marana is just a short drive from both Tucson and Phoenix, striking a nice balance between the suburban hustle and serene wild desert that many golfers crave when planning their Arizona golf adventure. Each of Marana’s courses has something unique to offer, from the premier luxury of the Golf Club at Dove Mountain; the amazing views overlooking Marana, the Tucson Mountains, and the Tortolita Mountains of the Gallery Golf Club; the convenient location and many facilities of The Highlands at Dove Mountain; to the innovative reuse of an old stone quarry at Quarry Pines. Simply put: Marana has something to fit every golfer’s taste. Bring your friends and your A-Game if you want to conquer these courses, because golf in Marana is always above par.

The Golf Club at Dove Mountain

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The Golf Club at Dove Mountain is an elite venue to be enjoyed by golfing legends and friends alike. Located in the shadows of Marana’s Tortolita Mountains, it offers 27 holes of championship-level golf across three nines, all designed by legendary golfer and course designer Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus took advantage of the High Sonoran Desert setting to integrate strategy, variety and fair shot values into his Signature Design.

When built, The Golf Club at Dove Mountain was Nicklaus’ first Tucson golf course design in 25 years. He created more than two dozen brilliant hole designs with unique challenges and distinct character, blending naturally among the desert vegetation and surrounding mountain ranges. Always an exciting experience waiting on the next hole, this deluxe golf resort has elevations ranging from 2,300 to 3,200 feet to challenge even the most seasoned player, as Nicklaus purposefully designed this luxury golf course to be challenging yet enjoyable to play time and time again.

The Golf Club at Dove Mountain formerly hosted the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship, a world-class competition amongst the top 64 golfers in the world, from 2009 through 2014. Today, players can enjoy executing the same golf shots that challenged the world's top champions in the past. The Golf Club at Dove Mountain is located on the property of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, one of the top-rated resorts in the country and world. The resort has been lauded and awarded by some of the top publications in the travel and tourism industry, including being awarded the Double Five Star rating by Forbes Travel Guide for four straight years.

The resort contains a wide array of luxurious amenities to compliment any golf outing. After finishing up on the course, players can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the resort’s five restaurants, which include the property’s signature restaurant, the Forbes Four-Star-rated Core Kitchen and Wine Bar, and Cayton’s Restaurant, which is located inside the award-winning clubhouse. The clubhouse captures the true spirit of the picturesque desert setting, and includes a golf shop featuring the finest equipment, apparel and accessories. Expansive, tour-quality practice areas are also readily available to address every need.

Gallery Golf Club

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Keeping your focus on the game can be somewhat of a challenge at the Gallery Golf Club, since it more than lives up to its name with some of the most stunning scenery in all of the Tucson area. Two highly-acclaimed 18-hole courses offer the finest in desert golf. Each course offers its own spectacular views, layout, and playing experience at this member-and-guest-exclusive club.

The North Course was designed by well-known American John Fought, with British Open Champion and Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman. The course features panoramic views of the Sonoran desert in all directions, and winds its way through two separate canyons. The North Course is equally enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels, from the high-handicap beginner to the touring professional. It was named the best in Southwest Arizona by Golf Digest, and is listed as one of Golfweek’s Top 100 Modern Courses, playing host to the 2014 Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championship, as well as co-hosting the Tucson Open in 2001.

The South Course offers its own distinct playing experience to the North Course, and these different characteristics serve as perfect complements to each other. It was also designed by Fought, and was named as one of Golf Digest’s 100 best golf courses. The design of the South Course differs from that of the North in both terrain and architectural scheme, and features mounded greens and expansive fairways, all of which is surrounded by native saguaro cacti and other desert flora. Gallery Golf Club’s South Course played host to LIV Golf Tucson in 2023.

Players can relax after their outing with excellent food, beverages, and the perfect casual atmosphere with great views at The Gallery Restaurant. Food selections and beverages alike are hand-crafted – inspired by, and made of, local ingredients.

The Highlands at Dove Mountain

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The Highlands at Dove Mountain is an award-winning course, a local favorite enjoyed by – and appealing to – players of all ages and skill levels, as evidenced by receiving the third best rating in the country in player reviews for the GolfPass Golfer’s Choice Awards of 2022. The 18-hole championship course was designed by well-known architect Arthur Hills, with a front nine running through flatter, gently rolling land. But the topography quickly transitions into hilly terrain, mountains, and lakes for the back nine.

Throughout the entire round, players can catch awe-inspiring views of five different mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson area, and the landscape and cityscape of the Marana valley below. A full practice facility accompanies the course, and players can grab a bite to eat at The Highlands Bar and Grille in the clubhouse as the quintessential pre-or-post round stop.

CreditThe Highlands

The Highlands at Dove Mountain also serves as a great location for any type of special event, and features an elegant meeting space perfect for a company meeting, retirement party or wedding reception. A full range of services, including food and full-bar beverage service, is offered, and regardless of size or occasion, the staff is known to offer a memorable first-class experience to all.

Quarry Pines

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Located in a former stone quarry, this unique golf course makes creative reuse of it to create a spectacular playing experience, complete with dramatic elevation changes and stunning views of the Tucson Mountains. Quarry Pines’ unique layout and setting make it an ideal option for those looking to try something new for their golf outings. Its location just off of Interstate 10 makes it easily accessible from both the Tucson and Phoenix metro areas. Quarry Pines' many twists, turns, and canyons, all highlighted by a backdrop of the iconic Tucson Mountains, makes for a truly unique experience.

Quarry Pines has everything you and your playing partners need to have a great golf outing, including a full practice facility, a well-appointed golf shop with merchandise from the top brands at a great value, and Putter’s Grill, a favorite restaurant among locals with a selection of sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing cold drinks. For those who are new to the game or who are looking to improve their form, Quarry Pines offers golf lessons, taught by some of the leading instructors in the Tucson area.

Whichever course you decide to tee off on, you're sure to enjoy spectacular views, challenging-but-exciting holes, and excellent hospitality! Marana is a golf oasis in every sense of the word.