Golf Courses in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona

Golfing in Pinetop-Lakeside means playing at around 7,000 feet, where summer highs often sit in the low 80s while Phoenix cooks past 110. The courses here run through tall ponderosa pines instead of desert scrub, the mornings are cool and quiet, and the whole experience feels more like mountain golf in Colorado than anything you'd expect from Arizona. If you're a golfer planning a White Mountains trip, this is one of the best reasons to bring the clubs.

Why mountain golf up here beats the desert

The elevation changes everything. Down in the Valley, a summer tee time means baking by the third hole and quitting by noon. Up here, you can play a full round in comfortable temperatures, walk if you feel like it, and actually enjoy being outside. Pine-lined fairways give you shade and shelter from wind, and the cooler air is easy on both you and your game.

There's also the ball-flight bonus every golfer talks about at altitude: thinner air means the ball tends to carry a bit farther. Don't expect miracles, but you might find yourself clubbing down on a few holes. Cooler mornings are the prime time — get an early tee time, and you'll play the best stretch of the day before any afternoon monsoon clouds build up.

Courses in the Pinetop-Lakeside area

A couple of well-known names anchor golf right in the Pinetop-Lakeside area. Pinetop Lakes Golf & Country Club is a longtime local course set among the pines, the kind of relaxed mountain layout people come back to year after year. White Mountain Country Club, also in the Pinetop area, is another established club that's part of the local golf scene.

Access can vary — some courses run as public or semi-private, others lean more toward members and guests, and that can shift over time. So before you plan a round, call ahead to confirm whether a given course is open to public play, what the tee-time situation looks like, and current rates. It's a quick call that saves you from driving out to a course you can't get on.

Silver Creek Golf Club near Show Low

If you're willing to drive a bit toward Show Low, Silver Creek Golf Club is worth putting on your list. It has a strong reputation among golfers in the region and is often mentioned as one of the better rounds in the White Mountains. It sits a little lower than Pinetop but still well above the desert, so you keep most of that cool-weather advantage.

As with any course up here, call ahead for tee times and rates, and ask about their current booking window — a well-regarded course can fill up on summer weekends, so it pays to plan a few days out rather than showing up and hoping for an opening.

Planning a summer golf trip

A few practical notes if you're organizing a golf-focused trip:

• Book early tee times. Cool mornings are the best conditions, and you'll finish before afternoon storms roll in during monsoon season.
• Call every course directly. Rates, public access, and hours change. A phone call gets you accurate, current info that a random website might not.
• Pack a layer. Mountain mornings can start chilly even in July, then warm up nicely by mid-round.
• Watch the sky in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from roughly July into September. If you hear thunder, get off the course.
• Bring water and sun protection. The high-elevation sun is stronger than it feels, even when the temperature is mild.

Golf pairs beautifully with a big group trip. Split the day so the golfers head out early while everyone else takes it slow, then regroup for the afternoon. If half your crew doesn't golf, there's plenty else to do nearby — a lake paddle, a hike, or a run into town.

Common Questions

Are Pinetop golf courses open to the public? Some are public or semi-private and some lean more private. Access can change over time, so call the specific course ahead of your trip to confirm whether you can book a public tee time and what the current rates are.

Is it really cooler to golf up here in summer? Yes. At around 7,000 feet, summer highs are often in the low 80s while Phoenix pushes well past 100. That's the whole draw — comfortable mountain rounds among the pines while the desert bakes.

Which course is best for a serious golfer? Silver Creek Golf Club near Show Low gets consistently strong reviews and is a favorite for a standout round. The Pinetop-area courses are more laid-back mountain golf. Honestly, mixing a couple over a few days is a great way to spend a trip.

The cabins make a comfortable home base for a golf getaway — big enough for the whole foursome and their families, and close to everything. Take a look at Parkway Lodge and Mohave Cabin with Treehouse, browse our large cabins in Lakeside, and check availability for your dates.