Gaining access to Scottsdale National Golf Club is one of the most sought-after and difficult tee times to secure in the world of golf. Walking these fairways is a special experience, and this guide is here to walk you through how you might get that chance and, more importantly, how to prepare your game to make the most of it. We'll cover the necessary steps to get on the grounds and then provide a coach's game plan for tackling the club's incredibly unique and demanding courses.
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The Reality of Getting on the Course
Unlike a daily-fee course where you can book a tee time online, Scottsdale National is unapologetically private and fiercely exclusive. The club was founded by billionaire Bob Parsons, the founder of GoDaddy, with a clear vision: create an unadulterated, pure golf experience for serious golfers, without the stuffy rules of a traditional country club. Because of this, casually playing the course is not an option. Here are the only two paths to the first tee.
For those interested in understanding the nuances of exclusive courses, you might find more insights into how to play private golf courses.
Become a Member
This is, to put it lightly, not a simple process. Membership is by invitation only and is reserved for a select, and discreet, group of individuals. There isn't an open application process or a waiting list you can join. It's an ultra-exclusive circle, and gaining entry is the golf equivalent of being handed a golden ticket.
Be a Member’s Guest
This is the most realistic path for the non-billionaire golfer. To play as a guest, you must be personally invited and hosted on-site by a current member of the club. The member must be with you for the entire duration of your visit. There are no loopholes here - you can't call the pro shop and name-drop someone, nor can you book a tee time through a third party. The club is built around the experience of its members, and guest play is a privilege they extend personally.
So, the simple answer to "how do I play Scottsdale National?" is that you need to know a member. If you're ever fortunate enough to receive that invitation, jump on it immediately, and then start preparing for a day of golf you'll never forget.
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If you've secured an invitation, the experience that awaits you is second to none. The club's motto is reportedly, "No one will tell you what you can't do," and the atmosphere reflects that. It's a relaxed, modern environment free of old-fashioned country club pretense. It's built for golfers. Here's a little of what to expect.
The Vibe: It's relaxed but professional. You might see guys in jeans and hear music coming from speakers on golf carts. The focus is entirely on enjoying the game your way. The service level is a 10 out of 10, from the moment you pull up to the minute you leave.
The Practice Facilities: They are, without exaggeration, perfect. The driving range is immaculate, with endless pyramids of premium golf balls. The putting greens roll just like the ones on the course, and the short-game areas allow you to practice every type of shot you will face. Arrive early and warm up properly, it's a perk you shouldn't waste.
The Caddie Program:A caddie is highly recommended and, frankly, essential for navigating these courses for the first time. They are true professionals who know every inch of the property. They will give you precise yardages, help you read the incredibly complex greens, offer strategic advice, and often save you from costly mistakes. Trust your caddie. Listen to their reads. They are your greatest asset for the day.
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Course Strategy: How to Approach Scottsdale National's Layouts
This is where the real fun begins. Scottsdale National is home to three courses, each with its own distinct and demanding personality. Bob Parsons didn't build these courses to be easy, he built them to be a supreme test. As a coach, this is my advice for navigating each one.
The Mineshaft Course
This is the monster. The one with jaw-dropping elevation changes that look impossible on TV. Built by Jackson Kahn Design, this 18-hole course is renowned for its difficulty. The views are spectacular, but the price of admission is facing some of the most demanding shots in golf.
Tackling The Mineshaft:
Leave Your Ego at Home: This is my number one tip. The tees here have names like "The M," "T," "S," and "Bones." Do not let the scorecard yardage fool you. A 400-yard hole that plays 80 feet downhill is not a 400-yard hole. Hitting from the wrong tee box will turn a thrilling challenge into a miserable death march. Consult with your caddie and play from a tee that allows you to have some fun.
Know Your Carry Yardage: On this course, "total distance" is irrelevant. You have to know precisely how far you carry the ball with every club in your bag. You'll face forced carries over canyons and approaches to greens perched on ledges. Your Caddie AI will do the math on the elevation change, but it's up to you to execute the shot with the correct club. Before your visit, spend time on a launch monitor to dial in these numbers. This is a day for precision, not guesswork.
Embrace the Bailout: The architects provided safe routes on several holes. You don't always have to take the heroic line directly at the pin. Playing to the fat part of the green or laying up short of a fairway chasm is the smart play. A bogey on The Mineshaft can feel like a birdie, and avoiding doubles and triples is how you'll post a respectable number.
The Other Course
What was previously known as the original Scottsdale National course is now "The Other Course." This 18-hole layout designed by Jay Morrish and Dick Bailey provides a more classic, though still stern, Arizona desert golf test. The elevation changes aren't as extreme as The Mineshaft, but the course is full of teeth.
Tackling The Other Course:
Find the Fairway or Pay the Price: This is a target golf course in its purest form. Lush green fairways are framed by harsh, punishing desert scrub. If you miss a fairway, you're not just looking at a tougher recovery shot, you're likely facing an unplayable lie or a lost ball. Prioritize accuracy over distance off the tee. Hitting a 3-wood into the fairway is far better than a driver into a cactus.
Think About Approach Angles: The green complexes are well-bunkered and feature subtle contours and fall-offs. Your work isn't done just because you're in the fairway. Pay attention to pin positions. Your caddie will help you understand that a pin on the right might be best attacked from the left side of the fairway, and vice versa. Thinking one shot ahead is critical here.
Master Lag Putting: The greens are large and feature deceptive undulations. You will almost certainly have a few 40-foot putts or more during your round. Your ability to consistently two-putt from long range will save your score. During your warmup, spend more time on speed control than on holing short putts.
The Bad Little Nine
Don't let the name or the par of 27 fool you. This par-3 course is perhaps the most precise test of them all. Nicknamed the "BLN9," it is an absolute blast to play but will expose any weakness in your iron game. Every hole offers a different challenge, from short flips to long, demanding tee shots over water and sand.
Tackling The Bad Little Nine:
Be a Laser with Your Yardages: There's nowhere to hide here. You have to hit your number. If the caddie says 137 yards, it's not 130 and it's not 145. It's 137. This is the ultimate exam for your iron and wedge play. You need to have a comfortable, confident swing for every yardage between 80 and 200 yards.
Center of the Green is Your Friend: The pin positions can be diabolical - tucked behind bunkers, set on tiny shelves, or near steep fall-offs. Ignore them. Pin-hunting on the BLN9 is a recipe for disaster. Aim for the middle of every green, take your two-putt par, and walk to the next tee feeling smug. The person who makes nine pars here will win a lot of matches.
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Playing at Scottsdale National Golf Club is a privilege few golfers ever get to experience. Getting on requires an invitation from a member, but if that day comes, preparing your game for its unique challenges - specifically yardage control, smart strategy, and lag putting - will ensure you fully appreciate this one-of-a-kind venue. It's a place built for those who deeply love the game.
When you're faced with a round this special, the pressure can be high. This is where tools that provide objective, smart advice can be so helpful. I built Caddie AI to give every golfer access to tour-level strategy for any course, especially one as demanding as Scottsdale National. By describing the hole or even snapping a picture of a tough lie, you can get instant guidance on club selection and a smart target line, taking the guesswork out of the equation so you can play with confidence and focus on hitting great shots.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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