Why it matters
Papago is the city of Phoenix's flagship municipal course — a William Francis Bell design that opened 1963 and was restored by Forrest Richardson in 2009. It sits in the shadow of the Papago Buttes east of downtown and has hosted Arizona State NCAA championships. Walking encouraged; affordable; the answer locals give when asked which Phoenix-area course visitors miss.
How to play it
20 minutes from Sky Harbor (PHX), 25 from Scottsdale. Walking encouraged; carts available. Pair with TPC Scottsdale Stadium or with We-Ko-Pa for a Valley contrast day — the muni and the spectacle.