A Lit Course and Glowing Golf Balls Make Arizona the Country’s Top Night Golf Destination

Arizona consistently ranks among the top US states for golf-centric vacations. Cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale boast dozens of courses, being a top destination for golf-themed bachelor parties and corporate retreats in addition to smaller group trips. Thing is, Scottsdale and greater Phoenix at large are friggin’ hot for much of the year – summer temperatures average over 100 degrees from June through August and reach as high as 115 degrees during heat waves. This only looks to get worse as extreme weather events happen with increasing frequency due to the climate crisis. One solution golf courses in the area are undertaking is opening tee times at night, installing lights on the course to allow golfers to enjoy the sport without suffering through the heat.

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Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe is Arizona’s first 18-hole lighted night course

Photo courtesy Grass Clippings Rolling Hills

One golf course, in particular, is betting its future on an increasing appetite to golf at night. Following the success of entertainment venues like Top Golf, which thrive on evening business from golfers due to lack of competition and a social-friendly setup, Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe transforms into a par-54, all-par-3 layout at night, with hole distances ranging from approximately 90 to over 200 yards. Illuminated by 78 (often elevated) LED lights, the course allows golfers to track their ball flights against the night sky – and in most cases, even find the ball once they move down the fairway.

Night golf hours extend from dusk until 1 AM daily, though only 9-hole tee times are available after 10 PM. Tee time bookings can be made online up to 14 days in advance. The course also features a 15,000-square-foot practice putting green and a driving range equipped with Toptracer technology, both open until midnight. Much like Top Golf, Grass Clippings Rolling HIlls seeks to capitalize on the entertainment aspect of the sport as much as the game itself – with a new Mexican food restaurant, a patio bar, and an entertainment area for live music and events.

A round of golf costs $45 to $55 at Grass Clippings, with carts available. The course is equipped with a state-of-the-art driving range featuring 25 covered hitting bays, each integrated with Toptracer technology. This setup allows golfers to track their shots even in the dark – and even if you shank it. Adjacent to the driving range is a massive 15,000-square-foot practice putting green which is, appropriately, lit for nighttime use.

Other opportunities to play night golf in Arizona

Photo courtesy Continental Golf Club

Grass Clippings Rolling HIlls currently corners the market with its lit course and nightly tee times. But it’s not the only place to get in a round after dark. Other courses in the Phoenix area offer what’s been dubbed “glow golf,” where players chase a glowing golf ball down the course. No guarantee that glow will help you find a shanked drive into hedges, but if you play your hand – and your wedges – well, you may get through the round without having to head back to the pro shop for more balls.

Augusta Ranch Golf Club, Mesa

Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Mesa offers a unique night golf experience known as Glow Golf. These events are typically held every other Saturday and include a 9-hole, 4-person scramble format – where each group plays the best ball hit by a group member for each shot. The cost is $45 per player, which includes golf, glow balls, cart, and prizes. The course is an 18-hole, par-61 layout, with night golf sessions covering 9 holes. Tee times begin approximately 30 minutes after sunset.

Continental Golf Club, Scottsdale

Continental Golf Club in Scottsdale, known as the “Glow Golf Capital of Phoenix,” hosts monthly glow-in-the-dark golf events. These events include a 9-hole, 4-player scramble similar to that at Augusta Ranch, a buffet-style dinner, a glow ball, and prizes. Pricing varies: $65 plus tax for the public, $60 plus tax for Card/Club members, and $55 plus tax for Prime members. The course is an 18-hole, par-60 executive layout, with night golf sessions covering 9 holes. Shotgun start times are typically scheduled around 7:30 PM, following dinner.

Palo Verde Golf Course, Phoenix

Managed by the City of Phoenix, Palo Verde Golf Course offers periodic glow golf tournaments. Similar to the format at Augusta Ranch, players get a ball, a meal, and if they show up early enough, a pull-cart for their clubs. They also receive a glowing necklace, presumably so that they remain visible to other players teeing off behind them.