Is the Phoenix Golf Card (Maricopa County resident / non-resident) worth it?
Quick answer
5 rounds to pay back the $60 card.
In the scenario “Peak season weekday, Encanto 18, walking, tee before 2 pm”, you save $14.00 per round ($60 without vs $46 with). Across the scenarios below the range is 3 to 12 rounds.
Term: 12 months from date of purchase. Only count rounds you will actually play in that window.
At a glance
- Price
- $60 (non-resident: $120); renewal $40Papago and GCU course pages list the first-year fee as $60 plus tax.
- Other versions
- Phoenix Senior Golf Card (Maricopa County, 62+): Not published
- Term
- 12 months from date of purchase
- Valid at
- Aguila, Cave Creek, Encanto, Palo Verde, Papago, Grand Canyon University GC
- Type
- Discount card
What's included
- Year-round discounted card rates at all city courses, including Papago and GCU
- Tee times up to 9 days in advance
- Rewards program (not available at Papago or GCU): loyalty points on paid card green fees
- Eligible for frequent-player promotions
Who can buy it (resident / non-resident rules)
- Resident: $60 first year, renewal listed at $40 on phoenix.gov. Maricopa County residents show an Arizona driver license, Maricopa County property tax form, or voter ID.
- Non-resident: $120 annual fee for non-Maricopa County residents; same 12-month term and 9-day booking window.
Break-even by scenario
| Scenario | Without | With | Saves / round | Break-even ($60) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak season weekday, Encanto 18, walking, tee before 2 pmFeb 2 - May 31, 2026 city rate sheet: Public vs Phx card. Cart is $16 extra. Winter rates after Oct 2026 not yet found. source | $60 | $46 | $14.00 | 5 rounds |
| Peak season weekend, Encanto 18, walking, tee before 2 pmSame sheet, weekend/holiday column. source | $65 | $48 | $17.00 | 4 rounds |
| Peak season weekday, Aguila, walking, tee before 2 pmSame sheet, Aguila GC column. source | $69 | $49 | $20.00 | 3 rounds |
| Shoulder season weekday, Encanto 18, walking, before 2 pmSept 7 - Oct 18, 2026 sheet (Encanto 18 dates). Cart $16 extra. source | $39 | $34 | $5.00 | 12 rounds |
| Shoulder season weekend, Encanto 18, walking, before 2 pmSame Sept-Oct 2026 sheet, weekend column. source | $44 | $37 | $7.00 | 9 rounds |
Break-even = pass price ÷ savings per round, rounded up. Included complimentary or bonus rounds are not netted out. Methodology.
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Data notes & caveats
- Renewal fee conflict: phoenix.gov says $40; Papago and GCU pages (as of Jan 1, 2026) say $30. Using the city page.
- The city's rate sheets list one 'Phoenix card' rate; they do not separately list a non-resident card rate, so non-resident break-even is not computed.
- Rate sheets say green fees exclude cart; tax treatment differs between sheets - confirm at booking.
- Rates change by season and course overseeding closures happen each fall.
Sources
- Official pass page: https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/activities-facilities/phoenix-golf-courses.html
- https://www.papagogolfclub.com/phoenix-city-card/
- https://gcugolf.com/phoenix-city-card/
Last verified Oct 16, 2026 · data confidence: high. Prices and rules change; confirm with the issuer before buying. ParPass is not affiliated with City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation.