Trip Overview
Three nights at The Wigwam is enough to play all 54 holes without changing hotels or driving across the Phoenix area each morning. The itinerary uses Blue as the opening round, Red for the middle day and Gold as the final championship test.
Stay on property in a room, suite or casita so the golf and evenings remain simple. The order can change with tee-time availability, maintenance or weather, but the structure should remain one full round per day rather than forcing all three courses into two crowded days.
At a Glance
- Length: Three nights
- Golf: Blue, Red and Gold courses
- Base: The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park
- Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International
- Best season: October through April
- Best for: Buddies groups, couples and mixed-handicap golf groups
Day 1: Arrive and Settle into The Wigwam
Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor and transfer to Litchfield Park. The drive is generally 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic, although arrival time matters in the Phoenix area.
Check into The Wigwam and leave the first evening open. The resort has landscaped grounds, pools, a spa and several dining options, including Litchfield's and Red Allen's Bar & Grill. Keeping arrival night unscheduled protects the trip from flight delays and gives the group time to settle in.
If everyone arrives early, use the practice facilities or the resort rather than forcing a late 18-hole round. The point of staying on property is to avoid turning travel day into another logistical problem.
Day 2: Blue Course
Start the golf on Blue, the shortest and most forgiving of The Wigwam's three courses. Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed it alongside Gold in 1965, but Blue provides more room for a group to find its pace.
A 2016 renovation removed 35 bunkers and reshaped the remaining hazards. The course still has strategic interest, but it is the best opening choice for mixed handicaps and golfers adjusting to Arizona conditions after traveling.
Schedule a normal morning tee time rather than the earliest possible start unless the season requires it. After golf, keep the afternoon open for the pool, spa or time around the resort. Dinner can remain on property, avoiding the need for the entire group to coordinate another transfer.
Day 3: Red Course
Play Red on the second full day. Robert "Red" Lawrence designed the course with broad fairways, large greens and a traditional parkland character. It is longer and more substantial than Blue without creating the same demand as Gold.
Red's bunkers were rebuilt and reshaped in 2022, giving the hazards cleaner definition and improving their relationship to the greens and fairways. The course works well for the main group match when players want a complete test that still accommodates a range of abilities.
Use the evening for a longer dinner or relaxed time at the resort. Three consecutive golf days are easier when the itinerary does not fill every hour after the round.
Day 4: Gold Course and Departure
Finish on Gold, the resort's best-known championship course. Robert Trent Jones Sr. created a large, demanding design, and Tom Lehman's 2015 restoration refreshed its bunkering.
Gold should be played from tees that fit the group. Its length and elevated targets can become repetitive if golfers are continually hitting long clubs into greens. From the proper tees, it provides the strongest finish to the trip and gives the final match a clear championship setting.
A morning tee time can work with an evening flight, but do not make the airport window too tight. Allow time for the round, post-round meal, changing and the drive back to Sky Harbor. If flights leave earlier, add a fourth night rather than rushing Gold.
Why This Order Works
Blue lets the group begin with the most manageable course. Red adds length and a different architectural style on the middle day. Gold then provides the clearest championship finish.
The order is not mandatory. If Gold has the best tee-time availability or one day has substantially better weather, protect that round. Maintenance and overseeding also rotate across the three courses, particularly in fall.
First-time groups should still try to include all three. Repeating Gold while skipping Blue or Red makes more sense on a return trip than on the first visit. The current Wigwam destination page outlines the resort setup, the Wigwam Golf Trip Planning Guide covers the complete stay, and the Gold vs. Blue vs. Red comparison provides more detail on the course differences.
When to Add a Fourth Night
Add a fourth night when the group wants an outside Phoenix-area course, a Gold replay or a departure day without golf. It also helps when flights arrive late or when players prefer a rest day between rounds.
Do not add a distant Scottsdale course simply because the trip has another day. The Wigwam is in the West Valley, and cross-metro traffic can take away the simple logistics that make this itinerary work. Use the broader Arizona golf destination page to choose an additional course or separate Scottsdale stay intentionally.
Planning Considerations
- Check the annual maintenance and overseeding calendar before confirming dates.
- Keep one full round per day for the cleanest resort experience.
- Select Gold tees according to actual playing distance.
- Arrange private airport transfers when the group is staying entirely on property.
- Use rental vehicles when adding golf elsewhere in the Phoenix area.
- Add a fourth night if Gold must be played on departure day with an early flight.
FAQ
Can you play all three Wigwam courses in three nights?
Yes. One round per day on Blue, Red and Gold creates a comfortable three-night trip when arrival and departure times cooperate.
Which course should you play first?
Blue is the most natural opening round because it is shorter and more forgiving.
Which course should you play last?
Gold provides the strongest championship finish, provided the departure schedule leaves enough time.
Should you stay at The Wigwam?
Yes. On-property lodging is what makes this itinerary simple and keeps the group close to all three courses, dining and resort amenities.
What is the best season?
October through April offers the most comfortable Arizona golf weather. Fall travelers should check overseeding schedules carefully.
Plan This Wigwam Itinerary
JEL can arrange the three-night stay and all three rounds around the group's flights, rooming preferences and preferred tees. Send us your dates and group size, and we will handle the trip from there.
