Quick Answer
Play all three Wigwam courses if the trip allows it. Gold is the championship test, Blue is the shortest and most forgiving, and Red provides the middle ground with traditional parkland golf, wide fairways and enough length to remain interesting.
For a three-round stay, Blue works well first, Red second and Gold last. That order lets the group settle in before finishing with the resort's most demanding course. Availability, maintenance and the group's priorities can change the sequence.
At a Glance
| Course | Best fit | Design character | Suggested trip role | |---|---|---|---| | Gold | Stronger players and the main competitive round | Large-scale Robert Trent Jones Sr. championship design | Final or centerpiece round | | Blue | Mixed handicaps, outings and a relaxed start | Shorter Robert Trent Jones Sr. parkland course | Arrival or opening round | | Red | Broad range of golfers wanting a full traditional test | Robert “Red” Lawrence design with wide corridors | Middle or closing round |
Gold Course
Gold is the course most golfers associate with The Wigwam. Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed it in 1965 as a large championship layout, and Tom Lehman led a 2015 restoration of its bunkering.
The course asks the most from the group because of its length, elevated targets and strategic bunkers. That does not mean every golfer should play it from the back. Gold becomes a better trip round when each player chooses tees that leave reasonable approaches and preserve the decisions Jones intended.
Use Gold for the match everyone wants to remember. Give it a full day rather than squeezing it into a rushed travel window, and avoid playing it after the group has already walked or played another demanding 18.
Blue Course
Blue is also a Robert Trent Jones Sr. course from 1965, but it is significantly shorter and more accommodating. Wider landing areas and manageable approach distances make it the easiest place for a mixed group to begin.
The course underwent a substantial bunker and irrigation renovation in 2016. Thirty-five bunkers were removed and the remaining hazards were reshaped, helping Blue play as the most accessible of the three without reducing it to an executive course or casual add-on.
Blue is the best choice for arrival day when the flight schedule leaves enough time for 18, provided the group is not rushing from the airport. It also works for outings, team formats and groups where several golfers would struggle with Gold's length.
Red Course
Red was designed by Robert "Red" Lawrence and brings a different architectural voice to the property. Its broad fairways, generous greens and traditional parkland setting have made it a favorite among members and local golfers.
A four-month bunker project completed in 2022 rebuilt and reshaped the hazards. Some greenside bunkers were moved closer to the putting surfaces, while other hazards were removed or reduced to improve playability and strategy.
Red sits naturally between the other two courses. It is longer and more substantial than Blue but generally less severe than Gold. That balance makes it a useful second round in a three-course sequence.
Which Course Is Hardest?
Gold is the most demanding overall because of its scale, length and approach requirements. Tee selection changes the experience considerably, so the hardest version of Gold is not automatically the correct version for the group.
Red supplies a complete championship-length round with fewer of Gold's extremes. Blue is the most forgiving, particularly for golfers who benefit from shorter approaches and fewer bunkers.
Difficulty also changes with overseeding, wind, pin locations and course setup. The labels are useful for planning, not a guarantee that every golfer will score best on Blue or worst on Gold.
Which Course Is Most Scenic?
The Wigwam courses are parkland golf rather than dramatic elevated desert layouts. The appeal comes from mature landscaping, palms, water, bunkering and the established resort setting.
Gold has the strongest championship presence. Red feels especially traditional and established. Blue provides the relaxed resort round. Choose among them for golf character rather than expecting the exposed mountain-and-desert scenery found farther north around Scottsdale.
Best Order for a Three-Round Trip
Start on Blue when the group wants the easiest transition into the trip. Play Red on the second day, then finish with Gold once everyone knows the property and is ready for the primary competition.
Groups focused on the championship course may prefer Gold on the best-weather day or repeat it instead. A replay should replace another course only after the group understands what it is giving up. First-time visitors benefit from seeing all 54 holes.
The Wigwam destination page includes the current resort and lodging setup. Use the Wigwam Golf Trip Planning Guide for lodging, season and trip-length decisions, then see the three-night Wigwam itinerary for a practical Blue, Red and Gold sequence.
Best Fit by Group
Choose Gold when better players want the strongest test or the group needs one main tournament round.
Choose Blue when ability levels vary, the day is tied to travel or the group wants a more relaxed match.
Choose Red when the group wants balanced parkland golf that works for a wide range of players without feeling like the easiest option.
For most buddies trips, couples trips and corporate groups, the answer is still all three. Their differences are what make The Wigwam more useful than a one-course resort.
FAQ
What is the best course at The Wigwam?
Gold is the best-known and most demanding course. Blue and Red serve different groups well, so an overall ranking is less useful than matching each course to the day's purpose.
Which Wigwam course is easiest?
Blue is generally the most forgiving because it is shorter and has a reduced bunker count.
Which course should a mixed-handicap group play?
Blue is the clearest first choice. Red also works well because of its wide fairways, generous greens and multiple tee options.
Should you play Gold from the back tees?
Only if the distance fits your game. Gold is more enjoyable when the group can reach greens with reasonable clubs and engage with its strategy.
Can you play all three courses in one trip?
Yes. A three-night stay can comfortably include one round on Gold, Blue and Red without changing resorts.
Plan a Wigwam Golf Trip
JEL can arrange all three courses around the group's arrival, departure and preferred level of difficulty. Share your dates and group details, and we will build the stay in the right order.
