Golf in Arizona is much more than a leisurely pastime—it’s a massive economic engine. The lush green fairways you see carved out of the desert are the foundation of a multi-billion-dollar industry that supports jobs, boosts tourism, and even makes your house worth more.
Let’s get straight to it: the golf industry pumps an estimated $6 billion into Arizona’s economy every year. That’s not small change. This activity supports nearly 66,200 jobs across the state and provides $2.3 billion in wages. It also generates a cool $518 million in annual state and local tax revenues.
Even during the recent pandemic, when many industries struggled, golf thrived. As a safe, outdoor activity, it saw an 8.9% growth in employment from 2019 to 2021, and Arizonans played a staggering 16.6 million rounds in 2021 alone.
A huge slice of this pie comes from tourism. In 2023, visitors spent over $29 billion in the state, and golfers are a key part of that. About 9% of all visitors to Arizona in 2021 hit the links during their stay, spending money at hotels, restaurants, and local shops.
Ever notice how many of Arizona’s premier communities are built around a golf course? That’s by design. Having a golf course in the neighborhood has a direct impact on property values, boosting home prices by anywhere from 18% to 40%. In 2019, that premium added up to an extra $2.24 billion in residential real estate value, which in turn generated more property tax revenue for local towns and cities.
If you want to see this Arizona golf economy in action, look no further than the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This isn’t just a golf tournament; it’s a cultural phenomenon that injects over $400 million into the economy each year. A 2025 forecast predicted the event would contribute $407 million to the state’s GDP, with out-of-state visitors bringing in $174 million of that in new money.
But it’s not just about the money. The tournament, run by the non-profit Thunderbirds, has raised over $175 million for local charities. And because it happens every year, it provides a reliable economic boost that businesses can count on, unlike one-off mega-events like the Super Bowl. It’s a perfect example of how golf is deeply woven into the economic and social fabric of Arizona.
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