Queen Creek Golf: Private Luxury or Laid-Back Desert Living?

Arizona is widely considered one of the best golf destinations in the world — and it’s not just hype.

With more than 300 days of sunshine, championship-level course design, and winter playing conditions that attract visitors from across the country, Arizona golf offers something few places can: true year-round play. While much of the country stores clubs away for months, golfers here are teeing off in January with blue skies overhead and mountain views in the distance.

And when it comes to Southeast Valley golf, Queen Creek delivers in two very different — but equally compelling — ways.

If you’re considering golf course living in Queen Creek, here’s what you need to know about the area’s two standout courses:

• Las Colinas Golf Club

• Encanterra Country Club

Each offers a distinct lifestyle — one relaxed and accessible, the other elevated and private — both set against the stunning backdrop of the Sonoran Desert.

Why Arizona Golf Is in a League of Its Own

Before diving into the courses themselves, it’s worth understanding what makes golf in Arizona so exceptional.

1. Year-Round Playability

In most parts of the country, golf is seasonal. In Arizona, it’s part of everyday life. Even in summer, early morning tee times allow residents to play comfortably before temperatures peak. Winter, spring, and fall? Nearly perfect.

2. Tour-Caliber Conditions

Arizona courses are known for meticulous maintenance. Overseeding in the fall creates lush winter fairways, and many courses are designed by renowned architects who maximize desert scenery and mountain views.

3. Lifestyle Integration

In Queen Creek especially, golf isn’t isolated — it’s woven into neighborhoods, social calendars, dining experiences, and even fitness culture.

Now let’s look at how that plays out locally.

Las Colinas Golf Club

Address: 6823 S Kenworthy Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Course Type: Public

Holes: 18, par 71

Membership Fees: Not required; membership and loyalty programs available

Connected Neighborhood: Surrounding custom homes and acreage properties

Las Colinas represents classic desert golf — approachable, scenic, and rooted in Queen Creek’s more rural character.

This 18-hole public course is known for its wide fairways, playability for multiple skill levels, and stunning views of the San Tan Mountains. It’s not an overly intimidating course, which makes it appealing to both newer golfers and experienced players who enjoy a relaxed pace of play.

Unlike many Arizona golf communities, Las Colinas is not part of a tightly designed master-planned development. Instead, it’s surrounded by larger homesites, custom builds, horse properties, and open desert land. That gives this area a distinct personality.

The Neighborhood Feel Around Las Colinas

Homes near Las Colinas tend to offer:

• Larger lots

• RV garages or workshops

• No-HOA or minimal-HOA options

• Mountain and sunset views

• A quieter, more spread-out atmosphere

Buyers drawn to this area often want space — both physically and lifestyle-wise. You’ll find homeowners who value privacy, flexibility, and that signature Queen Creek blend of rural charm with growing convenience.

Retail, dining, and schools are still just minutes away, but the setting feels open and less structured than a traditional golf subdivision.

Social Birdie at Las Colinas

One of the newer lifestyle additions to this area is Social Birdie, located onsite at Las Colinas.

Social Birdie brings a modern, social twist to the golf scene with:

• Casual dining and drinks

• A gathering space for leagues and events

• Wedding venue

It has quickly become more than just a clubhouse extension — it’s a social hub for residents and golfers alike. Whether you’re practicing your swing in the summer heat or meeting friends for a casual night out, Social Birdie adds another layer to the Las Colinas experience.

For buyers who want golf access without private club commitments — and who value a laid-back atmosphere — Las Colinas delivers.

Encanterra Country Club

Address: 36460 N Encanterra Dr, Queen Creek, AZ 85140

Course Type: Private

Holes: 18, par 72

Membership Fees: Private membership with initiation fees and monthly dues

Connected Neighborhood: Encanterra (guard-gated master-planned community)

If Las Colinas represents relaxed desert golf, Encanterra represents elevated, resort-style living.

Encanterra is a guard-gated community centered around a private championship course designed by major champion Tom Lehman. The course layout is strategic yet playable, with manicured fairways, dramatic mountain views, and pristine conditioning year-round.

This is not just a place to golf — it’s a lifestyle ecosystem.

The Encanterra Neighborhood

Encanterra is part of the Trilogy community model and offers:

• Fairway-view homes

• Lock-and-leave villas

• Luxury single-family residences

• Gated enclaves

• Professionally landscaped streets

Many homes are positioned along the course, offering expansive green views that contrast beautifully with desert surroundings.

The community attracts a mix of full-time residents and seasonal homeowners who are drawn to its structured amenities and social culture.

Onsite Dining & Club Amenities

Encanterra goes far beyond golf.

Residents enjoy multiple dining venues within the clubhouse, offering everything from casual meals to elevated dining experiences. Having on-site restaurants creates a true country club environment — dinner with friends, brunch after a round, or evening cocktails without ever leaving the gates.

Beyond dining, the club includes:

• Resort-style pools

• A full-service spa

• State-of-the-art fitness facilities

• Tennis and pickleball courts

• Organized events and social clubs

It’s common for residents to build their entire social life within the community — golf groups, wine nights, fitness classes, seasonal events.

For buyers seeking a private club experience with polished amenities and a strong community culture, Encanterra stands out in the Southeast Valley.

Comparing the Two: Which Lifestyle Fits You?

While both courses are located in Queen Creek, the lifestyles they offer are dramatically different.

Las Colinas Is Ideal For:

• Buyers wanting space and larger lots

• Golfers who prefer public access

• Those seeking flexibility without membership fees

• Homeowners who enjoy a quieter, rural feel

• Social but casual gathering spots like Social Birdie

Encanterra Is Ideal For:

• Buyers wanting gated, resort-style living

• Those who enjoy structured amenities

• Golfers who value private club access

• Residents seeking on-site dining and social programming

• Lock-and-leave convenience with elevated finishes

Both benefit from Queen Creek’s rapid growth — new dining, shopping, schools, and entertainment continue to expand throughout the area. Yet both maintain that open-sky, mountain-view charm that defines this part of Arizona.

The Bigger Picture: Golf Living in Queen Creek

Queen Creek has evolved significantly over the past decade. What was once considered more rural is now one of the fastest-growing areas in the Southeast Valley.

Yet it has preserved what makes it special:

• Wide-open skies

• Mountain backdrops

• Spacious homesites

• A strong sense of community

For golf enthusiasts, that translates to options.

You can choose a relaxed, spacious setting near Las Colinas, where acreage and mountain sunsets frame your evenings. Or you can choose a refined, amenity-rich environment at Encanterra, where golf is just one part of a comprehensive lifestyle.

Either way, you’re living in a state where golf is playable nearly 12 months a year — something buyers relocating from colder climates often see as transformational.

Final Thoughts

Arizona isn’t just a good place to golf — it’s one of the best in the world. And Queen Creek reflects that in its own unique way.

Las Colinas Golf Club offers approachable desert golf surrounded by space and simplicity.

Encanterra Country Club delivers private club luxury with dining, amenities, and a built-in social scene.

Whether you’re a serious golfer, a lifestyle buyer, or someone simply drawn to fairway views and mountain sunsets, Queen Creek provides options that fit different seasons of life.

If you’re considering buying or selling near either of these golf communities, understanding the subtle differences in lifestyle, pricing, and long-term value is key — and that’s where local expertise matters most.

📞 Call/Text me today! Casey Walag 480-455-7659 or [email protected]