WICKENBURG, AZ — Giddy up, pardner, and bring your golf bag, your soft spikes and sunscreen. You're in for a Western-theme golf getaway.
The town of Wickenburg, Arizona, was founded not long after miners began prospecting the area in the 1860s. Henry Wickenburg was the most fortunate of them all, having struck gold in the Vulture Mine. For the longest time, the town was merely a pit stop on the two-lane highway for travelers from Phoenix headed to Las Vegas.
Now it's become a remote golf destination, with the most established golf resort in town at Rancho de los Caballeros, situated on, you guessed it, Vulture Mine Road. The course attracts plenty of golfers from the northwest corner of the Phoenix area, a little more than an hour away, but if
you really want to take in all this cowboy-themed resort has to offer, plan for a couple or three nights and enjoy this desert beauty.
The resort was once a working ranch and in some ways it still is. Every afternoon, as the work day draws to a close, the dozens of horses go on their daily run and if you're lucky enough to be playing the 16th hole around that time, you'll see ‒ and of course hear ‒ these amazing creatures rumble on past.
Horseback riding and spa treatments complement the golf and what a golf course it is. Stretched out to nearly 7,000 (6,962) you'll get your money's worth. Originally opened in 1980, the course is situated along the Bradshaw Mountains. There's plenty of elevation changes, including the uphill par-3 third hole with its two-tiered green. The seventh hole is a nearly 600-yard par 5 and there's a large lake that's likely in everyone's second-shot range. Creativity will be a must here.
The ninth is also a hole that ascends towards the green and like most golf courses, hitting to the correct part of the green is key. When you hit the second nine, hold on to your britches, because the challenge doesn't slow down. The 11th green has a ridgeline extending left to the right the width of the green. In fact, they can only set the pin here in front or back, so a sharp approach here is a must.
The 13th is probably the most diabolical/fun hole on the layout. This is another huge par 5, 598 yards from the black tees. The hole plays straight away but the fairway goes down, then up, then down again, before one final incline to the green. If you're not on in two (hahah, yea right) or three (doable with three solid strikes) then you're looking at a 60-or-so-yard pitch up to a green where you can't see the pin. A par here is definitely a win.
After you come on in after this excursion, kick off your shoes and relax in the first-rate accomodations. The Wickenburg Suites are perhaps the most luxurious way to stay and if it's space you need, you'll find it here, with two huge masters bedrooms on each side of a large 1,200-square-foot living room. There's a large patio with a natural gas-powers firepit. If you have a large group, you can rent the smaller suites on each end, allowing your gathering the entire space for entertaining.
The entire resort is walkable with trails taking you from you accomodations to the pro shop or the restaurants and back again. The main dining room is coat and slacks only, gentlemen, and holds true to the Western theme. There's also the Club Grill, Restaurant 19 and the Saloon. Restaurant 19 is the newest offering, with an amazing selection of fine dining options.
You won't go hungry 'round these parts. From cast iron hatch chile queso to Chiltepin cruster barramundi, from the elk loin to the tomahawk for two, the offerings are bountiful.
The pool, recently refurbished and sparkling blue, has its own bar and kitchen as well. Even during the winter months, this will be a popular gathering spot.
Back to the golf course. If you're here for a second round, play a different set of tees for an exciting alternative. O course, you can do that on any golf course but the experience here will offer different club selections off the tee and perhaps different approach shots. Late-day tee times are great, too, as golfers can feel the cool air emerge as the sun begins its descent over the horizon.
If you were wondering about accolades, Los Caballeros ranks 30th on the Golfweek's Best 2025: Top public-access golf courses in Arizona list in a state with more than 300 golf courses. In a town with a few other fantastic offerings, Los Cab remains the lone course to appear on those rankings.
Los Caballeros opened on January 15, 1980, and was designed by Greg Nash and quickly emerged as one of those "you gotta make the drive" kinda courses. And it still is.
Whether you take advantage of the luxurious stay-and-play opportunities, or you've baked this course into a road trip from the Valley of the Sun to Sin City, you will find more than you imagined at Rancho de los Caballeros.
Todd Kelly is the assistant managing editor of Golfweek who is occasionally allowed outside to visit interesting golf courses.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Los Caballeros Golf Club in Arizona is a Western-themed good time
