Talking Stick Golf Club

What Talking Stick Golf Club does

Talking Stick Golf Club is a 36-hole resort golf facility located on sovereign tribal land of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) at 9998 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, Arizona. Operating since 1998, the property is fully owned and operated by the SRPMIC and features two 18-hole championship courses — the O'odham Course (desert links-style) and the Piipaash Course (parkland-style) — both designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Revenue is generated across ten principal streams: green fees and 36-hole packages; three subscription tiers (Talking Stick Card at $129/year, Player Development Program at $69.99-$119.99/month, and invitation-only STICK Premier Practice at $1,500/month); food and beverage at The Grill and Sandwich House plus on-course beverage carts; corporate/charity tournaments and Red Mountain Event Space weddings and banquets; golf instruction from staff and partner instructors (LaBauve Golf, Andrew Welk Golf); custom club fitting via True Spec Golf (Foresight GCQuad launch monitor); TaylorMade Qi4D club rentals; driving range access; and SRPMIC/Native American preferred-rate programs.

The GTM motion is predominantly direct-to-consumer plus event-driven: golfers self-book through eight dedicated EzLinks tee-time portals segmented by customer type (day guest, pre-pay, card holder, AZ resident, SRPMIC, Native, PDP, STICK), with phone reservations and an in-person golf shop; corporate groups and weddings are sourced by a dedicated Group Sales Director (Nic van Vuuren) and a Banquets & Catering contact. Marketing is multi-channel (website, Facebook, Instagram, email, GolfNow/EzLinks), and the club leverages its cultural heritage, Coore & Crenshaw design pedigree, and Scottsdale location as differentiators. The technology stack is built on third-party platforms (EzLinks Golf booking engines, GolfNow aggregators, Foresight GCQuad launch monitor) rather than proprietary IP.

As a sovereign tribal enterprise, Talking Stick has no external equity, debt, or M&A activity disclosed, no recent leadership transitions, and a stable headcount of 11-50 employees. Operations sit within the broader Salt River Entertainment District and reflect SRPMIC's stated commitments to stewardship, authenticity, and hospitality; the structure provides regulatory protection and insulation from typical PE/VC ownership dynamics.

Name

Talking Stick Golf Club

Legal name

Talking Stick Golf Clubs Oodham Course

Website

https://talkingstickgolfclub.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Talking Stick Golf Club is a tribally-owned 36-hole resort golf facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, operating two Coore & Crenshaw-designed courses. It serves day guests, members, corporate event buyers, and wedding customers via green fees, three membership tiers, F&B, instruction, and event hosting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Golf Resort and Country Club Services

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (71391)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Luxury Golf Resorts (THAGACAH)

Keywords

• Public golf resort
• Championship golf courses
• Golf membership programs
• Corporate golf outings
• Golf instruction services

Headquarters

HQ city

Scottsdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Green Fees and Golf Rounds: Per-round green fees for day guests playing either the O'odham Course (desert links-style) or Piipaash Course (parkland-style), with dynamic pricing based on season, demand, and customer segment.
2. Talking Stick Card Membership: Annual membership card ($129 + tax) providing preferred rates, 20% F&B discount, complimentary round certificate, 15% golf shop discount, and advance tee time booking (3 days). Benefits extend to card holder and one guest.
3. Player Development Program (PDP): Monthly subscription membership ($69.99-$119.99/month depending on season) providing range practice access, reduced golf fees during specified times, and 1-day advance tee time reservations.
4. STICK Premier Practice Membership: Invitation-only monthly membership ($1,500/month) offering unlimited range access, complimentary tee times, discounted guest rates, F&B discounts, and exclusive facilities access.
5. Food and Beverage: On-site dining at The Grill (breakfast 6:30am-11am, lunch 11am-3pm), Sandwich House (8am-3pm), full bar service, and on-course beverage carts.
6. Tournaments and Events: Corporate outings, charity fundraisers, weddings, and special events hosted at Red Mountain Event Space with full catering services and professional tournament management.
7. Golf Instruction: Golf lessons and instruction from staff instructors and partners (Andrew Welk Golf, LaBauve Golf), with private, semi-private, and custom group programs. Pricing: $190-$325/hour.
8. Club Fitting Services: Custom club fitting through True Spec Golf partnership, utilizing Foresight GCQuad launch monitor technology with over 70,000 clubhead and shaft combinations.
9. Club Rentals: TaylorMade Qi4D rental clubs available for $85 plus tax, including 2 sleeves of golf balls.
10. Driving Range Access: Range ball purchases: $25 for 100 balls, $35 for 150 balls. Range balls included in golf fees on day of play.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Talking Stick Golf Club operates a 36-hole public golf resort in Scottsdale, Arizona featuring two distinct Coore & Crenshaw-designed 18-hole championship courses (O'Odham desert links-style and Piipaash parkland-style). The club delivers tee time access to day guests, tribal and member segments, plus ancillary services including on-site dining, tournaments, weddings, banquets, golf instruction, custom club fitting, and tiered membership programs.

Product overview

Talking Stick Golf Club is a 36-hole resort golf destination owned and operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, featuring two distinct 18-hole championship courses (O'Odham and Piipaash) designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The facility operates as a unified golf resort combining the two courses with comprehensive clubhouse dining (The Grill, Sandwich House), membership programs (Talking Stick Card, Player Development Program, The STICK Premier Practice), event services (tournaments, weddings, banquets), golf instruction (Andrew Welk Golf, LaBauve Golf, Staff Instruction, First Tee), custom club fitting (True Spec Golf), and driving range/practice facilities. The O'Odham Course offers a desert links-style experience while the Piipaash Course provides a traditional parkland-style layout.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• O'Odham Course Desert links-style 18-hole championship course featuring wide fairways, artful bunkering, subtle strategic nuances, broad angular holes with crowned greens and close-cropped run-up areas, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Formerly known as the North Course. Available for daily-fee play by the general public, members, and tribal community.
• Piipaash Course Classic parkland-style 18-hole championship course with tree-lined fairways (eucalyptus and cottonwood), raised and well-protected greens, offering a conventional strategic experience designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Formerly known as the South Course. Open to the public and members.
• The Grill Full-service restaurant at the clubhouse offering southwestern dining with views of Pinnacle Peak and McDowell Mountains, serving breakfast 6:30am-11am and lunch 11am-3pm daily, with light snacks and full bar available 6am-5pm. Open to golfers, event guests, and visitors.
• Sandwich House Casual driving range snack bar open daily 8:00am-3:00pm, offering grab n' go options including sandwiches, hot dogs, snacks, and full service bar with local beer. Inspired by traditional Piipaash and O'odham sandwich house architecture.
• Talking Stick Card Annual membership card ($129 plus tax for 2025-2026 season) offering preferred golf rates, 20% F&B discount, complimentary round certificate, 15% off golf shop merchandise, and advance tee time booking up to 3 days ahead. Benefits extend to card holder and one guest.
• Player Development Program (PDP) Monthly membership program offering range practice access with balls in designated PDP area, discounted access fees ($25-$50 plus tax), and 1-day advance tee time reservations. Monthly rates vary by season ($69.99 to $119.99). Designed for budget-conscious golfers and beginners.
• STICK Premier Practice Membership Invitation-only premier practice membership ($1,500 plus tax per month, 60-day minimum) offering exclusive private range access, unlimited range balls, short game practice area, club storage, 15% golf shop discount, 20% F&B discount, and complimentary or discounted tee time access.
• Tournaments and Outings Corporate and charity golf tournament hosting services including two tournament-ready courses, professional staff management of pairings, scorecards, signage, scoring, Red Mountain Event Space for awards ceremonies, and customized on-site catering packages. Served by a dedicated Group Sales Director.
• Weddings Wedding and event venue services featuring views of McDowell Mountains and Camelback Mountain, Red Mountain Event Space, ceremony and reception planning, catering services, and professional staff for intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations.
• Banquets and Catering Full-service catering and banquet capabilities for events of all sizes, including weddings, corporate functions, cocktail hours, and formal dinners with customized food and beverage packages.
• Golf Instruction (LaBauve Golf, Andrew Welk Golf, Staff Instruction) Private, semi-private, and custom group golf lessons from staff instructors and partner programs including LaBauve Golf (Mike and Sandy LaBauve) and Andrew Welk Golf. Pricing for LaBauve lessons ranges $190-$325 per hour.
• Custom Club Fitting (True Spec Golf) On-site custom club fitting by True Spec Golf, ranked #1 Club Fitter in North America by GOLF Magazine, utilizing Foresight GCQuad launch monitor technology with over 70,000 clubhead and shaft combinations from leading manufacturers. All fittings by appointment.
• 36-Hole Specials Same-day 36-hole golf packages allowing play on both O'Odham and Piipaash courses (or two rounds on same course), with recommended 4.5-5 hour spacing between tee times, cart staging between rounds, and practice facility access included. Dynamic pricing applies.
• Golf Club Rentals TaylorMade Qi4D rental club sets available in Men's RH Reg and Stiff, Men's LH Reg and Stiff, and Ladies RH/LH configurations at $85 plus tax, including 2 sleeves of golf balls. First-come, first-served basis.
• Driving Range Access Access to the largest public practice facility in the Phoenix/Scottsdale valley with natural turf. Range balls priced at $25 for 100 balls or $35 for 150 balls. Range balls included in golf fees on day of play.
• SRPMIC/Native American Rates Special golf rates for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community members and all other Native Americans with Tribal ID Card, including SRPMIC Tribal Member Rate, Native American Rate, and SRPMIC Tribal Government/Community-Owned Enterprise Employee Rate.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36-hole golf experience with one tee time booking
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• First Tee – PhoenixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTalking Stick Golf Club is a proud host facility for First Tee – Phoenix, a youth development organization enabling kids to build character through golf and life skills curriculum. The partnership creates active learning experiences building inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience in young people.
• True Spec GolfcoreTechnology or IntegrationTrue Spec Golf provides custom club fitting services at Talking Stick Golf Club, ranked #1 Club Fitter in North America by GOLF Magazine. Uses Foresight GCQuad launch monitor technology with over 70,000 clubhead and shaft combinations. All fittings by appointment only at on-site facility.
• Andrew Welk GolfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndrew Welk Golf operates as an instruction partner at Talking Stick Golf Club, offering golf coaching and instruction programs at the facility.
• LaBauve GolfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaBauve Golf (Mike and Sandy LaBauve) serves as Director of Golf Instruction at Talking Stick Golf Club. Mike is a Golf Digest Top 50 Instructor and Southwest PGA Teacher of the Year. Sandy is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and founder of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf. Both offer private, semi-private, and custom group instruction programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Estrella Mountain Ranch Golf Club: Public-access Nicklaus-designed golf course in Goodyear (Phoenix west valley). Comparable public-access championship model targeting Phoenix-metro golfers, though with single-course rather than dual-course offering.
• McDowell Mountain Golf Club: Public-access championship facility in nearby Fountain Hills with similar desert setting and Coore & Crenshaw-designed executive course. Comparable architectural pedigree and customer base within the greater Phoenix golf market.

Direct peers

• Quintero Golf Club: Premium public-access desert golf course in Peoria (Phoenix metro) designed by Rees Jones. Comparable premium positioning, day-guest model, and Scottsdale/Phoenix catchment area competition.
• Camelback Golf Club: 36-hole public-access facility in Scottsdale with Padre and Indian Bend courses. Directly competes for the same daily-fee, corporate outing, and tournament golfer in the Phoenix/Scottsdale market.
• The Boulders Golf Club: 36-hole resort-style golf facility in North Scottsdale with boulder-strewn desert courses and on-site resort lodging. Comparable to Talking Stick's full-service amenity set including dining, instruction, and event/wedding capabilities.
• Kierland Golf Club: 27-hole premium public facility in Scottsdale integrated with the Westin Kierland Resort. Comparable resort-style amenity offering (dining, instruction, fittings) targeting tourist and local golfers in the same metro.
• We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: 36-hole public facility on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation tribal land near Scottsdale with Saguaro and Cholla courses. Nearly identical ownership/governance structure (tribal enterprise), customer base, and two-course public-access model as Talking Stick.
• Troon North Golf Club: 36-hole premium public facility in North Scottsdale with Pinnacle and Monument courses set in the Sonoran Desert foothills. Closest architectural and experiential peer to Talking Stick's two distinct Coore & Crenshaw-style layouts.
• Grayhawk Golf Club: 36-hole premium semi-private facility in North Scottsdale with Talon and Raptor courses. Direct peer for full membership programs, instruction services, and tournament/event hosting in the same trade area.
• TPC Scottsdale: Premier public-access 36-hole facility in Scottsdale featuring the famous Stadium Course (home of the PGA Tour's WM Phoenix Open) and Champions Course. Direct competitor for premium daily-fee rounds, corporate outings, and tournament hosting in the same metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TalkingStickGC
• Instagraminstagram.com/talkingstickgolfclub
• Xx.com/talking_stickgc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Talking Stick Golf Club