Grass Clippings Rolling Hills

Grass Clippings is a newly renovated executive / par 3 course in Tempe, Arizona.

This course became the talk of the town when it launched in 2023 — and for good reason. Grass Clippings Rolling Hills is the first fully lit 18 hole golf course in Arizona. Located in the Papago Buttes, this course sits 5 minutes from Arizona State University, downtown Phoenix, and Old Town Scottsdale. The course is 1 of just 3 public golf courses in Tempe.

During daytime play, Grass Clippings Rolling Hills plays as an executive par 62 golf course. At night, the course plays as a par 3 course. There are 3 sets of tees on each hole (Sand, Sun, and Grass). Grass denotes the par 3 tees. Hole distances range from 88-401 yards.

This golf course is currently open, but the facilities will be undergoing construction up through August 2024. Food and beverage is still available all day and night. Tee times can be booked 14 days in advance.

Other on-site amenities include:

• Driving range
• 15,000 square foot putting green
• Restaurant and bar
• Clubhouse

Grass Clippings History (formerly Rolling Hills Golf Course)

Rolling Hills Golf Course was originally a 9 hole course designed by Milton Coggins and company back in 1960.

In 1987, Gary Panks, an Arizona native, designed the back nine.

So how did it become Grass Clippings Rolling Hills?

It’s a cool story.

Grass Clippings started as an apparel company supporting greenskeepers. After hosting a par 3 tournament for two years, the team decided they should build a lighted par 3 course and began looking for properties to build on. The only real criteria was to stay somewhere in the Phoenix Metro area.

It was a challenging process to find property, and a conversation opened between the city of Tempe (who managed Rolling Hills Golf Course). Eventually, both parties came to an agreement and a 30 year lease was signed.

Grass Clippings raised $15 million from investors to improve the course and put a solid team in place.

The renovated course launched in 2023 and became the first lighted golf course in Arizona.

Have you played at Grass Clippings?

If so, please tell us about your experience at this lighted par 3 in Tempe.

Search for other par 3 golf courses in Arizona.