Scottsdale National Golf Club

Bad Little Nine at Scottsdale National Golf Club is a short course designed by Dick Bailey that complements the club's championship layout in the Sonoran Desert landscape north of Scottsdale. The nine-hole course occupies terrain characterized by the natural desert topography of the area, with elevation changes, native vegetation, and the rock outcroppings typical of the region. Bailey, who also designed the club's main course, created a routing that emphasizes strategic shot-making over distance. Scottsdale National opened in 2013 as a private club situated on several hundred acres of high Sonoran Desert, offering views across the surrounding mountains and valleys. The property sits at elevation above the valley floor, providing the dramatic terrain that shapes both courses. The Bad Little Nine serves as a practice facility and alternative routing for members, designed to be walked and played quickly while still presenting genuine strategic interest through green complexes and approach angles. The course reflects the minimalist design philosophy often applied to short courses, where hole variety and shot values take precedence over length. Players navigate holes that require precision with short irons and wedges, with the desert setting and natural contours providing both beauty and challenge. The layout integrates into the club's overall member experience, which emphasizes golf in a natural desert environment with limited membership and a focus on the game itself.