December in Scottsdale, AZ: peak season for golf — great conditions and a wide playing window. Best tee times: mid-morning through early afternoon.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 66°F |
| Avg daily low | 45°F |
| Rainy days | 6 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 8.8 mph |
December reshapes how you approach the tee sheet in Scottsdale more than almost any other month. Course operators know it too — this is peak season, which means prime morning slots fill days or weeks out, not the morning-of. The 66F average high sits comfortably in the ideal range, and at 8.8 mph December is the calmest month of the year, so conditions themselves rarely give you a reason to bail. The catch is a 21F daily swing: tee off at 7 AM when it's near 45F and you're layering up; by the back nine you're shedding everything.
Six precipitation days makes December the second-wettest month on the calendar, which is worth noting even if 'wet' is a relative term in the desert. A washout is uncommon, but a cool drizzle mid-round is a real possibility. Build that into your booking math: if you're flexible, a Wednesday afternoon slot is easier to grab than a weekend morning and statistically sees lighter traffic when a rare gray day discourages casual play.
Because peak-season demand compresses available inventory, book weekend morning tee times at least two weeks out; mid-week afternoons remain the last viable walk-up window. The 21F daily temperature swing means an 8 AM start requires a full bag of layers, so factor warm-up time into your arrival — arriving cold and rushing on the first tee is a common December mistake. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November runs 10F warmer at 76F and sees only 3 precipitation days versus December's 6, making it the more comfortable shoulder month for casual visitors. December and January are nearly identical on temperature — just a 1F difference in average high — but December edges out January by one fewer rain day and carries the year's calmest winds at 8.8 mph versus January's 9.7 mph. If your schedule is flexible and you can choose between the two months, December's calmer wind profile gives it a slight playability edge.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Scottsdale, AZ for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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At a 66F average high, December sits within the ideal playing range and is generally comfortable once midday arrives. The main adjustment is the early-morning chill near 45F, which makes a warm first layer essential if you book a sunrise tee time. By the back nine most players are down to a single layer.
Peak season demand means popular resort and daily-fee courses fill weekend mornings well in advance — two weeks is a reasonable minimum, and high-demand holiday periods may book faster. Mid-week afternoon slots tend to stay available longer and can still be booked three to five days out without much trouble.