Under the Lights: Grass Clippings Rolling Hills
Located in the heart of Tempe, Arizona, Grass Clippings Rolling Hills is redefining what a modern municipal golf course can be. A long-standing local favorite that has been thoughtfully reimagined, Rolling Hills now offers a unique dual-personality experience — playing one way by day and transforming into something entirely different after dark.
By day, the course plays as an 18-hole executive layout, featuring a mix of par 3s and par 4s that reward precision, strategy, and smart positioning. As the sun sets, Rolling Hills becomes an 18-hole, all-par-3 course under the lights, creating one of the most distinctive golf experiences in the country.
Two Courses in One: Day Golf vs. Night Golf
What truly sets Rolling Hills apart is its ability to transform with the time of day.
During daylight hours, golfers experience an executive-style layout that blends short par 3s with strategic par 4s. It’s a format that encourages smart course management, creative shot selection, and fast-paced rounds that fit easily into busy schedules.
At night, the course shifts into a completely different experience. Every hole becomes a par 3, creating a true short-course test under stadium-style lighting. The transition turns Rolling Hills into a rare destination where players can loop a full 18 holes of par 3 golf after dark — a format that emphasizes distance control, trajectory, and aggressive play at the flag.
Golf After Dark in the Desert
Night golf is at the core of Rolling Hills’ identity.
Under the glow of towering light poles, the course comes alive with illuminated greens, glowing fairways, and a desert sky filled with stars and moonlight. The atmosphere is quieter, cooler, and more dramatic — offering a version of golf that feels closer to a stadium sport than a traditional daytime round.
With only a small number of fully lighted 18-hole courses in the United States, Rolling Hills stands out as a true destination for golfers looking to experience the game in a completely different way.
Home of the Grass League
Since reopening under Grass Clippings, Rolling Hills has become best known locally as the home of the Grass League — a community-driven series of events that has helped define the course’s culture and energy. Designed to be social, competitive, and welcoming, Grass League nights bring golfers together under the lights for a format that feels modern, accessible, and fun.
More than just events, the Grass League has become part of the identity of Rolling Hills. From league nights filled with friendly competition to tee signage proudly calling it home, the course has evolved into a gathering place where golf, community, and atmosphere all intersect.
Rolling Hills has also hosted high-profile events like the Good Good Desert Open, helping introduce the course to a wider audience during WM Phoenix Open week. But at its core, the heartbeat of Rolling Hills remains the local community — and the Grass League is what keeps the lights on, the energy high, and golfers coming back week after week.
A New Model for Municipal Golf
Grass Clippings Rolling Hills represents a shift in how municipal golf can look and feel. By combining an accessible executive layout with a one-of-a-kind night-golf experience, the course offers something for nearly every type of golfer — from beginners to competitive players, locals to visitors, early risers to night owls.
It’s a place built around community, creativity, and making golf more approachable — while still delivering a layout that rewards skill, strategy, and great shotmaking.