Anthem Country Club
Anthem, AZ · Gated Golf Community · Est. 1999 · Del Webb
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This review synthesizes data from 18 sources including public records, resident forums, community websites, and market data APIs. Last researched: March 2026.
What Kind of Place Is This?
Anthem Country Club is a guard-gated community of 2,866 single-family homes in Anthem, Arizona, roughly 35 miles north of downtown Phoenix. Built by Del Webb between 1999 and 2006, it sits in the Sonoran Desert foothills with views of Daisy Mountain and the surrounding high desert terrain. The community is fully built out -- no construction trucks, no phasing uncertainty.
The homes are all single-story detached residences, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 4,600 square feet across more than 40 floor plans. Configurations run from two bedrooms to five bedrooms, with many homes featuring attached two-and-a-half to three-car garages, detached guest casitas, and either golf course or mountain views. The architectural style is Southwestern contemporary -- stucco exteriors, tile roofs, earth-tone palettes that blend with the desert landscape.
The Physical Environment
The community is organized around two championship golf courses -- Persimmon and Ironwood -- which serve as the visual and recreational spine of the neighborhood. Desert landscaping dominates the common areas, with natural washes and native vegetation preserved throughout. Four gated entry points provide access, each requiring a transponder. The terrain is generally flat to gently rolling, with paved sidewalks and internal trails connecting residential areas to the two clubhouses. Lot sizes vary considerably with the home size, accommodating everything from smaller patio homes under 1,200 square feet to estate-sized properties exceeding 4,000 square feet.
Who Thrives Here?
- Residents who want golf as a daily lifestyle, not an occasional hobby. With 36 holes on-site and full practice facilities, this is a community where golf is the central amenity, not an afterthought.
- Someone who prefers having dining, fitness, and social programming within the gates. The dual clubhouse setup means restaurants, fitness centers, pools, and event spaces are all inside the community -- reducing the need to drive for routine socializing.
- Residents who want a quieter North Valley location away from Scottsdale traffic. Anthem sits north of Loop 101 with less congestion than communities closer to the Scottsdale corridor, though that distance cuts both ways (see Location section).
- Someone who values guard-gated security and a fully built-out community. No construction, no developer handoff uncertainty -- the HOA has been resident-controlled for nearly two decades.
- Residents who want a range of home sizes under one community umbrella. The spread from approximately 1,000 to 4,600 square feet means downsizers and those wanting more space can both find options within the same gates.
Social Temperature
Social life at Anthem Country Club is structured around the two clubhouses and the programming run by Invited (formerly ClubCorp), which owns and operates the golf courses and amenity facilities. A full-time activities director coordinates events ranging from golf tournaments and tennis leagues to wine tastings, chef dinners, and happy hours. Friday and Saturday happy hours at both clubhouses are consistently well attended.
Newcomer Integration
New residents automatically become social members upon taking title to their home, which provides immediate access to the clubhouses, fitness centers, pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and dining. This mandatory membership model means newcomers have a built-in reason to visit the clubhouses and meet neighbors -- there is no separate "opt-in" barrier. Golf associations including the men's (AMGA) and women's (ALGA) groups organize regular play and tournaments that serve as social entry points.
Seasonal Dynamics
Like most North Valley communities, Anthem Country Club sees reduced occupancy during summer months. Estimated seasonal departure rates run in the range of 15-25%, though specific data is not publicly reported by the HOA. Event programming and club activities scale back during June through September, with golf tee times more available and dining hours sometimes reduced. The social calendar picks back up in October and runs at full capacity through April.
Governance Reality
Why this matters: HOA governance is the #1 source of complaints in communities — and the topic almost nobody covers honestly. Here’s the reality at Anthem Country Club.
Why this matters: HOA governance is the #1 source of complaints in communities -- and the topic almost nobody covers honestly.
Anthem Country Club has a layered governance structure that prospective buyers need to understand. There are two separate entities collecting fees:
- Anthem Country Club Community Association (ACCCA): The HOA that manages the gated residential community. Managed by Associated Asset Management (AAM), directed by a five-member volunteer board. ACCCA assessments for 2025 are $118/month ($354/quarter).
- Anthem Community Council (ACC): The master association for all of Anthem. ACC assessments are $83.08/month ($249.24/quarter).
- Anthem Golf & Country Club (Invited/ClubCorp): A third-party entity that owns the golf courses and clubhouse amenities. Social membership is mandatory for all homeowners at $325/month (effective November 2024).
The total combined monthly obligation is approximately $526 -- and that is before any golf membership upgrade. This three-tier fee structure is the single most common source of buyer confusion and occasional complaint. The ACCCA and ACC portions fund community maintenance and security. The Invited portion funds clubhouse operations, dining, fitness, pools, and course maintenance.
Reserve fund status for the ACCCA was not publicly available as of this review. The board approved a $5/month ACCCA increase for 2024. ACC assessments increased $2/month in both 2022 and 2023, the first increases since 2014. Fee trajectory has been moderate relative to inflation.
Fee Trajectory
| Year | Monthly HOA Fee | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $460 | |
| 2022 | $475 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $490 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $501 | +2.2% |
| 2025 | $526 | +5.0% |
Quick Stats
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Anthem, AZ 85086 (North Valley) |
| Developer | Del Webb |
| Year Built | 1999-2006 |
| Total Homes | 2,866 |
| Community Type | Gated Golf Community (not age-restricted) |
| Home Sizes | ~1,000-4,600 sq ft |
| Price Range | $400,000-$1,000,000 |
| Median Sale Price | $715,000 (2024) |
| Monthly HOA + Club Fees | ~$526/month (ACCCA + ACC + mandatory social) |
| Property Tax Rate | ~0.73% effective rate |
Amenities
| Category | What's Available |
|---|---|
| Golf | 2 championship 18-hole courses: Persimmon (est. 1999, Greg Nash design) and Ironwood (est. 2004, Greg Nash design). Bent grass greens. Full practice facilities and pro shop at each course. Golf membership is separate from the mandatory social membership. Full golf membership provides unlimited access; limited golf membership offers 3-day tee sheet access with per-round green fees. Budget accordingly -- the social membership alone does not include golf. |
| Clubhouses | 2 clubhouses: Persimmon (formal dining, bar, lounge, fitness, pool) and Ironwood (casual dining, bar, lounge, fitness, pool). Meeting rooms and event spaces at both. Having two clubhouses means neither one is overcrowded, even during peak season. The Persimmon/Ironwood split gives residents a formal and casual option without leaving the gates. |
| Dining | Persimmon Bar & Grille (contemporary/traditional cuisine, full wine list), Ironwood Grille (casual dining), bars and lounges at both locations. On-site dining is a genuine convenience, not a token amenity. Quality and menu variety are managed by Invited (ClubCorp). Hours may be reduced during summer months when occupancy drops. |
| Pools & Spa | 2 heated pools with lap lanes and 2 heated spas, one at each clubhouse. Sundeck areas. Pools are heated year-round, which matters more than most buyers realize -- desert nights cool quickly from November through March. Summer pool usage is high as it becomes the primary outdoor activity. |
| Tennis | 8 post-tension hard courts total: 2 at Persimmon, 6 at Ironwood. Lighted for evening play. League play, tournaments, doubles events, and team tennis programs. Eight courts is above average for a community this size. Lighted courts extend playable hours during cooler months and early mornings year-round. |
| Pickleball | 4 outdoor hard courts. Four courts is adequate but not exceptional given the sport's growth. During peak season, court availability may require advance booking. |
| Fitness | 2 fitness centers (one per clubhouse) with cardio equipment, free weights, and group fitness classes. Dual fitness centers reduce crowding. Neither rivals a dedicated commercial gym, but they cover standard needs for most residents. |
| Bocce | Maintained bocce courts available to members. A nice social amenity that requires minimal physical intensity. Court count not publicly specified. |
| Trails & Parks | Internal paved trails and sidewalks connecting residential areas to clubhouses. Anthem Community Park (shared with broader Anthem) includes playgrounds, sports fields, skate park, and fishing lake. Internal trails are pleasant for walking but not comparable to dedicated trail systems in communities like Trilogy at Vistancia. Cave Creek Regional Park is a 25-28 minute drive for serious hiking. |
Location & Medical Access
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center | 10 mi | 13 min |
| Banner Thunderbird Medical Center (Glendale) | 27 mi | 33 min |
| Mayo Clinic (Phoenix Campus) | 35 mi | 40 min |
| Fry's Marketplace (nearest grocery) | 3 mi | 6 min |
| Outlets North Phoenix | 3.5 mi | 7 min |
| Downtown Scottsdale | 35 mi | 40 min |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport | 36 mi | 42 min |
| Cave Creek Regional Park (hiking) | 17 mi | 28 min |
| Downtown Phoenix | 32 mi | 35 min |
| Anthem Community Park | 2.5 mi | 5 min |
Medical Access Assessment
The nearest full-service hospital is HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center, located at I-17 and Dove Valley Road, approximately 10 miles south of the community (about 12-15 minutes). This facility opened in 2020 and provides emergency services, surgical capabilities, and specialty care. Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale is roughly 27 miles south. Mayo Clinic's Phoenix campus is approximately 35 miles and 40 minutes away. For a community that draws many residents over 55, the proximity of HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing is a meaningful advantage -- it was built specifically to serve the growing north Phoenix and Anthem population.
Walk Score & Accessibility
Anthem Country Club has a Walk Score of approximately 18 out of 100, classifying it as car-dependent. This is typical for North Valley master-planned communities. A car is required for virtually all errands outside the gates, including grocery shopping, medical appointments, and most dining. Within the community, the two clubhouses provide dining, fitness, and social activities without requiring a car trip -- but everything beyond the gates requires one. Fry's Marketplace is the nearest grocery store, roughly 3 miles from the community entrance.
Summer Reality Check
The honest answer to the question you're afraid to ask: What does July actually feel like in Anthem Country Club?
The honest answer to the question you are afraid to ask: What does July actually feel like in Anthem Country Club?
Anthem sits at a slightly higher elevation than central Phoenix, which translates to temperatures typically 2-4 degrees cooler than downtown. That still means summer highs regularly exceed 108-112 degrees Fahrenheit from June through September. Low temperatures at night hover around 80-85 degrees. The air is dry, which makes shade and air conditioning effective, but outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. is impractical for most of the summer.
Golf course operations shift to early morning tee times, with the last reasonable starts around 7-8 a.m. during peak summer. Pools remain open and become the primary outdoor amenity. Club programming shifts indoors -- fitness classes, card groups, and dining events continue, but outdoor events largely pause. Some dining hours may be reduced at one or both clubhouses during the lowest-occupancy months.
Estimated summer electricity costs for a 2,000-2,500 square foot home in Anthem (served by APS) run $300-$500/month during July and August, depending on thermostat settings and home efficiency. Homes in the 3,500-4,000 square foot range can see summer bills of $500-$700.
The First Summer vs. The Second Summer
The first summer is a reality check for anyone relocating from a cooler climate. The sustained heat -- not just the peak temperatures but the accumulation of 100+ degree days from May through October -- is genuinely uncomfortable for the unacclimated. By the second summer, most residents have adapted their routines: early morning outdoor activity, indoor socializing during the day, and evening use of pools and patios after sunset. The community does not empty out entirely -- Anthem Country Club has a higher year-round residency rate than some snowbird-heavy communities -- but activity levels and restaurant patronage noticeably drop.
Best For
Best for: Residents who want two championship golf courses, dual clubhouses with dining, and a gated North Valley setting 35 miles from Sky Harbor
Residents who want two championship golf courses, dual clubhouses with dining, and a gated North Valley setting.
Anthem Country Club delivers a golf-centric package that is difficult to match at its price point in the Phoenix metro area. Comparable gated golf communities in Scottsdale (Terravita, Desert Highlands, Grayhawk) typically carry higher entry prices for similar or fewer amenities. The trade-off is location: Anthem is 35 miles from Sky Harbor Airport and 35-40 minutes from downtown Scottsdale, which matters for residents who want frequent access to Scottsdale dining, arts, or medical specialists. For residents who prioritize on-site amenities and golf value over proximity to Scottsdale, Anthem Country Club offers more course access per dollar than most alternatives in the metro area.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common complaints center on the layered fee structure (three separate entities collecting fees), the mandatory social membership through Invited/ClubCorp (approximately $325/month as of late 2024), and occasional frustration with rule enforcement by the HOA. Some residents have also noted that the Invited/ClubCorp management of clubhouse amenities can feel corporate rather than community-driven. Turnover in HOA management staff has been cited as an inconvenience.
As of 2025, total monthly obligations include three components: ACCCA (HOA) at $118/month, ACC (master association) at $83.08/month, and mandatory social membership through Invited at approximately $325/month. The combined total is approximately $526/month. Golf membership is additional. There is also a Community Enhancement Fee and Lifestyle Fee at closing, each equal to 0.25% of the home sale price.
Long-term rentals (12-month minimum lease) are generally permitted. Short-term vacation rentals exist on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO within the community, though specific CC&R restrictions apply. Tenants must register with the HOA and obtain transponders for gate access. Review the current CC&Rs and consult the ACCCA board for the most current rental policies, as Arizona state law and HOA rules can differ on short-term rental permissions.
HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center is approximately 10 miles (13 minutes) south on I-17 at Dove Valley Road. This full-service hospital opened in 2020 and includes emergency services and specialty care. Banner Thunderbird Medical Center is 27 miles south in Glendale, and Mayo Clinic's Phoenix campus is approximately 35 miles away.
No. Despite being built by Del Webb and marketed toward 55+ buyers, Anthem Country Club is not age-restricted and does not qualify as a HOPA (Housing for Older Persons Act) community. Residents of all ages can purchase and live in the community. The community is age-targeted, meaning its amenities and programming appeal to 55+ buyers, but there are no age requirements or verification processes.
Median sale prices in Anthem Country Club were approximately $715,000 in 2024, with homes averaging 84 days on market. Price appreciation has been moderate. The community is fully built out (2006 completion), which provides stability but also means no new-construction demand driver. The mandatory social membership adds to ongoing costs, which can affect resale calculations. Location 35 miles north of Sky Harbor may limit the buyer pool compared to closer-in communities.
Compare Anthem Country Club
See how Anthem Country Club stacks up against comparable communities in the Phoenix metro:
- Full comparison table: All communities rated and compared
- Terravita — Gated golf community in North Scottsdale with higher price points and closer access to Scottsdale dining and medical facilities.
- Sun City Grand — Del Webb 55+ community in Surprise with HOPA age restriction, lower HOA fees, and a different amenity model (resident-owned recreation centers).
- Trilogy at Vistancia — 55+ community in Peoria with comparable pricing, one golf course, and newer construction (2005-2020).
- Legend Trail — Gated golf community in North Scottsdale with one course, lower HOA fees, and closer proximity to Scottsdale.
- Anthem Parkside — Adjacent Del Webb community in Anthem without golf or gating; lower price point and fees for buyers who want the Anthem location without the country club package.
- Pinnacle Peak Country Club Estates — North Scottsdale golf community with custom homes, higher price ceiling, and closer Scottsdale access.
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Last updated: March 6, 2026 · Data sources: Maricopa County Assessor, ARMLS, community records, resident forums, Google Reviews (18 sources total)
Important: All information in this review should be independently verified before making relocation decisions. Community details, fees, amenities, and market conditions change frequently. We recommend contacting the community directly and consulting with licensed real estate professionals before taking action.