What Residents Love About The Grand in Surprise, AZ
Ask people who live at The Grand (formerly Sun City Grand) why they stay, and you hear the same handful of answers — the golf, the clubs, the pickleball, and how easy it is to fill a day. Here’s what actually keeps residents happy, from an agent who’s spent years in the community.
The Grand is Del Webb’s active adult community in Surprise — a fast-growing city in the northwest Valley (City of Surprise) — and it opened as Sun City Grand before taking on its shorter name. (If the two names confuse you, we sort it out in Sun City Grand vs. The Grand.) What matters for a buyer is what the place feels like to live in day to day — and on that, residents are pretty consistent. Here’s what they tell us they love.
The golf — four courses, and you never have to leave
The single most-mentioned thing is the golf. The Grand has four courses, so residents rarely play the same round two days running. For a golfer, that variety is the whole point — you can chase a different layout all week without driving anywhere. Homes back right up to the fairways, too, which is why golf course homes at The Grand move quickly when a good one comes up.
One thing we always clear up: golf is separate from your HOA. Your dues cover the community amenities, but the courses run on their own memberships and green fees. If golf is a big reason you’re looking here, we’ll walk you through the current membership and pay-to-play options so you know the real monthly picture before you buy.
Pickleball and an active sports scene
Pickleball has taken over Arizona’s active adult communities, and The Grand leaned in early — there are more than 20 courts, plus tennis and an organized club scene around both. Residents love that they can walk on for a casual game or join leagues and ladders that fill the social calendar. The courts are a community amenity, so they come with living here, no separate club to join.
The clubs are the real amenity
People come for the golf and stay for the clubs. With 60-plus clubs and groups — woodworking, quilting, cards, cycling, travel, art, music, you name it — the hardest part isn’t finding something to do, it’s choosing. This is the answer we hear most from residents who moved from out of state: they showed up knowing nobody and had a full week within a month. That soft stuff is what makes a community feel like home, and The Grand does it as well as anywhere in the West Valley.
💡 The out-of-state buyer’s secret
If you’re moving from far away, the clubs matter more than the square footage. A home is easy to change; a social circle isn’t. We tell buyers to pick a couple of clubs before they even close — it’s the fastest way to feel settled. Founder Jarl Kubat has spent 22+ years helping out-of-state buyers land in West Valley communities, and this is the tip that pays off every time.
Three activity centers spread the action out
Rather than one clubhouse everyone crowds into, The Grand has three activity centers with pools, fitness, and gathering space. Residents like that it keeps things from feeling packed — there’s usually a lane open and a class starting somewhere. It’s a small thing that adds up when you use the amenities as often as people here do.
Del Webb homes, and the freedom of not being gated
The Grand is a Del Webb community, so the homes are what buyers expect from that name: well-built, mostly single-level, with the low-maintenance layouts that make 55+ living easy. You can see the range on our The Grand floor plans page. For the community’s own rundown of clubs, courses, and events, the official Sun City Grand community site is a useful reference.
Here’s a detail some buyers are surprised by, in a good way: The Grand is not gated. For some that’s a dealbreaker, but plenty of residents actually prefer it — it feels open and easy, guests and delivery drivers come and go without a gatehouse, and the community still feels safe and settled. It’s worth knowing going in so it matches what you want.
Who The Grand fits best
- Golfers who want variety — four courses without leaving home.
- Pickleball and tennis players who want courts and an active club scene.
- Social buyers who’ll actually use 60+ clubs to build a circle fast.
- Buyers who like an open, not-gated community with Del Webb-built single-level homes.
See what’s for sale at The Grand
Live MLS listings, updated throughout the day — including homes right on the fairways.
See Homes for Sale Golf Course Homes👀 Buying from out of state?
The Grand’s best homes — especially the fairway lots and the popular single-level plans — go fast. Tell us your budget, your must-haves, and whether golf or clubs matter most, and we’ll watch the community and send you matches the day they list, often before they hit the big sites. When you fly in, you tour a short list instead of guessing.

Thinking about The Grand?
I’m Jarl Kubat, a licensed Arizona agent with 22+ years in the state’s 55+ communities. I know The Grand well — the courses, the club scene, which streets and floor plans hold their value. Tell me how you want to live and I’ll give you the honest read, no pressure.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 Contact PageFrequently asked questions
Is The Grand a good retirement community?
For active buyers, it’s one of the strongest in the West Valley. The Grand is a Del Webb 55+ active adult community in Surprise with four golf courses, 20-plus pickleball courts, three activity centers, and 60-plus clubs — so there’s a lot to do close to home. Whether it’s right for you comes down to budget, home style, and how you like to spend your days, which we’re happy to talk through.
Is The Grand gated?
No, The Grand is not gated. Many residents like the open, easy feel, but if a guard gate is a must-have for you, it’s better to know that up front. We can point you to nearby gated 55+ options if that’s what you want.
Do you have to be 55 to buy at The Grand?
Not necessarily. Like most Arizona active adult communities, The Grand requires at least one resident in the home to meet the age minimum, and there’s an under-55 path for many buyers. We cover the details in our guide to buying at The Grand.
Is golf included in the HOA at The Grand?
No. The four golf courses run on their own memberships and green fees, separate from your HOA dues. Your dues cover the community amenities like the activity centers, pools, and pickleball. We’ll walk you through the current golf options before you buy.
More on The Grand and nearby Surprise
- The Grand buyer’s guide — homes for sale, 2026 fees, golf, and age rules in one place.
- The Grand floor plans — the Del Webb single-level models by size and collection.
- Surprise 55+ communities — how The Grand compares to Arizona Traditions, Sterling Grove, and more.
- All our guides for The Grand — history, golf, amenities, and age rules.
- Golf at The Grand — the four courses, explained.
- The Grand amenities & daily life — a closer look at the clubs and centers.
- The Grand vs. Sun City West vs. Sun City — three Del Webb communities compared.
Community information: Community facts, home types, HOA and golf fees, membership options, court and club counts, and amenities are set by the associations and clubs at The Grand and change without notice. Figures here are summarized for general information and current for 2026 as provided — confirm current details with the association or your licensed agent before you rely on them. This page is independent, buyer-focused information and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Grand, the Grand community associations, or Del Webb. Jarl Kubat is a licensed Arizona real estate agent.
Listing accuracy: Property listings and availability are drawn from the Arizona Regional MLS and are believed accurate but not guaranteed. Listings change throughout the day; confirm details with your agent before relying on them.
