Golf-loving lawmakers sponsor bill to allow patrons to bring cheap alcohol onto Arizona courses

A bill sponsored by state Republican lawmakers would allow golf courses to let patrons bring their own alcohol onto the course.

Golf courses are subject to liquor license laws, which means they can be sued if patrons bring in their own alcohol and something goes wrong.

The bill would carve out an exemption in liquor license laws specifically for golf courses.

It’s sponsored by Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale), who said he got the idea while golfing with some fellow legislators in Prescott.

“They had a sign that was like, ‘Hey, we’d love to let you BYO, because we know booze is cheaper at the gas station, but, like, unfortunately the legislature has passed a law that says we can’t let you do that,’ and we’re all kind of looking at each other like, ‘We’re lawmakers, we can change that law,’” Kolodin said.

Kolodin said he has noticed similar signs on other courses recently and labeled his bill "the Inflation Reduction Act of 2025" because it is intended to save golfers money.

Lobbyist Don Isaacson represents a trade association for liquor licenses. He noted this is likely already happening whether golf courses know it or not, but posting signs helps protect them from liability.