Scottsdale: Golf Vacations and Resorts

Scottsdale, Arizona- would it be wrong to say it's the ideal golf destination? No, not at all. With more than 170 public and private courses to select from and nearly ideal weather, Scottsdale, Arizona is a place where golfing is as good as it gets.

According to the great golfer Tom Weiskopf, Scottsdale offers the kind of golf unrivalled throughout the world. The near perfect climate and courses are simply the best.

Golf Climate

Scottsdale has some of the best, sunny year-round weather in the country. Winters are mild and filled with sunshine. Spring and fall provide ideal golfing conditions. And golfing in the summer is more than tolerable early in the morning. Summer also has the best rates.

Golf Architects Have Left Their Mark

Famous golf architects such as Bill Grove, Ben Crenshaw, Billy Casper, Arnold Palmer-Ed Seay, Robert Cupp, Jay Moorish, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. have all left a mark.

Tom Weiskopf designed the Tournament Players Club (TPC), DC Ranch, and Troon North Golf Club.

With all of these top-notch courses in the area there are a number of "must play" holes. One of the most written about is the 14th hole at Troon's Monument Golf Course. Golf Digest voted it one of "The Best 18 Holes You Can Play." Golf Week magazine called Monument Course the number one course in the state. And Golf Digest called it the Best Public Course in Arizona.

Golf Magazine ranked Grayhawk's Talon and Raptor courses the "Top 10 Courses You Can Play in the U.S."

Where the Pros Live

Danielle and Dina Ammaccapane, Curt Byrum, Brandel Chamblee, Jim Carter, Hale Irwin, Jonathon Kaye, Carin Koch, Tom Lehman, Andrew Magee, Billy Mayfair, Gary McCord, Mike Nicolette, Grace Park, Dan Pohl, Tom Purtzer, Jerry Smith, Kirk Triplett, Tom Weiskopf.

Desert Golf

Desert or target golf, a special kind of golf, was pioneered in Scottsdale. This kind of golf course responds to its environment. The natural water flow is not changed and the natural habitat provides the "target" that golfers play into. This creates very strict criteria for golf architects. In Scottsdale, golfers have to hit around gigantic Sonoran Desert boulders, towering saguaros, and barrel cacti. These carefully designed courses are environmentally kind using reclaimed water as much as possible.

Scottsdale Golf Schools

  • Eleven instructors made Golf Magazines' "Top 100 Teachers in America 2001" list.
  • Golf Digest Learning Centers operate out of Kierland, Troon North, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
  • John Jacobs Golf School operates from several different locations.
  • Desert Mountain hosts the Nicklaus/Flick Game Improvement Center.
  • McCormick Ranch hosts the Lyford School of Golf.

Major Events

  • Phoenix Open (FBR Open as of 2009)
  • Ping LPGA

With its beautifully groomed and wonderfully challenging courses Scottsdale offers golf that is as good as it gets. Its been said that if it was to get any better a whole new game would have to be invented. An ideal climate and exceptional standard in service pair up to bring you unparalleled golf.