A Golfer’s Getaway: Exploring Golf Culture in Scottsdale, Arizona
For a state like Arizona where the skies are sunny three hundred days a year, golf, as you can imagine, is a big deal. What better weather to be certain that once you’ve set your tee time, the rain (ideally) won’t hinder any plans. Golfers from all over flock to this desert state to play the courses that are nestled in the mountains and offer changes in elevation and natural landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth.
Thirty years ago, visitors to the Scottsdale area probably had images of cacti, the Grand Canyon somewhere to the north, and the mountains of the Wild West. Today in the sixth largest state in the US, champion golf courses beckon all kinds of seasoned and novice golfers alike.
Ranked as #1 Best Public Golf Course for 2016 by both Golf Digest and GolfWeeklyMagazines, and ranked #1 in Arizona by Golf Advisor. Quintero Golf Club is a destination for any passionate golfer, whether locals or golfers visiting the Phoenix Scottsdale area from out-of-town. The course was designed by master architect Rees Jones, in the tradition of preeminent courses in the world – and goes a step beyond. Carved out of a piece of lush Arizona desert, Quintero offers golfers the ultimate in seclusion, style, and service.
The revered jewel of Scottsdale public “must-play” course is undoubtedly Troon North. The Monument course, compared to the Pinnacle, offers a wider range of scenery, but Pinnacle is a bit more walkable. Fairways are immaculately groomed and the customer service is top-notch. Golfers in search of the ultimate golf experience must come play. Recent renovations by the original Troon North designer and British Open Champion, Tom Weiskopf, have created two new layouts, each ensuring the course is played exactly as the land dictates. The bar and grill, Dynamite Grille, is ideal for a bite after a day in the desert and on the green.
Camelback Golf Club features thirty-six holes in a parkland setting. The 6,903-yard, par 72 Arthur Hills-designed Padre Course has surrounding lakes, trees, and landforms. Ambiente Course, the 7,014-yard, par 72 course designed by Jason Straka, combines the best of strategy and your best shots at accuracy. Here, the Clubhouse offers an expansive golf shop should you need any gear, the Acacia restaurant, and meeting and banquet space if you’re in need of a locale for your next business getaway.
Honored as one of the Best Resort Courses by Golfweek, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club rates high. The Fort McDowell Yavapai nation owns this tribal land these two golf courses are upon. The Cholla course, designed by Scott Miller, winds through mountain ridges and down mountain slopes. The Saguaro course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2006, is the other course in this power duo. Changes in elevation, mountain views, and a forest of cacti make for a landscapes like you’re never golfed through before.
If you tire of playing golf under the open Arizona sun, do what you love to do indoors instead! At Boccieri Golf, conveniently located in the Scottsdale Airpark, you can improve the game you’ve got with these hosts of dedicated golf professionals. The RoboGolf Pro (http://boccierigolf.com/scottsdale-robo-golf-swing-trainer/) offers a swing training system that allows you to feel the ideal swing for you own body. With the Trackman and Foresight simulators, the SAM PuttLab, and Robo Boot Camp, no matter your skill, you’ll be swinging better in no time. All training sessions are videoed and sent with you.
Golfers will certainly find their paradise here in Scottsdale!
