Scottsdale and Golf go together like peanut butter and jelly. Like Sam and Dave. Rest and relaxation.
Listed in the 2006 Robb Report as "America's Best Place to Live for Golf," scratch players and weekend duffers alike make the pilgrimage to play Scottsdale's traditional and target desert courses every year. Many end up purchasing a second home or moving here altogether for nothing more than the amazing variety and plentiful choices that the Valley provides a golf enthusiast.
Averaging 330 days of sunshine a year, few and far between are the outings that must be cancelled due to inclement weather. And for those hot summer days? You can get on some of the very best courses for a fraction of the standard cost. And while there are private clubs with equity memberships available to residents, the vast majority are public courses. Of these, The Boulders & Golden Spa Resort was selected as the second best golf resort in the nation for 2005 by Travel & Leisure Golf Magazine. The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North was #4.
The Boulders (South Course)
I'll also use this opportunity to plug my personal favorite course. Actually, two. The Grayhawk Golf Club in North Scottsdale boasts two award winning 18 hole courses (The Raptor and Talon). Grayhawk is not only challenging and gorgeous, but features a learning center headed up by PGA Tour commentators Peter Costis and Gary McCord. Until he moved from the Valley a few years ago, Grayhawk was the home club to Phil Mickelson as well. I actually worked here for one summer upon graduating from college and mistakenly chased Phil off of the practice range one week prior to the Masters. Ask me and I just might tell you about it while we are out looking at property.
Grayhawk Golf Club
Of course, I would also be remiss not to mention the TPC of Scottsdale at The Scottsdale Princess where the FBR Open (formerly The Phoenix Open) is held annually. Renowned for the infamous 16th hole, which is without a doubt the rowdiest hole on the entire PGA tour, the FBR is a place for all of the beautiful people to see and be seen.
With 174 public courses in the area and growing, if Scottsdale is not the epicenter of golf in the United States, it is a strong contender. In addition to being a great place to play, it is a great place to learn. In fact, Golf Magazine listed 11 Scottsdale-based instructors in its top 100 in the nation for 2001.
So whether your game is up to par, or you need a little help to iron out that slice and putting technique, there is no better place for a golf lover than Scottsdale!
The McCormick Ranch Golf Club
Orangetree Golf Resort
Sanctuary at McDowell Mountain Ranch
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Paul Slaybaugh with Realty Executives is your source for Scottsdale AZ Real Estate and relocation. Selling the land I love since 1999, I am a Scottsdale native with deep local knowledge and appreciation of all aspects of Southwestern living. Whether shopping for a permanent home, seasonal home or just curious about what Scottsdale has to offer, I am always available to field inquiries about our wonderful community. (480) 948-9450. Paul@rayandpaul.com.
Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley AZ Real Estate. A Slaybaugh family tradition since 1974! We haven't sold every home in the Valley, but we're working on it!
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Your golf courses look WAY different than our golf courses! We don't have any mountains or those cool cactus like you have! Great shots! :)
Here, here...great photos.
I need to get out of the office. I don't know how long it's been since I've golfed.
I'll go to AZ if you pay! Those courses look awesome.
Golf is fantastic out there! I prefer playing Desert Mountain, although have only done so twice and not in the last couple years. I am an avid golfer, and we are getting bombed with winter this year in the Midwest. Those pictures made me drool on myself a little bit
Great photos.
I need to get out of the office. I don't know how long it's been since I've golfed. Those courses look awesome. Best of luck
Paul, Nice photos and localism post. Also liked your 5 part life story. Cool!
Paul, hey you! I have a post in draft about our golf courses, the top 10 golf courses here in South Florida:)
Hello Paul!
My husband and I are dually licensed in CT & AZ. We specialize in luxury homes for buyers here in CT seeking the beauty and elegance of the SW dessert. We own a timeshare at the Four Seasons and are there often so i agree 100%, plus I grew up in Deer Valley so I am a "Valley of the Sun" girl!
I am the East Coast cheerleader for Arizona, so many people here flock to FLA, which is lovely, but with the mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, desert and the Grand Canyon, people don't realize what all Arizona has to offer!!!!!!!
Paul, Those courses are beautiful. What time do you tee off in the summer to avoid the baking heat?
Gorgeous photos, Paul! Really beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Paul- I will be in Scottsdale at the Desert Ridge Marriot , the last week of March. I can't wait. Hopefully will have time to golf, but snce the rugrats are coming with us- I'm not so sure.
Ah one of the things I miss about AZ, year round golf!
Paul, when I was in Scottsdale, I never played the course there. With that said, I heard it was a spectacular one.
Paul, these pictures are so perfect they are almost surreal. Wow. I want to see this in person. Your area is amazing. How's the market? I would pay dearly to be there. Later in the rain~Deb
PAUL - These photos alone are making me want to take up golf and move to Arizona. Nice job on this one.
Adam: Make it happen buddy! You'll like the exchange rate between Long Island and Scottsdale ;)
Debra: The market in Scottsdale is in much better shape than the reports you keep hearing about for the metro Phoenix area. The outlying areas are getting pounded mercilessly, but Scottsdale has held up much better, and there are signs of a very active Spring market right now. Buyers are taking advantage of the unique opportunity that our current market presents.
Danny: Which course are you referring to? Next time you're out, I'll make sure we play it.
Cindy: Tough life, isn't it? :)
Judy: The Marriot at Desert Ridge is where my company has held many of our quarterly events (until we switched to the Westin at Kierland just this past year). You'll have a great time, and I hope you do get a chance to play the course there. If you have any spare time, give me a call. I'd love to say hello over a cup of coffee.
Kelly: Thank you very much.
Ginger: You have to go off at the break of day to beat the summer heat, but it's still warm. The trade-off is playing courses that usually run $200 per round for $50-75. Good enough reason for me to work on my tan!
Marilee: I think our secret is out. We have very much become an "it" destination. Keep up that cheerleading on the East coast. I can hear you from here!
Katerina: I have so much catching up to do, and your blog is no exception. Can't wait to see what your courses look like down there!
Marc: Thanks buddy!
Jerry: You and me both. I rarely get to play anymore between business and family obligations.
Derek: Desert Mountain is phenomenal! You are certainly a cut above my skill set if you can play that course with any semblance of self-respect!
Joey: Come out in the summer when we can get on for a 50% discount, and you've got yourself a deal! ;)
Shannon: Oh, but I bet you have some pretty special views in Naples as well, Shannon.
Paul... one place I haven't been to visit nor play golf in is Arizona... that is one of my goals in the next year two. Some awesome scenery on the golf course. My dad has been twice before, once at one of those golf resorts that give packages with lessons and such.
Jeff, bring your sticks and you and I are going to play some beer and drink a few golfs, my man!
Great golf courses ! Love the pictures too !