Private courses have become available for play on Scottsdale golf vacations. Here's the scoop on whether you should play them.
There’s always plenty of interest in Scottsdale golf vacations, but seeing the “enthusiastic” galleries and party-like scene of this week’s Phoenix Open usually cranks things up.
So, in case you, too, have plans to visit the Valley of the Sun, I thought I’d tip you off about a couple previously private courses that are now available to you.
Now, you may have heard about these courses in other golf articles, but I’m not merely going to tell you their names and that you can play them.
I’m going to tell you whether you should. Read more →
When is a Scottsdale Golf Vacation not a Scottsdale golf vacation?
When you fly into Phoenix/Scottsdale but drive to Tucson to stay and play.
Why would anyone in their right mind do that?
Only for the chance to play this past weekend’s PGA Tour venue and what may the best golf course you can play in the entire State of Arizona…
..and to do it cheaper, easier, and faster than flying into to Tucson. Read more →
The Arizona Biltmore is offering unlimited golf vacation packages until Dec. 24.
Many of you have been asking me to alert you when I find worthwhile golf vacation packages.
Today, I’m happy to report I’ve found one that meets my admittedly persnickety criteria.
It’s a nice, pre-winter package in the Phoenix / Scottsdale area at a top-tier hotel.
Even taking moderate advantage of the “unlimited golf” portion of this package can save you 50 percent off standard rates. Read more →
The JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson offers outdoor -- yes, outdoor -- ice skating on Arizona golf vacations.
How’s this for a unique off-course activity: outdoor ice skating…in the Arizona desert.
For those who want to escape the cold with Arizona golf vacations, but still want a taste of “home” when they’re not playing golf, a Tucson, Ariz., resort has set up an outdoor ice skating rink.
Frankly, when I’m on an Tuscon Golf Vacation, I don’t want or need any reminders that it’s winter, but I must admit, ice skating when it’s 70 degrees outside would be a pretty cool thing to experience. Here’s where you can find it. Read more →
Previously open only to members and their guests, you can now play Superstition Mountain GC's courses on Arizona golf vacations: Prospector (above) and Lost Gold.
If there’s a Phoenix or Scottsdale, Arizona Golf Vacation in your future, you’ll wan to read this tip before you choose the lineup of courses you’re going to play.
The private Superstition Mountain Golf Club, located about 35 miles east of Phoenix, has decided to allow daily-fee play on both of its Nicklaus Design golf courses, called “Prospector” and “Lost Gold,” on a rotational basis. Read more →
Papago Golf Course is back in playfor Arizona golf vacations.
While we’ll all have a lot to be thankful for on November 27th, those on, or planning, Arizona Golf Vacations will have a little extra about which to be grateful. That’s when tee times will again be taken for Papago Golf Course, which, in the past, was one of the best bangs-for-the-buck for Arizona golf vacations.
Orginally designed by William F. Bell (of Torrey Pines Golf Course fame, among others) in 1963, the city of Phoenix-owned Papago has been closed since April to undergo massive renovations. Read more →
Even before recent improvements, Troon North has been a staple of Scottsdale golf vacations.
Troon North Golf Club, one of the 36-hole facilities that has become a staple of Scottsdale Golf Vacations, has been touting its “two new golf courses” lately. Intrigued as to why the golf club would monkey with its acclaimed Monument Course, a Jay Moorish/Tom Weiskopf creation, and its Pinnacle Course (1996), a solo Weiskopf effort, we made one of our usual anonymous site inspections to find out.
Specifically, the Troon North Golf Club website declares that Tom Weiskopf recently returned to create, “two new layouts” and a “completely new playing experience.” The truth is, while Weiskopf modified some bunkers, re-worked a few holes, and added a superior strain of bentgrass to the putting surfaces, his main change was transferring nines between the courses to create more cohesive routings. Read more →
Sign of the times? Hopefully not.
Many people think the worst three words in golf are, “You’re still away.” This past weekend, on my Scottsdale Golf Vacation, I was reminded of three words that are even worse, “Cart Path Only.”
In town to evaluate recent changes to some of Scottsdale’s best golf courses, I had to weather cart-path-only restrictions at Grayhawk Golf Club and during one of two rounds at Troon North Golf Club. Read more →
