All golf fans have seen the clips from the 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. A good time is virtually guaranteed. Yes, perhaps too much of a good time on occasion, but that’s Scottsdale in a nutshell. The Arizona city loves golf, and golf fans love it right back.
If you’ve never been there, now is the perfect time to start planning for that next buddies’ trip.
Do you want to play TPC Scottsdale or join the PGA Tour party there in February? If you’re looking to play it, start planning now for a weekend in November or December or after the tournament in March or May to have the best experience in moderate temperatures.
While there are plenty of great destinations for weekend buddies’ trips across the U.S., Scottsdale might be the easiest to get to from anywhere in the country. It’s certainly more convenient than other must-visit getaways like Kohler, Wisconsin, or Bandon Dunes, along the coast of Oregon.
Depending on the makeup of your group, Scottsdale also offers a wide variety of accommodation choices to go with its numerous world-class courses in and around the city, which bills itself as the West’s Most Western Town.
Although TPC Scottsdale gets most of the attention, the area has numerous other must-play courses, with Saguaro at We-Ko-Pa Resort topping the list. Routinely ranked on Golf Digest’s annual list of 100 Greatest Public courses, the walkable Coore and Crenshaw layout has wide, forgiving fairways and stunning desert views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Unlike many Scottsdale courses, Saguaro isn’t surrounded by condos or other housing, giving your golf-loving group a true desert golf experience. Along with Saguaro, We-Ko-Pa also features the Cholla course, a second 18-hole layout designed by Tom Weiskopf (above).
Because Saguaro is in high demand, enlisting the help of a travel company like Premier Golf to secure your tee time is a hassle-free option. Once Saguaro is locked in, you can start planning the rest of your trip around that date.
Along with its variety of courses, the Scottsdale area also offers a varied selection of accommodations, allowing your group to choose from good, better and best options, depending on your budget. Options range from high-end resorts like the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess or the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort to luxury private homes or basic condo accommodations in downtown Scottsdale.
For golf, be sure to also include Troon North, which features two immaculately maintained desert layouts—Monument and Pinnacle—by Tom Weiskopf. With towering saguaros and massive boulders lining the fairways, both courses will have you reaching for your camera as well as your clubs.
If your group is looking to experience first-class private club treatment, book a tee time at The Grayhawk Golf Club. The club, which opened in 1994, does everything right and features two courses—Raptor (Tom Fazio) and Talon (David Graham)—with unique designs that can be playable enough for casual golfers while also providing challenges for more serious players. After the round, grab some food and drink at Phil’s Grill. Named for Phil Mickleson, a long-time club ambassador and friend of club developer Gregg Tyhrus, the grill is known for its laid-back, casual vibe, making it a perfect spot to unwind before making the journey home.
Regardless of where you decide to play or stay, Scottsdale has plenty of options and will provide you and your buddies with an enjoyable and memorable quick getaway.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
