Arizona Golf Deals

Summertime in the Phoenix area means different things to different people. To some, it means oppressive heat, dust and monsoon thunderstorms. Others of us cannot wait for the summer to arrive. For that is when all our winter visitors go home, the prices go down, and we, the year-round residents of the Phoenix area can join with those few hardy summer tourists for some of the best golf deals in the country. This is the time of year that we can freeze our water bottles, don our sunscreen, caps and sunglasses, and head out to Arizona golf courses that, in the winter, we may not be able to afford. Phoenix and especially Scottsdale golf courses can be a bargain if you are an early riser and/or you can take the heat.

There are over 200 golf courses of varying types and lengths in the Phoenix area and over 300 Arizona golf courses. Here are a few that you shouldn't miss if you can handle the heat. Please note, all prices are subject to change. Call the golf course for tee times and prices.

Troon North costs over $200 per person in the winter months and has been called the best course in all of Arizona. It is located in North Scottsdale. There are two courses designed by Tom Weiskopf. The Monument course is 7,028 yards and a par 72. "It presents a challenging layout for the pros, as well as an enjoyable experience for the average golfer. Both will enjoy the wide fairways that wind through lush desert vegetation, natural washes and towering saguaros." The Pinnacle Course is 7,044 yards and a par 72. It is "built around dramatic granite boulders and striking elevation changes. The Pinnacle features a more traditional desert layout with tighter landing areas and spectacular carries over desert washes." During the summer the price starts at $75.

The Boulders is located in beautiful Carefree, Arizona which is north of Scottsdale. There are two golf courses set among 12 million year old granite formations. Both designed by Jay Morrish, the 6,589 yard South Course has been named one of the top 100 course in America. Is it true that a desert rule on this course is that "if a coyote picks up your ball and carries it off, you can drop a ball and play it from there"? Normally $240, in the summer the rates are between $75 and $95. I hear that carts at these course have misting systems to keep the golfers cool.

Grayhawk in Scottsdale also commands over $200 in high season here. But in the summer, you can play the two courses, both rated in the top 100 courses in the country, for between $50 and $75. The 6,973-yard, par-72 Talon Course, designed by former PGA and US Open Champion David Graham and architect Gary Panks, was selected as one of Golf Magazine's "Top 10 You Can Play." Grayhawk's Talon is the host site of the finals of the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf. Grayhawk is cart path only.

The luxurious Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale uses Camelback Mountain as its backdrop for 27 holes of wonderful golf. Summertime rates are between $29 and $70 compared to over $200 the winter. The Canyon/Oasis Course (par 70, 6,528 yards) is the premier 18 holes.

These are just a few of the premier Phoenix area courses, but there are many wonderful courses in the low to mid-priced range, too. Just go to the next page to check those out.