Tucson maintains golf courses designed by many of the major names in golf history. The La Paloma course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and the Star Pass course was designed by Arnold Palmer. Tom Fazio designed the Ventana Canyon course, situated in the center of the awesome Arizona desert, surrounded by some of the best health spas and spa resorts in the world. Tucson is just two hours from the Phoenix Scottsdale resort corridor where many rentals are available.
Scottsdale offers something for golfers and non-golfers alike. The city is diverse with shopping, dining, inns, and a nightlife that is next to none. There has been a substantial influx of celebrity, money, and business to Scottsdale in the previous decade, and so those who have not been in a while would scarcely recognize the city.
Golf in Scottsdale is genuinely world renowned, with the Troon North Golf Club's Monument. Troon is a 36 hole golf course and can be a spot more expensive for the casual golfer. Of course, for this rate, the greens are maintained in outstanding condition and rival the most well kept greens in the world through the winter months. Pinnacle, Grayhawk, and Boulders offer golfers similarly lush greens, though at similarly high prices. Among these, Grayhawk is notable for being the spot of many expert golfing events, such as the Frys.com Open, which is part of the PGA Tour's Fall Series.
In addition to these courses, some newly designed courses have been creating buzz in the golfing world. The Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa and the recently redesigned Champions Course at TPC Scottsdale should certainly be on a golfer's list of courses to visit.
Phoenix offers a different experience. After flying into the famous Sky Harbor airport, Phoenix is a cultural hub in the state and the region. It is a destination for many convention and business people, as well as those serious about their golf. The Arizona Biltmore's Adobe Course is one of the oldest courses in the state. For those interested in a completely natural setting, the Raven at South Mountain offers golfers more than 5,000 pine trees and a surprisingly lush environment for being located in the midst of the desert. The Wildfire Golf Club designed by Nick Faldo offers players the feeling of being at a vacation resort while still being located within the city limits of Phoenix.
