By Max Adler, Golf Digest
Photos By Joey Terrill
February 2012

Seeking between the hotel drapes, you're not sure if it's dawn yet. Across the street opposing gas-station lights glow, obscuring the desert sky in a pale haze. But if your vision rises high enough, up over the street lamps and strip malls, you see it is in fact night, and checking the bedside clock, that your sunrise tee time is still three hours away. You're wired, with zero chance of falling back asleep. Maybe you've flown in from the East, and the time change is messing with your cycle. Or maybe you've flown in from anywhere with winter on the ground, and you're simply eager to play. Either way, relax. As certain as the sun will rise, one promise the climate of Phoenix keeps is that golf will happen.

Most golfers who fly into Sky Harbor International immediately head northeast to Scottsdale. Their reasons are valid: It has better golf courses, fewer big-city issues and it's less than an hour away. But it's pricier, too. If you're a golf junkie out for a quick fix that won't break the bank, stay put in Phoenix.

This all sounded ideal to my old college teammate, David Haase, a real-life Van Wilder who took eight years to earn a four-year degree and now does mold removal in Knoxville.

We stayed at a Homewood Suites 10 minutes north of the airport for $160 a night, but should've spent an extra $30 and driven two more minutes to the Embassy Suites in the Biltmore Fashion Park. There the urban grit suddenly breaks, and a cluster of new restaurants and designer shops are right out the lobby door. For healthy, organic cuisine that actually tastes good, try True Food Kitchen and drink a Medicine Man. This nonalcoholic concoction of different juices and antioxidants might sound girly, but daylight averages just 10 hours in January. You won't squeeze in 36-hole days without resorting to fast-food, so I recommend balancing your gastronomy when you can.

The first course to play is ASU Karsten. It was built for Arizona State University in 1989 by Pete Dye and was financed by Ping's founder, Karsten Solheim. Other than to glimpse the training ground of Phil Mickelson, the only collegian to capture three NCAA Division I individual titles outright, the reason to play it is the course could soon be no more. The land lease expires in June, and ASU is making noise about redevelopment.

Dye has never seen one of his creations bulldozed but is resigned to the possibility. "There's nothing you can do about it," he says. The staid 86-year-old won't be confused with Lord Tennyson, who would say, "Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."

Walking is a rare desert treat that helps you remember any course more vividly, and you don't need a cart to play Karsten. Though the land base is as flat as a football field, Dye's freehanded mounding obscures the industrial perimeter and grants identity to each hole. With that quality special to campus courses, Karsten makes golf feel like any sport. School colors adorn the flags and tee markers, and the back of the range is the softball stadium. When we played, the faint, pleasing echo of lacrosse practice drifted over.

Close by is another course mired in development controversy. In 2008, the municipal Papago began a $9.7 million renovation that fell short of what was promised. But don't be fooled by the two trailers that serve as the golf shop and clubhouse. A new irrigation system has improved conditioning, and the tips have been stretched to 7,333 yards. Mark Woodward, who served as golf-operations manager for the City of San Diego when Torrey Pines was host of the 2008 U.S. Open, has been named interim manager. "I grew up playing Papago, lived a mile and a half away, so I'm excited to restore her to her old glory."

In a way, it's a blessing the new cartpaths were never realized. You drive in the sandy washout areas bordering the holes, which preserves a rugged aesthetic in keeping with the spectral Papago Buttes that overlook the course. To combat dust kick-up, the cart boys apply a greasy coat of Armor All to the tires, interior, and even the steering wheel. Luckily, Haase drove, and so only he had to worry about his clubs slipping from his hands.

What's smart about establishing base camp in the heart of Phoenix is that you'll catch the reverse traffic flow as you drive out to golf in the morning and return in the evening. South of the city, Ahwatukee Country Club and Club West pair conveniently. Giant eucalyptus trees establish the doglegs at the first, and the latter has dramatic elevation drops.

For one last round before flying back to whatever tundra awaits you, the Raven Golf Club is minutes from the airport and underwent a face-lift last June after being acquired by OB Sports Management. The bunkers were rebuilt, and a lot of unkempt vegetation was sculpted so that the tee boxes are like desert versions of Victorian gardens. With 6,000 Georgia pines, the lush look in the midst of the Sonoran Desert is at once bizarre and beautiful. The clubhouse and service evoke a private-club experience, but I felt bad for the employees who are made to wear matching knickers.

After all, it's not Scotland. It's not even Scottsdale.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

TRAILBLAZING
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a 30-minute drive from downtown Phoenix. Access is free, and the well-marked trails are shared by runners, mountain-bikers and casual strollers. Rent a bike at Arizona Outback Adventures, and you can pedal right to the main trailhead.

SAVE MONEY
If booking tee times online, don't fall for websites that charge service fees, usually a couple of bucks per player. Instead go to www.azgolf.org, which is free. Depending on your itinerary, the AZAccess Passbook ($59.95) can be worth it with coupons for low rates at many courses.

NOT JUST A CHILI DOG
A culinary masterpiece is spreading throughout the Southwest and can be found at roadside stands and restaurants alike. The "Sonoran Hot Dog" adds bacon, pinto beans, tomatoes, cheese, jalapeños and crumbled potato chips in a Mexican bolillo roll.

  Karsten Creek on campus; and Raven GC, with a Medicine Man and a Sonoran Dog

Travelin' Joe's Guide to Phoenix, Scottsdale Golf Course

Travelin' Joe's home turf is smack in the throes of the same real estate slump and economic malaise that everybody else is experiencing these days. But if you're a glass is half-full sort of guy, that means better bargains and more course availability in one of America's great golf meccas.

Heat seekers have long zeroed in on the more than 200 golf courses that dot the Phoenix metropolitan landscape — and for good reason. Valley of the Sun resident Tom Weiskopf, architect of many of the region's best courses, explains the attraction. "Thirty years ago when you thought about a vacation to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, you thought about three things: images of the Wild West — mountains and cactus and horses and such — the Grand Canyon up north, and the good weather. Championship courses weren't part of the package. Today we can compete against any market in the country in terms of the quality of the golf courses and golf experiences.

"Desert golf courses are different," continues Weiskopf. "The golfer has to bear with the fact that we respect our water resources out here. By law, we can only irrigate 90 acres of turf; consequently, most of the newer courses are target-oriented. On the plus side, this makes for a unique, dramatic look, the striking contrasts of green formality against the rugged desert backdrop. We've got finely maintained courses, beautiful mountain vistas, and the sunsets are spectacular. It's just a very fine place to play golf."

What's New in Town
Brand new 18s in the Phoenix/Scottsdale corridor are in short supply — nearly three years have passed since one has opened — but the good news is that plenty of new opportunities exist even for frequent visitors. The best new course you can play in Phoenix isn't new, but it is newly public. Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, 25 minutes south of Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport, was a private men's club for its first six years of existence, where members included major championship winners Mark Calcavecchia and Steve Jones. Unfortunately, it's an hour from Scottsdale, on the "wrong" side of town, so the business model didn't hold up, but the course sure did. This big, bold, 7,300-yard layout might be the very best work that Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley have done (Fred Couples consulting), with broad, sweeping, fescue-framed fairways, deep, artfully contoured and strategically placed bunkers and masterfully crafted undulating greens. Toss in unobstructed mountain and desert vistas, Troon Golf management and a green fee that's less than half of some of Scottsdale's trophy courses and you have one of Arizona's best values.

Two classic bargain tracks are fighting it out for the Phoenix area's most improved: The TPC Scottsdale (Champions) and Papago Municipal. From the partying hordes that descend on the TPC Scottsdale every January for the FBR Open, virtually every golf fan on earth knows about the facility's Stadium course. For 20 years, however, the Stadium's little brother was a 6,400-yard sad sack (if affordable) sibling called the Desert course. Designed by the Stadium's architects, Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, it filled a void, but was hardly memorable. In November of 2007, that all changed. Tulsa-based architect Randy Heckenkemper, who designed the original land plan for the TPC Scottsdale, crafted an extreme makeover, adding 700 yards, new contouring, new greens and new hazards. Its new name, Champions, boasts a new back tee slope of 140, versus the old one of 119. Combined with its stirring views of the McDowell Mountains to the east, the Champions is now a Phoenix-area must-play.

A transformation of more recent vintage took place at Phoenix's venerable Papago Park, a city-owned muni dating to 1963 that was carved from rolling desert terrain by Billy Bell Jr., the same fellow who rang up another public winner at California's Torrey Pines six years earlier. By the mid-1980s, Papago was as tough for an out-of-towner to get a tee time as it was to get onto Scottsdale's snootiest clubs. Then it all went wrong, a victim of inattention and lack of funds.

Eventually, however, Phoenix took a cue from similar rescue missions in San Diego, San Francisco and New York. Following an eight-month shut-down and renovation, Papago re-opened in December 2008 — and while it may never host a U.S. Open or Presidents Cup, it did prove a splendid, if youthful site in March 2009 to an LPGA event, captured by Hall-of-Famer Karrie Webb.

In consort with the Arizona Golf Association, architect Billy Fuller, formerly the superintendent at Augusta National, replaced the tired turf, added 30 bunkers, restored green sizes and contours and yanked out trees that otherwise obscured the views of local landmarks such as Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak. He also added 300 yards to the tips, so that it now checks in at 7,333 beefy yards. The superb 386-yard, par-4 2nd, its elevated green backdropped by the reddish-tinged Papago Buttes rock formation, is an early photo op — and potential card-wrecker. At the maximum high-season rate of $109 for tourists ($84 to walk during the week and just $44 for locals — and $20-$58 in summer), this isn't a deal — it's a steal.

The Trophy Collection
Troon North is still king of the Scottsdale public "must-plays" thanks to a pair of courses that dish out cacti, arroyos, rock outcroppings and stunning vistas of Pinnacle Peak and the surrounding mountains. Late in 2007, Troon North pulled the old switcheroo, or something to that effect, by breaking up its two old courses. The result is the "new" Pinnacle course, which joins the old Pinnacle back nine with the old Monument back nine. The "new" Monument course features the old front nines of the two tracks. Monument might be the more scenic of the two, but Pinnacle is the more cohesive test — and is walkable, a rarity among modern real estate-oriented desert courses.

Many regulars now place We-Ko-Pa Golf Club's two layouts as the equal of any in the Valley of the Sun and it's easy to see why. Named for the Yavapai word for "Four Peaks Mountain," a jagged rock formation that looms over the course, We-Ko-Pa lies on tribal land owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai nation just east of Scottsdale. Since opening in 2001, We-Ko-Pa's Cholla course, a Scott Miller design has catapulted to "can't-miss" status thanks to its incomparable scenery and holes that zigzag artfully through canyons, over ridges and down mountain slopes. That there are no homes or roads intruding on the views only adds to the charm here.

In December 2006, We-Ko-Pa's Saguaro course debuted, and in short order, this Coore/Crenshaw effort has become the first choice of many who touch down in the desert. It's wide enough that a spray hitter will still find his tee shot, and there are few forced carries, so a golfer who struggles getting it airborne can also enjoy. Yet, strong players will bask in the challenge of strategic bunkers, superb risk/reward decisions and cleverly contoured greens. Add elevation changes, mountain vistas and a forest of cacti to the mix and you've got an unbeatable combination.

Grayhawk Golf Club didn't invent "country club for a day," but it may have perfected it in the 1990s, when Phil's Grill (named for Phil Mickelson) was a beehive for tour pros. Lefty moved back to San Diego seven years ago, but the 'Hawk still brims with ambiance, from the Kostis-McCord (as in, Peter and Gary) Golf School to the classic rock tunes piped to the practice range via faux-rock speakers. The Tom Fazio-designed Raptor course hosts most of the big events, including the PGA Tour's Frys.com Open, but the David Graham/Gary Panks-crafted Talon course offers more drama, as at the par-3 11th, where golfers traverse a swinging bridge to reach the back tee and at the island-green, par-3 17th, that's rimmed with colorful flowers.

Home to the FBR Open, the best-attended (and rowdiest) stop on the PGA Tour, the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course is nobody's idea of a beauty queen, but what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in thrills. With the installation of a caddie program late in 2006, tourists can now imagine being in Vijay or Phil's footsteps as they stride across the desert-pinched fairways. The island-green, par-5 15th and driveable par-4 17th are two water-tinged, risk/reward greats. For trivia fans, note that the 17th is the site of the only ace on a par-4 in PGA Tour history (Andrew Magee, 2001), while the loudest hole in golf, the par-3 16th, reached its zenith in 1997 when Tiger Woods carded a memorable hole-in-one. Tiger fans should also check out the one-ton boulder on the par-5 13th that onlookers helped move for him — perhaps the heaviest loose impediment in golf history.

At the Boulders Resort, Jay Morrish sculpted two superb courses from the prehistoric rocks that define this property in the charmingly named town of Carefree. While some contend that the North course is the stronger, better balanced of the two, it's undeniable that the South has the more spectacular holes, including the par-4 1st and the par-5 sixth, with greensites tucked into six-story boulder complexes and the par-4 6th, which tees off atop the rocks.

Forty-five minutes east of Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport is Gold Canyon Golf Resort's Dinosaur Mountain course, a Ken Kavanaugh design that may very be the equal of anything in Scottsdale. True, home construction in the last 10 years has detracted from the aesthetics, but even so, the elevation changes, sheer variety of holes and in-your-face encounters with the Superstition Mountains make this worth the drive, no matter where in town you're staying.

Best of the Rest
Drive five minutes in any direction and you're bound to dent a fender running into an excellent Phoenix/Scottsdale golf experience. Here are a few favorites.

Coming straight off the airplane after a cold winter — or do you have a playing partner who values beauty over brawn? Check out the three nines at The Phoenician. The Oasis loop offers a touch of Florida, thanks to the landscaping and lakes, while the Desert and Canyon nines embrace cactus and mountain themes. All three nines are short, but eye-catching. Don't miss the Desert nine, whose drop-shot par-3 6th and 8th holes are superb photo ops — provided you don't get vertigo.

Your gang will have nothing but fun at Longbow, a Ken Kavanaugh design in Mesa, a short drive from where the Chicago Cubs train in the spring. The Redan-style par-3 8th, a nifty set of risk/reward par-5s, superbly sculpted bunkers and camera-worthy views of Red Mountain and the Superstitions — plus a player-friendly price tag — make it worth the half-hour journey from North Scottsdale.

Though their flat fairways provide less drama than many Valley courses, you won't find a more artfully crafted set of bunkers in town than at Talking Stick, which sports a pair of Troon-managed Scottsdale tracks on tribal land, complete with mountain views, wild horses and no houses. The North is the more strategic of the two, but the South features more trees, making it the better summer course.

Marriott's Wildfire Golf Club, on the grounds of the state's largest resort, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, is often overlooked, but its two courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer, the other by Nick Faldo/Schmidt-Curley, offer tremendous variety. The Palmer more closely hews to its natural desert setting, while the Faldo sports wider fairways and gigantic bunkers. Both bask in mountain views and enjoy a convenient northeast Phoenix location.

SunRidge Canyon Golf Club in Fountain Hills is a 1995 Keith Foster creation that sports a roller-coaster back nine full of wildly exciting holes, most notably the 209-yard, par-3 17th. Two sets of tees, located 300 yards apart and used on alternating days, approach the horseshoe-shaped green from two different angles. They are both spectacular shots from elevated tees amid rock- and cactus-covered slopes.

Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To Phoenix (2010):

The largest city in Arizona with the hottest climate of any major US city, Phoenix is known as The Valley of the Sun for its 300 days of sunshine each year. But when the sun sets, the nightlife heats up. In any direction from Downtown Phoenix to the Camelback Corridor, there are bars, trendy clubs and restaurants. Populated by almost 70,000 college students from the Arizona State University, and home to teams in every major professional sport, this is a town that likes to party. From trendy clubs in Old Town Scottsdale to college bars on Tempe’s Mill Avenue, and sports bars in Downtown Phoenix, drinking has never been so easy.

ILLICT DRINKS

Moonshine is a common name for illicitly-distilled liquor. The term is commonly believed to derive from early English smugglers and Appalachian home distillers who often engaged in illegal distillation and distribution by the light of the moon. It is essentially any distilled spirit that is made in an unlicensed still.

Because of its proximity to Mexico, Tequila, or Bacanora, is a popular type of moonshine in Arizona. Bacanora is a liquor made from the sugars of the agave plant, just like tequila. The difference is only in the region where they are made. Because Mexican law states that it can only be called Tequila if it’s produced in the Mexican state of Jalisco, and Bacanora is typically made in the Mexican state of Sonora, it has a different name.

Oak spirals are sometimes used in home distillation to add an oak flavor without having to barrel age the spirit for a lengthy amount of time. They are generally made from American or French oak.

The illegal nature of home distillation stems from the risk associated with creating toxic concoctions from materials and equipment that aren’t sanctioned by law.

BREWS

Named after the prominent landmark of the Mazatzal Mountain range on the eastern skyline of Phoenix, The Four Peaks Brewery has been serving up award-winning beers since 1996. The building that houses their Tempe brewery has some historical significance within the area. Originally built in 1892 as an ice plant, the turn of the century brick warehouse later became a creamery and was remodeled in a Mission Revival style in 1927. Owner Jim Scussel, co-owner Randy Schultz and co-owner/brewer Andy Ingram now serve up food, 8 mainstay brews and have made over 25 different seasonal beers throughout the years. With distribution all over the state and a local reputation as a superior brew pub, their popular brews range from the World Beer Cup winning Hopsquatch Barleywine with an ABV of 12% to their flagship ale, Kilt-Lifter Scottish-Style Ale, that took home the GABF Silver Medal last year, and their recently canned addition, SunBru Kölsch Style Ale.

Oatmeal Stout Shake
½ pint of Oatmeal Stout
1 scoop of French Vanilla ice cream
Drizzle with chocolate syrup
Top with whipped cream

Four Peaks Brewery | 1340 East 8th St. #104, Tempe, Arizona 85281 | (480) 303-9967

Other notable local breweries include the Sonora Brewing Company which distributes beers throughout Arizona, with regional names like the Burning Bird Pale Ale, Arizona Wheat, Old Saguro Barleywine, and the Desert Amber. Arizona’s most legendary brew is their Sonoran 200 which is a 19.37% alcohol ale, brewed with agave nectar and then oak aged for six months. More like a spirit than a beer, it is meant to be served in a snifter at room temperature, on the rocks, or as a floater to a margarita.

Another interesting brew out of Scottsdale, AZ is one that is made for the canine variety, Bowser Beer. A non-alcoholic beverage that is bottled, like beer, it actually contains a healthy dose of chicken or beef broth, Glucosamine, Malted Barley (Vitamin-B) and protein. In January 2007, after creating the perfect pretzel treat for her 3 pooches, Jenny Brown was inspired to produce a beer for dog after thinking of no better accompaniment to pretzels than beer. The canine “beer” is now sold at retailers nationwide and through their website.

COCKTAILING

A premier live music destination with an arsenal of martini drinks to choose from, Martini Ranch & Shaker Room has been located in the heart of Scottsdale for more than 15 years. Voted as one of the top 10 best dance clubs in Scottsdale, it has become a destination for locals and tourists alike. With an eclectic menu of libations, including over 30 different house-blended specialty martini’s, they use locally produced spirits like vodkas from Arizona High Spirits Distillery.

Nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks at nearly 7,000 feet, High Spirits became the first legal distillery in the state of Arizona in 2005. Exhibiting pride in their home state, distillers Dana Kanzler and Dave Williamson blend their vodkas with regional flavors like chili and prickly pear, and feature graphics on their labels that capture the unique character of Arizona and its wildlife.

Martini Ranch’s “Hangover Martini”
Combine Ice, High Spirits Chili flavored Vodka and small quantities of olive juice, tabasco sauce and black pepper. Shake and strain.

Slowly add a small amount of Bloody Mary mix to the side of the glass to create a separation in the colors

Martini Ranch | 7295 E Stetson Dr 
Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | (480) 970-0500

If it wasn’t in the middle of the desert, downtown Scottsdale would be a club-goer’s mecca. From dance clubs and lounges to live music venues and nightclubs, Scottsdale is home to over 15 bars with sexy names like Axis/Radius, Myst and Barcelona.

GRUB

Located inside of Giligan’s in Scottsdale, Chuey’s Mini Bar is a little person’s sanctuary. Run by Chuey, the self-proclaimed Satanic, Hispanic Rock N’ Roll Midget, it is the only “mini” bar in the US. With a custom built bar for it’s 4 foot proprietor, it features unique drinks like the plunger shot, nightly drink specials, and “The Wheel of Booze.” It also hosts party games like flip cup, goldfish racing, karaoke and beer pong. But Chuey’s also offers up several glutonous food challenges like 5 lbs of tater tots and extreme amounts of corn dogs, hot wings and pizza rolls. The rules are simple: you have one hour to complete the entire amount, you cannot leave to go to the restroom and you cannot puke. The prize: a $50 bar tab.

Giligan’s Bar | 4251 N Winfield Scott Plz Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | (480) 874-2264

Other interesting places to gorge yourself in the Phoenix area include legendary shock rocker Alice Cooper’s sports bar, Cooperstown. Patrons can take on the full pound, 22 inch “Big Unit” hot dog challenge. Named after Randy Johnson, the Cy Young Award winning pitcher, formerly with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who is also a partner in the business, sirens go off when someone orders one.

If you’re unconcerned about calories, another good place to overeat is The Heart Attack Grill, a burger joint that offers any patrons weighing more than 350 lbs an unlimited amount of free food promised all day, every day, and all night, every night. With menu items like the four patty Quadruple Bypass Burger, Flatliner Fries and Jolt Cola, the name really says it all.

HISTORY

As the oldest restaurant in Arizona, Aunt Chilada’s has a very rich history. Constructed in the 1890’s from railroad ties and desert stone, the original location was a place for miners to enjoy a cold beverage after a long day in the mines. Located on Dreamy Draw Drive, the road gets its name from inebriated and dreamy-eyed appearance of the mercury miners who had come from their jobs where they had been inhaling mercury fumes. Today, Aunt Chilada’s carries on that century old tradition of heartfelt Southwestern hospitality and serves the finest Mexican food this side of the border. It is also home to the largest Cinco de Mayo party in the state and their original hand-tossed Prickly Pear Margarita, which is made from the flowers of the prickly pear cactus.

Prickly Pear Margarita
Combine Prickly Pear fruit, Prickly Pear reduced as a simple syrup, Ice, Hornitos Tequila, Real lemon lime Margarita mix and Grand Marnier
Blend and serve

Cactus Margarita (not recommended)
Combine ice, Tequila and 1 de-spined cactus pad
Blend and serve

Aunt Chilada’s | 7330 North Dreamy Draw Dr., Phoenix, Arizona 85020 | 
(602) 944-1286

Another slice of history is the old silver mining town of Tombstone, AZ, home to some of the wild west’s most legendary stories, including the notorious Gun Fight at the O.K. Corral. Founded in 1879 by prospector Ed Schieffelin, Tombstone, which acquired it’s name after Schieffelin’s comrades told him the only thing he would find was his tombstone when he went looking for riches, quickly escalated into a boomtown after word spread about its promises of mineral wealth. In May 1882 a devastating fire took down most of the original structures and most have since been rebuilt. Today, Tombstone is still rich in history with watering holes like Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, which is just down the street from the famous Bird Cage Theatre. Originally housing The Grand Hotel, which was one of the finest hotels in the state, the 1882 fire destroyed most of the structure. The saloon still holds the original long bar from the Grand Hotel and its patrons can rest their elbows on the very place that once did the Earps, Doc Holliday and the Clantons.

Named after Big Nose Kate who was believed to be the first prostitute in Tombstone, the bar carries unique drinks and a famously named beer, the OK Ale. Brewed at Dave’s Electric Brewpub in Tempe, AZ, the OK Ale was originally brewed by beer pioneer Dave Harvan in Bisbee, AZ after opening up Arizona’s first legal microbrewery in 1987. The beer is a golden lager with 5.1% Alcohol and 31.5 IBU.

Big Nose Kate’s Saloon | 417 E Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ 85638 | (520) 457-3107

Arizona for Foursomes
3 golf-filled vacations for buddies on any budget
FROM T&L GOLF MAR 2006
by Joe Passov

What's the formula for a terrific buddy trip? Well, it starts with the promise of tons of sun, and it probably ends with a healthy dose of the local nightlife. In between, it's about great golf. The Grand Canyon State delivers on all counts. From the ponderosa pines and 7,000-foot elevation of Flagstaff to the juniper, sagebrush and red rock–filled high deserts of Sedona and Prescott to the cactus-covered mountain slopes of Greater Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona offers a much greater diversity of golf environments than some might think. Best of all, there are fistfuls of courses, hotels, restaurants and off-course activities to fit every budget. Maybe you want to test yourself on the trophy tracks, or maybe you're just looking for a few good places to horse around with your pals. Either way, we guarantee one of these Arizona golf buddy trips will be a highlight of your year.

GREAT VALUE
THE PLACE
PHOENIX-SCOTTSDALE
In high season, from January through April, golf bargains may be scarce but good values are out there if you know where to look. A vast array of courses awaits, from traditional, tree-lined tracks to target-style desert layouts, and the roster includes a fair number of value-oriented places. Big-city attractions such as pro sports and top resorts, plus tribal casinos and gentlemen's clubs, if you're so inclined, make this area the undisputed buddy-trip capital of Arizona. No matter what you're looking to spend, this is the place to start.

STAYING*
Embassy Suites Phoenix-Scottsdale
800-362-2779; www.embassysuites.com; $189/night. This Hilton-affiliated chain offers buddy value in the form of complimentary breakfast, newspaper and evening manager's reception. The central location, directly adjacent to Stonecreek Golf Club, is superb.

PLAYING
Apache Stronghold (San Carlos)
800-272-2438; golfapache.com; $55. It's a bit of a hike— a little over an hour's drive from Phoenix—but well worth it to play a Tom Doak design for just over fifty bucks. A memorable set of greens, mountain vistas and a hotel-casino next door are highlights.

Papago Municipal (Phoenix)
602-275-8428; phoenix.gov/sports/papago.html; $38/$49 cart. Short on frills, long on value. Not quite Bethpage or Torrey Pines as munis go, but certainly in the next tier. The rolling, traditional layout features ancient stone Papago buttes as backdrops.

Stonecreek (Phoenix)
602-953-9111; americangolf.com; $79–$115. If you're staying on-site, you'll save on gas. Regardless, you'll enjoy this out-and-back Arthur Hills design that ribbons through a wash and also features elevated greens, views of Mummy Mountain, and the eponymous stone-dappled creek.

DINING
Flo's Asian Kitchen (Asian): 480-609-9888. Innovative cuisine, upscale locations and decor, yet easy on the wallet.
Fox Sports Grill (American): 480-368-0369. Putting green, perfect Kierland-area location.
Garduño's (Mexican): 480-607-9222. Festive ambiance, strolling mariachis, tasty margaritas and affordable entrées.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Casino Arizona: 480-850-7777, www.casinoaz.com. Las Vegas–style gaming and entertainment at two locations.
Jillian's: 480-538-8956, www.jillians.com. Billiards, bowling, games, sports on multiple TVs.

PHOENIX-SCOTTSDALE- OPTION 2
Sometimes, when you and your buddies have your hearts set on playing thirty-six holes a day, a mix of upper-tier and mid-range courses is desirable. One way to schedule your rounds efficiently is through the "Golf Bank" at Resort Suites, which can help secure tee times at more than twenty local courses. Among the area's big pluses is that it's easy to navigate by car, but take your time— Scottsdale police have speed traps in all kinds of sneaky places.

STAYING*
Resort Suites (Scottsdale)
888-997-5792; www.resortsuites.com; $249/night. In the heart of North Scottsdale, this is the region's premier property for vacationing golf buddies. Perfect location adjacent to the TPC of Scottsdale and five minutes from Grayhawk and Kierland. Great golf-concierge services, too.

PLAYING
Gold Canyon, Dinosaur Mountain Course
480-982-9449; www.gcgr.com; $185. As of April 10, rates tumble to $115 during the week, but the scenery and layout at this Dinosaur are top-tier in every respect. Gold Canyon is a healthy forty-five-minute trek east of Phoenix–North Scottsdale but well worth the trip.

Legend Trail
480-488-7434; www.legendtrailgc.com; $185. Prices come down May 1, then drop by more than half on June 1; either way, let this Rees Jones desert design in the farthest reaches of North Scottsdale be your splurge. In the eleventh and fourteenth holes, the rugged back nine boasts two of the valley's best par fours.

Longbow
480-807-5400; www.longbowgolf.com; $99. Your gang will have nothing but fun at this Ken Kavanaugh design in Mesa. The Redan-style par-three seventh, a nifty set of risk-reward par fives, camera-worthy views of Red Mountain and the Superstitions and a friendly price tag make Longbow worth the half-hour journey from North Scottsdale.

Talking Stick, North Course
480-860-2221; www.talkingstickgolfclub.com; $170. Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore are renowned for their craftsmanship, and you won't find a more artfully sculpted set of bunkers in Arizona than at this Troon-managed Scottsdale track on tribal land. Greens fees plunge by $50 after April 3.

DINING
Barcelona (Continental): 480-603-0370. The paella and citrus-marinated pork tenderloin are house specials, but it's the great-looking crowd and late-night dancing that keep folks around.
Z Tejas Grill (Southwestern): 480-948-9010. Classic entrées with Southwestern kick. Try Tom Lehman's favorite, the Voodoo Tuna, as well as the unique ancho-chile fudge pie for dessert.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Desert Storm Hummer Tours: 480-922-0020, www.dshummer.com . There's no better way to get an up-close-and-personal experience with the desert and mountains east of Phoenix than with this rigorous but unforgettable tour.

Major League Baseball: 602-514-8400, www.azdiamondbacks.com . Twelve teams call Arizona their spring training home—check mlb.com for schedules. The Arizona Diamondbacks play in Phoenix from early April through late September (and occasionally beyond).

PHOENIX-SCOTTSDALE- OPTION 3
Make no mistake: In high season, you can spend a bundle at the top golf resorts and courses, with rack rates at many hotels more than $400 per night and golf over $200 a round. But sometimes there's nothing more satisfying than a big splurge. As Del Cochran once said about playing his Grayhawk Golf Club, "It's like eating at a fancy French restaurant. You don't do it every day. It's supposed to be a treat." So if you and your pals are into treating yourselves to the best around, this is your trip.

STAYING*
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
800-344-4758; www.fairmont.com; from $419/night. The best for a spare-no-expense buddy trip. Within fifteen minutes are some of the valley's best restaurants. On property, you've got quality cocktailing and the highest-rated Mexican restaurant in all the United States, La Hacienda.

PLAYING
Grayhawk, Talon Course
480-502-1800; www.grayhawkgolf.com; $170–$210. Grayhawk didn't invent "country club for a day," but it may have perfected it in the 1990s, when Phil's Grill (yes, named for Mickelson) was a magnet for Tour pros. Lefty has since moved to San Diego, but the 'Hawk is still brimming with ambiance, e.g., classic rock piped to the range. The Tom Fazio–designed Raptor course hosts more big events, but the David Graham and Gary Panks–crafted Talon offers more drama, as at the par-three eleventh, where golfers traverse a swinging bridge to reach the back tee.

Troon North, Monument Course
480-585-5300; www.troonnorthgolf.com; $170–$295 through May 13, then prices fall for summer. This Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish layout remains a monument to excellence in desert design. The third hole, with its gigantic boulder in the fairway, and the fourteenth, which doglegs endlessly to the right, are two of the best three-shotters in the region.

We-Ko-Pa
480-836-9000; www.wekopa.com; $160–$195 through April 30; rates fall as of May 1. We-Ko-Pa's strategy-laced design, with a handful of split fairways and reachable par fours and fives, shows off the natural beauty of the desert to full effect, as no homes or roads mar the course. A 247-room Radisson hotel recently opened on-site and a new Coore-Crenshaw course will debut in December.

DINING
Mastro's (Steak): 480-585-9500. This consummate North Scottsdale power spot is equal parts people watching and serious eating, with huge, sizzling steaks that spill over the edge of the plate.
Tommy Bahama's Tropical Café & Emporium (Caribbean): 480-607-3388. The laid-back tropical lifestyle is celebrated at this Kierland Commons eatery; the "Island Cowboy" tenderloin is a winner.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving: 800-842-7223, www.bondurant.com. The Bondurant School has educated everyone from NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson to Senator John McCain's wife, Cindy, in the adrenalized art of racecar driving. Group programs, go-carts, gear and apparel—it's all a-go-go here.

Phoenix Suns: 602-379-7867, nba.com/suns. Reigning league MVP Steve Nash and the gang remain one of the NBA's most exciting teams.

*ALL LODGING PRICES BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

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