Golf in Phoenix, Arizona: another great reason to purchase real estate in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley

One of the world’s great golf destinations, the Phoenix and Scottsdale area boasts some of the most diverse and challenging golf courses anywhere.

Some of the advantages of playing golf in the desert are obvious: for one thing, it’s almost always sunny. But perhaps the most appealing reason to golf in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area is the dramatic topography of the local real estate.

Just as Hawaii has its lush, tropical beauty and Scotland has its ancient charm, golfing in the Arizona desert is truly a breathtaking experience. There’s something magic about the clean, dry air. There’s something other-worldly about the rocky outcroppings and barrel cacti so prominent in the local Phoenix real estate. And there’s something special about the delightful surprise of the vibrant green fairways and well-kept greens, in the middle of the desert.

With over 170 golf courses to choose from (public and private), and with standards of design and upkeep among the finest in the world, the Phoenix and Scottsdale area is truly a world-class destination for golf.

The Monument Course was recently rated best in the State by both Golfweek Magazine and Golf Digest. Other top Arizona golf courses in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area include the Pinnacle Course, and Grayhawk’s Raptor and Talon Courses.

As for the best golf holes, it’s hard to name one among such an embarrassment of golfing riches. But certainly a contender is hole number 14 at Troon’s Monument course. This spectacular par 5, 604-yard hole should be on everyone’s “must play” golf list.

Perhaps most the interesting local golf courses in the Paradise Valley / Scottsdale area are the unique “desert golf” courses such as The Boulders and Desert Highlands. The concept of desert golf arose out of a sensitivity to the environment. The amount of Phoenix real estate used is carefully limited, with fairways often narrower than normal. Designers of these unique golf courses are careful to maintain the natural habitat, and must avoid changing the natural water flow. As a result, golfers play through sandy washes and around towering rock formations and assorted cacti.

Other golf courses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona are more traditional, but there’s still no mistaking that you’re in the desert. And even the traditional golf courses are kept as environmentally friendly as possible, by using reclaimed water for irrigation.

The level of golf instruction available in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area is also first rate. Pros, just like visitors, are drawn to the area by its staggering quantity and quality of golf courses, as well as its fabulous climate. World-class golf instruction is always available in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. The numbers prove it: according to Golf Magazine, eleven of the nation’s top 100 instructors are in Scottsdale. Several golf clubs near Phoenix and Scottsdale offer group or private instruction by top-flight golf pros.

Work on your putting or improve your swing at any number of great Scottsdale locations, including the John Jacobs Golf School (with several locations near Scottsdale), the Golf Digest Learning Centers (operating from the Talking Stick Golf Club), and of course the Nicklaus/Flick Game Improvement Center (at Desert Mountain).

Scottsdale and Phoenix boast the best year-round climate in the nation. In the winter, spring and fall, the warm sun lures golfers from around the world. And in the summer, golfers take advantage of the greatly reduced greens fees, and flock to the courses at the crack of dawn, hitting the eighteenth hole while the powerful Arizona sun is still low in the sky.

With its spectacular golf courses, superbly groomed greens, expert instruction and fabulous year-round climate, it’s not wonder that Phoenix and Scottsdale have gained a reputation as one of the world’s great golf centers.

So if you’re a golfer, you couldn’t choose a better place to buy a home than Paradise Valley or Scottsdale, Arizona. As a licensed Scottsdale real estate agent, I’d be happy to help you find your dream home in Metro Phoenix.

Phoenix Golf Course Table

Name	Type*	Phone	Holes	Loc*	Cost*
Ahwatukee C.C.	SP	(480) 893-1161	18	SE	$$
Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course	E	(480) 893-3004	18	SE	$
Arizona Biltmore C.C.	R	(602) 955-9655	36	NNE	$$$
Arizona C.C.	PVT	(480) 946-4565	18	NNE	N/A
Cave Creek Golf Course	PUB	(602) 866-8076	18	N	$
Club West Golf Club	PUB	(480) 460-4400	18	SSE	$$$
El Caro Golf Club	E	(602) 995-3664	18	N	$
Encanto Nine	E	(602) 262-6870	9	NNW	$
Encanto Park Golf Course	PUB	(602) 253-3963	18	NNW	$
Foothills Golf Club	PUB	(480) 460-4653	18	SSE	$$
Legacy Golf Resort	PUB	(602) 305-5550	18	S	$$$
Lookout Mountain Golf Club	R	(602) 866-6356	18	N	$$$
Maryvale Golf Course	PUB	(602) 846-4022	18	NW	$
Moon Valley C.C.	PVT	(602) 942-1278	18	N	N/A
Palo Verde Golf Course	E	(602) 249-9930	9	N	$
Papago Golf Course	PUB	(602) 275-8428	18	E	$
Paradise Peak West	E	(480) 946-2299	9	NNE	$$$
Paradise Valley Park Golf Course	E/PUB	(602) 992-7190	18	NNE	$
Phantom Horse Golf Club	R/PUB	(602) 431-6480	18	MAP	$$$
Phoenix C.C.	PVT	(602) 263-5208	18	N	N/A
Raven Golf Club	PUB	(602) 243-3636	18	SSE	$$$
Tatum Ranch Golf Club	SP	(480) 585-4909	18	NNE	N/A
Villa De Paz Golf Course	PUB	(623) 877-1172	18	W	$
Vistal Golf Club	PUB	(602) 305-7755	18	SSW	$$
Wildfire Golf Club	PUB	(480) 473-0205	36	N	$$$

* Definitions
Type: PUB=Public, PVT=Private, SP=Semi-Private, E=Executive, R=Resort, M=Military
Loc: Location from the center of Phoenix (i.e. NNE=North North East)
Cost: $=0-50, $$=51-100, $$$=Over 100, N/A=Not Available ( November through March)